[Prince-Royal]." "POTSDAM, le 20 de juin, 1727." [Preuss, i.

22.] The Document has otherwise its beauty; but such is the spelling of it.

In fact his Grammar, as he would himself now and then regretfully discern, in riper years, with some transient attempt or resolution to remedy or help it, seems to have come mainly by nature; so likewise his "STYLUS" both in French and German,--a very fair style, too, in the former dialect:--but as to his spelling, let him try as he liked, he never came within sight of perfection.
The things ordered with such rigorous minuteness, if but arbitrary things, were apt to be neglected; the things forbidden, especially in the like case, were apt to become doubly tempting.

It appears, the prohibition of Latin gave rise to various attempts, on the part of Friedrich, to attain that desirable Language.

Secret lessons, not from Duhan, but no doubt with Duhan's connivance, were from time to time undertaken with this view: once, it is recorded, the vigilant Friedrich Wilhelm, going his rounds, came upon Fritz and one of his Preceptors (not Duhan but a subaltern) actually engaged in this illicit employment.
Friedrich himself was wont to relate this anecdote in after life.
[Busching, _Beitrage zu der Lebensgeschichte denkwurdiger Personen,_ v.
33.