On to Berlin for the coronation of the King

Friederich Wilhelm IV

Started 9 o’clock at night (Oct 12) in the Schnell-Post.  Very comfortable with the exception of being obliged to change vehicles at every Post, as we were in one of the carriages.  Learned on the way that the King of Prussia was to be crowned in a few days at Berlin!  Scarcely knew what to make of it, as we had heard nothing of it before.  Reached Berlin, in 34 hours about 7 am, where we found some 9 or 10 Diligences arriving at the same time with ourselves. Saw as we passed into the city grand preparations for some great Fete.  We now saw that there was really something going to happen.  Hotels all full, every room engaged a month beforehand, and very few private lodgings to be obtained.. after finding several rooms however, some at nine thalers a day Lo! finally engaged some at random at five thalers per day! and really [53] we were very fortunate indeed, as many could scarcely get any at all, and ours proved to be very comfortable, and to be directly opposite the Palace.