Imustrelatethis，eventcircumstantiallyforitnotonlyprovesthejustandnoblecharacteroftheDuke，butlikewisethattherearemomentsinwhichthebravemayappearcowards，theclear—sightedblind，andthewisefoolish；nay，onemightalmostbeledtoconclude，fromthis，thatmyimprisonmentatMagdeburg，wastheconsequenceofpredestination，sinceIremainedrivetedinstupor，indespiteofsuggestions，forebodings，andfavourableopportunities。Whobutmustbeastonished，havingreadthedaringeffortsImadeatGlatz，atthisstrangeinsensibilitynowintheverycrisisofmyfate？Iafterwardswasconvinceditwastheintentionofthenoble—mindedDukethatIshouldescape，andthathemusthavegivenparticularorderstothesuccessiveofficers。HewouldprobablyhavewillinglysubjectedhimselftothereprimandsofFredericifIwouldhavetakentofight。Thejourneythroughtheplaceswherehisregimentwasstationedcontinuedfivedays，andI
everywherepassedtheeveningsinthecompanyoftheofficers，thekindnessofwhomwasunboundedIsleptintheirquarterswithoutsentinel，andtravelledintheircarriages，withoutotherguardthanasingleofficerinthecarriage。Invariousplacesthehighroadwasnotmorethantwo，andsometimesonemilefromthefrontierroad；thereforenothingcouldhavebeeneasierthantohaveescaped；
yetdidthesameTrenck，whoinGlatzhadcuthiswaythroughthirtymentoobtainhisfreedom，thatTrenck，whohadneverbeenacquaintedwithfear，nowremainfourdaysbewildered，andunabletocometoanydetermination。
Inasmallgarrisontown，Ilodgedinthehouseofacaptainofcavalry，andcontinuallywastreatedbyhimwitheverymarkoffriendship。Afterdinnerherodeattheheadofhissquadrontowaterthehorse，unsaddled。Iremainedaloneinthehouse，enteredthestable，sawthreeremaininghorses，withsaddlesandbridles；inmychamberwasmyswordandapairofpistols。Ihadbuttomountoneofthehorsesandflytotheoppositegate。Imeditatedontheproject，andalmostresolvedtoputitinexecution，butpresentlybecameundeterminedbysomesecretimpulse。Thecaptainreturnedsometimeafter，andappearedsurprisedtofindmestillthere。Thenextdayheaccompaniedmealoneinhiscarriage；wecametoaforest，hesawsomechampignons，stopped，askedmetoalight，andhelphimtogatherthem；hestrayedmorethanahundredpacesfromme，andgavemeentirelibertytofly；yetnotwithstandingallthis，Ivoluntarilyreturned，sufferingmyselftobeledlikeasheeptotheslaughter。
Iwastreatedsowell，duringmystayatthisplace，andescortedwithsomuchnegligence，thatIfellintoagrosserror。PerceivingtheyconveyedmestraighttoBerlin，IimaginedtheKingwishedtoquestionmeconcerningtheplanformedforthewar，whichwasthenonthepointofbreakingout。ThisplanIperfectlyknew，thesecretcorrespondenceofBestuchefhavingallpassedthroughmyhands，whichcircumstancewasmuchbetterknownatBerlinthanatVienna。Confirmedinthisopinion，andfarfromimaginingthefatethatawaitedme，Iremainedirresolute，insensible，andblindtodanger。Alas，howshortwasthishope！Howquicklywasitsucceededbydespair！when，afterfourdays’march，IquittedthedistrictunderthecommandoftheDukeofWirtemberg，andwasdelivereduptothefirstgarrisonofinfantryatCoslin！ThelastoftheWirtembergofficers，whentakingleaveofme，appearedtobegreatlyaffected；andfromthismomenttillIcametoBerlin，Iwasunderastrongescort，andthegivenorderswererigorouslyobserved。
CHAPTERXV。
Arrivedhere，Iwaslodgedoverthegrandguardhouse，withtwosentinelsinmychamber，andoneatthedoor。TheKingwasatPotzdam，andhereIremainedthreedays；onthethird，somestaff—
officersmadetheirappearance，seatedthemselvesatatable，andputthefollowingquestionstome：—
First。WhatwasmybusinessatDantzic？
Secondly。WhetherIwasacquaintedwithM。Goltz，PrussianambassadortoRussia？
Thirdly。WhowasconcernedwithmeintheconspiracyatDantzic？
WhenIperceivedtheirintention，bytheseinterrogations，I
absolutelyrefusedtoreply，onlysayingIhadbeenimprisonedinthefortressofGlatz，withouthearing，ortrialbycourt—martial；
that，availingmyselfofthelawsofnature，Ihadbymyownexertionsprocuredmyliberty，andthatIwasnowacaptainofcavalryintheimperialservice；thatIdemandedalegaltrialformyfirstunknownoffence，afterwhichIengagedtoanswerallinterrogatories，andprovemyinnocence；butthatatpresent，beingaccusedofnewcrimes，withoutahearingconcerningmyformerpunishment，theprocedurewasillegal。Iwastoldtheyhadnoordersconcerningthis，andIremaineddumbtoallfurtherquestions。
Theywrotesometwohours，Godknowswhat；acarriagecameup；Iwasstrictlysearched，tofindwhetherIhadanyweapons；thirteenorfourteenducats，whichIhadconcealed，weretakenfromme，andI
wasconductedunderastrongescort，throughSpandautoMagdeburg。
Theofficerheredeliveredmetothecaptainoftheguardatthecitadel；thetownmajorcame，andbroughtmetothedungeon，expresslypreparedforme；asmallpictureoftheCountessofBestuchef，setwithdiamonds，whichIhadkeptconcealedinmybosom，wasnowtakenfromme；thedoorwasshut，andherewasI
left。
Mydungeonwasinacasemate，theforepartofwhich，sixfeetwideandtenfeetlong，wasdividedbyapartywall。Intheinnerwallweretwodoors，andathirdattheentranceofthecasemateitself。
Thewindowintheseven—feet—thickwallwassosituatedthat，thoughIhadlight，Icouldseeneitherheavennorearth；Icouldonlyseetheroofofthemagazine；withinandwithoutthiswindowwereironbars，andinthespacebetweenanirongrating，socloseandsosituated，bytherisingofthewalls，thatitwasimpossibleI
shouldseeanyparsonwithouttheprison，orthatanypersonshouldseeme。Ontheoutsidewasawoodenpalisade，sixfeetfromthewall，bywhichthesentinelswerepreventedfromconveyinganythingtome。Ihadamattress，andabedstead，butwhichwasimmovablyironedtothefloor，sothatitwasimpossibleIshoulddragit，andstanduptothewindow；besidethedoorwasasmallironstoveandanighttable，inlikemannerfixedtothefloor。Iwasnotyetputinirons，andmyallowancewasapoundandahalfperdayofammunitionbread，andajugofwater。
FrommyyouthIhadalwayshadagoodappetite，andmybreadwassomouldyIcouldscarcelyatfirsteatthehalfofit。ThiswastheconsequenceofMajorReiding’savarice，whoendeavouredtoprofitevenbythis，sogreatwasthenumberofunfortunateprisoners；
therefore，itisimpossibleIshoulddescribetomyreaderstheexcessoftorturesthat，duringelevenmonths，Ifeltfromravenoushunger。Icouldeasilyeverydayhavedevouredsixpoundsofbread；
andeverytwenty—fourhoursafterhavingreceivedandswallowedmysmallportion，IcontinuedashungryasbeforeIbegan，yetmustwaitanothertwenty—fourhoursforanewmorsel。HowwillinglywouldIhavesignedabillofexchangeforathousandducats，onmypropertyatVienna，onlytohavesatiatedmyhungerondrybread！
For，soextremewasit，thatscarcelyhadIdroptintoasweetsleep。ThereforeIdreamedIwasfeastingatsometableluxuriouslyloaded，where，eatinglikeaglutton，thewholecompanywereastonishedtoseeme，whilemyimaginationwasheatedbythesensationoffamine。Awakenedbythepainsofhunger，thedishesvanished，andnothingremainedbuttherealityofmydistress；thecravingsofnaturewerebutinflamed，mytorturespreventedsleep，and，lookingintofuturity，thecrueltyofmyfatesuffered，ifpossible，increase，fromimaginingthattheprolongationofpangslikethesewasinsupportable。Godpreserveeveryhonestmanfromsufferingslikemine！Theywerenottobeenduredbythevillainmostobdurate。Manyhavefastedthreedays，manyhavesufferedwantforaweek，ormore；butcertainlynoone，besidemyself，everendureditinthesameexcessforelevenmonths。Somehavesupposedthattoeatlittlemightbecomehabitual，butIhaveexperiencedthecontrary。Myhungerincreasedeveryday；andofallthetrialsoffortitudemywholelifehasafforded，this，ofelevenmonths，wasthemostbitter。
Petitions，remonstrances，wereofnoavail；theanswerwas——\"Wemustgivenomore，suchistheKing’scommand。\"TheGovernor，GeneralBorck，borntheenemyofman，replied，whenIentreated，atleast，tohavemyfillofbread，\"YouhavefeastedoftenenoughoutoftheserviceofplatetakenfromtheKing，byTrenck，atthebattleofSorau；youmustnoweatammunitionbreadinyourdirtykennel。YourEmpressmakesnoallowanceforyourmaintenance，andyouareunworthyofthebreadyoueat，orthetroubletakenaboutyou。\"
Judge，reader，whatpangssuchinsolence，addedtosuchsufferingsmustinflict。Judgewhatweremythoughts，foreseeing，asIdid，anendlessdurationtothisimprisonmentandthesetorments。
Mythreedoorswerekeptevershut，andIwaslefttosuchmeditationsassuchfeelingsandsuchhopesmightinspire。Daily，aboutnoon，onceintwenty—fourhours，mypittanceofbreadandwaterwasbrought。Thekeysofallthedoorswerekeptbythegovernor；theinnerdoorwasnotopened，butmybreadandwaterweredeliveredthroughanaperture。Theprisondoorswereopenedonlyonceaweek，onaWednesday，whenthegovernorandtownmajor，myholehavingbeenfirstcleaned，paidtheirvisit。
Havingremainedthustwomonths，andobservedthismethodwasinvariable，IbegantoexecuteaprojectIhadformed，ofthepossibilityofwhichIwasconvinced。
Wherethenight—tableandstovestood，thefloorwasbricked，andthispavingextendedtothewallthatseparatedmycasematefromtheadjoiningone，inwhichwasnoprisoner。Mywindowwasonlyguardedbyasinglesentinel；Ithereforesoonfound，amongthosewhosuccessivelyrelievedguard，twokind—heartedfellows，whodescribedtomethesituationofmyprison；henceIperceivedImighteffectmyescape，couldIbutpenetrateintotheadjoiningcasemate，thedoorofwhichwasnotshut。ProvidedIhadafriendandaboatwaitingformeattheElbe，orcouldIswimacrossthatriver，theconfinesofSaxonywerebutamiledistant。
Todescribemyplanatlengthwouldleadtoprolixity，yetImustenumeratesomeofitscircumstances，asitwasremarkablyintricateandofgiganticlabour。
Iworkedthroughtheiron，eighteenincheslong，bywhichthenight—
tablewasfastened，andbrokeofftheclinchingsofthenails，butpreservedtheirheads，thatImightputthemagainintheirplaces，andallmightappearsecuretomyweeklyvisitors。Thisprocuredmetoolstoraiseupthebrickfloor，underwhichIfoundearth。Myfirstattemptwastoworkaholethroughthewall，sevenfeetthickbehind，andconcealedbythenight—table。Thefirstlayerwasofbrick。Iafterwardscametolargehewnstones。Iendeavouredaccuratelytonumberandrememberthebricks，bothoftheflooringandthewall，sothatImightreplacethemandallmightappearsafe。Thishavingaccomplished，Iproceeded。
Thedayprecedingvisitationallwascarefullyreplaced，andtheinterveningmortarascarefullypreserved；thewholehad，probably，beenwhitewashedahundredtimes；and，thatImightfillupallremaininginterstices，Ipoundedthewhitestuffthisafforded，wettedit，madeabrushofmyhair，thenappliedthisplaster，washeditover，thatthecolourmightbeuniform，andafterwardsstrippedmyself，andsatwithmynakedbodyagainsttheplace，bytheheatofwhichitwasdried。
Whilelabouring，Iplacedthestonesandbricksuponmybedstead，andhadtheytakentheprecautiontocomeatanyothertimeintheweek，thestatedWednesdayexcepted，Ihadinevitablybeendiscovered；but，asnosuchillaccidentbefellme，insixmonthsmyHerculeanlaboursgavemeaprospectofsuccess。
Meansweretobefoundtoremovetherubbishfrommyprison；allofwhich，inawallsothick，itwasimpossibletoreplace；mortarandstonecouldnotberemoved。Ithereforetooktheearth，scattereditaboutmychamber，andgrounditundermyfeetthewholeday，tillIhadreducedittodust；thisdustIstrewedintheapertureofmywindow，makinguseoftheloosenednight—tabletostandupon，Itiedsplintersfrommybedsteadtogether，withtheravelledyarnofanoldstocking，andtothisIaffixedatuftofmyhair。Iworkedalargeholeunderthemiddlegrating，whichcouldnotbeseenwhenstandingontheground，andthroughthisIpushedmydustwiththetoolIhadpreparedintheouterwindow，then，waitingtillthewindshouldhappentorise，duringthenightIbrusheditaway，itwasblownoff，andnoappearanceremainedontheoutside。BythissimpleexpedientIridmyselfofatleastthreehundredweightofearth，andthusmaderoomtocontinuemylabours；yet，thisbeingstillinsufficient，Ihadrecoursetoanotherartifice，whichwastokneaduptheearthintheformofsausages，toresemblethehumanfaeces：theseIdried，andwhentheprisonercametocleanmydungeon，hastilytossedthemintothenight—table，andthusdisencumberedmyselfofapoundortwomoreofeartheachweek。I
furthermadelittleballs，and，whenthesentinelwaswalking，blewthem，throughapapertube，outofthewindow。IntotheemptyspaceIputmymortarandstones，andworkedonsuccessfully。
Icannot，however，describemydifficultiesafterhavingpenetratedabouttwofeetintothehewnstone。MytoolsweretheironsIhaddugout，whichfastenedmaybedsteadandnight—table。A
compassionatesoldieralsogavemeanoldironramrodandasoldier’ssheathknife，whichdidmeexcellentservice，moreespeciallythelatter，asIshallpresentlymorefullyshow。WiththesetwoIcutsplintersfrommybedstead，whichaidedmetopickthemortarfromtheintersticesofthestone；yetthelabourofpenetratingthroughthisseven—feetwallwasincredible；thebuildingwasancient，andthemortaroccasionallyquitepetrified，sothatthewholestonewasobligedtobereducedtodust。Aftercontinuingmyworkunremittinglyforsixmonths，Iatlengthapproachedtheaccomplishmentofmyhopes，asIknewbycomingtothefacingofbrick，whichnowwasonlybetweenmeandtheadjoiningcasemate。
MeantimeIfoundopportunitytospeaktosomeofthesentinels，amongwhomwasanoldgrenadiercalledGelfhardt，whomIherenamebecausehedisplayedqualitiesofthegreatestandmostnoblekind。
FromhimIlearnedtheprecisesituationofmyprison，andeverycircumstancethatmightbestconducetomyescape。
Nothingwaswantingbutmoneytobuyaboat，andcrossingtheElbewithGelfhardt，totakerefugeinSaxony。ByGelfhardt’smeansI
becameacquaintedwithakind—heartedgirl，aJewess，andanativeofDessau，EstherHeymanninbyname，andwhosefatherhadbeentenyearsinprison。Thisgood，compassionatemaiden，whomIhadneverseen，wonovertwoothergrenadiers，whogaveheranopportunityofspeakingtomeeverytimetheystoodsentinel。Bytyingmysplinterstogether，Imadeasticklongenoughtoreachbeyondthepalisadesthatwerebeforemywindow，andthusobtainedpaper，anotherknife，andafile。
Inowwrotetomysister，thewifeofthebefore—mentionedonlysonofGeneralWaldow；describedmyawfulsituation，andentreatedhertoremitthreehundredrix—dollarstotheJewess，hoping，bythismeans，Imightescapefrommyprison。IthenwroteanotheraffectinglettertoCountPuebla，theAustrianambassadoratBerlin，inwhichwasenclosedadraftforathousandflorinsonmyeffectsatVienna，desiringhimtoremitthesetotheJewess，havingpromisedherthatsumasarewardforherfidelity。Shewastobringthethreehundredrix—dollarsmysistershouldsendtome，andtakemeasureswiththegrenadierstofacilitatemyflight，whichnothingseemedabletoprevent，Ihavingthepowereithertobreakintothecasemateor，aidedbythegrenadiersandtheJewess’tocutthelocksfromthedoorsandthatwayescapefrommydungeon。Theletterswereopen，IbeingobligedtorollthemroundthesticktoconveythemtoEsther。
ThefaithfulgirldiligentlyproceededtoBerlin，whereshearrivedsafe，andimmediatelyspoketoCountPuebla。TheCountgaveherthekindestreception，receivedtheletter，withtheletterofexchange，andbadehergoandspeaktoWeingarten，thesecretaryoftheembassy，andactentirelyasheshoulddirect。ShewasreceivedbyWeingarteninthemostfriendlymanner，who，byhisquestions，drewfromherthewholesecret，andourintendedplanofflight，aidedbythetwogrenadiers，andalsothatshehadaletterformysister，whichshemustcarrytoHammer，nearCustrin。Heaskedtoseethisletter；readit，toldhertoproceedonherJourney，gavehertwoducatstobearherexpenses，orderedhertocometohimonherreturn，saidthatduringthisintervalhewouldendeavourtoobtainherthethousandflorinsformydraft，andwouldthengiveherfurtherinstructions。
EsthercheerfullydepartedforHammer，wheremysister，thenawidow，andnolonger，asin1746，indreadofherhusband，joyfultohearIwasstillliving，immediatelygaveherthreehundredrix—
dollars，exhortinghertoexerteverypossiblemeanstoobtainmydeliverance。EstherhastenedbackwiththeletterfrommysistertoBerlin，andtoldallthatpassedtoWeingarten，whoreadtheletter，andinquiredthenamesofthetwogrenadiers。HetoldherthethousandflorinsfromViennawerenotyetcome，butgavehertwelveducats；badeherhastenbacktoMagdeburg，tocarrymeallthisgoodnews，andthenreturntoBerlin，wherehewouldpayherthethousandflorins。EsthercametoMagdeburg，wentimmediatelytothecitadel，and，mostluckily，metthewifeofoneofthegrenadiers，whotoldherthatherhusbandandhiscomradehadbeentakenandputinironsthedaybefore。Estherhadquicknessofperception，andsuspectedwehadbeenbetrayed；shethereforeinstantlyagainbeganhertravels，andhappilycamesafetoDessau。
HereImustinterruptmynarrative，thatImayexplainthisinfernalenigmatomyreaders，anaccountofwhichIreceivedafterIhadobtainedmyfreedom，andstillpossess，inthehandwritingofthisJewess。Weingarten，aswasafterwardsdiscovered，wasatraitor，andtoomuchtrustedbyCountPuebla，hebeingaspyinthepayofPrussia，andonewhohadrevealed，inthecourtofBerlin，notonlythesecretsoftheImperialembassy，butalsothewholeplanoftheprojectedwar。Forthisreasonheafterwards，whenwarbrokeout，remainedatBerlininthePrussianservice。HisreasonforbetrayingmewasthathemightsecurethethousandflorinswhichI
haddrawnforonVienna；forthereceiptofthe24thofMay，1755，atteststhatthesumwaspaid，bytheadministratorsofmyeffects，toCountPuebla，andhassincebeenbroughttoaccount；norcanI
believethatWeingartendidnotappropriatethissumtohimself，sinceIcannotbepersuadedtheambassadorwouldcommitsuchanaction，althoughthereceiptisinhishandwriting，asmayeasilybedemonstrated，itbeingnowinmypossession。ThusdidWeingarten，thathemightdetainathousandflorinswithimpunity，bringnewevilsuponmeanduponmysister，whichoccasionedherprematuredeath；causedonegrenadiertorunthegauntletthreesuccessivedays，andanothertobehung。
Estheraloneescaped，andsincegavemeanelucidationofthewholeaffair。ThereportatMagdeburgwas，thataJewesshadobtainedmoneyfrommysisterandbribedtwogrenadiers，andthatoneofthesehadtrustedandbeenbetrayedbyhiscomrade。Indeed，whatotherstorycouldbetoldatMagdeburg，orhowcoulditbeknownI
hadbeenbetrayedtothePrussianministrybytheImperialsecretary？Thetruth，however，isasIhavestated：myaccount—
bookexists，andtheJewessisstillalive。
Herpoorimprisonedfatherwaspunishedwithmorethanahundredblowstomakehimdeclarewhetherhisdaughterhadentrustedhimwiththeplot，orifheknewwhithershewasfled，andmiserablydiedinfetters。Suchwasthemischiefoccasionedbyarascal！AndwhomightbeblamedbuttheimprudentCountPuebla？
Intheyear1766，thissaidJewessdemandedofmeathousandflorins；andIwrotetoCountPuebla，that，havinghisreceiptforthesum，whichneverhadbeenrepaid，Ibeggeditmightberestored。
Hereceivedmyagentwithrudeness，returnednoanswer，andseemedtotroublehimselflittleconcerningmyloss。WhethertheheirsoftheCountbe，orbenot，indebtedtomethesethousandflorinsandtheinterest，Ileavetheworldtodetermine。ThricehaveIbeenbetrayedatViennaandsoldtoBerlin，likeJosephtotheEgyptians。
Myhistoryprovestheoriginofmypersuasionthatresidents，envoys，andambassadorsmustbemenofknownworthandhonesty，andnotthevilestofrascalsandmiscreants。But，alas！theeffectsandmoneytheyhaverobbedmeofhaveneverbeenrestored；andforthemiseriestheyhavebroughtuponme，theycouldnotberecompensedbythewealthofanyorallthemonarchsonearth。
Estatestheymay，buttruththeycannotconfiscate；andofthevillainyofAbramsonandWeingartenIhavedocumentsandproofsthatnocourtofjusticecoulddisannul。Stop，reader，ifthouhastaheart，andinthatheartcompassionfortheunfortunate！StopandimaginewhatmysensationsarewhileIrememberandrecountapartonlyoftheinjusticethathasbeendoneme，apartonlyofthetyrannyIhaveendured！BythislastactoftreacheryofWeingartenwasIheldinchains，themosthorrible，forninesucceedingyears！
Byhimwasaninnocentmanbroughttothegallows！Byhim，too，mysister，mybeloved，myunfortunatesister，wasobligedtobuildadungeonatherownexpense！besidesbeingamercedinafine，theextentofwhichInevercouldlearn。Hergoodswereplundered，herestatesmadeadesert，herchildrenfellintoextremepoverty，andsheherselfexpiredinherthirty—thirdyear，thevictimofcruelty，persecution，herbrother’smisfortunes，andthetreacheryoftheImperialembassy！
Footnotes：
{1}AcommonexpressionwithFredericwhenhewasangry，andwhichhassincebecomeproverbialamongthePrussianandotherGermanofficers。SeeCriticalReview，April，1755。
{2}ThesameDoowhowasgovernorofGlatzduringtheSevenYears’
war，andwho，havingbeensurprisedbyGeneralLaudohu，wasmadeprisoner，whichoccasionedthelossofGlatz。TheKingbrokehimwithinfamy，andbanishedhimwithcontempt。In1764hecametoVienna，whereIgavehimalms。Hewas，bybirth，anItalian，aselfish，wickedman；and，whilemajorunderthegovernmentofFouquet，atGlatz，broughtmanypeopletomisery。HewasthecreatureofFouquet，withoutbirthormerit；crafty，malignant，buthandsome，and，havingdebauchedhispatron’sdaughter，afterwardsmarriedher；whenceatfirsthisgood，andatlengthhisillfortune。Hewantedknowledgetodefendafortressagainsttheenemy，andhiscovetousnessrenderedhimeasytocorrupt。
{3}TheGermanmilecontainsfromfourtosevenEnglishmiles，andthisvariationappearstodependontheignoranceofthepeopleandontheroadsbeinginsomeplacesbutlittlefrequented。ItseemsprobabletheBaronandhisfriendmighttravelabout809Englishmiles。——TRANSLATOR。
EndVolume1
TheLifeandAdventuresofBaronTrenck—Volume2
byBaronTrenckTranslator：ThomasHolcroftINTRODUCTION。
ThomasHolcroft，thetranslatoroftheseMemoirsofBaronTrenck，wastheauthorofaboutthirtyplays，amongwhichone，TheRoadtoRuin，producedin1792，haskeptitsplaceuponthestage。HewasborninDecember，1745，thesonofashoemakerwhodidalsoalittlebusinessinhorse—dealing。Afterearlystruggles，duringwhichhecontrivedtolearnFrench，German，andItalian，Holcroftcontributedtoanewspaper，turnedactor，andwroteplays，whichappearedbetweentheyears1791and1806。Heproducedalsofournovels，thefirstin1780，thelastin1807。Hewasthreetimesmarried，andlosthisfirstwifein1790。In1794，hissympathywithidealsoftheFrenchrevolutionistscausedhimtobeinvolvedwithHardy，HorneTooke，andThelwall，inachargeofhightreason；butwhenthesewereacquitted，Holcroftandeightothersweredischargedwithouttrial。
Holcroftearnedalsobytranslation。Hetranslated，besidestheseMemoirsofBaronTrenck，Mirabeau’sSecretHistoryoftheCourtofBerlin，LesVeilleesduChateauofMadamedeGenlis，andtheposthumousworksofFrederickII。，KingofPrussia，inthirteenvolumes。
TheMemoirsofBaronTrenckwerefirstpublishedatBerlinashisMerkwurdigeLebensbeschreibung，inthreevolumesoctavo，in1786and1787。TheywerefirsttranslatedintoFrenchbyBaronBock（Metz，1787）；morefullybyLetourneur（Paris，1788）；andagainbyhimself（Strasbourg，1788），withconsiderableadditions。HolcrofttranslatedfromtheFrenchversions。
H。M。
THELIFEOFBARONTRENCK。