The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-03-15

L
= In the fall of1717, Peter the Great,
who was just returning from France.
spent four days in Berlin, residing in
the Castle Monbijen of the queen So
phia Dorothea. The conqueror Pull
iowa was forty-five years ofage; twenty
years before, in 1898, he had seen
Berlin for the first time, when on his
way to Saardam as q ship carpenter.
The whole of Berlin was on its feet to
see the half-mythical, barbarian SOW
ereignf while making his entree on
Sunday, the 10th of September, 1717.
Nature had impressed the stamp OF
sovereign ON the brow of this man
who, not only in his capacity, but
also In his appearance, was the great
est monarch of his time. Already full
grown when but seventeen years of age,
his symmetrical body had attained the
highth of seven feet one inch, Bavarian
measure. His broad, powerful shout
ders were surmounted by a massive,
we'll Horned head, with large flashing
eyes, high forehead, and slightly bowed
nose, beneath which the pointed NOUS
tache correspondent with the by no
means small mouth, the full underlip
of which gave evidence of great SEN
suality. A. peculiar ornament of the
noble head was the dark hair, reach
ing to the shoulders. Thus Peter the
Great was an imposing sight, who,
even without the ermine, as carpen-
ter in Saardam, or as o sailor in Lon
don, made mighty impression. His
tory tells that with his extraordinary
good appetite, he ate six times as much
| as other human beings. ...-,.
| q On the second day of his being in
Berlin, on Monday, September 20,
l717, King Frederick William l., rode
with his august guest and large reti-
| nue through the city for the purpose
Of showing the Russisn Emperor the
glories of Berlin. They took the New
market in their way, where the gallows
| stood. ila IN
Brother Frederick, what kind of O
machine is that? asked Peter.
"a gallows for hanging thieves and
deserters, answered the king.
Indeed! We'll, now, it must be 9
beautiful sight to see fellow kicking
and SPRAYING there! I am anxious to
see the sight. Do procure me this
pleasure OF once!' cried the car, with
sparkling eyes.
| Ticking, Indignant atsuch a demand,
and yet embarrassed at being obliged
to deny his guest any request, answer
ed evasively: 4 regret to say that this
moment we have no candidate for the
gallows, but then I will order an in.
quiry in the prisoners for tomorrow.
The car wrinkled his brow, and hie
eye glanced over the sea of heads on
all sides
But why this long delay, brother?
Here are enough people; let the first
that comes handy be hung for my ben
efit.,H ty esif..'. ..f
Hard matter as it was for the king
to be obliged to refuse his guest q
favor, he yet answered with determi-
nation, 1T is not the practice in this
country to hang the first one that
comes handy, but only such as have
been properly tried and condemned by
the Judge as malefactors.'
In heart the king was wishing the
ride was over, and the gallows out of
sight, but the car was anxious to see
hanging. 1t must be very amusing.
is that SOP said he, drawing his
words, We'll, I have Russians enough
with me. Here, let them hang one of
my servautsp
The king was frightened; but finally
his firm and earnest determination sue
ceeded in getting the Gar off the no.
ton, and they rode on. And Peter the
Great missed the enjoyment of seeing
hanging on the gallows ct the New
market.