Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-02
/: SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1872
Reminiscence OF peter the Great.

In the fall Of l7l7, Peter the Great,
who was Just returning from France,
spent four days in Berlin, residing In
the Castle Monbijon Of the queen, So
phia Dorothea. The conqueror OF Pull
towa was forty-fve years Of age; twenty
years before, in 1893, he had seen Berlin
for the first time, when on his way to
Saardam as a ship carpenter. The whole
Of Berlin was on its feet to see the half
mythical, barbarian sovereign while
making bis entree on Sunday, the 18th
of September, iii. Nature had i'm
pressed the stamp Of sovereign on the
brow of this man, who, not only In his
capacity, but also in his appearance, was
the greatest monarch Of his time. AL
ready full grown when but seventeen
years Of age, his symmetrical body
had attained the hight of seven feet
one inch, Bavarian measure. His
broad, powerful shoulders were sur
mounted by amassive, well-formed head,
with large flashing eyes, high forehead,
and slightly bowed nose, beneath which
the pointed mustache correspended with
the by no. means small mouth, the full
underlip of which gave evidence of great
sensuality. A peculiar ornament of the
noble head was the dark hair, reaching
to the shoulders. Thus Peter the Great
was an imposing sight, who, even with
out the ermine, as carpenter in Saar-
dam, or as sailor in London, made a
mighty impression. History tells that,
with his extraordinary good appetite, he
ate six times as much as other human
beings.
Onthe second day of his being in Ber-
lin, on Monday, September 20, III,
King Frederick William l., rode with
his august guest and large retinue
through the city for the purpose of show.
ing the Russian Emperor the glories OF
Berlin. They took the Newmarket in
their way, where the gallows stood.
Brother Frederick, what kind Of a
machine is that2" asked Peter.
"a gallows for hanging thieves and
deserters," answered the king.
Indeed Well, now, it must be a
beautiful sight to see fellow kicking
and sprawling therel / am anxious to
see the sight. Do procure me this pleas
ure at once cried the czar, with spark
ling eyes.
The king indignant at such demand,
and yet embarrassed at being obliged to
deny his guest any request, answered
evasively: / regret to say that this
moment we have no candidate for the
gallows, but then will order an inquiry
in the prisoners for tomorrow.
The czar wrinkled his brow, and his
eve glanced over the sea of heads on all
Sides
But why this long delay, brother ?
Here are enough people; let the first
one that comes handy be hung for my
benefit.
Yard matter as it was for the king
to he obliged to refuse his guest favor
he vet answered with determination, 1t
Is not the practice in this country to
hang the first one that comes handy, but
orly such as have been properly tried
and condelun by the judge as male
factors"
In his heart the king was wishing the
ride was over, and the gallows out of
sight. but the Car was anxious to see a
hanging. 1t must be very amusing.
ais that SOP said he, drawling his
words, well, | have Russians enough
with me. Here, let them hang one of
my seryantsI
The king was frighte ued; but finally
his firm and earnest determination sue
ceeded in getting the Gar off the mo-
ton, and they rode on. And Peter the
Great missed the enjoyment of seeing
hanging on the gallows at the New
market.