Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-11-19
THE IMPERIAL ILL.

| In Tue MEMOIRS anu nlsJOTlCHl rorDtDls-
eences, lately published. of Baron Segur
the veteran diplomatist of many courts
occurs lively sketch of characteristic
! episode in the reign of Catherine IL, o
\ Russia.
A rich banker, named Saderland. epioy
| ed for long time the favor of the Empress
but one day he suddenly saw his house sur
rounded by an armed force, led by Com
missary of the police, who demanded tc
speak with him.
my dear sir" said he to the frightened
banker, lit grieves me deeply to have re-
ceived orders from our gracious sovereign
TO execute towards you a severity beyond
anything have ever vet seen. / know
not what extraordinary offence you have
committed to excite such extremity of an
ger in her Majesty as to induce her to COM
mand punishment so horribleand unpre-
cedented.n
II do. not understand word of what
you are saying" answered the astonished
banker. Z" am as much amazed as if you
had fallen from the clouds. What are the
orders you have received?n
nave not courage to tell you. And
yet shall be compelled to execute them"
Am indeed so unfortunate as to have
lost her Majesty's confidence ?"
An! If that were all, sir, you would not
see me so disconsolate. You might regain
her confidence and even her favor1but
-D
But am then banished from Russia ?n
That would, indeed, be q sad misfor-
tune; yet, with your riches, you could find
hospitable reception in any other coun-
try. But"
"Oh, heavens! is it possible that L am to
be exiled to Siberia ?n
Even from there YOU miaht, sooner or
later, be recalled to Russia"
'PerhaDg. then Won are going IN mt m
in prison?
g! wish it were so, for then you might
be liberated"
"Am I, then, condemned to undergo the
knout?"
THE knout is a dreadful punishment, to
be sure, but it is not always fatal.n
Then oh, then you lead me to death
Tell me plainly; this suspense is worse
than death itself"
know, then, that your most gracious
Empress has given absolute orders to take
off your entire skin"
10 take off my skinv' exclaimed Sa- |
ierland, seized with horror-'to fay me |
alive ~ But, regaining his self-command, |
ne added, mo, no, it can not be; either
you have lost your senses, Mr.. Commissarv.
n your most benign mistress has lost hers.
8 1t possible you made no answer when
'ou received such cruel orders ?n
i ola more than any other would have |
Jared 10 do. / did not conceal nv grief
nd surprise. l fingered in the Imperial
presence, and had actually begun humble
emonstrance to her Majesty, when our
raclous sovereign, turning to look on me,
With look and voice of anger, babe me be
one and perform her will. still seem to
ear her threatening and appalling words
30, said her Majesty, and never forget
hat it is your indispensable duty to exc
ute without questioning the commands /
mink you worthy to receive from me-"
1t IS impossible to describe the agitation,
ne anguish, or the despair of the poor
aderland. After he had for a time given
ent TO the violence of his distress, the
ommissary told him that he was allowed
quarter OF an hour TO settle his affairs. [
vain the banker prayed for a longer in
rival, or at least for an opportunity to
rite TO the Empress and implore her I
emency. AT length, although trembling
" the consequences to his own life, he
1nsented, and he Immediately followed
re latter himself; but not having courage
present himself at Court, he went to
EEK his friend and protector, Colonel
ruce.
The Count thought that the Comnissarv
lust have made mistake, and took him
lrectly to the Imperial Palace. There.
avlng MIN IN an ante-chamber, he OBJ
hned admission to the presence of the
impress, TO whom he related the whole
fair.
What was his establishment to overhear
ne Empress exclaim: Just heaven
hat atrocity! There can be no doubt
lat Nieclof (the Commissary) is mad ,
uick! Count, take horse before it is too
tie, and deliver my poor banker from his
arm and assure him of my favor and
Ood wishes"
The Count fastened to communicate this
rder to the Commissary, and was vet
lore astonished when, returning to the {
resence of the Empress, he heard her ex-
aim, mid bursts OF the loudest laughter ,
Now l understand the cause of this
range and incomprehensible scene. / /
ave for several years had fine dog which !
valued highly, and had given him the
anne of Saderland, both for the sake of a :
Ike on my good banker, and also in com i
iment to the English gentleman of that
anne from whom L obtained the dog. a
arly this morning i gave orders to Me !
of to take off his skin entire, in order to /
ave it stuffed, as the poor thing was dead.
e seemed to hesitate whether to obey, |
nj was very angry, because / thought ! i
was silly pride on his part" q
60 /