Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-09-01
Advantages OF Unlimited Obedi-


Translated from the German by an Italian
exile, who was banished for political Of
fenses by the Emperor Of Austria.
The following anecdote, taken from
the Historical Memoirs from Segur,
gives, as il appears to us, u lively pic
ture Of the spirit which reigned in the
Russian court, under the sway Of the
celebrated Catherine the Second:
A rich banker named Saderland en-
joyed for long time the favor Of the
Empress, but one day he suddenly saw
his house surrounded by an armed
force, led by commissary Of the po-
lice, who demanded to speak with him.
my dear sir, said he to the at
frighted banker, lit grieves me deeply
TO have received orders from our gra-
cious sovereign to execute toward you
severity beyond anything | have ever
yet seen. know not what extraordl'
nary offeuse you have committed TO ex-
cite such extremity Of anger in her MAJ
esty as to induce her to command a
punishment so horrible and unpreee'
dented."
81 do not understand word Of what
you are saying, answered the astonlshed
banker. / am as much amazed as II
you had fallen from the clouds. What
are the orders that you have receivedr
II have not courage to tell you. And
yet / shall be compelled to execute
them"
"Am |, indeed so unfortunate as to
have lost her Majestys conidenceY
"Abl if that were all, sir, you would
not see me so disconsolate. You might
regain her confidence, and even her
favor, but"
but am then banished from Rus
sia2"
"That would, indeed, be a sad mis-
fortune; yet, with your riches, you
could find hospitable reception in any
other country. But"
"Oh, heavens is it possible that am
to be exiled to Siberian
Even from there you might, sooner
or later, be recalled to Russia.
Perhaps, then, you are going TO put
me in prison"
II wish it was so, for then you might
be liberated"
"Am /, then, condemned to undergo
the knoutY
1.-THE knout is deadful punishment,
to be sure, but it is not always fatal.
"Then, oh then, you lead me to DEATH
Tell me plainly; this suspense is worse
than death itself.
"Know, then, that our most gracious
Empress has given absolute orders to
take off your entire skin"
ITO take off my skinP exclaimed
Saderland, seized with horror" to fiay
me alive" But, regaining his self-com-
mand, he added, mo, not cannot be;
either you have lost your senses, Mr..
Commissary, or your most benign mis-
tress has lost hers. Is it possible that
YOU made no answer when you received
such cruel ordersY
81 did more than any other would
have dared to do. | did not conceal
my grief and surprise. / fingered in the
Imperial presence, and had actually be-
gun an humble remonstrauce to her
Majesty, when our gracious sovereign,
turning to look en- me, with a look and
voice of anger, babe me be gone and
perform her will. l still seem to hear
her threatening and appalling words:
Go, said her Majesty, 'and never forget
that it is your indispensable duty to exc
cute without questioning the commands
that | think you worthy to receive from
me.
1t is impossible to describe the agita-
ton, the anguish or the despair of the
poor Saderland. After he had for a
time given vent to the violence OF his
distress, the commissary told him that
he was allowed a quarter of an hour to
settle his affairs. In vain the banker
prayed for longer interval, or at least
for an opportunity to write to the EN-
press and implore her clemency. AT
length, although trembling for the con-
sequences to his own life, he consented,
and he Immediately followed the letter
himself; but not having courage to pre-
sent himself at court, he went to seek
his friend and protector, Colonel Bruce
The Count thought that the commits,
sary must have made mistake, and
took him directly to the imperial palace
There, leaving him in an ante-ohamber,
he obtained admission to the presence
of the Empress, to whom he related the
whole affair.
What was his astonishment to over
hear the Empress exclaim: Just
heaven what atrocity2 There can be
no doubt that Niecloff, the commissary,
is mad Quick Count, take the horse,
before it is too late, and deliver my poor
banker from his alarm; and assure him
of my favor and good wishes"
The Count hastened to communicate
this order to the commissary, and was
vet more astonished when returning to
The presence Of the Empress, he heard
her exclaim, mid bursts of the loudest
laughter -.
HNow understand the cause Of this
strange and incomprehensible scene. l
have for several years had fine dog,
which valued highly, and ] lad given
him the name Of Saderland, both for the
sake of a joke on my good banker, and
aIso in compliment to the English gen
tIemsn cf that name from whom OBJ
tanned. the dog. Early this morning l
rave orders to Neielof 70 take Of his
skin entire, in order to have it stuffed,
AZ the poor thing was dead. He seemed
no hesitate whether to obey, and ! was
very angry, because | thought 1t was a
silly pride on his part.
SARATOGA lawyers are unequal 70 the
exertion OF 3 complete dance, and this
- - ther u,anage 70 slide out