History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 08 — John Shaqi
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 08Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 08
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
And thus was the error of the Criminal-Collegium rectified IN RE
Schlubhut. For it is not in name only, but in fact, that this Sovereign
is Supreme Judge, and bears the sword in God's stead,--interfering
now and then, when need is, in this terrible manner. In the same dim
authentic Benekendorf (himself a member of the Criminal-Collegium
in later times), and from him in all the Books, is recorded another
interference somewhat in the comic vein; which also we may give.
Undisputed fact, again totally without precision or details; not even
datable, except that, on study, we perceive it may have been before this
Schlubhut's execution, and after the Criminal-Collegium had committed
their error about him,--must have been while this of Schlubhut was still
vividly in mind; Here is the unprecise but indubitable fact, as the
Prussian Dryasdust has left us his smear of it:--
"One morning early" (might be before Schlubhut was hanged, and while
only sentence of imprisonment and restitution lay on him), General Graf
von Donhof, Colonel of a Musketeer Regiment, favorite old soldier,--who
did vote on the mild side in that Court-Martial on the Crown-Prince
lately; but I hope has been forgiven by his Majesty, being much esteemed
by him these long years past;--this Donhof, early one morning, calls
upon the King, with a grimly lamenting air. "What is wrong, Herr
General?"--"Your Majesty, my best musketeer, an excellent soldier, and
of good inches, fell into a mistake lately,--bad company getting round
the poor fellow; they, he among them, slipt into a house and stole
something; trifle and without violence: pay is but three halfpence, your
Majesty, and the Devil tempts men! Well, the Criminal-Collegium have
condemned him to be hanged; an excellent soldier and of good inches,
for that one fault. Nobleman Schlubhut was 'to make restitution,' they
decreed: that was their decree on Schlubhut, one of their own set; and
this poor soldier, six feet three, your Majesty, is to dance on the top
of nothing for a three-halfpenny matter!"--So would Donhof represent
the thing,--"fact being," says my Dryasdust, "it was a case of
house-breaking with theft to the value of 6,000 thalers and this
musketeer the ringleader!"--Well; but was Schlubhut sentenced
to hanging? Do you keep two weights and two measures, in that
Criminal-Collegium of yours, then?
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