History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 17Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 17
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
The same Thursday, 26th, Excellency Mitchell, informed by Podewils
of the King's wish to see him at Potsdam, gets under way from Berlin;
arrives "just time enough to speak with the King before he sat down to
supper." Very many things to be consulted of, and deliberatively touched
upon, with Mitchell and England; no end of things and considerations,
for England and King Friedrich, in this that is now about to burst forth
on an astonished world!--Over in London, we observe, just in the hours
when Mitchell was harnessing for Potsdam, and so many Orders and Letters
were speeding their swiftest in that quarter, there is going forward, on
Tower-Hill yonder, the following Operation:--
"LONDON, THURSDAY, 26th AUGUST, 1756. About five in the afternoon, a
noted Admiral [only in Effigy as yet; but who has been held in miserable
durance, and too actual question of death or life, ever since his
return: "Oh, yes indeed! Hang HIM at once",--if that can be a remedy!]
was, after having been privately shown to many ladies and gentlemen,
brought--in an open sedan, guarded by a number of young gentlemen under
arms, with drums beating, colors flying--to Tower-Hill, where a Gallows
had been erected for him at six the same morning. He was richly dressed,
in a blue and gold coat, buff waistcoat, trimmed, &c. in full uniform.
When brought under the Gallows, he stayed a small space, till his
clergyman (a chimney-sweeper) had given him some admonitions: that done,
he was drawn, by pulleys, to the top of the Gallows, which was twenty
feet high; every person expressing as much satisfaction as if it had
been the real man.
"He remained there, guarded by the above volunteers, without any
molestation, two hours; when, upon a supposition of being obstructed by
the Governor of the Tower, some sailors appeared, who wanted to pull him
down, in order to drag him along the streets. But a fire being kindled,
which consisted of tar-barrels, fagots, tables, tubs, &c., he was
consumed in about half an hour." [Old Newspapers (_Gentleman's Magazine,
_ xxvi. 409).]
That is their employment on Tower-Hill, over yonder, while Mitchell is
getting under way to see Friedrich.
Mitchell continued at Potsdam over Friday; and was still in eager
consultation that night, when the King said to him, with a certain
expressiveness of glance: "BON SOIR, then;--To-morrow morning about
four!" And on the morrow, Saturday, 28th, Mitchell reports hurriedly:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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