Section 207. The King and the Miller. I

In the reign⁠ of Frederick the Great (see S. 192, N. 1), king of Prussia, there was⁠ a mill near Potsdam which obstructed the view from the windows of the palace of Sans Souci. Annoyed by this drawback to his favourite residence⁠, the king sent⁠ to the owner of the mill inquiring the price for which he would sell it. “For no price,” was the reply of the sturdy Prussian; and in a moment of anger the monarch gave orders⁠ that the mill should be pulled down. “The king may do this,” said the miller, quietly folding his arms; “but there are (S. 82, N. 7) laws in Prussia, and he will find them out⁠”. Forthwith he commenced a law-suit against the monarch, the issue of which was⁠, that the court gave a decision against His Majesty, compelling him⁠ to rebuild the mill, and in addition⁠ to pay a large sum of money as a compensation for the injury he had done⁠. The king felt mortified (S. 87, N. 6) at having been worsted by one of his subjects, but had the magnanimity to say, addressing⁠ his courtiers: “I am glad to find that there are just laws and upright judges in my kingdom who are bold enough to decide against me when they think I am in the wrong.” Many years afterwards (App. § 14), a descendant of the honest miller, who had in due course of time succeeded to the hereditary possession of the property⁠, found himself involved in pecuniary difficulties that had become insurmountable.

= At (zu) the time of the reign. See S. 53, N. 9.

there — Potsdam = stood near (bei) Potsdam a mill.

Der seinem Lieblingsschlosse hierdurch erwachsende Nachteil verdroß den König sehr.

= and he sent.

= the order.

= and he will soon convince himself of it.

the — was, welcher damit endete.

= and compelled him.

and in addition, und noch obendrein; sum — compensation, Entschädigungssumme, f.

Supply ‘to the miller’.

= to.

Liter. = who in course of time and through inheritance had come into the possession of the mill.