Section 207. THE KING AND THE MILLER. I.
Reading edition
In the reign[1] of Frederick the Great (see S. 192, N. 1), king of Prussia, there was[2] 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[3], the king sent[4] 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[5] 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[6]”. Forthwith he commenced a law-suit against the monarch, the issue of which was[7], that the court gave a decision against His Majesty, compelling him[8] to rebuild the mill, and in addition[9] to pay a large sum of money as a compensation for the injury he had done[10]. The king felt mortified (S. 87, N. 6) at having been worsted by one of his subjects, but had the magnanimity to say, addressing[11] 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[12], found himself involved in pecuniary difficulties that had become insurmountable.