class are not beyond the sphere of your mercy, grant
me a hearing, I beg of your most serene highness! I am a murderer and
a robber; the law condemns me to death, the tribunals are in search of
me, and I offer myself to serve as a volunteer. But at the same time,
I bring a singular request before your throne. I detest my life, and
do not fear death, but it is terrible for me to die without having
lived. I would live to make reparation for a portion of the past, I
would live to make some atonement to the state, which I have offended.
My execution will be an example to the world, but no compensation for
my deeds. I detest vice, and have a burning desire for integrity and
virtue. I have shown the talents for becoming formidable to my
country--I hope I have some left to be of service to it.

"I know that I am asking something which is unprecedented. My life is
forfeit, and it is not for me to negotiate with justice. But I do not
appear in bonds and fetters before you--I am still free--and fear on my
part has the smallest share in my request.

"It is for mercy that I ask. If I had a claim to justice, I should no
longer venture to assert it. But of one thing I may remind my judge.
The epoch of my crimes begins with the judgment that for ever deprived
me of honour. Had fairness been less denied me on that occasion, I
should not now, perhaps, have stood in need of mercy.

"Show mercy, my prince, instead of justice. If it is in your princely
power to move the law in my favour, then grant me my life. From
henceforth it shall be devoted to your service. If you can do so, let
me learn your gracious will from the public journals, and I will appear
in the metropolis on your word as a prince. If you have resolved
otherwise, let justice do her part, I must do mine."

This petition remained unanswered, and so did a second, and a third, in
which the applicant asked for a trooper's place in the prince's
service. His hopes for a pardon were utterly extinguished, so he
resolved to quit the country, and to die as a brave soldier in the
service of the King of Prussia.

He succeeded in escaping from his land, and began his journey. The
road led him through a little provincial town, where he wished to pass
the night. A short time before, mandates of exceeding strictness had
been published throughout the country, requiring a severe examination
of travellers, because the sovereign, a prince of the empire, had taken
part in