as necessary to pass through the city to arrive at the
Star-Fort; all was silent, except the noise of the escort; but when we
entered Magdeburg I heard the people running, who were crowding together
to obtain a sight of me. Their curiosity was raised by the report that I
was going to be beheaded. That I was executed on this occasion in the
Star-Fort, after having been conducted blindfold through the city, has
since been both affirmed and written; and the officers had then orders to
propagate this error that the world might remain in utter ignorance
concerning me. I, indeed, knew otherwise, though I affected not to have
this knowledge; and, as I was not gagged, I behaved as if I expected
death, reproached my conductors in language that even made them shudder,
and painted their King in his true colours, as one who, unheard, had
condemned an innocent subject by a despotic exertion of power.

My fortitude was admired, at the moment when it was supposed I thought
myself leading to execution. No one replied, but their sighs intimated
their compassion; certain it is, few Prussians willingly execute such
commands. The carriage at length stopped, and I was brought into my new
cell. The bandage was taken from my eyes. The dungeon was lighted by a
few torches. God of heaven! what were my feelings when I beheld the
whole floor covered with chains, a fire-pan, and two grim men standing
with their smiths' hammers!

* * * * *

To work went these engines of despotism! Enormous chains were fixed to
my ankle at one end, and at the other to a ring which was incorporated in
the wall. This ring was three feet from the ground, and only allowed me
to move about two or three feet to the right and left. They next riveted
another huge iron ring, of a hand's breadth, round my naked body, to
which hung a chain, fixed into an iron bar as thick as a man's arm. This
bar was two feet in length, and at each end of it was a handcuff. The
iron collar round my neck was not added till the year 1756.

* * * * *

No soul bade me good night. All retired in dreadful silence; and I heard
the horrible grating of four doors, that were successively locked and
bolted upon me!

Thus does man act by his fellow, knowing him to be innocent, having
received the commands of another man so to act.

O God! Thou alone knowest how my heart, void as it was of guilt, beat at
this moment. There sat I, destitute, alone, in thick darkness, upon the
bare ea