A BANQUET IN A CANAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 242, 26 September 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BANQUET IN A CANAL.

One of the most original feasts which, perhaps, ever took place was a banquet given by the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm in the year 1668, in the canal named after him. The canal occupied six years in construction, 1662 to 1668, and afforded! labour for hundreds of hands. It was named the “Mullrcser,” or “Friedrich Wilhelm Canal,” and connects the Spree with the Oder. When the magnificent undertaking, for such it was considered to be in those days, was completed, only a few strokes of the spade being needed to unite tho two streams, a long table was fixed in the bed of the unfilled canal, tents decorated with coloured flags, and green festoons were raised, aud the Elector, together with his wife, took seats, whilst a vast number of invited guests filled the remainder.

Many thousands of spectators were assembled on the banks, the peculiar situation of the banqueting-table exciting universal curiosity. Amidst the strains of music a splendid collation was served up, and the whole company set to :n thorough good humour to enjoy the same.

Finally, the Elector raised his goblet and drank prosperity to the undertaking, and named the canal after himself. Orders were then given for the clearing of the bed of the canal, which was speedily done, and everybody stepped to the bank. At a hint from Friedrich a trumpet was heard, the last barriers fell, and a stream of water rushed over the spot where a short time previously the merry clang of goblets had been heard.

The bed was filled, and shortly afterwards the first sailing vessel coming from Breslau passed through the newlyconstructed canal seawards.