CONTENTS.
XXV
CHAPTER VI.
Tragedy of Baron de Sternberg. — Type of Lord Byron's Heroes. — Parallel between Sir ЛУ. Scott and Byron. — Historical Romance. — Marriage of Peter the Great. — Romodauowski. — Influence of the Greek Church in Russia.
—Tyranny supported by Falsehood. — Corpse in the Church
of Revel.—The Emperor Alexander deceived.—Russian Sen
sitiveness as to the Opinions of Foreigners.—A Spy . Page 97
The Russian Marine. — Remark of Lord Durham's. — Great Efforts for small Results. — The Amusements of Despotism.
—Kronstadt. — Russian Custom-House. — Gloomy Aspect
of Nature. — Recollections of Rome. — English Poetical
Name for Ships of War. — Object of Peter the Great. — The
Finns. — Batteries of Kronstadt. — Abject Character of the
Lower Classes of Russian Employes. — Inquisitions of the
Police, and the Custom-House. — Sudden Change in the
Manners of Fellow-Travellers. — Fickleness of Northern
People.- - - - - - - ИЗ
Approach to Petersburg by the Neva. — Incongruity between
the Climate and Aspect of the Country and the Style of
Architecture. — Absurd Imitation of the Monuments of
Greece. — The Custom-House and Police. — Inquisitorial
Examination. — Difficulties of Landing. — Appearance of
the Streets. — Statue of Peter the Great. — The Winter
Palace. — Rebuilt in one Year. — The Means employed.—
Russian Despotism.— Citation from Herberstein.—Karam-
sin. — The Character of the People accords with that of the
Government.-- - - - -128
The Drowska. — Costume of the Lower Orders. — Wooden
Pavements. — Petersburg in the Morning. — Resemblance of
the City to a Barrack.— Contrast between Russia and Spain.
vol. i.a
XXVI
CONTENTS.
—Difference between Tyranny and Despotism.'—The Tchinn.
Peculiar Character of the Russian Government. — The Arts in Russia. — A Russian Hotel. — The Evils to be encountered there. — The Michael Palaces. — Death of Paul I.
The Spy baflled. — The Neva, its Quays and Bridges. — Cabin of PeterL—The Citadel, its Tombs and D ungeons.
Church of St. Alexander Newski. — Russian Veterans. — Austerity of the Czar. — Russian Faith in the Future, and its Realisation. — Munich and Petersburg compared. — Interior of the Fortress. — The Imperial Tombs.— Subterranean Prison. — Russian Prisoners. — Moral Degradation of the Higher Classes. —Catholic Church. — Precarious Toleration. —Tomb of the last King of Poland, and of Moreau. Page 142
Visit to the Islands. — Character of the Scenery. — Artificial Beauties. — Comparison between Russian and English Taste.
—Aim and Characteristics of Russian Civilisation. — Happi
ness impossible in Russia. — Fashionable Life in St. Peters
burg.— Equality under Despotism. — Characteristic Traits
of Russian Society. — Absolute Power. — Pavilion of the
Empress.—Vermin in the Houses and Palaces of St. Peters
burg.— Costume of the Lower Orders. — Beauty of the Men
when of pure Slavonian Race. — The Women. — Condition
of the Russian Peasantry. — The Sale of Serfs.—Commerce
can alone alter the present State of Things. — Care taken to
conceal the Truth from Foreigners. — Religious Usurpation
of Peter the Great. — His Character and Monstrous Cruel
ties.— Culpability of the Aristocracy. — The Author sus
pected. — State of Medical Art in Russia. — Universal
Mystery. — Permission to be present at the Marriage of the
Grand Duchess.? 163
Coincidence of Dates. — Marriage of the Grandson of M. de Beauharnais. — Chapel of the Court,— The Emperor Nicholas.—His Person.— The Empress. — Consequences of Despotism.—The Author's Debut at Court.—An Accident. — Magnificent Decorations and Costume. — Entree of the
CONTENTS.
XXVll
Imperial Family. — The Emperor Master of the Ceremonies.
Forms of the Greek Church. — M. de Pahlen. — Emotion of the Empress. — Description of the Duke of Leuchtenberg.
His Impatience. — Prudery in Modern Conversation.— Its Cause. — Music of the Imperial Chapel. — The Archbishop. — The Emperor kisses his Hand. — Talisman of M. de Beauharnais. — No Crowd in Russia. — Immensity of the Publie Scruares.— The Column of Alexander. — False Taste of the Russians in the Arts. — Triumphal Arch. — Storm at the Moment of the Marriage. — The Emperor to be pitied. — The Empress a Victim. — The Author's Presentation.— The Emperor's Voice. — The Affability of the Empress. — A Fete at the Palace. — Courtiers. — Court Dances. — The Polonaise. — The Grand Gallery. — Political Reflections. — French Polities. — The Supper. — Khan of The Kirguises. — The Queen of Georgia. — Russian Court Dress. — A Genevese at the Emperor's Table.— Politeness of the Monarch.—A Night Scene in the North. — An unexpected Interview with the
