The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-10 00:00:00

ST. PETERSBURGH, MAY 12.

The iron works at Alexandrofski afford an-
other proof of the great advance Russia it now
making in every description of manufacture, and
of the patronage the Government extends to all
foreigners who introduce any branch of industry
that is likely to promote the welfare of the country.
The works are about six miles from St. Peters-
burgh on the Archangel road, near the banks of
the Neva, and in the midst of a forest, so that
there is every convenience for water-carriage, and
alsundance of fuel. I cannot say much in favour
of this part of the environs of St. Petersburgh.
On leaving the capital all traces of grandeur are
lost, the country remains nearly in its primitive
state of morass and forest, and the hovels on the
beeks of the Neva are miserable ; but in this
dreary region have risen as it were by enchant-
ment within three years, not only a succession of
extensive works, but a considerable village ; the
whole was completed under the direction of Mr.
C-, an English gentleman of great experience,
and who has the entire management of all the
Government foundries and iron-works ; an
Englishman is likewise at the head of each de-
partment, but the workmen are exclusively
native. I was much pleased with the arrange-
ment of these works, but more surprised at the
skill of the Russian workmen. A variety of ma-
chines are manufactured here for the use of the
Government; steam-engines in particular. I saw
one that was just completed for a vessel at
Odessa, the workmanship was quite equal to any
thing of the sort in England, but unfortunately a
question has arisen as to the conveyance of this
ponderous machine to the place of destination ;
some contractors have asked 50,000 rubles or
more than 2,0001. for land carriage, but the Go-
vernment, objecting to these terms, intend send-
ing it a circuitous way by water; this is one of
the many evils of an extensive empire, and the
scarcity of fuel in the South is an obstacle to the
establishment of foundries in that quarter. It
may be worthy of remark that besides the steam-
engines now making at these works, Mr. Baird,
of St. Petersburgh, is engaged in the construc-
tion of five 9floo horse power each, for vessels
in the Black Sea. Several hydraulic machines,
for the compression of hay, have likewise been
ordered at these works; one was just finished at the
time of my visiting. By these machines the bulk
of the hay is incredibly reduced, and I hear they
are to be extensively used in the ensuing cam-
paign, though the conveyance of each machine to
Odessa costs 8001.; ninety-seven houses, and a
corresponding number of sledges, were required
to move the one recently finished from the
foundry.
Attached to the foundry is a small dock-
yard, under the superintendence of a Scotchman,
recently imported, who I understand possesses
extraordinary ingenuity in the art of ship-builsl-
- He has commenced operations with a
steam vessel, now on the stocks ; there is like-
wise an extensive saw-mill driven by steam, and
which, as my guide informed me, " supplied it-
self with fuel," a great advantage where wood
alone is consumed, and where the neighbouring
forest is rapidly yielding to the pressing demands
of so many furnaces. As I was conducted over
the works by an Englishman of some importance
in the place, I had an opportunity of seeing some
things which are generally concealed from
strangers. In the Board or Committee-room
there are some models of machinery invented by
my guide ; one model is an ingenious contrivance
for the boring of cannon on a much improved
principle. When the Duke of Wellington was
at St. Petersburgh he visited the arsenal, where
he saw the engine at work, and was so much
pleased with it that he requested a model, which
the Grand Duke Michael, who accompanied
him, most politely assured the Duke should be
sent. A model was accordingly made, and
when the Grand Duke was applied to for further
instructions he ordered it to be sent to his
Palace, where it now remains. In the Com-
mittee-room, where meetings are frequently held
for the audit of accounts and other business
connected with the establishment, there are not
only, as usual, the portraits of the late and pre-
sent Emperor, but a tribute to Majesty of a
more decided character and graver import, three
printed ukases or Imperial decrees (but on what
subject I did not learn) are fixed in a richly
ornamented triangular frame, surmounted by the
eagle. This frame is placed on the middle of
the table, and is to be considered by all dutiful
subjects as the representation, I may say substi-
tute, of the absent Emperor. To this idol the
grovelling slaves of this despotic government bow
the knee, nor must they venture to speak an
ang,ry word before this ideal " presence." The
English manager of the works informed me that
he insisted on the introduction of this gilded toy
in his own defence, for as he frequently attends
the Committee, he wished to put some effectual
curb on the freedom of debate, and ensure a
respectful behaviour from all the members. A
million of rubles have already been expended on
these works, which yield a good profit on the
capital invested, and are infinitely more thriving
than the other establishments which this age of
improvements has called into being.
After visiting the iron works I proceeded to
the splendid establishment of old Alexandrofski,
about three miles from the foundry, where
several branches of manufactures are carried on,
under the immediate direction of the Govern-
ment. As a whole, I believe this establishment
is unequalled in Europe, though many manu-
factories in England may rival the several
branches of which it is composed. The arrange-
ment of these works is admirable ; the spinning
of flax and manufacture of sail-cloth and other
coarse articles are carried on in one part of the
building, and in another part are the cotton works,
which are more extensive ; each department is
under the management of an Englishman, and
all the machinery is constructed on the most im-
proved principles. I was much struck with the
power-looms, which are worked by a steam-ens
gine of 120 horse-power. As I was accompanied
by one of the English superintendents, I was
admitted into the secret room, where there are
several curious pieces of machinery, not usually
shown. There are several minor branches of
industry connected with the flax and cotton-
works, as well as an extensive manufactory of
playing cards, which are stamped here as in
England ; the monopoly is entirely in the hands
of the Government. In this department I ob-
served a machine recently imported from Eng-
land, which saves great labour in colouring, as
the impression is taken off at once, without
having to pass through so many hands as hereto-
fore. An Englishman is likewise at the head of
this concern. I was much struck with the faci-
lity with which models of the most complex
pieces of machinery are procured from England,
and still more surprised with the accuracy and
ingenuity with which the Russians copy every
thing. But by far the most interesting feature
of this establishment is the employment of 800
foundlings, who are dressed in a peculiar cos-