Star.
London, England, 1828-10-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

ST. PETERSBURGH : a Journal of Travels to and from that
Capital, through Flanders, the Rhenish Provhees, Prussia, Eus..
'la, Poland, Silesia, Sammy, Germany, and France. By A. II
GRANVILLZ, N.D. F.R.S. &c. In 2 voll. Bro. with 70 En-
gravings. London, Camatran, 1828.

This work appeals very a propos at the present mo-
ment. At a time when the attention of Europe is di-
rected in a peculiar manner to the affairs of Russia,
any information respecting so vast and impor all an
Empire cannot fail to be received with the highest pos-
sible interest. These volumes furnish us with a full ac-
count of the manners, customs, institutions, amusements,
state of society, and literature, &c. of certainly one of
the first nations in Europe.
The work is divided iriti three parts: the first con-
tains an account of the aictor's journey to St. Peters-
butgh, the second comprises a description of that ca-
pita!, and the third details his return. Dr. Granville,
it appears, set out from this country in the capacity of "
physician to Count Woronzaw, a distinguished Russian
Nobleman, who with his Lady had come to England
to spend a few months with his relations.
In the first part, the author presents us with so ani-
mated a p-cture of the beauty and splendour of the
scenery along the banks of the Rhine, that we cannot
refrain from wishing mat our avocations would permit
us to visit the spot. The following particulars respect-
iog the nymph of Lurley are highly entertaining:
We now proceeded on our way to Binged, following the cit.
cuitous course of the river, every succeeding part of which presents
new and Impressive beauties. The road runs, all the way, close
to the river, passing through Boppatt and St. Goar, at both which
places fresh horses are procured without much difficulty, and re-
freshments may be had at very respectable inns. Between St. Goar
and the ruins of Schonberg, at a spot where the Rhine, from the
direction of its deep sinuo.ities' assumes the appearance of succes-
sive and isolated island lakes, bounded all round by upright gigantic
rocks, or sloping hills clad with vines to theit very summits; the
postilions suddenly checked their career, and turning the wide end
of their bugles to the reach of the river we had just passed, blew
loud and strong their postboy tulle' and then held their breath.
Quickly the musical sounds were heard repeated once in a clear
and distinct manner, not far from us; and again a second and a
third, and even a fourth time, but as if from a progressively in-
creasing distance, until they died away. The experiment, more
than once repeated, proved equally successful. We were assured
that the repetitious of the sound are more numerous when the ex-
periment is made in a boat placed midway between the two batiks.
It was nut to be expected that so remarkable and striking a
phenomenon should go without being converted into an allegorical
tale during the ages of ignorance and superstition. How, in fact,
was this never failing repetition of the fisherman's choked mornidg
prayer and evening sung, which some invisible voice responded in
the distant space, as he glided over the bosom of the water to or
from his daily toil, to be accounted fur' Imagination, ever ready
to plunge into the supernatural, created a lovely nymph, and placed
her abode on the ruck of Lurley, from the sides of which the
sounds are principally reverberated. A dangerous eddy lies in the
broad shadow of this rock, and many a time, when the amazed
boatman tracked its way through the stream, listening to the mys-
terious voice from the height of Lurley, his frail bark drawn within
the vortex, would miserably perish under the rocky dwelling of
the syren. Attracted by the reports of her beauty, and spurred
on by the proclaimed cruelty of her dispusition, the youthful son of
the Count Palatine of a neighbouring country determined on see.
ing the virgin of Lurley, and carrying her a captive to his father's
amt. Hts fate was sail, fur on arriving, escorted by a few fol-
lowers, in the agitated waters of Lurley, his boat whirled round
and disappeared. Grieved at the loss of his child, the Palatine
Count dispatched a trusty band to seize the relentless nymph ; but
just as their rude leader, unmoved by her heavenly charms and
dishevelled tresses, was in the act of summoning her to surrender,
a sudden hurricane swelled the stream, the waves, crested with
foam, ruse to the top of the ruck, and encir.liug the lovely Undine,
saved her from the rode grasp of man, and carried her to the realm
of her fathers. Her voice is'still beard returning the song of mer-
riment or sorrow, but her beauteous form appears szot Oa the
heights of Lucky.

h- character of the liuss;ans, the *litho( r•baerees
t although I hold myself unqualified to speak of the Russian
character in general, there is one striking feature belonging to it,
which the history of recent events has consecrated, and cannot,
therefore be passed over in silence, even by the superficial observer.
I mean that unbounded devotion to the cause of their country dis-
played by the whole population during the unprovoked aggression
of the late ruler of France, aff.ar:Beg the striking wimple (one
which is unparalleled in the records of the numerous conquests of
foreign countries made by that extraordinary man) al not a swop
inhabitant, high or low, either of the towns or provincee occupied
by his legions, joining in his fortune and party ; and by either words
or deeds promoting the scheme of plunder and devastation then
executing against the Russian territory. W::en Napoleon sent bis
eagles to Holland, conquered Pravda. penetrated into Austria, and
took possession of its capital; when be entered Italy. occupied
Spain, and found reason,. in diplomatic sophistry, for ejecting the
House of Braganca from Lisbon, be ever met with a number of
high and powerful individuals, and not unftequentiy with a great
portion of the population, who, unmindful at their duties as cid.
lens, and unmoved by the more general example of patriotic re.
sistance, or the distresses entailed on their countrymen, espoused
and assisted bis cause. lint in the vast empire of Itu:sia. no such
humiliating occurrence took place from the day in winch Napoleon
set his foot on that territory, to that in which Ive hid a hasty adieu
to the skeletons of his few surviving regiments. It is a curious
fact, which the historians of modern times have failed to remark,
that in none of those studied composition. called the Bulletins of
the Grand Army of the North, with which Bonaparte endeavoured
to keep up the invslige in favour of his great enterprise among the
people of h:s good city of Paris, has the writer boasted (as be in.
variably bad dune In similar dispatches written from other foreign
countries which be had invaded) of having been joined by any part
of the people, or by a single Russian individual of hole. True it is,
that when propitious Fortune had once more, airier that disastrous
campaign, restored hint to his capital and his palace 4.5. the 18th of
December, 1812, he declared to the surround,ng Senate, who had
gone to greet his return—" l.bi'il aurait pea sutler la plus grande
pante de 63 population (meaning Russia) contre elle meme en pro-
clamant la liberte des esclaves qu'un gra:lti nombre de vil!ages lul
avaient demand..." But such a declaration is tun absurd in itself
to deserve credit; for what liberty could a dying enemy grant to
the Serfs, which these could for a moment luuk upon as permanent
in regard to their masters ?

I ant, therefore, entitled to conclude that the Russian character
bas this striking feature its it, which hat not been observed in a de-
gree equally remarkable among the other Continental nations, pre.
viously to the last great and successful struggle against the aggres-
sions of France—an unqualified wad unbounded patriotism, which
admits of no compromise.
The Aurora Borealis as seen at St. Petersburgh is thus
vividly drsclibed
The northern hemisphere has its delights, as well as the southern.
One of these arises from the contemplation of that beautiful phis.
nornetion called the Aurora Borealis, or Not tlarrn Light,. Such a
phenomenon is of frequent occurrence at Sr. Pctersburgh. Ac-
' cording to the meteorological tables of twenty years, so often alluded
Ito iu this chapter, northern ligh.s appeared on an average twenty.
one times in each year. In the year 1774, they appeared forty-
, eight times. From 1782 to 1788 they decreased, having been seen
only one hundred and ten times tiering that period, and only thirty-
nine rinses from 1787 to 1791. This diminution in the yearly
number of northern lights has continued more or less ever since;
and looking for illustration at the tablet of the lame two years
nearer us, which have supplied us with other data, immely, 1813
and 1818, I find that in the former year northern lights occurred
Only us, and in the latter twelve times. At the clot:- of last
Autumn, this curious phenomenon appeared on one occasim, mass
nificently bright. The sky was Illuminated front the horizon to the
zenith, extending east and west to a'considerable distance. Masses
of Ste in the form of columns, and as brilliant as the brightest
phosphorus, danced in the air, and streaks of a deeper light, of
various sizes, rose from the horizon and Bashed between them....
The br;glitness of the former seemed, at times, to grow faint and
dim. At this conjuncture the broad streaks wou!d suddenly shoot
with great velocity up to the zenith with an undulating morloff and
a pyramidal form. Front the columns, flashes of light, like a suc-
cession of sparks from au electric jar, dew off and eil.appeared ;
while the streaks eh inged their form frequently and rapidly, and
broke out an place. where none were seen before. shooting :tong
the and Coen disappearing is an Instant. The sty in ea:
rows places became tinged with a deep purple, the stars shone very
brilliatttly, the separate lights gradually merged into one another,
when the auroral resplendence of the horizon increased and became
magnificent. This phenomenon lasted nearly four hours ; and at
one nine a large triangle of the strongest light occupied the horizon,
illuminating hi the must magnibceot manner nearly the entire vault
of Heaven. From six to seven falling stars were observed at the
time, leaving in their train a very brilliant light.

Dr. Granville gives some very interesting details le.
specting the' climate of SL,Petersbusgh. Ut the most
deiightlui part of the year he rema ks—
. The summer season in that capital is said to be as brilliant and
animated as it is short; a striking image of the joy. of this world.
As soon as the ice has completely disappeared front the Neva, oc
about the beginning of May, the scene which the city had hitherto
presented, changes, and the winter dress entirely vaiii.bes. Serene
days all at once succeed the 'lomat and grey atmosphere of March,
and the transition from a cold and stormy spring, scarcely distin-
guishable from winter, Sc the oppressive heats of summer, is
brusque and sudden. Northerly and westerly winds, however,
prevail, and seen: to bring with them a delightful freshness from the
mountain ridges of Finland and Norway. Nature, too, at this time
bursts at once upon St. Petersburg!, and its neighbourhood, in all
the glory of bloomiug vegetation. To behold lii the short space of
three weeks, snow, ice, and verdant trees, and sweet sutellieg
flowers in the private and public gardens, Is by no means an un-
usual occurrence. Vegetation is, in fact. most rapid. Two days
of heat produce a greater change in the appearance of the country
here, than a fortnight elsewhere; and fruit-trees, yet hare of their
honours, put forth young shoos', deck themselves with leaves and
blossom,, and are loaded with fruits, in little Mate than the time
which one or two only of these stages of vegetation wut,:d require
in England or the north of Germany. his rapid progress of na-
ture is indispensable in such a climate, and is the necessary result
of that uninterrupted state of compression or c.its ma, in which
the vegetable world had been retained for the space of seven suw
cessive months by the thick coverings of ice and snow.
Among the peculiar charms of summer in St. Peiersburgh, the
bright and genial nights are probably more delightfully telt th
any other, by the stranger as well as by the inhabitants. The sun
scarcely setting in the evenings of June and July, keeps the hod-
eon during the few hours of night in that state of splendour wl.i:h
almost rivals the deafest light of day; hence, nut unfrequently the
people will turn night into day at those times, and transact busi•
ness or enjoy recreation then, which the prevailing excessive beats
forbids them doing during the day.
On the appearance of this delightful season, the Court, the prin-
cipal families, the merchants, and even the better sort of trades-
men, quit the parched and dusty streets of St. Petersburgh, anal
betake themselves to the neighbouring islands or villages, where the
remainder of the summer is *petit in hospitality and social amuse-
ments. The hundred villas scattered on the Kaineenoi, Yelag:iin,
Krestofsky, the Aptekarskoi, and Petrofskoi, as well as on the Via
bourgh shore, and on the Strelna road, ale ailed with gay and
happy parties, and every where returning warmth gises fresh ani-
mation to organic nature. " The noisy bustle of the b!rett," says
an accurate observer, " is changed not into a death-like silence, but
into that idle occupation which is tutu more delightful than re-
pew ; walking parties are met every where, frequently attended by
music. On the smooth and bide booms of the Neva, and on all
the canals, boats arc sh.ling, from which resounds the simple
melody of the popular ballad, as sung by the watermeti. Beguiled
by the novelty and delightiulness of the scene, and in the eapecta.
tion of the coming night, we end ourselves by an agreeable tut paw,
cheated of our sleep, when the hret beams of tae rising sun are
gilding the tops of the houses, I have Wier yet known a single
foreigner who Waal insensible to the first enjoyment of these sum•
mer nights."

A very favourable sketch introduces the character c f
the Emperor Nicholas. Respecting the etiquette of a
presentation to him, as well as the author's interview
with that August Personage, we select the fullowin
The first necessary step on such an occasion Is an application to
the Ambassador, or Minister, of the country to which the stranger
belongs, who requests the Minister for Foreign Alfaits to inform
him of the day and hour when the Emperor will receive the stranger.
ambassaduss. particularly the Engli,h, have instructions not to
present, or cause to be presented, any other persons than such as
have alre.dy had that honour conferred on them ac hums. Ota.•
sionaily it happens that the answer of the Minister for Foreign
Affairs is not forwarded till a long time after the application, and
then the 'notice Is prebgbly very short, which inn!ce la cununankawd

•
o."

• • J•r.

LOIN DON.

SATURDAY. OCTOBER 4, 1828.

by the Ambassador to the applicant in an official form. The hour
appointed is generally two o'clock, after the parade; at which strive.
the person to he presented, dressei either In a military or naval
uniform. or. in the e sun dress of his own country, repairs to the
Winter Niue, where he is received by an officer belonging to the
Grapd Master of the Ceremonive, who conducts him into a waiting
room, 'in. the Emperor% private suite of apartments. The I in-
mentioned Grand Officer himself neat makes his appearance, and
conduct's the stranger into the apartment adjoining the skill room
'of his Majesty, opposite the doors of which be is desired to place
himself. Some of the officers of the household, and one or two
snore Masters of the Ceremonies, are present in this room ; and
when more than one stranger is to be presented. they are placed in
an oblique line, at a short distance from each other, and facing the
entrance into the Emperor% room. In a few minutes, two pies
throw open the folding doors of the apartment; and his Nl.jesty.
dressed in hb simple uniform, booted and spurred, with a single
star on his breast, advances, smiling and bowing most courteously,
in the lame manner that a highly bred Gentleman receives his
guests ; and having heard the name of the individual first to be pre-
sented, pronounced aloud by the Grand Master of the Ceremonies,
proceeds to address him, and to ask questions, concluding generally
with sonic well-turned and flattering compliment. When his Ma-
jesty bas thus addressed all those who have been presented, he re-
tires in the same Manlier, bidding tbem conjointly farewell, while
they remain still in their places until the folding doors are once
more closed, when they are conducted to the apartments of the
reigning Empress, and afterwards to those of the Empress Mother,
both which Princesses are accompanied, on such occasions, by one
or two Ladies lit Honour, and as many Grand Officers of the Court,
without any other pomp. and with both of whom precisely the
same ceremony, in every respect, takes place. There is no kneeling
to either the Emperor or the Empresses, and the kissing of hands
takes place only with the two Empresses. The only manifestation
of respect requited on the appearance of the Sovereign, as well as
at his departure, is a profound inclinathon of the head. It is curious
that a more humble obeisance should be practised in tie presence
of a Constitutional King, than before an absolute Monarch.
all these occasions it is WA she etiquette for the Ambassador or
Ninistei to be press nt, unit.* required by his Majesty, or except
when the k ms. it has requested a personal audience at
the same time,. When, however, the Emperor sigaiitie. his plea-ure
- so receive the first presentation of a stranger at the Circle du (ways
Diploosatique. the individual is presented by the Ambassador in
person, and the ceremony takes place in the state 3 priments, with
rime pomp than I have described, but with much less or that gr -
tificaf a which cow, t but be felt by all who have had the honour
of a private introduction to the present leading nsembers of the lm-
penal family of iltissii. The names of those who have enjoyed
that honour are inserted on the following day it the Canrt Gazette
and the Journal de St. Priers/ mega, from authority.
When isi..3laksty admitted me to the honour of bring presented
to hint' f had ail opportunity of witnessing the happy manner in
Iselitudied to put those who were introduced to him at their
ease, by entering at once. and with great fluency, upon the subject
most likely to be interesting to them. To an English Gentleman,
who bad been pr.-silted at the san e time, and who was known to
have recently traveled a great deal in Denmark, Sweden and Not.
way, his Majesty put such que.rions re•pectia g that journi y, and
the many natural in-astir* w ieb it must have offcred to his atten-
tion, a. were likely to give him an opportunity of entering freely
upon the subject. The apt remarks made by the Emperor upon
,several pas t• of the u event is rapid narrative of his journey, evinced
a tacility of discoursing on the various topics connected with that
narrative, and a degree of condescension, which could not fail to
make a striking impression upon our minds. In addressing me
neat. his Majesty with equal ease changed the topic of conversa-
tion, made inquiries respecting the state of science, and the progress
of modern discoveries in England ; was pleased to allude to the
investigation on the an of embalming among the Egyptians, in
terms *loch showed that he was acquainted with My *experiments
on that subjtet ; asked my opinion of the civil, naval, and =direly
hospi:ala in St. Petri-shore'; and spoke very highly of the Naval
Hospital at Plymouth, which he bad examined minutely, and to
which be hoped I should find those in his capital not very dissimi-
lar He eapressed his great satisfaction at the services rendered to
Russia by several English physicians. among whom his Majesty
particularly mentioned Sir James Wylie, Dr. Leighton, and Sir
Alesander Crichton; inquiring at the same time, in a very parti-
cular and affectionate- manner, about the latser, as to whether he
was settled in London, and in practice, or living in the country ?
)He said that nothing was more pleasing to him than to see foreign
physicians visiting the public establishments of St. Petersburgis, as
he hop. d that the unitary might derive benefit from their obser
!rations, and that he himself recollected visiting St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, with the nature of which institution he had been much
pleased, but that there were improvements which at the time struck
him as bring called for in some of the wards f Having permitted
Are to make a reply to this as well as to several other observations
which fell from him in the course of the interview, his Majesty
withdrew.
We cannot too much admire the philanthropy and
benevolence of the Empress Mother ; her many amiable
.
'qualities, and her solicitude for the welfare of her va-
vious institutions, are truly praiseworthy. Her person
is thus desci ibed
The Empress Mother is not only a most extraordinary Princess
for the qualities of her heart and mind, but in person also. Her
'figure, as Madame de Campan has observed. is graceful and ma-
jestic, without afitctation. Her maniere, gait, and deportment we
of the most refined description. There is so much suavity of ez-
vension in her countenance, that an one need feel embarrassed in
.her presence. Her milk is precisely what Madame de Campan
described it to have been forty-flee years ago, stately and dames.
Her form and complexion are those of a person several years
• younger, arid she seems to enjoy the most perfect state of health.
. She was attired in a lilac satin robe, arranged in the most modest
style, with a head-dress ornamented with Marabou feathers, die-
, posed with the greatest simplicity.
• We regret that we have nut room at present for blither
'extracts from tins most interesting work ; but before we
'dismiss it, we confidently recommend it to our readers,
as containing the best and most replete account d f the
:Rondos capital that has yet appeared. It is embel-
lished with 70 engravings, and no labour or esp. nee
• :bas been spared to render it attractive. Many of the
. plates are Troy beautiful. 'l'o travellers to Kus:ia, or
any past of the Continent to which it relates, at will be
found a most agreeable•and instructive travelling coo.
`pan,on.

. t His Majesty's observation was perfectly just. lam terry to
. say, as I have been lammed on inquiry since may return. The
• system was a bad one then ; and a well-known surgeon, now re-
tired, was um notch engaged in private practice. to pay more than
•au hour's Manion each week to the condition of his wards. But
new men and new measures have redeemed the well-merited repo.
tatiun of that excellent establishment.

'IHE EVENING STAR.

PRICK 4W BLOCKS AT FOC R 'ITI.IICK.
..
Bank Stock. Sind Inita howl 90 89 •
3, per Cent. lied. Shut South Sra Stuck
5 per Ct. CMS. 811 g / Oki Annuities
, Illiper Cent. Shut New Ditto
34 per Cent. Red. abut Zinnia Rachel. Mk 73 6
. 4 per Cs. New.lol, 1 41500 Datil 75 6
4 .er Cent. 1826. Shut Awn and .E2ou Onto 75 6
• I Ong Ann. Shut Commercial
In& Stock 259 Consuls ler Acct. 861 4
1141111tItiN FUNDS, TWO il'Cl.teCK
Brazilian Ikla. S pCt. Perue. Yds.' p C. 201 1
Du Acct. 62. es die IPm tug. Kis. SpC. Mg
.. ohm ...1., 6 per Ct. Du Acct. 564
•Dm llosulao a t 4, 211 4 I ItuathOds.lB.4l.s pCt.
Da. Acct. 2I 1 Um Acc 95 21
1) . 341 IINIT• ZI pCt. 6 ; I e 5 die I SpAnigh Bob spCt.lll 1
Nez.1ida.182.5.6p Ct..sBi I Du.Acct.ll4
BRITISH ANI) FOREIGN 811 A Itlol, T.WO O'4:LtICK.
*MAKS. rasa.
Brazilian 55 go 76 78
Ditto National 94 5 10 94 I
Unto Gener.d 40 v* pas
-.Bolivar 50 84 . Ze
Catuict ~ . IS 5 6 Pin
Gcstrra Main Alm. so s 151
, Cmatintala •-• • • 2pm
• . IhrtanaLa Paz k Perna. Ana. IS 5 •7s.
X
- rfal Irish
1 9.18 1 is
.. Untied Strikes 40 as 181 19
. Canal Gas Engin* 5O 1 12.

We this day lay before our Readers a Pinclamatioa
issued bis Excellency the Loan LIEUTINANT of 11111.
LAYDI calling upon the Magistrates and others is

luthority in that comity. to Prevent asseinblages of the'
pe ,i,:e similar to those which have recently taken piece.
in Tipperary ; and threatening those who transgress
after this notice, with !hiving the law most vigorously
ento:ced against tens. This measure will meet with
the approbation of the well-disrsed part of the cam•
mutiny, in ibis As well as the St-ter Kingdom.
A 1•110CLA M ATION,
OFNIMAL AND GINESAL commas

Ur lIIIILAND.