Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-24

n
S,.,,ss fr;g.te Guerrero, then in the
Nth of europe. to his friend, a member
of Congress.
Cronstadt, Oct. I, 1918.
After visit Of ten days, ] very reluc-
,,ntlv took leave of Petersburgh The APP
nearance of this city, have already told
ycu. is magnificent beyond any e1rectto
see again. That il should wear so impo-
sing an aspect will appear less extraordi-
nary. when II is considered that no house is
erected till the plan oft is submitted to the
examination of the emperor's council, who
have power TO make any alteration in pc.
s;,ion and style that are calculated to rem,
der il an ornament to The city. Hence,
instead of an assemblage OF various and IN
congruous tastes, as is seen in other cities,
you are here presented with the symetry
and uniform majesty of style that flows
from the juiicious taste of two OF three
sk,!ful individuals, selected by monarch
who possesses the means and inclination to
make il the rival city of the world. AS an
instance of his power and pride exercised
upon it, may mention, that, preparatory
to the reception Of the KiTg OF Prussia. in
a late visit, be directed every mouse to be
painted anew. Unfortunately for US, the
Emperor left this place for the European
Congress a week previous to our ARRIVAL
The Empress and Empress dowager being
also absent, with many dignitaries of state,
left the city quite destitute OF its usual dis
ulays ofmiltary parade, and other imperi-
al appendages and it was only week
previous to his departure that the Emperor
reviewed A0, coo of his best troops. in the
presence Of the King Of Prussia circum-
stance which made us still more regret our
late arrival. The Emperor is very popu-
lar, and no doubt has the welfare of his sub
ieets much at heart, as is eyinced by the
ranid strides OF Russian freemen towards
civilization and happiness. Most OF the
Russians, however. sill wear very degra-
Ged aspect and scemeelftirely destitute OF
education and moral integrity. | apply
this to the slaves, who compose two thircs
of the population. And slaves they are in
a threeEoli degree. To their rettg7o1, or
system Of priest-craft. most servilsly. and
vet sovoid OF sentiment, that their mecham-
cal deyotions give them the appearance OF
mere automatous to their masters, in
more AFFECT degree than the sable herds OF
our southern lords-and TO taeir besfldl Gp-
settles, they seem held in chains OF ada
tnant. The Emperor, therefore, has
wide field for the exercise Of bis philanthIro-
p,, and one On which he appears but just
10 have entered; and lie may as well at
tempt to bleach the Ethiopian's skin, as to
cura his subjects even o. the single propen-
silly 10 drunkenness.
This monarch srems 10 bend his ambi-
ton principally to the accomplishment OF
three objects. First to have the hntst CITY
in the world, as have already mention
ed. Secondly. 10 command the largest ar
INV in which he is alike successful; tor,
according to Sir Robert Wilson, II was SIX
hundred thousand strong a year since ; ana
gentlemen of high responsibility in Peters
bureh told me the calculation was too low
for that time, and that additions since made
give him an army of 100000 strong.
Thirdly, to pass himself off 10 the world as
being very religious, as one would suppose
him fro,s his ukase to the several bishops
and priests. prohibiting their reading to
Their congregations certain Inscriptions OF
praise to him, as directed by the archbishop
alleging that they were due 10 Higher
Power alone. Now. all this would have
done very well, had It not leaked out, that
The whole business was project, pre-con-
certed between him and The archbishop,
before either the Inscriptions or their profit
btions were heard Of The Emperor, how;
ever. is generally considered very correct
in his moral character, and is attentive to
the religious institutions of the empire O.
yer which he has unlimited control.
One very amiable and prominent fea-
,ure in his ecclesiastical government IS re-
ligious federation. You will see, in the
sane street, perhaps half dezen church
es Tor different denominations, the follow
ers of which are as much respected as
those of the Greek church. His mother,
the wife Of Emperor Paul, is very. much es-