The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1826-06-03
COUNT ROSTOPCHlN.


name is associated with one of the most extra
ordinary events recorded in history. died lately
Al Moscow He was governor Of that city a.
the time OF the invasion Of Russia hy Bpnapartr
and it was under his direction and suprrlntcn
drncc that It WAS DESTROYED That fact for
some cause, he has denied, but the denial i, not
crcdlcd and the honor Of having devised this
cNpcdlont for the dclNcrancc Of in, country
yet rests ON him. "Mo>cow. giI!rd with it,
golden cupolas the cradle and tomb Of the Ru,
sian nobility. contained at that time two hun
dIcd and ninety FIVE churches. and fifteen hun
drcd mansions, with their gardens and dcDep
dtncle> mtcrmAed with smaller houses and
cottages. spread over several leagues OF terri
tory. These csices, Ec uding even the shops
are described as all covered with polished ana
painted ron.-The churches were surrounded
by terrace. and several stecples terminating
in golden balls. above which was exhibited tn.
crescent. and lastly. the cross dcnotnr the sue
ccssivc trumphS OF Mahomctansm and Chri,
tanltY. \ single ray If sunshine caused this
splendid city TO 4lIsten with Thousand colorS
At sight OF It the traveller paused. delighted and
aston>Acd. It reminded him Of the prodiacs
with which the oriental poets had amused his
childhood, while. on entering ii, the wealth and
luxury, the gorgeous spcctacles and Srilnptuo,r,
festivities, which he Witnessed made him,
imagine himself transported into "a CITY OF
kings Such is Moscow described to have
been by one Of tie historians of the campairn
when the progress Of the French invaders led
to the resolution OF deyotin@ ii sacrifice to the
flames. an idea which was concciyed and exc
cuted by Count Ro>topchin. The details which
Scgur has given of the events attending if. is
highly interesting. Struck with establishment
at the silence Which prevailed on his approach.
Napoleon entered tie city, and it was long ere
pc could be brought to credit the reports OF
his officers. that .'loscor ac,ts drscr!rd This
was disappointment for which he was not
prepared. Little, however. did he then think
OF the greatness of the modification which he
was Yet 70 endure In few hours the alarm
was sounded that the city was On FIRE in several
places At first it was attributed TO the care
lessncss Of the sollicry. and tn" indignation ot
the Emperor was excited against the supposed
authors fthe caAnitv-But il was soon found
that these fires owed their or4n to other can
se>. All efforts TO arrest their progress were
found unayailn-;, In attempting to escape from
the place "here he had taken his residence. the
Emperor was nearly suiF"cated-For several
days and nights this terrible contla grafton con
tinued, and Moscow became a vast heap Of
ruins But at the destruction Of this splendid
city, |, was not the Russians. hut their enemies
who shed bitter tears! In making this sacrifice.
Rostopchin consigned to destruction the noblest
of his palaces; and he subsequently caused his
splendid mansion at " oronowo TO be also dies
troyrd, im>crhnG on the iron gate Of church
which was left standing. this memorial. which,