Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-08-12
CATHARINA ALEXOWNA,

virtues her ultimate greatness and fame is extract
| ed from the writings of Doctor Goldsmith-a name
which is of itself sufficient to secure it an attentive
perusal. II shows that life of virtue is not only
fe of happiness but that it is the unerrng harbin-
ger Of prosperity. Catharina from the humble
condition of peasant rose by her merits and her
tues to the head of one Of the greatest nations of
the earth, and by the CORRECTNESS, Of her policy, and
system of government, secured to Russia fame
which previous monarchs failed to obtain.
Catharina Alexowna, born near Dcrpat,
little city in Levoni, was heir to no other
inheritance than the virtues and frugality of
her parents. Her father being dead, she
lived with her aged mother, in their cot
tage covered with straw; and both, though
very poor, were very contented. Here, re-
tired from the gaze of the world, by the la
Dor of her hands she supported her parent,
who was now incapable disappearing her.
SELF While Catharina spun, the old woman
would sit by, and read some book of devo-
ton; thus, when the fatigues of the day
were over, both would sit down contentedly
by their fre-side, and enjoy the frugal
meal with vacant feStlylty.
Though her face and person were models
of perfection, yet her whole attention SEEM
ed bestowed upon her mind; her mother
taught her to read, and an old Lutheran
minister instructed her in the maxims and du-
ties of religion. Nature had furnished her
not only with ready, but solid turn of
thought, not only with strong, but right
understanding. Such truly female accom-
plishments procured her several solicitations
of marriage from the peasants of the coun-
try; but their offers were refused; for she
loved her mother too tenderly to think of a
separation.
Catharine was fifteen when her mother
died; she now, therefore, left her cottage,
and went to live with the Lutheran minister,
by whom she had been instructed from her
childhood. In this house she resided, in
quality Of governess to his children at
once reconciling in her character unerring
prudence with surprising vivacity.
The old man who regarded her as one Of
his own children, had her instructed in dane
ing, and music, by the masters who attend
ed the rest of his family. Thus she con-
tinued to improve, till he died; by which ac-
cident she was once more reduced to her
pristine poverty. The country ofLevonia
was at this time wasted by war, and lay in a
most miserable state of desolatiOn. Those
calamities are ever most heavy upon the
poor; wherefore Catharine, though possess
ed ofso many accomplishments, experience
ed all the miseries of hopeless ndigence
Provisions becoming every day more scarce,
and her private stock being entirely ex-
hausted, she resolved at last to travel to
Marienburgh, city of g'eater plenty
With her scanty wardrobe, packed up in
wallet, she set out on her journey, on foot
She was to walk through region misera-
BILE by nature, bu; rendered still more hid
co.'s by the Swedes and Russians, who, as
each happened to become masters, plum
deredi at discretion; but hunger had taught
her to despise the dangers and fatlgues of
the way.
One evening, upon her journey, as she
had entered cottage by the way-side, to
take up her lodgings for the night, she was
insutedby two Swedish soldiers who in
sisted upon qualifying her, as they termed
it, to follow the camp. They mig ght, prob
ably, have carried their insults into violence,
had not subaltern officer, accidently pass
ing by, come to her assistance Upon his
appearing the soldiers Immediately ydesisted:
but her thankfulness was hardly greatert than
her surprise, when she instantly recollected,
in her deliverer, the son of the Lutheran
minister, her former instructor, benefactor
and friend.
This was an happy interview for Catha-
rina. The little stock of money she had
brought from home was by this time quite
exhausted; her clothes were gone, piece by
piece, in order to satisfy those who had en-
tertained her in their houses; her generous
countryman, therefore, parted with what he
could spare, to buy her clothes, furnished
her with horse, and gave her letters of
recommendation to Mr.. Gluck, faithful
friend of his father, and superintendent of
Marienburgh.
Our beautiful stranger had only to appear
to be well received. She was Immediately
admitted into the superintendent family,
as governess of his two daughters; and,
though yet but seventeen, showed herself
capable of instructing her sex, not only in
virtue, but politeness. Such was her good
sense and beauty, that her master himself
in short time offered her his hand, which
to his great surprise she thought proper to
refuse. Actuated by principle Of graft
tude, she was resolved to marry her deiv-
l.. n n 4 n Il