The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-10

Count RosToPcHIN.--Ih;s distinguished
Russian nobleman, whose name is associated /
with one Of the most extraordinary events re-
corded in history, died lately at Moscow. He
was Governor of that city at tbe time Of the
invasion Of Russia by Bonaparte, aud il was
under his direction and superintendent that
ii was destroyed. This fact, for some cause,
he has denied, but the denial is not credited,
and the honor of having devised this terrible
expedient for the delverance ofhis country yet
rests on him. "Moscow, gilded with its golden
cupolas, the cradle and the tomb Of the Rus
sian nobility" contained at that time two
hundred and ninety-fve churches, and fifteen
hundred mansions, with their gardens and de-
Tendencies, iuicrmixed with smaller houses
and cottages, spread over several leagues of
territory. These edifces, including even the
shops, are described as all covered with pol
ished and painted iron. The churches were
surrounded ny a terrace and several steeples,
terminating in golden balls, above which was
exhibited the crescent, and, lastly, the cross,
,ienotipg the successive triumphs Of Mahome-
tanism and Christianity. 4 single ray Of sum
shine caused this splendid city to glisten with
a thousand colours. At sight Of II the travel
Ter paused, delighted and astonished. II re-
minded him of the prodgies with which the
oriental poets had amused his childhood,
while, on entering it, the wealth and luxury,
the gorgeous spectacles and sumptuous fcstiv-
tiles. which he witnessed, made him imagine
himself transported into Is a city of kinss."-
Such is Moscow described to have been by
one Of the historians of the campaign, when
the progress Of the French invaders led 10 the
resolution of devoting it sacrifice TO the
flames, an idea which was conceived and ex-
ecuted by Count Rostopchin. The detail
which Segur has given Of the events attending
it is highly interesting. Struck with astonish
ment at the silence which prevailed, on his
approach, Napoleon entered the city, and it
was long ere he could be brought to credit the
re ports of his officers, that .Moscow araS desert
ed q! This was a disappointment for which he
was not prepared. Little, however, did be
tion which ne was yet to endure. II few
hours the alarm was sounded that the city
was on fire in several places. At first it was
attributed to the carelessness Of the soldiery
and the indignation of the Emperor was eX-
cited against the supposed authors OF the ca
| lanty. But it was soon found that these ires
owed their origin TO other causes. All efforts
to arrest their progress were found unayailing
| In attempting to escape from the place where
he had taken his residence, the Emperor was
nearly suffocated. For several days and
nights this terrible conAagration continued, and
Moscow became a vast heap of ruins. But at
the destruction of this splendid city, it was not
the Russians, hut their enemies, no shed bit
| ter tears! In making this sacrifice, Rostop-
| chin consigned to destruction the noblest Of
his palaces; and he subsequently caused his
| splendid mansion at Woronowo to DE also de-
stroycd, inserbng on the iron gate of a
| church, which was left standing, this memori-
AL which the French, shuddering with sur
prise, read as they approached:-" For eight
years have been embellishins this place,
where have lived happily in the bosom OF
my family. Tire inhabitants Of this estate will
leave it on your approach, while | have set
Ere TO my house that it might not be polluted
with your presence. Frenchmcn! have re-
lnquishcd 20 you my two houses in Moscow,
with furniture TO the amount of half million
Of rubles. Here you will end nothing but
ashes -
These scenes were but Of yesterday-but
where are the actors in them? -" Alexander
the Deliverer" is no more, and he who swayed
the sceptrc of uncontrolled sovereignty over
so large portion of tho globe, rests Powerless
in the tomb while, in another hemisphere,
we behold the sepulchre of his rival, the con-
queror of nations, himself so great, and TO
whom many, either as allies or enemies,
owed their greatness.
"Sic transit gloria mundi."