The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-12-24
From the Boston Commercial Gazette.
RUSSIAN MANNERS.

An interesting anecdote, illustrative of
Russian manners, is told by a gentleman
who has recently travelled in the north of
Europe. An officer, in the prime of man
hood, of high rank in the Russian army.
was appointed by the Emperor Alexander
to the command of remote province of the
empire. On his arrival at the chief town of
his government, he was visited by the no.
billty and great officers of the district, and
among the rest, by certain Count, whom
he recognized as one of his old classmates
at military school, where they had part
ed IN hostility, on account of an insult re-
courage to res reslst. ct all the bfs tRefg tRqt
Count was the most overpowering in his
civilities. Meeting the Governor as one
whom he never had seen before, he endeav-
ored to give the impression that they had
always been strangers to each other. To his
new ruler, he spoke as if he had no remem-
brance of his person or name, and played
his part so well, that the former was almost
convinced that the youthful quarrel had es-
capped his recollection. Knowing, however,
the duration of a Russian resentment, the
! Governor prudently resolved to be on his
guard. Still every thing continued to pro-
coed smoothly, and the smiles and civilties
1
his old enemy, and nothing occurred to
awaken suspicion or to cloud their mutual
courteses. At length the Count appointed
day for giving a great tete at his castle.
! This castle was situated on rough and diff
! ficult tract of country, projected by noun
famous defiles, yet but a few miles distant
| from the headquarters of the Governor.
To this castle his Excellency was invited,
! 4 L. Il I, 4
ed with all the splendors and magnihcence
of the Russian noblesse. He accepted the
invitation, but after he had done so, was Wis
tied by certain doubts as to the sincerity Of
his host, Notwithstanding the complete OBJ
livon to which Il period of twenty years
had apparently consigned the resentment Of
the Count. He took the precaution there
fore to order body of dragons. twenty Of
whom should be provided with stirrup leath.
ers or leathern thongs, to follow him pri
vatelv, and when the clock should strike
nine, to close round the castle, while the
r subaltern officer in command proceeded tt
/ report himself to him wherever he might be
To this officer the orders were strict. NJ
: matter when, how, or about what, the Gov
= ernor might be engaged, when the clocl
struck nine the officer must be in his pres
: ence and ready to receive his commands
5 After giving these orders the Governor re
4 paired to the fete. He was received witt
d great politeness, and greeted with ever
f demonstration Of respect. The halls were
2 decked with oriental magni6cence. Barba
f RE pearl and gold were literally showerc,
: upon the splendid draperies of the ampl,
j, halls, and the dresses of the ladies glitteret
: with iewclry. Rich music formed by
G concert of horns, on which each performe
n is taughtto sound only single note, so tina
y there must he as many performers, as Their
: are notes in the gamut, i'll order to play
h single tune, and an immense number to com
9 pose band, was pouring forth inspirin:
e harmony. Plumes were nodding, brigh
+ eyes were glancing, generous wines wer
d sparkling, and every thing was in accord
n ance with festivity and joy. Still the Cover
c nor observed that of all the guests, wheth
S er ladies or noblemen, not one was presen
.. who was not connected by blood or marriag
n with the lord of the castle. He gave him
II self I'D to the fascination Of the scene, how
o ever, enjoyed the splendid arrangements
G suffered himself to be led from the gran
It saloon to the library, from the library to til
), picture hall, from the pictures to the cab
}. net of genius, through the variety Of apart
k ments which had been prepared for the graf
g ification of refined and luxurious taste, III
i til at length he observed that of those VIII
h had attended him there were only six VIII
i remained, all the nearest blood relations
a the Count His ease of manner continued