Litchfield enquirer., 1829-09-10
PETER THE GREAT.

At midnight the blow was to have boon
struck: and Peter gave orders that, exact
ly at eleven, the abode Of the conspirators
should be closely surrounded. Soon after,
thinking the hour was come, no went sing
ly to the haunt Of these ruffians: he en-
tered boldly, certain that he should find
nothing but trembling criminals, already
fe,,ered by his guards. But his impatienco
had anticipated the time, and no found
himself, single aud nnarmed, in tho midst
Of their unshackled, daring, well-armed
band at the instant when they were vocif-
Grating tho last words Of an oath that they
would achieve bis destruction.
At this unexpected appearance, however,
thoy all arose in confusion. Potcr, on his
side, comprehended tho full extent Of his
danger, axasperuted al the supposed diso-
bedienco Of his guards, and furious at hnv-
ing thrown himself into peril, suppressed
nevertheless the violence Of his emotions
Having gone too far to recede, no did not
lose his presence Of mind /; unhesitutingly
advanced among his throng Of TRAITORS,
Sreetcd them Familiarity, md in calm and
natural tone said, that as he was passing by
their house, he saw light in IL; tina, sup
posing they were amusing themselves, he
had entered ia order to share their pleas
ure.' He then seated himself, and drank
to his assassins, who standing up around
him, could not avoid putting tho glass
about, and drinking his health.
But soon they began to consult each 9th
or by their looks, to make numerous signs
and to grow moro daring; ono Of them
even leaned over to Sukanim, and said 10 a
low voice, Brother, is il timc.' Tho lat
ter, for what reason is unknown, hesilated,
and had scarcely replied, Not YET when
Peter, who heard him, and who also heard
Mt last the footsteps Of his guards-s,arted
from his seat, knocked him down by a
blow in the facc, and exclaimed, II it is
not yet time for you, scoundrel, it is for
me- The blow, land the sight Of the guards,
throw tho assassins into CONSERVATION,
they fell on their knees and implored for
giveness. 'Chain them,' replied the ter
rible Tzar. Then, turning to the officer Of
tho guards, he struck him, and reproached
him with his want Of punctuality but the
latter showed him his order and the Tar,
perceiving his mistake, clasped him in his
arms, kissed him on the forehead, and pro-
claimed bis fidelity, and entrusted him with
the custody Of his traitors.
His vengeance was terrible the pun
ishment was more ferociOus than the crime.
First, the rack, then the successive mutila-
ton of each member, then death, when
not enough Of blood and life was left to al
low of the sense Of suffering. To close the
whole, the heads were exposed upon the
summit of column, the members being
symmetrically arranged around them as
ornaments; a scene well worthy Of gov
eminent Of masters andof slaves, reciprocal
" brutifying each other, and whose only
God was fear.
The domestic habits of the imperial
ruffian, who is our authors load.star, are
thus described
His ways and his manners, it is true,
were unpublished, but they are simple, frank,
and natural like those Of every man who
has great end in view, who presses on to
il with resoluie and straight forward Spir-
il. and all whose faculties, in order to at
tain it, rise above the pOmpous litlleness OF
pride and Of vanity.
In his humble abode at Petersburg, an
abode which mere artisan would think
hardly good enough for hlmse IA bed,
char, a table, a lathe, and some books, for
med the whole of the furniture.
When he was not at home, the deck OF
a ship, the floor Of hut, or the bare ground,
served him as bed; now and then straw,