Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-02-01
THE MARRIAGE OF CZ AR ALEXIS.
FATHER OF rs-kR TnE GREAT.


In forrer times a curious custom was
observed in Russia, whom the Gar pro-
posed to eater the holy married state.
Several high officers OF the Court were
despatched TO several parts OF the lmpe-
rial dominions, to assemble together a
bout fifty or sixty OF the most lovely
daughters OF tie noblest Russian FAM
liGs. From this etife OF Mssc wife beau
~, the imperial bride was chosen The
young ladies' we're conducted In he
hrem in nj Moscow. There they re
m%ained, unseen by any one except the
Car, or those 10 whoa, the favor was
granted by Imperial permission until
the solemn day, when, in the presence
of his assembled courtiers and minister.
the Sovereign named the fortuaa,c fair
one with whom 1t was high will and
pie 'sure to share the throne.
Alexis, the son Of Michael aud the
father of Peter the grea', used some
times, after the manner OF ~iiaroun nj
Raschid, 10 quit his palace in disguise,
and VISIT n some assumed humble char
acter, the houses of the cItiz ms, aud
the huts OF the peasaRtry. II he was
recognised by any ofthe mobiles or per.
sons connected with the Court, they
were commanded @ rcsprci his ~tncognito,
and we're expressly forbidden to treal
him with any greater degree Of respect
than such rs might be due 10 his assn.
med rank and condition. by this mean
he saw every thing with his own eyes
and !caraed many facts, the knowledge
or which would not easily have pcne-
trated within the ~bouR1aries OF a Court
In this manner. he not u~nfreauently
paid the most unexpected visits to his
iavorites. sat down 10 dinner with hem
and spent n few agreeable hours in their
family circles. Las ing aside all the Ell
quette Of Sovereignty. He was par,ica-
larry fond Of taking by surprise the
Royor MeIweef, for whom he entertain
aimed Il cordial friendship and who was
one of tho principal coUnsellors OF the
Crown.
One day, tta time whom he was least
expected, Alexis presented himself at
Matweef's country house, ut "a short dis
lance from tho capitol. lie was dressed
in the uniform Of a Captain OF the I'm
pcrial Guard. Both host and visitor
startcdj Matweeff, because he supposed
the Emperor to be a far of, and in Il to-
tai different direction; and Alexis be-
cause he beheld, seated at Ma'weer's
dinner table,, n young lady whose beau
~ powerfully attracted his attention
In OBJ 'deince TO the Cz1r's injunction. Mat
weef received him merely as an officer
OF his acquaintance, iRvIiing him to
seat himself at table and partake OF the
family diRaer.
AT first the o vcrsatiou was main.
tanned exclusively between Alexis and
Matweef, but at length the Gar drew in
The fair stranger to bear a part in it
lie was charmed with the intelligence
of her remarks and her graceful mlnner
Of expressing herself; and he was not n
Iltile sorry when she retired at the con
%clusion Of the repast
'Who is that young lady?' sail he, Gu
geriy addressing Mctweef, as soon a
she left the apartment.
81 hat is NaiaIia Nerishkin, the
daughter Of a poor but est,mable noble
man, whose str agheaed circumstances
obIige him 10 live in n secluded villa re,
and who has solicited me to superiu'end
the education of his only child. have.
pursued Matweef' executed this task TO
the best Of my ability and | must add
that my tabor has not been thrown a
way. Joined to brilliant talent and q
highly cultivated mind, Natalia possess
es a gentle and amicable disposition,
which endears her to every one; in
short, | love her as were my own daugh
ter
'Let her continue to pursue her edu.
cation under your care said the Gar.
Spare no expense for her instruction, !
will delray it; and il is not impossible
| may find n husband for her. Does she
know who J amr
mo, sire, she seldom goes out, and
has never seen your Majesty before
DO not let her know my rank. Let
her believe that | am mercy an officer
OF the gaurds.' Alexis soon repeated
his visit to Matweefs country house
and he found the beautiful Nathalia
more charming than on his first intro
duciion to her. lie soon came n third
and a fourth time, and at length his Wis
its were repeated without fail every
day. Natalia On her part, felt daily in
creasing pleasure in the society Of her
new acquaintance, and supposing him
to be merely a poor officer, aud the
friend Of her foster father, her behavior
towards him was marked by an unre.
strained candor, which lent additional
charms to her animated conversation.