The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-06-11
From The Boston Journal.
PETER THE GREAT:
OR THE AUDIENCE IN THE MAIN TOP.

In common with almost every traveller
who visits Amsterdam, | have seen the vii
Iage of Saardam, and the humble workshop,
and lodging house OF peter the Great"
which are still pointed out with manifesto
tons OF pride and exultaiion by the worthy
and hospitable inhabitants. Eut the vii
lage is notnow as fourishng as il was in the
days ofCzar. Holland, which at that time
was equal TO any nation as a maritime pow
er, has woiully degenerated in this respect.
England, France, Spain, Russia, as well as
our own country, are greatly her superiors,
and Saardam has declined in population and
the enterprise of the inhabitants, in proper
ton as Holland has declined rs naval pow
er. But still an interest is attached TO the
place, which makes it an important object in
The eyes of travellers, and there without be-
iDga melancholy Jaques,' one could sit and
moraiZe for hours.
! But 10 my story, Peter, while working as
a carpenter or blacksmith at Saardam, did
not endeavor 10 preserve his incognito. II
was soon known 10 every court in Europe
that the Gar of Russia was residing in Hol-
land and although the different European
monarchs were at that time unable TO appre-
ciate his character as manifested by his vol
untary labors, and sacrifices OF pomp and
personal comforts, they respected him as the
powerful and energetic head OF mighty
empire, and most Of the European monarchs
sent to him, with much display and ceremo-
ny, ambassadors rendering him their re-
spects, and inviting him 10 visit their respec-
| tive courts.
William of England. however, was dilato-
'ry in thus evincing his respect for the Car,
much 10 The dissatisfaction of the Russian
monarch, who was particularly DESTROYS of
hai fba frt
English King. At length, after waiting i'm
patiently for several months, he learned with
much qualification that King William was
about 10 send three ambassadors, selected
from the most distinguished noblemen, and
attended by brilliant cortege, TO do honor
10 Peter of Russia. The Gar, with spirit
of eccentricity which he not unirequentiy ex-
hlbited, resolved TO teach these ENJOYS
lesson which they would not soou forget,
and punish them in whimsical manner Tor
their hardness.
When the ambassadors reached Amster-
dam. they were astonished 10 learn that Pc
! ter was al Saardam, busily cngagcdin build
ing II ship, which was nearly finished, and
tlat lie would be delighted 10 see them al
that place. The English noblemen, who ex-
pee ed 10 be received at Amsterdam with
The pomp and ceremony corresponding 10
-
tie embarrassed by this information, but set
of, post haste, for Saardam, 10 find the car
penicr monarch, and sent an Grant courier,
with dispatches, announcing their. intentions.
| They reached Saardam al the appointed
hour, but TO their great surprise were inform
| ed that the Gar was then on board the ship,
where he awaited their arrival, and was im
patient 10 give them an audience. They
| were also informed that a boat was in wait
ing ut the ship yard TO put them alongside.
! The English dignitaries hardly knew what
| 10 think of this affair. There were no prece
dents by which toframe their line ofconduct.
They were DESTROYS, for many reasons, 10
have an interview with the Gar, and were
great siicklers for etiquette, yet after hur-
ried consultation, they determined TO Halter
the whims of the barbarian monarch, and
visit him on board his ship. A couple oil
hurley Dutchman, in a large and clumsy
boat pulled ofthe ambassadors and portion
of the suite. They were received at the
gangway,b by man dressed in the costume OF ,
a sailor, who in a rough manner welcomed
them on board. Wondering at their singu
lar reception, but supposing il specimen Of
Russian manners, they inquired for the Gar,
and their CONSERVATION was actually ludi-
crous when the sailor,-wilh knowing grin,
pointed TO the maintop, and assured the
grave add stately representatives OF Albion,
that Peterhas was aloli, where he expected
the pleasure oireceiying the ambassadors Of
his friend and brother, the King of Eng
land
The ambassadors were stupefed at this /
arrangement and gaZed at each other with /
desparing looks when told that the hall Of
audience of the Russian monarch was the ,
maintop of sloop of war; They could not
conceal their perpexity, and indeed enter !
tanned some suspicious that they were the !
victims of a hodr-but when they were as
sured that the Gar was actually in the I
maintop, and wished and expected them 10 !
climb The rigging and introduce themselves
10 his presence. their hearts failed then J
limbs trembIed, and they hardly knew what /,
course 10 adopt.
sWhafr said the proud and venerable /
Earl of Tewksbury, does the Gar of Russia ]
expect me 10 climb up thuse rope-ladders,
and play the pari OF harlequin al This period |
of my llcl TO ascend that crows nest, in :
such way, would not only be highly undig- I
nified in person of my rank, but actually |
inrpossibler
No. said Sir Nicholas Granger, with a /
spice OF indignation as well as sorrow in his /
tone, this is a most unreasonable eXaction |
on the part the Gar. For my part con- !
tinued the knight, taking survey Of his
portly proportions, and then glancing at the |
shrouds, d should as SION think OF flying, as /
OF going alofi to the maintop by means Of the |
rigging. No-ifI get there, they must hoist |
me up by pulIeys.'
Upon farther inquiry, they satisfied them
selves that they must visit The bear in his !
den, elevated as il was, or return TO England
without accomplishing the object OF their
mission. They hesiialed Il few moments,un- |
certain which horn of the dilemma 10 seize
but Lord Cover, the youngest of the par
ty, who had once been as far as Constantine
pie in ship of war, and who therefore boast |
ed ofhis nautical experience, suggested that
there was nothing SO very alarming or dan |
gerous in the Cars request-that it was
neither frolic nor hoax-but a mark of
respect 10 great mar thine government to
receive her ENJOYS in noble ship; and that |
If they should refuse his invitation TO 90 |
aloit and hold personal interview, after
having proceeded thus far, the Gar would |
construe ii into an insult, take umbrage, and |
war between the two powers of England |