The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-16
The Marriage of the Emperor Alexis

can:
OF course the gaieties are over for th,
present, though the different E.shionabI,
saloons arc still opened one evening il
the week for a select circle. One of tn,
houses the most frequented, and wher,
even the President goes, incoy., is that O
a russian Countess, who only arrived 81,
weeks ago from her native SHOWS, anc
who Is turning the heads of all the elioi
bIes and ineligibles in Paris, by her great
black eyes, and her enormous diamonds
II she were only Princess, it is said thai
the President would offer, but Countess
would not sufficiently, to use a State
phrase, consolidate his power; and be.
sides, Bonaparte has no right to ally
himself to anything beneath the dauph.
ter or neice of a crowned head. The la.
dy IN question, delighted with Paris, and
finding the President not disagrecable
would willingly accept him, and has
now, mind l don't affirm this, it is the
Eourt gossiP--had placed in his hands
the papers relatingsto the history of an
actress, which might induce him to be-
liove that the alliance would NOT no 90
unequal after all. Somehow or other.
this history has got into the papers and
as my notebook is rather blank TODAY
cannot perhaps do better than give vou
"hat' II not true, is at any rate, pretty
story. ....
ihe genius Of Peter the Great exercised
such an influence on theintellectual move
ments OF Russia, that he is regarded as
the founder of that vast empire, while the
names OF the monarchs who preceded
hrm are scarcely remembered. However.
Naldmcr, Ivan and Alexis we're great
encouragers of letters and arts and Alexis
Is SAID to have given the first impulse to
the musical taste of the people.
One Of the customs of the Empire was,
that when. the Car wanted TO marry. the
great Lords of the Court were sent out to
search to bring together the most beauti-
iul girls of the empire.i They were usual
" chosen among the highcr families. and
their number amounted to sixty or a hun.
dred. They were brought to the Krcm-
Inn, and ware kept there in the strictest
retirement until the day fixed by the
Prince for the public declaration of his
choice. Nobody was allowed to visit
these young ladies, eSaffta' 'pnts7nm trie,r
IfEa9Fa6H'tt9sfe beauty and charms OF the
young ladies. The Gar always went to
their apartment disguised, and often the
Court fool was ordered to dress him
self IN the royal costume, and present
himself before them. The beauti ul girls,
deceived by the dress, sometimes BETRAYED
their ambitious desires, and tried in every
way to attract the notice of the false mon
arclr, while they dis,lained that of the true
one.
Alexis, the son of Michel, father of Pc
ter the Great represented his CUSTOM
He dearl y loved to disguise himself, and
wander about the city and Judge of things
with his own eyes. Sometimes, in his
walks, lie stopped at the house OF some
Of his favoritcs, and put the family all at
their ease ly joining in their pastimes or
Partaking familiarly of their meals. A
bove all he loved to visit in this way Mat
well, one of the chief Councillors of the
Crown. One day he arrived at Matwelps
country house, at a moment when Mat
we'll least expected him. But the Bavard
was not the one most surprised. In ira
versing the ante-chambcr, Alexis had
heard a pure, sonorous voice of remarka-
bic sweetness, which ceased as soon rs
he entered the saloon. The Car was
dazzled at the sight of the musician-a
young lady of ravishing bcauty-who
b'ushed deeply at his unexpected appear
ancc. "... ..o'.
In conformity with the Cars order,
Maxwell received him as a simple officer,
and invited him to sit down to his table,
When the Car was seated, and addressed
the young lady, he was charmed with
her wit and intelligence. After the repast
he asked her to sing some of her favorite
songs, which she did with amiabiIity, and
then left the room. ....f -.
"Who is that lady?" asked Alexis.
"Sire, it is Marichkin, daughter of a
poor man, whose poverty obliges him to
live in neighboring village; he asked
me to take charge of his only child; and
| have done so with the greatest possible
care. may sag that the seed has not
fallen upon an ungratcful soil !; to great
Intelligence and passionate taste for the
arts, Mariehkin adds sweetness of tenn
per, and good sense above all praise,
and love her as if she were my own
daughter" ....' .. ..
"Very vel" replied the Car, continue
to take care of her. | undertake to fur
nish her with dowry and husband.-
Does she know who / am.
"No, sire; she never goes out and has
never seen your Majesty before"
''Then take care not to tell her"-and
Alexis left the house in very pensive
mood. The second time he saw Marich-
kin he found her more interesting even
than before; his visits became more and
more frequent; often he passed whole eve
nings near her, his heart palpitating be-
fore this enchantress whose dreamy eyes,
poetical imagination, and sweet voice, OK
erciscd an irresistible influence over him.
I'll 4 \