Washington sentinel., 1854-05-09
Russia.

Russia.
ST.. PETERsBURG.-The strategical position
OF the island Of st. Petersburg is thus described
IN recent number of the Austrian Lloyd:
The island of st. Petersburg, subdiyided as
it were into the additional islands Of the Apoth-
ecary, the Petrovskoi, and cluster OF smaller
ones, by the branches of the Neva, is the one
which oilers most interest, on account OF a fort
that faces il, built on small island, distinctly
visible in its entire surface from the tower Of
the admiralty. The fort forms an oblong square,
with large outworks on st. Peters island and
two others. They are SO arranged that ships
by sailing up the canals that flow between the
islands can take shelter under the guns of the
FORT 1t is rather fortunate for the citizens that
they busy themselves about other things; other
wise, perhaps, they might well shudder if they
did but reflect on the state reasons that led to
| the erection of this fort in the very heart of
their beautifu capital. Seeing that the houses
OF the chief nobility are built all around it, the
cannon on its walls would make sad suicidal
havoc, if they should at any time be required
TO play. The fort rests on low island, COM
manding nothing but the city, incapable of de-
tending it, and which therefore could only have
been built with hostile intent against the capi-
tai ITSELF Of course it still exists to serve as
last place of refuge for the Emperor and his
principal chiefs, with their costliest valuables,
in case the city should fall into the hands of
any enemy on the one side, or should rise IN in
surrection on the other This fort is exactly
opposite the winter palace, keeps up constant
communication with it, and thus clearly enough
reveals its true purport. The arms ofthe Neva,
where they are in Immediate contact with its
mouth, are totally defenceless. If Cronstadt,
whichreally serves as the lock and bolt to these
Ho ho, L Il.
less city may find in this fort a dagger planted
against its own breast the blow Of which it
cannot parry The events about to occur here
are not SO very difficult to predict Should the
Russian fleet be vanquished, the conquering
fleet will run up the Neya, and the defenders Of
the city will throw themselves into the fort.
The bombardment would reduce part at least
of the city to ashes. On the restoration of
peace the Russian sovereign executive, griev-
ing over the destroyed city of Neva, would carry
out an idea long since entertained by with
drawing into the interior of the empire once
more, and reoccupying the Kremlin of Moscow,
the primitive seat, still deemed sacred, of the
Cars. A man gazing from the admiralty
tower on all these gay palaces, and pondering
on their not improbable sad destiny, might be
excused if he wept as Xerxes did when gazing
on his host near the Hellespont.'
The GEAR AND HIS PALAcE.-The Emperor
is a man Of 56, and on the whole very fine
specimen of humanity. He is tall, athletic
figure, though not stout. There was q very
splendid view from the Emperor's room win
dow. / saw along way down the river, and the
docks and forhfcatlons were under my imme-
date surveillance. There was no want Of
in splendid vases, and galleries of the finest
pictures met our view at every STEP Here, in
fact was everything that was attractive and in
teresting. could not help remarking very
great improvement in these large houses in
Russia over those in England in every part
uniform and moderate heat was diffused. This
winter palace of the Emperor it is impossible
at all adequately to describe, without appearing
to exaggerate The recepton-room is 800 feet
in length, and takes 10000 wax lights to illu-
inmate it. Here the collections from every de-
partment Of art are on the most magnificent
scale. These seemed to have been brought
from every part of the world We ascended
one flight OF steps, which comprised no less than
u, every one OF which was Of solid marble, Of
the finest description. Here were large num-
Der of articles in malachite, and those who
visited the great exhibition Of 1851 are alone
able to form any adequate conception of the
splendid effect which large quantities of this
fine mineral and gold have when brought to-
gether The mines Of Siberia, Of which the
Emperor is particularly proud, are exceedingly
rich in this expensive stone. / am not very
good judge Of fine painting, but here was gallery
after gallery filed with paintings by the best mas
ters. Dfectof the whole was admiration and
amazemeht. There was in one of the halls
very large vessel which had been brought from
Finland, and which was supported on huge
pedestal, all cut out ofa solid piece of granite.
We were taken to see the room Of Peter the
Great Here was everything that would sug-
gest itself as being of use to great king as
Peter was. Here we're many ingenious tools
and other things Of his own invention, and
many beautifully y-carved ornaments in ivory
and wood. On one of the tables, in plain
case, was an old steel pen, which presented
remarkable contrast to the things by which il
was surrounded. This pen was the one which
the late Duke Of Wellington used, and was sent
as a present to the Emperor by the present
duke.-Ms Rease's Lecture at Darlington.
----<sOsS----------