Smyrna times., 1855-05-23
Correspondence Of the Boston Transcript.
The Tomb of Nicholas. % 1's'


81. Petersburg, 1s April, 1s55.-The most
interesting church in St. Petersburg is that ded-
Gated 10 ST. Peter and ST. Paul, otherwise cal.
led the " Fortress Church." as it stands within
the citadel fthe City. Its slender spire, pre-
c'sely resembling that of the Admiralty, rises
tar above all others to the hight Of 340 feet, and
It's guided surface shines dazzlingly in the SUM-
II Is SAID that $4,000 ducats lav already been
expended IN the gliding Of this spre. But with
lsl the Fortress Church rest the remains of all
the Cars since Peter the Great. No Europe
an monarchs rest so unostentatously, and no
others are buried within the walls of fortress.
10 each Emperor there IS erected merely
sarcophagus, with frequently his initial letters
engraved upon ii. Etch OF thes sarcophagi is
covered with pail OF cloth of gold, enbreder-
ed with the doubled-headed eagle. Upon the
Orand- Duke COnstantlne's tomb lie the keys
OF some Polish fortress, while Alcxander's bears
small military medal with his portrait. Each
tomb Is surrounded by neat iron railing, and
the part OF the nave devoted TO the tombs is
again separated from the body of the church.
AS visited the church during Lent, the cloth
OF gold was concealed IN every case by faded
black Covering. Beginning with Peter the
Great, passed by all the Cars in chronology
Cal order. Here lay the great Catharine, aud
sleeping quietly by her side her huSb NJ, Peter
ILL.,, to whom she m her lifetime refused this
place. Around one of the s:rcuphugi saw a
dense crowd, and approaching II, found it that
ot Nicholas. The cloth was new and no dust
had settled upon the ermine border. His ini-
tIal letter was embroidered in anaranth and
candle burns n: :ht and day upon his tomb
The lutte relic thai was placed upon his breast
while he lay IN state III the palace, lies upon
the middle OF the sarcophagus. 1t is surrOun-
| ded by 4 wreath of Immortals. Every one who
! Approached the spot seemed touched with real
sorrow, and all spoke IN whispers around the
grave Oi the greutman. As stood there watch
ing the crowd, the gates ware suddenly thrown
open, and an old General IN tull uniform enter
ed aud approached the tomb. Taking off his
helmet he held 1t before his face, and kneeling,
seemed tor few moments TO be engaged in
earnest prayer. The helmet shook in his hands
as with emotion Finally rising, he kissed the
relic that had lain up n his masters breast,
and then crossing the aisle kissed Alexandtr's
| tomb IN the same nay. He had served under
both Emperors, and this his dali tribute TO their
memories was most touching. He is the com.
mander OF the fortress OF St. Petersburg, and
one OF the last acts IN the public life of Nicho.
| las was To thank him Tor hrs public services.-
The Gar sent him the Imperial portralt en-.
rched with diamonds.
Upon the walls and around the pillars OF the
Fortress Church hang trophies taken from the
Turks, Persans and French In this way have
the Russians decorated all their churches, and
nardIy nation but Is represented in ST. Pc.
tersburg or Moscow. The English, believe.
are the only exception, but who can tell how
long they may continue 50! Above three hum
a rod a
DOW before the cross OF the Christians. ~ ''
From the church we went TO the house Of
Peter the Great, Just without the wals I tbp
fortress, and upon the same island This was
the nucleus of the present CITY, and could Petel
rise IRON his gave to see the work of his sue.
cessors, bis ambition would be more tha salts.
ned. The cottage Is divided into three apart.
ments. The inner une WAS his sleeping room
the one adjoining, his chape , in which are still
preserved the pictures he worshpped. The
third room was his reception room, and it /,
hlled with rich offerings Which are contained
, In showcases ranged round the room. 1t con.
I sequenty looks more like jewelers. shop thai
anything else. On one side of the house i
shown the boat made by Peters own hands
, also the slils prepared by HIMSELF The Who'll.
cottage was rapidly going to decay, bnt Alex
dhder Caused II 10 be covered by casing O
brick, so that 1t isnow no longer exposed 10 III,
;. weather. Amsterdam W evidently Peter
model of commercial city, and his first car
IN commencing hts capital was TO intersect il
r proposed size by canals. His successors, hosv
ever, not being so Dutch in their tastes, causet
= many OF these canals TO be filled up and garden
= to be planted in their stead. The Bisiliu
! Island, therefore, has many delightful garden
Instead OF close ranged masses OF brick walls
,r @- ss BosroNIAss