New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-05
llYARD TsYLoR IN NORTHERN Europe.
No. LXXII.
VISITS TO T2ARsKO sELO, PAUlOVsk'
AND TIE ISLANDS.


va 10 the hill Of Pulkowa, seventeen versus Sou'i
~ the city There, in the msgnihceht "sT"ho'h-
81 Observatory built during the reign Oh Nicholas,
Avelt brother.inaw whom had never seen,
,>1 t,ere Was born the first niece who shall call
~,e rpeIe Procuring an open calleche with three
h~rses-the Russian roiha-we left 81. Petersburg
~ the Moscow road, which issues from the city
through tall triunpbal arch. The main road - a
hundred feet broad with narrower highway on
ss~h side divided from it by double row OF trees.
At the end Of the seventh verst, the road TO Mos
esw ,trkcs off to the left, while that TO Pulkowa
preseyes its mathematical straightness, 80 that It's
termini, the trumphal arch and the dome of the
OAsryatory are visible from all parts of II. About
halfway there is German colony settled, and the
comfort of the houses no less than the blooming
APPEARANCE Of the little gardens and orchards, pre-
sents an agreeable contrast TO tue bare, unadorned
Russian villages.
The hill of Pulkova IL the nearest rising ground
70 ST. Petersburg, and though the highest point IS
s1Jy some $50 feet above the level OF the Baltic,
this elevation il sufficient TO command panorama
Of between forty and fifty miles in diameter. On
Me summit, surrounded by scattered groves OF FIR
and birch trees, is the Observatory, probably the
nost perfectly appointed institution OF the KIND IN
the world The cost Of Us erection must have ex-
ceeded million OF dollars. On passing through
The spacious halls, rotundss, and towers with NOV
able cupolas, / had cause TO regret my inability TO
appreciate the peculiar excellence Of the splendid
isaruments, and the ingenious mechanical contriy-
ances for using them. In the chief tower was the
colossal refractOr OF FrauenhOfer Of which
Cambridge Observatory (if remember rightly
possesses the only counterpart. The grand hall is
hung with portraits Of distinguished astronomers,
snong whom recognized Hansen and Airy.
had the pleasure of passing an evening with
the Director of the Observatory, the venerable
Won Struve, whose name is well known IN Ameri-
"a. He is slowly recovering from an illness
which for n time threatened his life, and is still
comparatively feeble. He is between sxty-fye
md seventy years old, of medium stature, with
large, symmetrical head and a remarkably benign
and genial expression of countenance. In addition
70 bis astronomical requirements he is a profound
Greek scholar, and understands the principal mod
srn languages, including English, which he speaks
with unusual fiuency and correctness He is per-
yeass in America for the encouragement Of Astron-
smy and kindred sciences, and mentioned the
names Of Gould, Pierce Gilliss and Mawry with
great admiration. Won Struve is another example
Of the truth that the study of the stars need not,
~ in NewtOns case, make a man Indifferent 10 the
amenities Of our insignificant terrestrial life Like
ether astronomers of my acquaintance he is par
,larl, IN oh a
hearty enjoyment in society. Leverrier is the very
reverse of this if what j have heard of him be
true He is said to BE- exceedingly proud, reserved
and destinations in his manner. A distinguished
German recently visited him in Paris, with letter
Of introduction. After reading it, Levcrrier looked
sp, measured the bearer from head 10 foot, and
ssked, IN rude, impertinent tone: "Qae routez-
soss ," "Rien," eoolly answered the German, as
be bowed and withdrew.
At the western end Of the hin is pile Of granite
powders, on which, Tradition says, Peter the Great
sat and planned the building of his capital. The
distance from the city too great 10 make the sto
nv probable. IL is very likely, however, that this
may have been one of the T2ar's fayorite spots.
The eye, weary of narrow horizon, incosed by
ring Of dark woods, more or less distant, here
seves with delight over the expanding plain, whose
hr rim is lost in the blue evening mists Of the Ne
va. The many spires Of St. Petersburg sparkle
with shifting lusres in the sunset, the great dome
si ST. Izaak blazing over the lesser lights Ike the
moon among stare. When the air is clear Cron-
.tadt may be seen in the west, floating IN the sea-
horizon.
The celebrated Summer Palace and park of
Tnrsko Selo are seven yersts beyond Pulkowa.
The grounds which are Of immense extent-eish-
.een miles IN circumference il is ssid-are rl-
ways open to the public. Ny newly-fouDd relative
Aad been hind enough 10 procure tickets of sdmis-
mon to the palace and armory, and We made choice
Of q warm Sunday afternoon, when tens of thou
sands come out by railroad from 81. Petersburg,
for our visit. Entering the park from the western
side We found ourselyes in the midst of gently un-
dulating fields, dotted With groves Of fir, ash and
sircb-an English landscape, were the green HI
t,e more dark aud jucy. Here was dairy farm,
there stable for elephants, and little further an
ssyhm for pensioned hCrses. The fayorite steeds
Of the Emperor after his death, are withdrawn
1rom active service snd pass their days here IN
comfort and Incidence. One or two of the horses
Of Alexander l. are still on the list although their
.ye cannot be less than forty years. At each of
these institutions We received very polite invita-
tons rom the servants IN attendance to enter and
inspect them. The invitation sometimes
eompaa;ed by ,he words: " am a married man."
or Il have a family" which in Russia means: Il
should not object 70 receive gratui'y.' was
v.t a little perplexed occasionally, until ! escer-