Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-12
An American Dentist and the Empe-
rOr Nicholas of Rusfa

TOE NlchOlas OF Rusta.
DIR. SHELTON MCKENZIE, FoRNEYs assistant
on the Philadelphia Press, bias seemingly
exhaustless fund of personal information
His gossip about distinguished European per-
sonages flows in a constant stream at the rate
of about a column per day, and is very
entertaining and not little instructive
Here is one Of his latest revelations:
Twelve or fourteen years ago. one of the
celebrities of Paris was an American dentist,
named Brewster, remarkable for his skill, his
hrUsqueness, and bis particular devotion to
Carlotta Grisi, the dd,asesse. DIR. Brewster
came from New York, we have understood,
where his skill as a dentist was little apprecia-
ted He bad the usual American desire to
visit Europe, and crossed over to England
and thence to Paris, with the purpose of pro-
ceeding to Italy. At Paris, however, he met
so many of his countrymen. whom his social
ty and geniality greatly impressed. that he
remained there until his funds were nearly
exhausted. One of bis friends, whom he con-
fidentially consulted respecting this impecu-
mostly, suggested that he should resort to
the practice of his profession. He followed
the advice, took handsome rooms. and had
the good fortune to rise into immediate and
extensive popularity, charging his own
prices, and exercising a sort of rough control
over his numerous fashionable clients.
What crowned his fame, however. was the
fact of his having been sent for to st. Peters
burg by no less a parsonage than the Gar
1t seems that Nicholas was troubled with
bad teeth. The Princess Lieven, who was the
Emperor's constant correspondent from Paris.
recommended him to send for DIR. Brewster.
to whom she subsequently communicated the
Imperial desire. The dentist, who piqued
himself on his independence, assur, d the
Princess that it would be impossible for him
to attend on the Emperor until the Partisan
season was ended; that he then could spare
only one month, including the time for
travelling, as he desired to spend part of his
holidays in his marine residence near Deppe
and that his terms would be all expenses
paid. and 5000 rubles (S6,000) placed to his
banking account. before he quilted Paris
This was pretty good pay for a month but
Brewster was as much anAutocrat in one way
as Nicholas was in another. He stood alone
as il were in his profession, and could COM
mand his own price.
DR.. Brewster went to st. Petersburg, was
lodged in one of the Imperial palaces, with
carriages. horses and troops Of servants at his
command; obtained the entree at Court; was
invited to the first houses; chad splendid rccep-
tiOns and entertainments at his own the Gar
footing the bills; had immense Practice as a
dentist to boot, from the Empress down to
the daughters of rich merchants, and, decln-
ing money, was amply Temunerated by rich
presents; in short, never was dentist so com
pletely in clover. But the month was coming
to close, and Brewster had not yet looked
into the Emperor's mouth. Beyond the
stipulated month he had determined not to
remain. SO he wrote to the Gar, somewhat
in this fashion, we believe:
"Dr. Brewster, dentist presents his COM
pliments to the Emperor of Russia and has to
COW that hIc 10 orIx l.
delay beyond the stipulated term, as he has
business of Importance to attend to in Paris"
G. In the course of the day he received an au-
tographic reply, which is reported to have run
thus:
'The Emperor Iaments that he has caused
the slightest uneasiness to Doctor Brewster
dentist. The Emperor has been prevented
from seeing him. professionally, by the pres
sure of affairs almost as important he believes
as any DR.. b. can have to attend to at Paris.
The Emperor will receive DIR. Brewster at 10
tomorrow, if entirely convenient to him.
OF course the dentist did make the hour
convenient. and waited upon the Emperor
He had pretty hard days work of it, but at
the close, the Imperial teeth were in excellent
condition, having previously been very much
out of order. The Emperor, highly gratifed.
said that he must beg DIR. Brewster to accept |
an order for 1000 rubles (S1.5OO,) additional
w tiC diIOuut paul ilu at dIlS. AIDING, III |
you were not an American. by whom such |
distinctions are wholly disregarded, | should |
have signiiied my satisfaction by asking you
to accept the Order of the Black Eagle. .
Laying tie money draft upon the table |
Brewster answered. The fable of the fox and |
sour grapes may be in your Maiesty'S recollec- |
lion. Those who cannot obtain honors are |
the loudest in abusing them. This money
will speedily pass from me. but to have the
ribbon of Russian order in my button-hole, |
Ill the world knowing that il was conferred |
by your Majesty, IN recognition of my skill, |
would do me permanent good. If l am
permitted to choose, | will gladly take the
Order" He did. and the Emperor insisted |
IN his also taking the money. Dr. Brewster
'eturned to Paris, DECORATED man, where he
become more popular than ever, constantly |
'elating his adv enture with the Gar and /
DstentatiOnsly putting LIE Observation-Disclosures I
IN his visiting card. and always subscribing |
himself dentist Extraordinary to his |
imperial Majesty, Nicholas l. of Russia"