New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-03
BAYlRDTAYLoR IN NORTHERN EUROPE.
No. LXXI.
ST. PETERSBURG, AND ITS PALACES.
No. I.XXI

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been built by the same people. Were 1T not Tor
some OF the older churches, which seem curlously
ant Of place here, a traveller coming from the
farmer eity would imagine that he lad already left
Russia. The strange, fantastic, picturesque, Tar
tar character has disappeared and all that one sees
u suggestive Of Western Europe This Is but the
Hrst impression, however. The second is that of a
power so colossal as to cOerce Nature hersef-a
power which can only be developed when un-
bounded resources are placed under the direction
of a single willard herein we again recognize
Russia st. Petersburg is also marvel IN its way,
and if the interest which il exctes is OF totally
Aiherent character from that which one feels IN
Moscow, it is no less imposing and perrnasnt
No man except Peter the Great would have con-
eeived the idea of building city here. Yet if we
kaye out of sight the physical difficulties against
which he had to contend and consider not only the
character Of his ambition, but the inadequateness
Of any other site ON the Baltic coast to meet ITS de-
ngns, we cannot see that he could have done other
wise Had he selected Mini Novgorod as he first
Intended. the heart Of Russian power would have
been placed on the borders of Asia, still further
from the influence of European civilization Nus
ss. 10 this case, would never have attained to first
,lace in the councils Of European nations. 1t was
necessary TO approach the west. Finland and
Livoua were at that time in the possession OF Swe-
den, and Poland WAS still nation. Peters choice,
therefore was restricted to the shores Of the Gulf
Of Finsnd. Here, truly, he might found other
sites presenting fewer natural obstacles, but at the
81. bn
through which the largest lake in Europe pours its
waters into the sea, afforded n ready-made COM
nunication, not only with Novgorod and Omega,
but with large portion of that Finland whose ac-
QUESTION he even then foresaw, while the islandof
Cronstadt guarding the entrance from the Gulf,
offered fitting station for his infant navy. The
extreme high latitude of the new Capital was even
IN advantage: Winter was his ally then, as II has
been the best ally of Russia in later times. And
the wisdom of his selection has just again been dem
onstrated when the combined naval strength OF
Europe lay before Cronstadt and did not dare to
attack it.
But nothing short Of that genius, which is the
same thing rs madness in the eyes of the world,
would have undertaken the work. Here where the
among swampy islands, completely flooding them
when the Spring freshets have burst the ice, and
where strong southwest wind drives the waters
Of the Gulf high over the highest land the city
stands upon have arisen clusters of gigantic edi-
fees, mountains Of masonry in their solid durability
bidding defiance to the unstable soil. The marshy
shores of the river are hidden under league-Ong
suays of massive granite; milliGs of piles bear aoit
the tremendous weight of palaces, churches, obe-
hsks and bridges; and four grand canals passing
through and around the city so tap the Neva OF his
menacing strength that the fearful inundations of
former years cannot be repeated. One hundred
and fifty years have passed away since Peter puin
his cottage in the midst of uninhabited wilderness,
and now there stands the spot one OF the hrst oi
European capitals, with population of more than
hall million.
The town was first commenced on the northern
bank of the Neva, on the APtekarshot, or Apothe-
eary's Island. In cold climates, man always
builds his house fronting the south. Very soon,
hsweyer, the southern bank received thoPreier-
ence, on account of its convenience and It's prox-
imty TO a little rising ground. At present three
Quarters of the city, if not more, are south OF the
Neva, the remaining portion being scattered over
the two large islands of Aptekarskoi and Nassii
Ostroy Those who know Berlin, can form toll
cradle idea of those parts of st. Petersburg distant
from the river. The streets are alike broad and
regular, the houses high, massive and PLAIN. But
there is not the sameness and tameness OF the frus
alan capta Even n0w when the Court Is absent
the fashionable world off on its travels and nobody
at home il is as lively city as one could well wish
90 see. Five thousand droshkies and as many car
riages rattle bither and thther from morning I'll
night--or rather, continuously, for you can see 10
read in the streets at midnight, and they are theh
by no means deserted. Where the Summer Is SO
feetng it is doubly enjoyed, and during these long,
delicious twilights, especially, no one remains IN
doors who can get out.
The approach to the city from the land side is
particularly tame. On such dead level the first
block of buildings shuts out the view OF everything
beyond, and even when you reach the Nershoi Pros
,,kt-the Broadway of ST. Petersburg-and look
down its vista of three miles, the only thing you see
il the gilded spire of the Admiralty Building at
the end. On the Neva, only, and the Admiralty
Square, can you get anything like picture brosd
enough to copy and carry away inyour mind' ITO,
ceeding down the Nevskoi Prospekt to this central
point, you are not particularly struck with the
architecture on either hand Everything is large
substantial and imposing, but nothing more. Even
the Annitshkof Palace which you see on the right,
- you approach the Fontanka Canal, does not par
ticulsrly impress you. The bridge over the canal'
hnwever demands more than q passing glance. At