The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-04-07
VOL 4.
The Russian Court "a Century ago
Cath-lriMe h, "a described by
Herself.

Herzen, we make the following extract:
X *
1t is sad to be obliged to say that a nature
so beautiful was led into error. Catherine
fell-yet how could she help it? No blame
to hcr-it was all owing to Peter and circum-
stances. She had no children by Peter; she
was miserable; she was in the midst or a
Court which INDUCED in the utmost license;
she was surrounded by gallant young cour-
tiers, who sighed for her, who worshipped
her; she had the infdelities of Peter ba.sre
her eyes. What was young woman to do
with heart so tender as hers, and so little
capable of refusing favor? There are the
Observation-Disclosures Of her husband, his
beloved friends. She loves them because they
are her dear husbands friends-espccially
she loves Andrew Czernicheff. She is caught
secretly flirting with Andrew.
She turns around her head AMI fin Is that
she is observed. Next day the three Czerni-
chefs are sent off to regiments far away
After dinner Tchoglokoff comes to take NJ
her post as guardian of the young Duchess
morals and soon, also, the father confassol
paws Catherine visit, anxious to know the
state of Ter soul. Tchoglokolf is placed
beside Catherine, not merely as a sheep-dog
to guard an innocent lamb, but also as a mo-
del wife, whose example cannot fail to have
the most happy inAunce. TchoslokoN is
austere, terribly virtuous, the mother of a
family, an injured wife-lor the male Tcho-
glokof is unfaithful, and tries her severely
at least such is the character Tchoglokoif
bears in the Court In the course of time
Catherine discovers that the rigid Teholgo-
koff is made of very different metal. She,
too, has her lovers she too must own the
soft impeachment. Only Catherine never
finds this out in Tchoglokoff until she has
succeeded in GLIDING the duenn,, in making
her feel that vigilance is no avail and in letting
her feel that it would be better and easier for
both to unbosom to each other than to assume
position of eternal antagonism and suspi-
cion.
Catharine is left to bewail the fate of An
drew Czernicheff, but there is void in that
warm heart of hers for another to fill. Who
should fill it but Serge Sotikof? Serge
Soltikoff is married man, but his wife is
stupid; he has extensive sympathics, and
takes large views of the nature of things
He has his friend, Leon Narichkiue, with
him, and they amuse her mighty; they get
into the good graccs of Madame Tchoglokof,
they fatter the male Tchoglokof by asking
to write another of those beautiful sonnets
The siege advances Serge Soltilloff, without
more ado, proposes capitulation the good
Catherine reasons with him-pities him, and
Yields. About year afterwards she presents
her husband with a son-the Emperor is
delighted; Peter is gratified the Court re-
sound with congratulations. In testimony
other delight the Empress presents Catherine
with 100000 roubles on golden salver.-
Peter so moves heayen and earth that he too
gets 100000 roublcs. In the meantime what
is the reward ofSerge Soltikoff? He is sent
to convey intelligence of the birth of Paul to
the Court of sweden. Sue COS non vobis-
Catharine wept her absert swain, and took
comfort in his friend, Leon Narichkinc.-
What else could she do2 The Empress had
taken possession of little Paul, and though it
was bitter pang for the tender mother to
part with her child, yet she rejoiced to know
that he was in good hands, and she was
proud to forget the mother in the Russian
Princess. She thought no more of her SON.
Evidently, therefore, there was a vacuum for
Leon to fill, even as Serge had filed the void
created by the Punishment of Andrew Ger
nicheff. e....-
Leon Nar.chkine, ayoung man, witty, full
of spirits, thoughtless, bent on mischief, was
nothing loath land especially was he worthy
of this honor, inasmuch as whe Serge Sola-
kof returned to Russir, he showed no ankle
ty to renew his attention to the Grand Ouch
ess. One night she sat up for him till three
in the morning, but he did not make his-ap-
pearance, being detained at lodge of Free
Masons. Nay, ifreport spoke true, he had
been heard to boast ofhis amatory successes.
All this was too much. Serge Soltikof is
forg ,tton, and Leon Narichkine reigns in
stead. Leon has friend, the Count Poia-
towski, destined afterwards to share with
him the honor of the Duchess favor.
Gradually the lovers get very bold. Catha,
rine finds Narichkine waiting for her in hci
apartment. On one occasion he is lying on
her sofa, trolling out his drinking song Tho
Duchess determines to teach him lesson
goes for lis sister-in-law, procures lot o
nettles, and both return to the chamber
where Leon is found as before They THRASH
him with the nettles all over the face anC
hands to make him repent of his conduct
In the midst of this kind of life, it is an
nonnced that the Grand Duchess is, to ust
the language of the Court Circular, in an in
tercsting situation. The Grand Duke il
delighted with the birth ola daughter On
receiving this announcement he clothe
himself in the Holstein uniform, booted an,
cn,,rroI rf anI