The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-10
Rittmunh pispatt9.
SATURDAY MORNING. -. NOV. 10, 1862
DARK PAGE FROM RUSSIAN HISTORY.


widow and successor TO the murdered mon
arch.
Catharine, not being native Russian prin-
cess was most desirous OF removing from her
path All who might be supposed likely to dis
turb the security of her government; and In
order TO effect her purpose, in one instance.
She and her associate Orlef exercised de-
gree of fsendish ingenuity almost unparalleled
cd in history. The unfortunate girl Who ex-
cited the jealousy of Catharine was Russian
princess, and granddaughter TO Peter the
tfreat Elizabeth III. his daughter, con traet-
ed private marriage with Count Ateaey
Rszumoffsky, and three children. two sous
and daughter, We're the Issue OF TINS uhton'-
Or the sons, ii Is only necessary 10 say tna.
one was accidentally killed, and the otner NOT
Judged of sufficient political importance 10 en-
cite either jealousy or suspicion. but ~ waS
otherwise with the yonng princess iati"ha-
koff, the subject of our story ~, r
The AMBITIOUS designs OF the Empress
Catharine with regard To Poland excitea tue
indignation of the Polisn neo!es, ana one Oh
these the Count Radziviil, conceived the de-
sign of using this young native princess AS an
instrument IN suppiaatlng ner. for TINS puF-
nose by dint of brioing her female attendants,
he secretly removed her tc Poland. ana
thence TO Italy. Many attempts were made 10
induce Radzyill to place the young princess
IN the power of Catharine; but though re-
daced 10 poverty by the confiScation OF his es-
tates the promise of their restoration, and the
offer of the most costly brides, failed IN induc-
ing him 10 yield. No effect being produced by
such proposals, the empress had recourse TO
threats Mysterious Communications We're
conveyed to the Polish count intmaiing that
ruin and misery impended over the Princess
Tarranakof, which could be aNerted only by
his ceasing all correspondence with her
Whatever ambitious designs might have actu-
ated Radzivlll, he was most anxious for The
safety of the unfortunate girl. What could
he do Shorn OF his eS Ia les and digniteS, ana
m Il foreign land, how was he to protect her
from Il powerful empress and most unscru.
pulous woman Unhapplly, he yielded to
tuese covert menaces, ana look a iiual leave of
10 nri nlpdpp
from the Russian government that she should
remain uumolested.
This separation effected, the most difficult
part of CaIharlne's work was completed, and
by the aid Of the Count Alexey Orloh, and one
of his infamous associates, the rest became
easy. Though the murderer OF her husband,
Count Afexey retained the favor OF his I'm
perIaI mistress; doubtless, she found MIN Il
most useful tool in accomplishing other dark
deeds, thopgh Il fOuler crime than the one COM
united on this hapless princess could hardly
disgrace human nature. When first resident
Mt Rome, the granddaughter OF Peer the
Great was amply supplied with everything
betting her rank; but at the time Orlon came
tailher, she was almost In want, anu occupy
Tng poor lodging in hum Bile quarter OF the
city. Judge OF her surprise when an elegan l.
ly attired officer called upon her TO offer his
services. Though he WAS 10 all appearance
wealthy, and her situation one of actual in
digeuce, he paid her the same pect as though
she had been seated on the imperial throne
When invited TO sit IN her presence, he re-
SpectfuIiy decliped. "MisfOrtnne,' SAID he,
cannot alter your claims TO our respect. Can
l. when you are before me, forget that the
granddaughter of the iliustrious Gar Peter
the q reat is entitled to all the homage l can
offer Is IL for ME, because you are III for
oiSu land, TO forget that 10 you, and not TO the
tyraunical foreigner VINO occupies 1t. belongs
tue imperial throne OF Russia l have not
she honor to be your cOuntryman, but believe
me- princess, L am not the less devoted to
your service, in which l would freely lay
down my life.''
The unfortunate princess listened with de-
light and thar kfulness 10 this address. 1t
was long siuce such respectful ldngt age had
greeted her ears, and the departure OF Raozl-
VIII had almost reduced her TO despair. She
answered this nattering speech III terms
which proved how much pleasure II had given
her, aud desired to know to whom she was in
debted for this solicitude respecting her well
fare. To this her visitor replied: THAT his
name was OF little moment, since he was only
the am odssador sent by some OF her most in
huenual cOuntrymen, whose hearts bled TO
think that She the descendant OF one so
doubly illustrlous the Gar Peter the Great
had proved himself 10 be, should be exposed
10 neglect and Indulgence III foreign land. -
The princess being naturally curious 10 know
the names OF those whose interest was so deep
~ excited IN her behalf, again pressed her yisl-
tor for information on this point, bat he still
refused to crafty her curiosity. He however,
begged permission 10 present one VINO would
explain all; and having obtained it, with
drew as from The presence of sovereign
prince, having first knelt to kiss her nand.
The visitor who thus imposed on the credu-
lily Of the Princess TarranahoT was indeed
employed by one of her countrymen, he beln g
the spy and associate OF Count Aiexey Orion.
The uniform in which he appeared of
course assumed for the occa sion as he was in
reality man OF most Infamous character, a
Neapolitan by birth, and chosen as mis- tool by
the count, because he had already committed
crimes sufficient to prove that he would enter
nnscrupulousiy into the designs OF that no.
bieman. Ribas, tor that was his name, did
not at once introduce Orlof to the presence of
n he an UiE "a n
finding that she was in actual need, induced
her to make use of his purse, and by the re-
spect ne paid her, completely WOE her conf
uence.
Now was Orloff,s time. When informed
that The schemes OF his emissary had proved
successful and the princess was duly pre-
pared To listen TO and believe whatever he
might advance, the principal tragedian, as we
may call Elm, appeared Oh The stage.
Better skilled in the ways of a count than
was his emssary, the difference of the latter
sank into insignificance when compared with
that OF his more polished employer; and
80 well did The latter play his part, that the
princess became deyotedly attached to the
man whom she believed TO be model of all
that was noble, good, and disinterested. In
short time, Orion had cause for exuitauon III
The success OF his plan, tor the princess readily
consented TO be his wife. a Snam marriage
completed the deception, and was followed on
the part of the princess by a brlef period OF
unclouded happiness. Never for moment did
she suspect the imposition that had been prac-
tIsed upon her, but built with the most per-
feet faith on the affection and sincerity of him
she believed to be her husband.
Dne day he entered her presence with an air
OF The greatest concern, and on her inquiring
the reason of his sadness, Orlof replied: "Ah,
dearest, may well look sorrowful, since
must leave you-you whom all here call the
good and the beautiful. But who can tell no W
good o. how beautiful you are in my eyes
You the granddaughter of one Who made him.
self as iliustrious by his deeds as by his high
station, yet deigned 10 bestow on me the trea-
sure OF your love-"
"Why speak of this, Alexey % said the
princess. my birth mattered little when you
sought and found me poor--nay, in want. IL
was not on an iilustriJus princess You fixed
your affections, but On neglected and unfor-
tunate woman. Why should We part? Can
i not accompany you! Am not your wife.
ard as such, is IL not my pleasure 10 sacrifice
my convenience TO yours !"
Ii was, of course, no part of Ordoff's inten-
ton TO leave his wife behind, though he was
DESTROYS that she should propose TO accom-
pany him. Hitherto, she had been carefully
watched, though unknown 10 herself she hay-
ing attribut ted the continual presence of the
count to the devoted affection he professei for
her. She was now informed that he had re-
ceiyed a summons TO join the squadron he COM
nanded at Leghorn, and thither she also went
and was received with many demonstrations
of respect. Orioffs scheme was fast approach
ing its completion, and the Empress Catharine
exultng in Its success, prepared 10 shower
honors on those who had 1abOred so zeaiously
in her behalf
1t was a lovely day, with the blue sky only
as an Italian sky can be, when the Princess
Tarranakof escorted by her hus band stepned
into magnificent barge. Gay, and in The b. Oh
est spirits. the princess laughed and chatted
with attendants, little dreaming of the horrible
late impending overher. Ithad been arranged
that she should be permitted the ind uixence of
d marine excursion, and she was assisted mn
the side of the vessel by her obseq uious hus
oand. The lookers-on saw the sails spread