Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-22
THE DWARF'S WEDDING.

1t is well known that ice is capable OF
such great solidity as to retain in cold
countries any desired shape for long
time; and houses have been constructed
of it which have resisted the elements,
not only. through the winter, but far into
the succeeding summer, and in some ln-
stances even during several years. In
illustration ofthis fact, the C0urrieur des
Etats Unis tells the following story:
Peter the Great Of Russia had in his
service a buffoon named Nickolief, a
dwarf in size, and particularly ugly in
appearance, but possessed of a mind full
of intelligence, and overlooking with wit
and sarcasm. in the exercise of which
even the Gear was not always respected.
He one day approached his master, and
requested permission to marry.
"And who do you suppose would marry
your" demanded the Gar
"Catharine Italivaski," replied the
dwarf
Catharine Italivaski that majestic,
beautiful creature, attached as ,ttte dc
chdmbre to one Of the Empress ladies
in.waiting Impossible, my poor Nick,
olieffl She is young and beautiful, and
you are old and ugly"
"She loves me" said Nickolief, swell
ing with offended pride. Everybody
does not look upon me with the unfavor-
able eyes of your majesty"
"You must be very rich then or she
would not love you" said the Gar.
Allowing that to be, should not be
the first one who has been loved for his
wealth |" replied the buffoon, with cyni-
cal smile. ~ know of one far more
richer and more powerful than l am, who
has thought himself loved for himself
alone, instead of his piles of yellow gold,
and was so plainly deceived that he alone
was unsuspicious of the true object"
The Emperor turned pale with anger,
and bit his lips until the blood flowed,
for the buffoon alluded to love adven.
ture at court, but of which none had
dared to speak above whisper. Very
we'll" said he, controlling his rage by a
violent effort, "since you desire to marry
Catharine Italivaski, you shall do 30. |
charge myself with the whole expense OF
the nuptials, and you will receive from
me the palace, which you will occupy
with your charming bride Meantime
you are forbidden to leave your chamber,
under penalty of being made acquainted
with the knout, in comparison with
which the blows of my wife, which have
often made your shoulders ache, are mere
love caresses.
Fifteen days after. on the l4th of Jan.
nary. l720, the bufoon was awakened at
daybreak by the sounds of music OF the
door of the chamber which served him
as a prison. A number of the servants
of the Gear entered, clothed him in
magnificent suit of garments, then
placed him on a sledge, to which were
attached four OF the most beautiful
horses in the imperial stables, and snr'
rounded by cortege composed OF the
greatest lords and ladies of the cathe-
dral Notre Dame de Kazan, where the
nuptial ceremony was celebrated with
spiendor and extravaganza which not
only reassured, but delighted the proud
Nickolief
The nuptial benediction pronounced,
the happy couple were placed upon
sledges, aud conducted to an isolated
place a short distance from the city, on
the banks of the Neva, where he had
built a palace, the like Of which never
existed except in fairy tales. The pal.
ace, which seemed to be constructed OF
crystal. and which reflected in thousands
ofluminous rays the blazing torches of
the cortege, was built Of massive blocks
of ice. cut out as if from stoae, and
fastened with water instead Of cement.
The dvaFf and bis wife we're introduced
into an imnenss ball, the furniture of
which. tables, chairs, chandeliers, every
thing was made Of ice and wore ssrFed,
10 the presence of the Emperor and bis
attendants, With 0 feast OF regal sump
tuousness.
The choicest and mest dslinate vines |
were served in abundance, and ths COB
lets Of Nickolieff and Catharine-also |
carved from blocks Of ice-were kept |
filled, until at a signal from
peer. the spouses, stupehed with wine, |
were cars.ss 70 the nuptial chamber, and |
placed upon a bss - ice, richly carved
and gilded, and there len Sittc9t ire, or
other clothing in the frigid temperature |
N a Russian winter. The doors Of the /
cbaahaT and palaces were then sealed
by poaring gstsr OYER them, when they
inmediateiy cosgealed, rendering them
eaaaliy solid With the walls theHsslFes.
AZ The cOrfs0e vighdreE, the cruel Car
remarked. behold . pHptiai night such
as was never Witnessed befora'
Eight months AFTER the fatal night.
saws he histsrian Leveque-that Is, at
ne close OF the month OF Ausust-th.s
palsce and tomb Of ice still existed, and
IN a. aizosl perfect state Certain por-
lions Of the exterior only had yielded TO
he influence Of the warn Einds and sun