The New York herald., 1869-04-20
RUSSIA.
Death Of Prominent Individuals.

ST. PETERSBURG, lharch 2l 1859.
The last three months will long be remembered
for the extraordinary number Of deaths of more OF
less lustrious persons which happened during this
short period.
The first in point Of time in the procession OF dis
tnguished dead was General Bezack Governor Gen.
eral OF Kieif He was one Of The few really and
earnestly Russian patriots invested with any degree
of power under the present anything but patriotic
administration. After occupying several high posts
he was transferred to Kien, where his decease oc.
Cured, by the Emperor's own personal and i'm
peratve desire founded on a long intimate know
ledge of his political opinions and qualifications, and
q deep CONSCIOUSNESS that they were exactly what
should be required of one destined TO WELD almost
supreme power in part OF the country whose pecu-
liar political situation rendered the post one Of more
than ordinary difficulty and responsibility.
Only couple OF weeks later on the 9th QSth) OF
January the papers were full OF condoent and CON-
memorative notices on our talented musical CON-
poser Mr. A. Dargomyisky, the friend and scholar OF
our immortal Glinka. Though far from old-he was
born in 1s13-hs death was expected for some time,
for he had been suffering severely for several years
Of an incurable disease. Besides immense num-
Der OF romances partly remarkably fine ones, two
operas OF his are IN possession OF our opera STAGE
'Esmeraldar and ''BOussaka:n the subject OF the
first Is taken from Victor Hugo, that OF the second
for its high general musical qualities ana for the
genuine Russian strain which runs trough the whole.
DargomyjsKy, ike Meyerbeer. has left u precious
musical inheritance. His also IL opera,
"Kamenn0y Gostn (''The Guest OF Stone" taken
from poem OF Poushkine on the well known
theme OF Don Juan and the Commodore's Statuel
His latter days belong to tue most heroical IN the
annals OF art.
scarcely had the. excitement supsided which was
desevedy caused by the death OF TINS really talented
ARTIST, when a fresh one was created by the uneX-
pecLed demise on the 23d OF JanMryt 4th OF Feb.
raary, OF Mr. A. NorofI, one oil our Oldest and most
distinguished public and literary men, and travellers
10 boot. His public career had begun In the military
Iine and very early indeed snce when only sixteen
years OF age ne fought the great battle at Borodno
IN 1872 and had the III luck TO be wounded by bull
let IN the leg, which had be taken or Thus dis
aDed from further military service he turned 10 more
peaceful avocGtlons in the Civil Crown service, was
early remarked and swiftly promoted, UNTIL In 1854,
retained the post until 1885, In mis- public capacity
he mad always been conscientious and useful man,
but IL IL chiefy a5 private ana literary man that
he Is known and regretted.
Not less and general Is the regret TO which
the death of Prince Odoevsky has given rise. Prince
Kadimir Odoeysky died ON the l0th OF March In his
sixty-slxth year. He was one OF our Oldest literary
| men. AT the same time he belonged to the very
highest nobility OF the land being the head, and as
1t proved. the last survivor, since lis name Is now
extinct, OF the oldest branch OF the direct descend
ants OF Rurc, the founder Of Russia, as political
body the next branches alter him being those OF The
Princes koltzo Mossaisky and Gortclakon.
There was one more death In February, which
should not be omitted; Tor 1t Is the last act OF
life once dread and powerful, but sunk into such
oblivion for the last ten years that many viii have
Ing the man was dead long while ago. mean
Count r. kleinmlchel the dreaded and hated favorite
OF Emperor Nicholas. who disappeared from the
public scene as soon as Alexander mounted the
throne while the Adlerbergs kept their exalted
seat, although TO say the truth, 1t would be matter
OF some difficulty to say how lar they were more de-
serving OF favor than their less lucky brother par
rea,l who did excel them either selnshness
in insoence. He was less OF courtier, more
rough, even 10 coarseness, uncompromi5ng and I'M
perious in his bearing and that may one OF the
reasons why he had to bear not only by lar the
greater Odun OF the reign OF which he OF
the chief instruments, but also the heaviest brunt OF
those changes IN a liberal spirit which signalzed
the welcome dawn OF the new reign.