Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-11-28
IeuSSia---Cznr's Summer Residence.
From the n. Y Evening Post

After the first Of June there are several
steamers always running from St. Peters burg
TO Pctcrhotf You fuG yourself iu a long,
sharp, fast sailing, iron river boat. IL the
weather is hue and it happens to be iete day,
crowds of people are going down. The ropes
are thrown off, the steamer backs, swings
around and goes ahead. Baird's works are
passed on the left and the Mine corps on the
right The city disappears, and the vessel
threads her way in the narrow channel which
leads through the shallow expansc towards the
Gulf of Finland.
The pier at Pcterhoff runs out long way,
The bank is pretty, and from amidst the green
trees, golden and glittcring roofs peep out, and
revealing holy sator. Some distance from
the end of the pier the private carriages draw
mounted gcnd armc is stationed to keep the
vostchiks in order, for in Russia as inAmerlca,
coach drivers are uuruly. Indeed drivers are
the only men in Russia to whom up-roanons
action and license of speech arc permitted
Nor are they slow To Use their privilege. There
they are, with their low crowned hats, dirty
faces, shaggy boards and long caitans, shouting
vociterouSly, and running trantlcally alter the
passengers GoSpadeen, paialsty issues from
more than twenty hairy mouths, aud every
speaker demands that YOU deposit yourself III
his particular vehicle at that very moment.--
But as ubiquity is impossible aud dismember-
ment unpleasant, you select Que and drive OF,
accompanied by Il vollcy OF jcers.
Peterhoff was 4 tavoritc place OF tho great
Gar whose name it bears. Two Of his palaces
are still standing, but they are shabby affairs
The lavish Catharinc commenced tho more
prctentions one on the top Of the hill which
rises to the south, and on which the village
l.. L.. H., tl,n
his boyhond ; summer days. Here the Gar
receives ambassadors, holds levees and dates
ukases. But it is not his actual habitat, and
if one would describe Pcterhotf he need not di
late on this sccOnd-rate palace, but rather
speak Of the many and varied charms which
imperial power has created in the country
around. These summer quarters are not COM
priscd within four walls, but comprehend cot
tagcs, villas, gardens, fountains parks, walks
and drives, scattered over many miles Peter
hoff is only centre points, district in the
home of the autocrat
If ANYBODY wants to see the ruler Of ninety
millions of human beings, he is tolerable Ger
tain to meet with him in this neghborhood al
most any day between the beginning OF Juno
and the end Of September It was in the i'm
perial chapel that We first saw him. Not that
we were inside, but that he occupied his usual
place at one of the north windows There he
stood arrayed in the splendid uniform of his
guard, crossing himself and bowling most reyer-
emily, while the people outside waited through
the whole service in tho burning Suu with
their hats off, His bearing WAS solemn, but we
cannot say as much for his attendants. Tho
chapel would not hold them, and the splendid
throne, numbering nearly two hundred men
and women, in every variety Of costume stood
outside the whole time on the flat tcrracc-root
of the adjoining palace, along which the pro-
cossion had passed. Young maids OF honor
and trim lords were there who seemed more
disposed to chat than to pray.
'fhe dwelling place Of the Gar at his SUN
mer quarters is in sometimes one, sometimes
another Of several cottages, each OF which ID
surrounded by extensive grounds, we'll lald out
and carefully kept. Here the family lives in
quiet scclusion and in rs domestic way as can
be attained by people like them. From these
retreats the public are properly excluded.
In the neighborhood Of the cottage he was
then occupyiug, we saw the Emperor driving
slowly about. He was eagcr gazed on and
Respectfully salutcd by all. a despot must rule
either by affection or force; and he Of Russia
not to speak Of higher motiveS-knoWs that
the former :motive is the stronger yoke OF the
two.
We we're walking one afternoon from
friends house back to the village, and, on
rounding bend in the road, met his Majesty
with his sister, taking an evening drive; lhere
were two carriages behind them. The emperor
himself drove There were no out-rdes and
no guards of any kind. 1t was good but un-
osentatious turnout. In such circumstances
it IS expected that you should stop and stand
uncovered till the cortego pasSes and we did so,
receiving quite us low bow rs we gave.
Once, while in company with some friends
VIC met him in his own drosky. he was drawn
bv beautiful black horse, wore the common
infantry casquc and gray cloak, and had nobody
with or near him but the tavOrlte driver, who
seemed far more pompous than his master
Uc knew us to be Americans, and eyed US
SHARPLY. Indeed, every Russian knows an
American when he sees him, wherever 1t may
be; and no foreigners are so much cstecmeu py
all classes, from the Car to the mouJlk ,
The Emperor cares so little tor state that
many persons would be disappointed at the
figure he cuts either at Peterhoft or IN the city
In the latter plan be wanders through the
crowded streets alone; in the country, IT accom-
panied ut ull. he goes out generally with some
member of his family. =,
The Imperial family often visit the villas on
summer evenings. Choicest sculptures and
richest flowers make the approaches to these
villas a paradise At these visits attendants
carry to the appointed place the inseparable
Sameyat and prepare tea. This Is pre-em'1ent-
" the Russian beverage, and the overland tea
from the west of China possesses flavor un-
known to us. ,,..
In the gardens three military bauds play
every summer night. 1t is the time OF prom
onading. The fashion and wealth Of all tn the
Russias are represented there. The hetero-
gcuous mass that makes up the great. empire
Germans and Poles, Cossacks and Fins, FER
SLAMS and slaves, all different i'll face feeling
bearing, creed and dress-are represented. L.!
We drank tea one evening with an Egyptian,
Persian, a German 4 Pole. an English~an
and an Indian Brahmin; and just such a,i tar
raeo is collected every summer evening III these
gardens. What With grand uniforms, courtly
silks and laces, odd faces, strange tongues,
sweet music and bright flowers an hour or t"o