The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-02-11
THE ICE-PALACE.

The winter of the year l740 was very
severe one in Russia; poverty aud misery
abounded in the land, and in order TO
give occupation to some of the many
thousands OF people who were thrown
out of work by the inclemency of the
season, the Empress Anne planned and
caused to be constructed a work of archi-
lecture which, though of little durability,
had the merit of entire originality. This
was the celebrated ice-palaco which was
built in st. Petersburgh according to the
designs of Alexis Danilowi,sh.
1t Was made Of the purest and most
transparent ice cut out in great masses
from the frozen Neva, and brought up to
the building site by means of cranes aud
pulIeys. The single blocks were worked
out in the most accurate manner, and
adorned with various architectural dec
orations; when two completed ones were
to be placed upon each other water was
first poured between them, which, frcez-
ing at once, united them in single mass
Thus the building seemed to be cut out
Of one frozen whole, and the blush tint
of the pure ice made it resemble one Of
those enchanted editices carved out of
single diamond, Of which we read as
children iu fairy tales.
The house, properly so called, was
forty-six feet long, eighteen broad, and
aud twenty-one high. The front was
divided by pillars into compartments, in
each of which was window, the frame
work being painted green, the paues also
of ice, were as transparent and smooth as
ground glass; at night they were gener-
ally lighted up from the inside, and then
the whole house was Illuminated by the
soltest pearly light. The center division
looked like an entrance, and was richly
back and consisting Of two moderately
sized openings, about which are grouped
flowers aud trees; on the latter were
perched quaint-lookiug birds, all made
of ice aud gaily painted, so as TO resemble
nature. The roof which surmountcd the
whole was Nat, aud surrounded by an
ornamental balcony, decorated by statues
standing upon low pedestals. Round the
honse was fixed an elaborate railing, also
Of ice, which enclosed broad space for
walking. Ia front Of this enclosure
stood six guns, three on each side. They
were Of the size OF six-pounders, but be-
ing OF ice, they were only loaded with
half a pound, and the balls which
consisted Of pressed tow, would
pierce through a board two inches thick
from, distance Of sixty steps without
bursting the guu. On each side lay =
dolphin, which threw mp lofty jets Of
uaphDha at night, and so formed two beau
tinl fountains Of fire At both ends Of the
row OF guns in front Of the enclosure stood
two pyramidal buildings, on each OF
which was painted a sun-dial. They were
lighted mp at night with great paper
lanterns On the left side Of the house
was Hfe-size elephant; upon bis back
was a man with battle axe, and Ia front
two guides IN Persian costume. The
elephant was hollow, and spnHed from
beneath bis tasks twenty four feet into
/ the air By day a shower Of water, aud by
nigbt a fealbered spray Of glowing nap
laa. Al the right side was an enormous
bath, made, iu true Russian fashion. OF
round blocks Of ice
The interior Of the house was divided
into three compaHmcut--n q Spa
clons ante-room, and two side eomperi,
ments; Que Of these was arranged as a
bedroom, and conlsined, 10 addition fa
q table borne by two figures, upon which
we're placed every species oG sweet smell
Ing ca.kct aud bottle pair Of candle
sticks and candles which were dipped iH
naptha, and shoae at night without fneif-
log. a looking-gia-s aud littls clock
hung on the wall The beAsiead was
richly furnished With pi.ows, blankets,
aud a beautifully embroidered egyer.ii
these we're the only thiugs 90 the wbois
palace that were not made Of ice. o.
one slde was q Gelty fire place auj grato
aHed with lre Goals which were also dip
psd ia napiba, and shgue brilliantly q
uight.