The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-05-09
ST. PETERSBURG.
Sketches OF Imperial Magniflcence and Gran
deur.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.l


deur.
From the San Francisco Chroniclel
ST.. PETERSBURG Russia), March 3D.
One OF The sights OF St. Petersburg, in
the absence of the Imperial family, il
the Winter Palace, and this seen, the
traveller begins to believe that the
churches of st. Petersburg have not ex.
hausted the wealth of the Empire, but
are a fitting Introduction to the magnif.
cence Of its palaces.
The Winter Palace, with Its front
seven hundred feet long, directly faces
the grand Neya at the point Of its great
est width. The Neva, before emptying
into the Gulf of Finland, divides into
several branches, known as the Great
Neva and the Little Neya. We, how.
ever, entered at one side, where long
and lofty arch, elaborate and curious
sculpture and design, led us under
a semi-circular wall into an immense
open space lying between the semi-cir-
cular building and the palace. In the
center OF this open place rises the re.
markable monument erected to Alexan-
der l. This is OF red granite, and its
shaft is one single piece of stone eighty
four feet in height.
1t is surmounted by an angel and
cross, and the wnole, from base to pin.
nacle, measures over one hundred and
fifty feet In height. 1t is guarded night
and day by grenadiers, who have uis
linguished themselves by some military
exploit. Within the palace one becomes
SO confused by its extent, the immense
number of its rooms and the brilliant
magnificence, that he carries away but
an uncertain picture of marble halls,
ceiling covered with wondrous painL-
lngs, pillars of precious stones, with
gilded base and capital, walls hung with
the richest damasks, all making u royal
and fitting abode for the ruler over the
greatest Empire in the world.
THE IMPERIAL SALOONS.
The hall called Lne Saloon of Nicholas
is large enough to contain fifteen hun
dred persons, and Is lighted by twelve
immense chandeliers of cry stal, which on
tete occasions, blaze with i've thousand
candles at the en0 of the buffets reacn.
ing to the ceiling, on which are ranged
gold and silver plates, some as much as
Two feet in diameter, and all displaying
marvellous skill OF workmanship. Lii
this hall each sovereign, alter his cor
OnatiOn, receives deputations from his
various provinces, who come TO ex-
press their feaIty, and as an emblem
hereof each presents him with piece
OF black bread aud a pinch of salt, Of
fered upon these rich golden and silver
salyers, brought by them and left here.
Adjoining is another smaller hall Orna-
mented with statues; in this the EN-
peror, at Easter, receives peasants 1. on,
near and lar who have been selected
Dy all the peasants Of a certain district
and sent to congratu ate their ruler.
Here the mignty potentate rec ives them,
embracing and Kissing each one.
In the Saloon OF Peter the most re-
markable thing is a large painting br-
mind the throne. IL represents the
dream OF Peter The night before the bat.
Tie of Pullowa. Peter is sleeping ana
the angel of victory is seen descending
toward him, bearing in her nand wreaIn
and crown. Tie room has its walls GOV.
cred with crimson velvet embroidered
with gold threat with tne Imperial e.
cutcneon surro oupded by wreath of lau.
rel. Below the velvet a White marble
dadO extends around the room, At the
side Of the room opposite the throne are
Two tables of soild silver. Around the
room stand six nigh silver candelabra
six more are fastened TO the walls, and
chandeliers OF sllyer are suspended from
the ceiling.
The saloon of Esculchias has its CELL
ing supported by one hundred and four
guided PILLARS; a gilued gallery sur
rounds 1t, and it is lighted by twelve
gilded chandeliers. Tine Hall OF ST.
George has similar decorations OF mar.
Die and gliding; the throne is OF solid
gilt, and ten immense chandeliers oi
crystal light this banqueting hall where
the Grand Dukes always celebrate theia
coming OF age.
the Golden Saloon has its doors and
all its woodwork covered with solid
gilt, and its wallis and ceiling are heav-
lily ornamental with gliding. Oyer the
mantel 10 inserted long panel OF Mo-
sale work, representing an Italian
landscape. This panel has a valuation
OF $4,000. The room is furnished with
crimson draperies, and contains Mosaic
tables, vases, several feet high, OF NAL
achite, jasper, etc.; beautiful fac
screen, consisting OF one large plate ol
crimson glass standing in II gilt propze
frame; marble statues aud candelaDra ~
lupis Iazuli, aud much other elegant fur.
niIure. This, believe, was the saloon
OF the late Empress, mother OF the pres
ent Emperor.
THE sPLENDoR OF ADoRNMENT.
The Aalacnite Hall has its walls ofna-
mented with sixteen malachhe pillars,
reaching from floor to ceiling, two maIa-
chite marble mantel pieces and mala-
.chite vases. The doors and trimmings
of The room are OF solid gilt. One room
mas remarkable doors, each OF which we
are told cost 4,000 rubles--equai to SO,
900. They are OF rosewood, iudaid with
Ghe wood Of the palm Tree, aud the pas
els are ornamented with paintings on
porcelain.
Another room communicates with
the adjoining apartments by several
sets of folding doors OF tortoise shells,
inlaid with fine pattern ill GOLD,
and each pair OF these doors cost
$4,000. Instll another room cacn pane
OF Lhe doors bears a large oval me-
dallion, either OF wrought cameo or an
imitation OF it, made at hue malufactory
of Seyres china near Paris. In one room
is u marble mantel with panels oil
mosaic, Dordered with lapis lazull j.;
lnOLlttsr hua lnn4tal of u,hite