, 1877-05-27

those Of the Caspian Sea We may suppose the
| Gar to hare been we'll acquainted win the
situation of thtss body Of water, which IN the
beginning OF his reign afforded the only cnan'
mel for the maritime commerce OF Russia. II
was with vessels a1loat on Its waves that nc la1o
the foundation OF his nary, and IT was here that
he made experiments In dredging with an appara'
tus OF his invention. This last consisted OF a
pair Of hooks shaped something like those now
alays seen in the hands Of the 'tice-mau,' u aud
we're SO contriyed that when they touched tho
bottom a plummct became detached, and the
hooks grasped aud brought up specimens OF the
deposit lying In the bed OF the sea. 10 this
nlany-stded genius belongs the honor OF haFinc
anticipated the Importance Of the work to be
accomplished By decp-sca dredging, and OF hav-
Ing been the first to undertake It.
The French Academy Of Sciences appreciated
bis personal attainments and the extent Of his
efforts in the advancement OF civilization, and,
as an acknowledgment, conferred upon him q
| certificate Of membership. Through life PETER
maintained his connection With this illustrious
body By an active correspondence The Gu
1ightened men Of Frnnce discovered the re-
markablc qualities Of this Prince OF barbarous
nation, and said of him: "IIis questions to
learned men aud to artists uniformly gaye
| proof OF his kno"lcd9c, anu c1eltcu au11llfal1oa
Of the sagacity OF On enlarged NINA, WHICH Was
as prompt to comprehend information as it WAS
eager to learn.''
The Empress CATHERINE, to whom PETER
commended his cherished enterprises when he
bcqucathcd her his sceptre, fulfilled his wishes
! with regard to the Imperial Academy Of
Scences, and established it upon lasting
| mid
neither read nor write, through her husbands
lifetime she had efficiently aided him In
| his noblcst enterprises By giving them the
heartfest encouragement and lending him the
| stimulus of her presence in the perpetual jour-
| ncyings which the prosecution OF his plans de-
| maudcd, and during her brief reign Of tvo
years she maintained the policy which he had
| marked out for her. The magnificent building
occupied by the Academy stands on Vass;li Es-
troy Island. opposite the Winter Palace and the
Admiralty. When its museums were opened By
rErER THE GREAT in 172I, 1t was suggested to
him that m almittance fee should be charged,
| but be replied that 1t would be better to pay his
people for visiting them.
The collections, which were already consider
able when he left them, are now very extensive.
The library contains o7er $50, 900 books and man.
uscripts. the papers OF kEPLEK being notable
treasures included In the latter, The cabinet Of
coins and medals Is Of great value. in cthno-
| graphic museum is filled with figures
clothed IN the costumes of the different races un-
der the Russian Government, and surrounded
With their rcharaeterist;c;m ;mnlcments. The AsiatIc
Museum POSSESSES upward of 10000 curiositics
from tho Orient. The civilization of Eernt IL
richly renrcscntcd in the museum devoted to
the purpose. while the collections illustrating
zoology. geology, and botany arc equally COM
n,ctc md fns+rnct;vo
Amonr the nost attract1ve anartmcnt. In the
mnscnm are those in which re1irs of the prcnt
forraor of thc ac,1env ara nreacrvcd Thera
nav ha soon abundant crii1cnccs If rfs tndnatrr
,to ;1-.n,,;t 49,, IT. z,-,1. IL h.,5,o-,tt po,.;r
sketches and cngrayings Of battle-scencs, cary
fnes in ivory. nroducts of the furnace which he
had forged. pafr of shoes which he had made,
works wrought on the lathc,-PErER tho First
was tne most cxncrt turner in his Emnjro-
models Of shjns. with various tools and fnstrn-