The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-11
Sights in Moscow.

Inc treasure which Is kept at the
Russian Palace at Moscow is one of the
most interesting sights. One sees there
all the crowns of the Cars of Russia
from the time of the first Romanoff, also
their sceptOrs and cornation- chairs, many
of them presents from foreign sovereigns.
A magnificent chair of carved ivory was
given by the Sultan of Turkey. Here,
too, are the coronation-robes, SPARKLING
with jewels, and an immense pair of boots
which belonged to Peter the Great. Many
of the ancient jewels, necklaces, bracelets,
earrings, ETC., are kept here in a glass
case. In large hall, arranged in differ
ent groups, are all the presents which
have ever been made to Russia by foreign
countries; silver tankards, mother-of
pearl bowls; amber ornaments, and all
kinds of magnificent things, as we'll as
many common ones. Here as in everv
corner Of Europe, are souvenirs of
Napoleon. His portrait, in full Emperor's
robes, is hung in one of the rooms, and
underneath it are the beds on which he
slept when he was in Moscow. These are
in hall which are devoted to ancient
equipages and saddles. Two of the latter
were sent by the Sultan to Catherine H.,
and are covered with pearls, emeralds,
rubies and other precious stones. This
Empress used to ride astride, dressed in
male costume, with her hair floating over
her shoulders. Perhaps the most curious
thing of all is an old carriage which was
sent by Queen Elizabeth to the Gear Boris
Godanuff. He implored her to come and
help him drive the Turks out of Europe,
whereupon she sent him word she could
not do that; but she made him present
Of this carriage, on front of the which Boris
is represented conquering the Turks.
The palace is inside the Kremlin walls.
Some Of the rooms are as large and hand
some as those in the St. Petersburg
Palace; the halls of st. Alexander and
st. George are particularly fine. The
ancient part is curious; the ceilings are
low and supported by rafters that a tall
man can touch with the hand; but rafters,
ceilings and walls are covered with paint
ings and decorations. The rooms which
the Shah of Persia occupied are exhibited
but he did not sleep on the bed, he pre-
ferred the carpet. The only way to get
about comfortably in Moscow in the sum.
mer is to walk where one wants to 90
The streets are paved with cobble-stones
and these Russian drivers have no mercy
on you, but rattle you relentlessly ovel
the stones at the rate Of twelve miles an
hour, so you are fortunate if you do not
get headache for the day. As for con.
versation, that is utterly impossible in a
carriage.
But what capital place Moscow is for
ladies to shop in! Opposite the Kremlin
is the Gastinni Dror (Strangers' Court, an
immense square block Of two-story build
ings. A walk skirts all around the foul
sides under an arcade, along which are
ranged vari5us booths In all directions
run narrow, dark mysterious passages
and as you follow them along you fine
them lined with shops Of every descrj ption
The building is all covered over, and il
paved with stone-gutters running il
the middle. The walks are obstructei
with boxes and merchandise, not t.
melton beggar-chiliren who sing ou
their story in a very plaintive way. The
shops are small and mean looking, mos
Of them not more than six feet square
and the wares which are exhibited are ex
lremely common. But once let tn,
merchant know that you understand
what you are buying, and he rummage
in all the dark little corners and bring
out no end of treasures, in the shape O
old silver mugs and tankards, chains ant
crosses, brocades, fine Russian laces
unset emeralds, turquoises and aquama
rines besides strings Of real pearls ani
quantities Of lapis lazull articles. 81
charges good round sum Tor his goods
but will take much less; sometimes half
A speciality of Moscow in the papier
mache work, which I have seen no
where else In such brilliant colors
This, however, is quite expensive.
The Kremlin by the light of the full
moon is a sight which pays for man
weary days Of travel, Every dome i
the city stands out with wonderful DIS
tinctness, and all the delicate gilt crosse
glitter in the soft light. Then the rive
winds about the city like great snake
with the hundreds of gaslights on il
banks reflected in the water. There al
more than 1000 churches in Moscow
Cor. Boston Advertiser.
| | De-