River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-12-12
Sights i'm Moscow.


The 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 soeereigns.
A magnificent chair of carved ivory was
given by the Sultan of Turkey. Here,
too, are the eoronation-robes, sparkling
with jewels, and an immense pairof boots
which belonged TO Peter the Great. Many
of the ancient jewels, necklaces, bracelets,
earrings, etc, are kept here in a glass
case. In a large hall, arranged in differ
ent groups, are all the presents which
have ever been made to Russia by foreign
countries; silver fankards, mother-of
| pearl bowls; amber ornaments, and all
kinds of magnificent things, as we'll as
many common ones. Here as in every
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 10 the Gar Boris
Godanuf. lie 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 a present
of this carriage,on front OF the which Boris
is represented conquering the Turks.
The palace is inside the kremin 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 tall
man can touch with the hand but rafters,
ceilings aud 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 go.
The streets are paved with cobblestones,
and these Russian drivers have no mercy
on you, but rattle you relentlessly over
the stones at the rate of twelve miles an
hour, so you are fortunate if you dc not
get headal he for the day AS for con
versation, that is utterly impossible in
carriage.
Bat what a capital place Moscow is for
La dies 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 four
sides under an arcade, along which are
ranged vari us booths. In all directions
run narrow, dark mysterious passages,
and as you follow them along you find
them lined with shops Of every description.
The building is all covered over, and is
paved with stone CUTTERS running in
the middle. The walks arc INSTRUCTED
with boxes and merchandise, not 10
melton bcggar children who sing out
their story in a very plaintiVe way. The
shops are small and mean looking, most
of them not more than six feet square,
and the wares which are exhibited ale eX
tremelY common. But once let the
merchant know that you understsld
what you are buying, ana ne rummages
In all the dark little corners aud brings
out no end of treasures, in the shape OF
old silver mugs and tankards, chains and
crosses, brocades, fine Russian laces,
unset emcralds, turquoises and aquama
rines besides strings of real pearls and
quantities OF lapis lazulI articles. He
charges good round sum Tor his goods,
but will take much less; sometimes half.
A speciality of Moscow in the PAPER
mache work, which | have seen no.
where else IN such brilliant coiors.
This, however, is quite expensive.
The Kremlin by the light of the full
moon is a sight which pays for many
weary days Of travel, Every dome in
the city stands out with wonderful DIS,
tinctness, and all the delicate gilt crosses
glitter in the soft light. Then the river
winds about the city like a great snake,
with the hundreds of gaslights on its
banks reflected in the water. There are
more than 1000 churches in Moscow
Cor. Boston Adoerttser.