Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-09-19

Catherine of Russia.

Catherine Ii. vas 33 when she usurped tn
throne of Russia. She had then lost oil the
grace of figure which 10 earlier days had been
her chief attraction. Rather below tho middle
height, her embonpoiut is described as already
Indicating the excessive obesity of her later
years. Her face was large, her eyes prominent,
her eyebrows strongly marked. She had
we'll formed mouth, double chin, and vice
and crime had impaired hardness and effrou'
terry to her features aud their expression. to
which the mans dress aud cap she bad 80
frequently worn gave still more masculine air.
Every court 10 Europe was we'll aware by
What Infamous means she had become Empress
OF Russia, yet none hesitated to acknowledge
her, some even rejoiced at her accession. But
to the surprise aud Disappointment of Maria
Theresa, she confirmed the peace that Peter
had concluded with Frederick H., aud ordered
the Russian troops to evacuate Prussia. Ia
the same spirit, too, she eviueed dis tan and
aversion toward the Court Of Versailles She
assured the King of Denmark that she would
not make war upon him; bu, none the less sent
King George OF Holsteiu to oommard in the
Duchy on the part of Russia, while iu order to
wr5st Courland from Poland she sent troops to
reinstate Blren there Frederick III. sent her
the order of the Black Eagle, whiyh she woro
In public, thus repeating another of Peters
alleged crimes. The FIVE rufiau brothers of
O:ott she raised to the rank of CJuut. Ol
her tavorlte Gregoire she bes owed the further
honor OF the order of st. Alexander NaWsky,
aud gave him the important com uacd of Lieu
tenant General Of the Russiau armies
10 others who had assisted to euthroue her,
and to assassinato her husband, she gave vast
estates, With their due proportion of serfs.
Owing to the reckless extravaganza of ELz,-
beth, the wholesale appropriation of public
money by her Ministers, and tho disorder 10
the 6Oanclal arrangements of the short reign Of
Peter Ill, the treasury was pretty nearly
empty; so that beer and brandy wore the only
rewards bestowed upon the soldiers, except
here and there some promotions. Toward the
friends and partisans IF che late Enporor she
affected much leDieDcy To get rid OF the aged
Mulch she sent him as Governor of Livonis,
where be di ID at the age of eighty FIVE. Ghu-
leased him, and offered him command; but
he declined her favor. and retired to his estates.
The Countess Wororz # was ordered to reside
at the distance Of l,0UO gers,s beyond Moscow.
1t was at this time that the Peiacoss Dischkoff
solicited the colouelcy of the Prcobaginsky
Guards Catherine refused, and With some
lroDlcal remarks that reused the anger Of the
Pnncess. Still more was she eXasperated on
discovering the iutrigu, between Orl0f and
the Empress. With her natural impatuosi.y
she sought her dear fiead, and overwhelmed
her With cutting reproacbes She revealed
GATHERINGS secret to those who had favored
her elevation to the throne. aud many ware n.
dignaut when they f f.und that they had been
work. 1g at and furthcriug pos for the ad.
vancemeut Of brutal freqnenter of the casernes
and cabarets Catherine frbadc the Princess
to appear at court, and compelled her to resi- 10
with her husband family at Mosoow.-7ensDe
Bdr.