Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-13
The Cars Tenants,
THE GIObe.l


a queer story is told Of the Winter Palace of
the Car, which may be given as Illustrating
the great extent Of the place, and the poss1ollf-
olas, the father of the present Gar, number
OF SentrleS were posted on the roof TO guard
against fire or foes. Finding the climate up
wished this permanent watch at length con-
trtved 10 convey on to the roof the materials
for number OF hutS or cabins, which in course
OF time they erected under the shelter of the
chimney stacks. So snug and cosy did they
manage to make themselves that 1t at length
occurred TO the married men among them that
might as wei enlarge their establishments
Accordingly wives and families, one after an
other, found their way out on to the Imperial
leads. Several OF the single members of the
guard, finding such tempting opportunity of
setting up housekeeping economically, took
wives to themselves, and after while quite
considerable colony had sprung up.
How far the development might have gone
ON II the individuals composing this parasitic
little village had been reasonably cautious and
careful in their behavior 1t is difficult to guess:
but the establishment of families among the
chimneys OF the palace led gradually to the ac-
emulation OF domestic animals Fowls null
tiplied amazingly. and goats became numerous
and 1our1shed so well In the braclng atmos-
phere that at length it YVES suggested that
COW might conveniently be added to the farm
stock. How the animal was elevated we are
not informed, but 1t Is stated as fact that it
was by some means hOsted to the roof, and was
eventually the ruin of the community. The
lowing of the COW came to certain official ears,
and led TO an investigation and the total break
ing up of the queer little society. Even at that
time it is said that the Russian Emperor felt so
little confidence In his personal security that
nobody ever knew in which bedroom he was
going to sleep. A large number were always
Kept ready and unoccupied. and at bedtime the
Car would quietly slip into any one Of them
selected at the moment.
The Winter Palace Is described as the largest
palace in the world, being One-thtrd larger
than that OF the Emperor OF Austria, and unsur-
passed In point OF sphndor. 1t Is the residence
OF the Car and his court during the winter, and
stands On the left bank OF the Neva, on the site
Great, belonged 70 his high Admiral, Count
Apraxin who bequeathed it to Emperor Peter
II. 1t was so completely destroyed by fire in
1887 that 1t was necessary to rebuild it, and one
of the not least remarkable facts connected
with 1t Is that its present form was the work
Of two short years.
of this monstrous citadel. In order to complete
the task at the time appointed by the car the
interior works were continued during the great
frostS; and, when the thermometer outside was
80 degrees below zero OF Reaumur, 5000 work.
men were daily shut up in halls heated to 80
degrees OF Reaumur in order that the walls
might dry the quicker; SO that these DOOR
wretches had to endure a difference OF 60 de-
greeS Of temperature. No wonder considera-
Bile number OF them died daily; and 1t is said
that those who we're engaged to paint the int
rior of the most heated halls were obliged to
place on their heads kind of bonnet of ice In
order to preserve the use Of their senses under
the burning temperature.