The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-11-23
THE WINTER PALACE.
The Magnificent Home Of the Czar of All
the Russ!as.


81. Petersburg Corr San Francisco Chronicle.
The winter palace is q huge building Of
brown stone and covers q large area, each Of
the sides Qt is nearly square) measures some
$50 feet; but it is not more than ninety feet
high, and the heavy cornice that forms an
almost unbroken line round the top still
further detracts from the height. Placed on
this cornice is q large number OF statues,
which 1t requires no great stretch of imagi.
nation to conceiveto be persons endeavoring
to escape from destruction by way Of the
roof, so jumbled up are they with the chm
neys. The general effect of the building,
which only dates from 1889, would be poor
were 1t not for It's size, which, to some ex-
tent makes up for want Of architectural
grandeur. The interior Is also devoid of any
special architectural features, ,and there Is no
grand staircase. 1t Is simply huge square
box, divided up into rooms, but some of
these are truly magnificent, aud when filed
with the flower Of Russian society, as they
are at state receptions during the winter
season, must look grand indeed. Peters
throne-room, with silver chandeliers, red
tinted walls and highly-decorated dome ;
Union hall, with gilded columns; the throne
room, with Its massive iron pillars and gold
chandeliers and trophies of gold and silver
plate against the walls and stands sloping up
to the very ceiling, are all imperial apart
ments in every sense. The succession Of
reception.rooms and corridors Is also most
imposing, although the painting of battle
scenes, where carnage and rapine are depict
ed in all their horrors with monotony that
becomes almost nauseating, seem to be hard
ly adapted for the exclusive adornment Of
rooms intended for gay assemblages, and
they must form CHASTITY contrast to bright
toilets and glittering jewels, and fair,
womanly forms.
The visitor Is escorted through hall after
hall decorated with almost barbaric magnif.
cence, and at each one is taken under the
charge Of a fresh attendant sttired in gor-
geous imperial livery. The palace, which at
present Is quite unoccupied-as the Emperor
resides at another palace some distance up
the Newski prospect-fairly swarms with
servants, who are we'll dressed and courteous,
and extremely idle, having apparently moth
ing on earth to do except to stand or walk
about in the empty apartments, which are
seldom trodden by any other feet. Here
and there is to be seen superior officer, in
full uniform, evidently in charge Of some
part Of the building, aud a. one point we
suddenly came upon two Cossack sentinels,
armed to the teeth and standing motionless
on each side Of doorway. This was the
entrance to the room containing the crown
Jewels. Our attendant inserted key, two
heavy iron doors swung open, and we we're
ushered in. The room was almost bare,
with. the exception of some glass-topped
cases, such as are used at museums for man
uscripts and objects Of interest, which stood
near the walls, and two central stands; but
when the cloths which covered them were
removed, the sight was dazzling. In the
side cases was q collection of tiaras and
aigrettes and pendants, In brilliants and
rubies and pearls. The central stands bore
the crown regalia. The Emperor's crown, q
huge mass of diamonds of the purest water,
surmounted by an extraordinary uncut ruby;
the Empress's crown, somewhat smaller, If
possible, more brilliant, and the scepter,
bearing on its top the celebrated Lazardof1
diamond, of which the story is told that 1t
was stolen from an Indian temple and car
ried off, concealed In cut In the leg OF It's
purloiner. Compared with these Muscovite
gems, all Others that have ever looked on
are dull and small. One thing in the picture
gallery of the palace was remarkable, and
that is The absence Of peculiarly Russian
worthless whose portraits covered the walls.
There were faces Of strictly English type,
Swedish faces in small number. and German
faces in any quantity, but Russian faces
none, and no one could guess that he was
surrounded by the likenesses of the men by
whom the great northern power had been
built up. 1t is very much the same to day.
The leading men here are quite different In
appearance from the mass of the people; so
different that they might we'll belong to an
other race. They have, many of them, fine
features and noble forms. .H ."
. ..r