Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-02-28
The Mother OF Peter the Great.


The Mother OF Peter the Great.
The early history of the Russian empire
is the history of barbarous people. Many
of their princes were monsters of iniquity,
and in their annals we find atrocities that
are not surpassed in human history. For
centuries, even after the bloody and horrible
paganism of its early days had given place
to nominal Christianity, the history of the
royal family Of Russia makes us blush for
our common humanity. The deadly pas
sions, sensuality, ambition, avarice and re-
venge, were rampant in the palaces, and
gave little place for the sweet affections
that make home happy and life desirable.
1t is pleasant, however, to discover now and
then bit Of romance or touch Of finer
feeling which assures us that these fierce and
naughty rulers had hearts in their mail.clad
bosoms, and that avarice and ambition were
not always the ruling passions.
Alexis Michalovitz was the son Of Mi
chael Romanoff, the first sovereign of the
present royal family of Russia. Alexis
came to the throne in 1645, and was soon
distinguished, no less for the wisdom and
moderation with which he governed his
people, than for his bravery and success in
war Relying on the affection of his sub
jects, he was accustomed to mingle freely
with them for the sovereign that is be-
loved needs no body-guard to attend him.
One day he made an unceremonious call on
his prime minister Metreoff, and noticing
that the table was spread, he said, !" My dear
Metreoff, your supper looks inviting. Will
you permit me to remain and partake with
you ?"
The minister, greatly fattered by such a
remarkable token of his masters confidence,
expressed his gratitude and delight, and
proposed to inform his wife, that she might
be suitably dressed for the royal pres
ence. The car declared he would re-
main only on the condition that nothing
should be changed and that the family
should come to the table without being in
formed of his presence.
At the usual hour, the wife of Metreoff.
with their son and beautiful young lady,
entered the room. They were talking and
laughing in all the freedom of their pleas
ant home life, but when they saw their au-
gust visitor, already seated at the table, their
pleasure was only equaled by their astonish-
ment. They bowed low in respectful salu-
tation, and very graciously the czar returned
their courtesy insisting that they should
Scdt tutulStiVts, anu tnat IHe uedi bnOuIu
be as unceremonious as usual.
Trembling under the honor conferred by
their masters condescensiop, they obeyed,
and the maiden blushed rosy red as a glance
from under her downcsst lids revealed the
look of admiration with which the czar re-
garded her. He appeared to enjoy the nov
city of his situation, and without armed
guards or liveried servants, he ate his supper
with safety and satisfaction.
After the ladies had retired, Alexis re.
marked to his minister, / was not aware
that your house was blessed with daughter
of such extraordinary beauty"
Bowing low, hetreof replied, "Your
majesty must not be deceived. This young
lady is the daughter of the Baron Nariskin,
who lives in distant province on his own
estate. He is too poor to have home in
the capital, therefore he has entrusted his
beautiful daughter to us, that she may be
educated in a manner suitable to her rank
Your majesty will believe me, we love her
as if she were our own, for she is gifted and
good as she is fair, and we hope in due time
to see her honorably settled"
"My good Metreotf," said the czar, with
a smile, the care of young lady of such un-
usual charms is no light task. How many
"No one as yet, my liege, for her face
has not been seen in public, and she begs to
continue her studies in the convent yet
another year. Indeed, we feel in no hurry
to bring her out, for there is difficulty In
the way. Her father can give her no dowry,
and we dread that she shall feel the sights
in society which poverty often brings on the
most beautiful and the most deserving"
Smiling, and apparently well-pleased with
his visit, the car took his leave. A few
days later, Metreoff was summoned TO pri.
vate interview at the palace, and his royal
master informed him that he had found a
suitable husband for the fair Natalie Naris-
kin. The grateful minister tried to thank
him, but Alexis went on, q" He is a gentle.
man by birth, and hopes to make himself
worthy of her love. He is so rich that he
does not care about her lack of money"
And with something like blush on his
dark handsome face, he continued He
loves her, and believes she will bring the
best dowry to her husbands home"
Quite bewildered, Metreoff begged to
know the name of this suitor.
"Tell her, my good Metreoff, it is Alexis
Michalovitz who offers her not only his da-
dem but his heart, and begs that she will
make him happy by her love-"
Then the astonished and trembling min
lister fell at his masters feet, and besought
him with tears not TO think OF marriage
so far beneath him. He reminded him that
the highest and richest OF the mobiles were
ambitious Of this alliance, and showed him
the danger that their modification and dis
appointment would be avenged, not only on
the innocent Natalie, but that they would
find means to ruin himself and his family.
Am | the ruler Of this realm ?" cried
Alexis scornfully, and am to be deprived
of right that the meanest Of my subjects
enjoyY will wed Natalie Nariskin, and
woe to him who lifts finger against her,
or against you !"
Finding him inhexible, Metreoff besought
him that according to the custom of the
country his choice might be made in pub
lie. To this the cEar consented, and proc
lamation was Immediately sent through the
realm that the marriageable daughters OF
the mobiles were invited to assemble at the
royal palace in Moscow, that the czar might
choose from among them the one whom he
regarded as worthy to wear the royal dia-
dem Of Russia.
In answer TO this proclamation sixty
young ladies, from the highest families, as
sembled at the palace, as the guests of the
royal master. The whole city was stirred,
for the choosing of the czarins was an event
Of national Importance. The young ladies
were entertained by balls, masquerades, and
every form of social amusement, and Alexis,
laying aside the dignity aud etiquette OF his
station, mingled in their sports and pleas
ures. Courteous to all, he gave no hint of |
his choice. We may imagine what ambi- |
tious hopes, what bitter jealousies agitated |
the hearts Of these ladies as the day drew |
near for his decision. Among the crowd OF
jeweled beauties that spread their charms
before their sovereign, Natalie Nariskin was |
little noticed. There were some who looked 1
Nth nanns of anuu ON har hanntif,l faaa