The Portland daily press., 1884-06-14
New Publications.
scHUYLER's pErER THE cREAr


A correct history of the life and times of this
most remarkable of Russia's remarkable rul-
ers has long been wanted, and the work before
us fully meets this want The author by posi-
tion and training is admirably fitted to write
book of this kind. A careful student of hsto-
ry, a close observer of human nature, and a
graphic writer, bis productions cannot fail to
instruct and delight. In fact SO thoroughly
does this work captivate the reader that he
will be almost inclined to question if the imag-
ination of the author has not been allowed to
play an Important part in its production.
The book, however, may be accepted as a
truthful narrative of the reign of one of the
most wonderful characters in history. The
opening chapter awakens an interest which is
not diminished during the reading of the book.
1t treats of the romantic marriage of Alexis,
the father of Peter, with the beautiful Natalia,
the ward of Matveief. Alexis was widower.
and one evening was at Matveef's house when
the wife and the pretty ward of the prime min
lister came into the room, bringing as usual the
cups of bodka, the caviare, the smoked fish
and other whets 10 the appetite which are
Iaken before the Russian dinner or supper
The widowed Tsar, in the depth of his grief
and gloom, was struck by the pretty face, and
still more by the modest smile-neither for
ward nor too much abashed-and by the sensi-
BILE answers he received to his questions He
ate with more than his usual heartiness, and
seemed to enjoy the evening, and upon going
away said to Matveief that he would find
husband for the charming Natalie. There
was to be an inspection and review of the
young girls Of the kingdom, whose posi-
ZION aud beauty rendered them suitable to be
the bride of the widowed Tsar, and word was
sent to Natalie to appear among the others.
When il was found that Natalie was to be the
choice OF Alexis, there was great commotion
among the ruling families who feared new ri
walls in the royal favor, and her life was in
danger. Indeed the free choice of a bride
from the marrisgeable maidens of the kingdom
was only nominal, for if such choice did not
satisfy those in power, some means were al
ways found to get the Objectionable bride out
of the way. Alexis had already had a lively
experience of this in the choice of his first
bride, Euphemia Vsevolozksky who, when
she was attired for the first time in the royal
robes, had her hair SO tightly twisted by the
ladies in waiting that she Swooned in the Tsar' s
presence, and the Court physicians were
obliged to declare that she was afflicted with
epilepsy. Without having any chance to dis.
prove the charge, Euphemia and all her rela-
tlyes were exiled to Siberia. To prevent the
marriage, accusations of sorcery and witch
craft were made against Matveief, the guardi-
an of Natalie, and the poor man was subjected
to torture in order to ascertain the truth of the
charges; but love finally triumphed, and Nata-
lie became the wife of Alexis and mother of
the most renowned monarch of Russia. In
deed, from her he derived many OF his strong
est qualities The book closes with an inter-
esting contribu tioD to history iu the form of a
note upon the spurious Testament of Peter
the Great" which, if space permitted, would
be interesting to present here, but it's length
renders this impracticable.