St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-01-28
THE WINTER PALACE.
The Grandest of All the Grand Structures
Owned by Russia's Gear.

Owned by Russia's Czaro
Turning with reluctance from these.
short walk brings one to the winter
palace, or Jimmy Doorets. !" 1t is an
immense pile, and has frontage OF
over seven hundred feet. An idea of its
size may be had by stating that when
the Emperor occupies it. over seven
thousand persons are kept busy within
its walls. The statement that the
building is square is erroneous, it be-
ing in reality huge oblong, OF dark
reddish color, which seems to prevail
in Peters burg buildings. We can but
glance at few Of its rooms. Enter
ing from the front and main entrance,
which consists of three large
arches. over which are suspended
the Russian arms, ascending
double staircase, comparatively
plain, the broad landing is attained.
On the walls are hung number OF
pictures, and sculptures occupy prom
inent places at the side. From the
window an excellent view of the Neva
is had. First come the marshall S room,
occupied by portraits and battle scenes.
referring to Russo Polish strife. Pass
ing ON we reach the gallery where an
Emperor or Gear receives the Ambas-
sailors The only portable article is
huge throne chair, upon the back of
which the Russian arms are most
beautifully worked in gold. This is
followed by the gilded salon or gov
ernmental room, the ceilings walls
and pillars of which are of gilded
workmanship. From the top are
suspended half dozen grand
bronze chandeliers. Parallel with this
room is the portrait gallery, contain
ing some 250 pictures of celebrated
Russians. Entering the next room, st.
Georges hall or white room, all is of
white marble; small, narrow gallery
runs around it, supported by fifty-four
marble pillars. And thus we pass be-
wildered by the quantity and variety.
In the large St. Nicholas hall are
twenty large crystal candelabra, and
on the other side of the hall is pleas
ing conservatory. On the walls of the
Nicholas room, reaching from floor to
ceiling, are rows of handsome and
valuable gold plate, and numerous salt
boxes of all shapes, these being pres
ents to the Cars from various towns,
for it is a custom in Russia that when
new Car is proclaimed each town
he passes through offers him bread
and salt as he enters This is done
also sometimes when the Gar merely
makes visit to a town. The
collection is most interesting,
some being mounted in large and
brilliant diamonds. Now follows suite
upon suite of rooms, almost all of
which are filed with portr ats, the
majority being old. There are, how
ever, quite number of modern ones,
and the artists seem to have dealt
principally with the late Turko-Rus-
sian war. On the Neva side Of the
palace are the pleasant apartments OF
the present Cars eldest son, the dec
oratlons in each being different; first
is blue, followed by red, yellow, olive
green, pink and so on. The furniture
is that of Catherine IFS time but
handsomely recovered. Now we
emerge at the grand staircase again,
the guardian receives his fee, and the
palace has been, to use the tourists
expression, done" Yes, for three
hours one may walk through room aft
err room. the scene constantly chang
ing. and then you can not help but
realize how faint an idea of this inn
mense place you have. Cor. albany
en- ~ Journal.