Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-02-26
MISCELLANY.
A $5,OOO,OOO Sleighride.
Imperial Prohigacy at the Cost of HUI
mnn blood md Tears.

get the merry sleighrides of his youthful |
days: young men and madens crowded to- |
gether, the moonlight, the fringe of the |
forest, the vast eXpanse of snow, the |
Jingle of the bells the shouts of laugh |
ter, perchance the overtum into the feath-
cry drift, the country tavern with its
blazing, cracking fire of wood, the stamp /.
ing of the young men beating the snow
from their boots, the table spread with all
luxuries the music and games, the return |.
long after midnight
There was a seighride in Russia, more |
than a century ago, of such magnitude
and splendOr as to have been deemed
worthy of historic commemoration Rus
sia's immortal historian, Karamsin, has
devoted to its record several pages.
1t was the month of December, 1863.
The celebrated empress Catharine IL. was
upon the throne. Frederic of Prussia and
Catharine were conspiring together for an
attack upon Poland, that they might di-
vide that kingdom between them. Fred
eric sent his brother Henry to st. Peters
burg, ostensiby for friendly visit, but i'll
reality to mature plans for the treacherous
invasion. During Prince Henry's stay
Catharine gave in his honor moonlight
sleighride.
The sleigh which conveyed Catharine
and the Prussian prince was beautiful
parlor. capacious and furnished with ev-
cry luxury of the time. 1t was covered
and Enclosed by double glasses in large
plates, SO that every object without could
be distinctly SEEN Mirrors were also in
geniously arranged so as to multiply and
reflect all the scenes through which they
passed. This imperial sledge, with its
gorgeous decorations, was drawn by six
e Il
sledges of the nobility followed. These
were also constructed for the occasion, at
a vast eXpanse and embelished in the
highest style of art. The great dignita-
ries of the empire, ladies and gentlemen,
in snowy costumes, crowded these vehicles
which were drawn by four six and eight
horses. Expense seemed to have been ut
terly disregarded in the preparation of the
pageant Every person except the EN-
press and her guest was dressed in fancy
costume and was masked
The night was calm and clear, not a
breath of air was stirring, and the tull
moon rode brilliantly through the star
sprent skies. The road upon which
thousands of laborers had been employed to
remove every obstruction, wound along
through valleys and forests and mountain
gorges. Early in the evening, and with mil
itary precision, the brilliant pageant swept
from the palace through the streets of St.
Petersburg When two miles from the city,
the train passed through triumphant
arch, blazing with yariegatcd light.
Every mile of the drive was thus marked
by some grand structure, which, with its
blaze of light, outshone the splendor of
the moon: and in the ingenuity of its
devices, with flames of every hue, eXtorted
nj aNy,.ln Nf ln-
light There were shafts, temples, pyra-
mids, colonnades, Illuminating the wintry
scene. Opposite each of these structures
bathrooms were reared, the sides composed
of double glass so that everything within
could be distinctly seen. Here the peas
antry were assembled in each one group
of few hundred, from some particular
province of the empire, dressed in the gay
est of their provincial garb and engaged in
their rustic games and dances. The vari-
ETY. of costumes and of sports was infinite,
and often grOtesque and amusing in the
highest degree The sledges went slowly
by, that all might witness the entertaining
spectacle and then passed on to the next
Theatre show. All the games and ma
tiOnal dances were thus witnessed. The
national airs were sung or performed by
the best trained bands and all sorts OF
gymnastic feats, such as vaulting, tum-
bling and performances on the tight and
Slack-rOpe, were exhibited.
Through such scenes, necessarily re
peated, the imperial pleasure-party rode
until a high mountain arose before them
which was opened to their view through
broad avenue cut in the forest. The mount
ain was arranged, by display of fire
works, to represent Mount Hecla in one O
the most violent of its eruptions. The
earth seemed to quake beneath the terrih,
explosions. Vast pillows of flame anC
fiery missiles, of every form and hue
were elected from its glowing crater hun
dreds of feet into the air, descending upoI
the hll-sides and rolling down the crags il
a shower of fire. The spectacle was 81
sublime as to be almost appalling. In NUT,
establishment, the pleasure-party gazed up
on the wonderful phenomenon in which
art seemed to Outvie the most mighty o
the energies of nature The region, TO
leagues around, was illumned with the lu
rid glare, which sent a thrill of terror t
the peasants far away on the distant hill
sides and in the valleys.
Again the horses were pushed on, ant
before the spectators had recovered from
the surprise the volcanic mountain had ere
ated the train suddenly entered Chimes
village, which had been reared for the oc
cason upon the exact model of one of tn
most picturesque of Chinese towns, an,
inhabited by crowds of men, women an,
children in the garb, and engaged in TIL
traffic and sports of the Chinese on fes
tive day. The long street through whicl
the train passed was brilliantly illuminat
ed, and presented a spectacle as novel as
was entertaining.
The train passed slowly through tn
street, and then found that it wa
only the majestic portal to the impera
palace of TZarkoselO. AS the sledge
drove to the door, they were speed
lily emptied of their contents, and tn
whole cOurtly throng of over four thous
and was sauntering in those saloons whic
We're amply spacious to entertain them al
The palace was lighted with a counties
number of chandeliers and waX-candles
The imperial bands We're there, and fo
two hours the pleasure-seekers forgot tim
in the mazes of the cotllon. In tn
midst of the eXhiarating scene, the heav
report of a cannon was heard, and instant
ly every musical instrument was still, eI
ely light was eXtnguished, every voic
was hushed, and there was a moment c
silence and darkness.
Suddenly magnificent display of fire
works blazed up, extending in front {
the windows of the palace. As til
display faded out, there was anothe
report of cannon, and, as by magic
the candles blazed anew, and a sumpt
nous entertainment was served. Ever
luxury which Europe or Asia could affor
was supplied for the OCCASION Dancin