New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-09
LEGEND OF ST. PETERSBURG.

on a glorious spring morning toward the close o.
May two hundred years ago a momentous historic
event took place in a very quiet way. wirn no-
even chronicIer to describe the details says Tbs
London Telegraph" Woodland, water and a cloud
less sky formed the framework of the picture. the
foreground of which occupied with a NUMBER
OF boats sailing on the surface OF broad river
and manned with warriors, fierce looking. oddly
dressed and wrangling among themselves in loud
tones. They We're the famous 'Bom6ardier' regi-
ment which had achieved feats OF proWess Few
weeks before during the battle with the Swsdes-
and their captain was the most Imposing Hgurs
OF them all. sitting in the PROV of a stout vessel
ahead Of the rest. The weather was bright and
bracing and the breeze caused the face Of thu
blue broad Neva TO wrinkle, il lost itself in tho
Finnish Gulf. The captain stood with his 5ack
to the sea gazing at the smiling islands in front
which were literally covered with dense forests
indeed, had II not been for the noisy tongusd men
on the boats he might have fancied himself in
country heretofore unvisited by man. The who's
district. swedish down 20 a couple of before
had recently been taken by the Russian troops
The captain now landed on the most pleasantly
situated and attractive of the Islands ana vita
a few OF his officers, was making his way 70 the
centre when a curious sound in the air above az
Looking up. he 6eheId a great eagle tapping rs
wings nGlsily, soaring up 20 dizzy height ana
where he stood. He did not then know that il was
a bird tanned by the men who We're wont to loae
nearance as a good omen for his undertaking
SEEKING q D4NOuet. therefore ne cut two
or turf. placed them one tne other like rn7
beams or cross then mati@ &. wooden cross IroTl
two noughS and pressing IL into the sOts- eX-
claimed: In the name OF Jesus Christ let there
De a church this spot. and let It's be thoss
or the chief Apostles. Peter and Paul. And -
was as he had said The church with its gCl1sa
sPire now Surmounts the terrible fortress IN Wniea
many political prisoners have perished mtseraoy.
and the city around it is st. Petersburg, for ne
'taptain of the BOmbardie-s' was Peter the CreaI-
such IS the legendary tale OF the foundation Ct
the northern Palmyra, which is said 20 have been
totted down by officer of the corps at the time,
and 10 have been laid On gold casket which slis
lies among the foundations OF the fortress. ba-
history gives Us a more proSaic account OF W
matter. Petersburg was not built ON virgin sci
but on the site OF rising town NuveOrOC, When
a member OF the HauseatiC League. had used the
NeVst commercial waterway. and the SWetss
well aware OF its enormous value a trade route
took II In l6lT built fortress the stream Okhta
on whose banks a town soon arose. inhabited oy
merchants. who owned as many hundred SHIPS
IN those vessels Russian produce was expo - -
abroad and fOreiEn wares We're brought back %
Russia. And So rapidly did he wellletng OF InssS
traders grow tina in The year lNo when Fete
the Great began his with the Swedcs MANY
houses buiIt of stone Another gereratie,
and 10 would have been a formidable stronS1frsa
OF Swedish power; but the last day OF Aye.
1ros. Peter hOm5arded tina fortress, and entered =
ON the following dax.