The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-09
TODAY IN HISTORY
Birthday OF eeter the Great.
THURSDAY. JUNE 9. 1910.

| Alexis, the ruler Of the Russians was
| a widower II was the custom, when the
czar was In want OF bride. for all the
! Russian nadens OF suitable position ana
| beauty to assemble al the palace on q
certain day. that a bride might bo chosen
| from their number. Such day was ar
ranged and among the number who pro
| sentod themselves was Natalla NarNSh :
kin. She chosen. Tho czar
mother. but Alexis mHrrlod Natalia on
| the 1st Of February, 1871.
| Peter. who afterward came to be
known as the Great" was The only
| child of this marriage. and was born on
| June .. 1872. The birth Of Peter was
| hailed with great JOY, and Alexis or
| dcred a most splendid ceremonial IN
honor OF the event. ono OF the first
| ceremonies after the birth OF a Russian
| prince was what was called taking his
| measure" This birth measure Of Peter
| WAS carefully preserved and now hangs
over his tomb In tho Cathedral of Saints
| Peter and PAU. in the fortress at St
| Petersburg
The curious books of accounts enumer-
ate some OF the articles ordered for him
In the first years Of hls childhood
Cradles covered with gold embroidery
sheets and pillows Of white silk, coats.
caps. stockings and shoes OF velvet. en-
broldered with gold and pearls. and a
miniature carriage drawn by ponies. In
which he was taken out TO drive. Among
his toys were musical instruments Of
various kinds. and all sorts OF military
equipments"
He could walk al si, months when
he was years OF age he was presented
with n small carriage drawn by four
ponies. in which ne was driven by the
court dwarfs. and he began To take part
In the public professions OF the court
When Alexis died, In 1876 the throne
descended to his eldest son, Theodore.
who only IL and slclly Hc only
reigned short time, and at his death
named Peter as his successor. passing
over his brother. ivan as his many in
hrmities rendered IL Impossible for him
To reign. Peter was therefore pro-
claimed emperor when only 10 years old
The Princess Sophia, who had consId
cradle power at the Russian court, was
envlous OF Natalia, and spread rumors
which stirred the populacc to the extent
tnat they invaded the palace. and the life
OF Peter was spared by his mother at the
aitar OF the monastery OF the Trinity,
FINALLY. however, Sophia succeeded In
FORMING so strong a partv that Ivan was
Jointly proclaimed car with Peter. with
herscli as regent She recognized the
weakness OF Ivan, and trusted. through
throwing all sorts of luXurics In his way
OF deSenerating the mind of Peter. But
he was made OF sterner stuff Instead
OF accomplishing her ends by that means
her strategy simply worked the opposite
Peter had the good fortune 10 fall un-
der the guidance OF Jcfort. a Gcnocsc.
who initiated him into the sciences and
arts Of civilization. and, by showing him
how much MuscOyy was In these re-
spects behind the rest OF Europe innu-
enced the whole OF his future career
Russia entirely owes its greatness aS
o European power TO the talents and
energy OF Peter the Great who turned
out 10 be one OF the most extraordinary
persons OF all history With an innex-
lb!e VIII. he was dismayod at no difn-
Guilty and appalled, by no danger with
TIE spirit OF an enlightened patriot me
resolved to introduce among his people
the useful arts. the civilized customs
and the beneficent institutions which he
saw prevailing I'm other countries of
Europe. To accomplish this he visited
and even engaged himself as n common
mechanic 10 obtain knowledge OF the arts
which he desired 10 teach his people He
died on February s, I725 after reigning
more than forty years.