Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-09-09
THE WAR PRIMER
BY National Geographic Society

The famed Winter Palace of the |
Russian Tsar probably has seen more
romantic history in the making than |
any other building in Europe. The
dramas that have unfolded within it's
walls would overshadow, If told, the
most highly colored irnaginings of po
htical fictionists. and the huge build
ing apears worthy of all the fascinat-
ing memories which cling to it. For
generations Russia has reached out
from this Home OF the Empire toward
ever more distant frontiers, toward ey-
cry compass point, building the great
est of states. The Winter Palace, a
symbol Of the empire. mayhap en-
dangered by the present Teutonic in
vasion. is described in the following
| statement issued by the National Geo.
graphic Society:
Among the many palaces Of Petro-
| grad, city wherein dukes, grand
dukes. diplomats. and millionaires
dwell in abundance. the Tsars Winter
| Palace, a structure Of truly imperial
1t is one Of the worlds largest and
most imposing buildings, and the air
/ Of its rooms and corridors Is sur
charged with the romance of history.
times, the most brilliant court in Eu-
rope could be seen here, when the
great rooms were ablaze with light and
jewels. and filled with q splendid dis
play of gowns and uniforms.
The Winter Palace stands on the
left bank of the Neva, on a site be-
queathed to Peter the Great by his
High Admiral, Count Aprazin. The
Empress Anne first made her residence
in the Admirars house, which was
pulled down in 1884. and the founda-
tons of the Winter Palace laid. The
building was first completed In the
Il reign of Catherine the Great The
II whole interior Of the Palace was des-
troyed by fire in December, 1887, when
valuables estimated at $2o,oo0.oo0 were
consumed 1t was restored on an
even more elaborate scale in 1889. The
structure is four stories high. or about
80 feet, with a frontage of ASS feet and
q width of $50 feet. The principal
| entrance, the Perron des Ambassa-
deurs, is from the Nava River. Con-
. nected with the Winter Palace is the
Hermitage of Catherine the Great
where the renowned Queen played frs,
bohemian in bohemian throng.
There is q table hung on the fails
of the palace, draped with a green cur.
tain. which contains Queen Catherine'I
bylaws for the Hermitage societies
They were: I. Leave your rank out
side. as well as you hat, and especially
, your sword. 2. Leave your right o.
! precedence. your pride, and any SINH
: lar feeling outside the door. 8. b
gay. but. do not spoil anything; do no
I stand, walk as you will, without refer
ence to anybody. 5. Talk moderated.
| and not very loud, so as not to maxi
the ears and heads Of others ache.
Argue without anger and without ex
: element. Z. Neither sigh nor yawr
y nor make anybody dull or heavy.
a In all innocent games, whatever on
proposes. let all Join. 9. Eat what
ever is sweet and savoury, but drinl
ii with moderation. SO that each may fin
Ia hts legs on leaving f10 r00r1 10 TIE
no tales out Of school: whatever goe
: in at one ear must go out at the othe
before leaving the room
Good rules all, but rules Difficult
% for any but a queen to hold befor
o her friends. The penalty for break
water for every offense. The Cuee
was most severe with those who broiS
le the tenth commandment; they wer
= never again admitted to the Hermitag
!, after being once found guilty of little
II tattle
IAN immense square before the pal
ace gives 1t the proper dignity of SET
ID ting. Within, II is said, 5000 peopl
20 can dance under the blazing light cryc
p tails at one time. while 2,00e people ca
ings. The Palace is q treasure hous
4. OF relics, jewels and paitings. One I
the finest collections Of pictures
Russia Is hung on the palace wall
u among them numerous excellent We
x pictures. Among the jewels store
the largest diamonds in Europe, 1914
D. carats. the greet Orion diamond, wink
an was originally the eye of a Lion TIL
~ crouched before the throne Of b
- Great Mogul. When the Tsar is
- the vicinity of his capital. the Imepri
ace flagstaff"