Gilpin observer., 1915-10-07
y HE famed winter palace of the
Russian cZar probably has seen
more romantic history in the
making than any other build

more romantic history IN the
making than any other build
ing in Europe. The dramas
that have unfolded within its walls
would overshadow, if told, the most
highly colored imaginings of politi-
cal fictionists, and the huge building
appears 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
every compass point, building the
greatest 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, a city wherein dukes, grand
dukes, diplomats and millionaires
dwell in abundance, the cars win
ter palace, structure of truly impe-
rial immensity, stands out unapproach-
! able. 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.
During the capital seasons in peace
times, the most brilliant court in Eu-
rope could be seen mere. when the
great rooms were ablaze with lights
and Jewels, and filed with splendid
| display of gowns and uniforms.
+ Completed by Catherine.
The winter palace stands on the left
bank of the Neva, on a site bequeathed
to Peter the Great by his high admiral,
| Count Apraxin. The Empress Anne
| first made her residence in the ad
mirals house, which was pulled down
in 1854 and the foundations of the
winter palace laid The building was
first completed in the reign of Cath
crime the Great
The whole interior of the palace
was destroyed by fire in December,
1887, when valuables estimated at
s20,000,000 were consumed. 1t was
restored on an even more elaborate
scale in 1889. The structure is four
stories high, or about so feet, with a
frontage of 455 feet and a width of
$50 feet. The principal entrance, the
"Perron des Ambassadeurs. is from
the Neva river. Connected with the
winter palace is the heritage of Cath
crime the Great. where the renowned
queen played first Bohemian in Bo-
hemian throng.
There is table hung on the walls
of the palace, draped with a green cur
tain which contains Queen Cath
crimes bylaws for the Hermitage soci-
cites. They were:
Il. Leave your rank outside, as well
as your hat, and especially your sword.
2. Leave your right of precedence,
your pride, and any similar feeling out
side the door. 3. Be gay. but do not
spoil anything; do not break or gnaw
anything l. Sit. stand. walk as you
will. without reference to anybody.
5. Talk moderately and not very loud,
so as not to make the ears and heads
Of others ache. 6. Argue without an
ger and without excitement. I. Nei-
ther sigh nor yawn. nor make any
body dull or heavy. s. In all innocent
games. whatever one proposes, let
all Join. 3. Eat whatever is sweet
and savory. but drink with modera-
tion, so that each may find his legs
on leaving the room. 10. Tell no
tales out OF school: whatever goes in
at one ear must go out at the other
before leaving the ROOM
Good rules all, but rules difficult for
any but queen to hold before her
friends. The penalty for breaking the
rules was the drinking of glass OF
cold water for every offense. The
queen was most severe with those
who broke the tenth commandment:
they were never again admitted to the
hermitage. after being once found
guilty Of tittle-tattle.
| Treasure House Of Art.
An immense square before the pal
ace gives 1t the proper dignity of set
ting. Within, II is said. 5000 people
can dance under the blazing light crys-
tails at one time, while 1000 people can
be seated at the great dinner gather
ings. The palace is treasure house
OF relies. jewels and paintings. One
Of the finest collections of pictures in
Russia is hung on the palace walls.
among them numerous excellent war
pictures. Among the Jewels stored
here there is scepter with one OF
the largest diamonds in Europe 19A