ABOUT RUSSIAN RULERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

ABOUT RUSSIAN RULERS.

Tun Leisure Hour has begun a series of articles entitled "Six Years at the Russian Court," by M. Eagar, an 'English lady who was formerly a member of the household of the Tsarina. Writing of the inter Palace at St. Petersburg, ' the author says:— ,

"In the museum are many relics of.Peter the Great. ; His'.turning-lathe, a great deal of his curving, presses, chests, etc., also the horse lie used to ride, stuffed, in company with his dogs. There is a long staff showing his height. He must have been about six feet six inches. Therefore, in many respects he deserved the title of 'Great,' but he was 'exceedingly cruel.

There is a goblet so constructed as to appear much less than it really is. Whenever lie wished to ' remove' any person he sent for him, flattered him with many kind words, and then, filling this goblet- with strong wine, commanded the obnoxious person to drink it off to his health. When lie had finished the, contents of the goblet the victim fell dead upon, the floor.

" The museum also contains a splendid collection of jewelled snuffboxes, presented to former emperors by monarch:;, ambassadors. and other great personages, jewelled batches, swords, harness, uniforms, etc. There are also some very extraordinary portraits in mosaic work; mechanical animals and birds in silver and gold. The little children loved to ramble through this museum. . When the Grand Duchess Olga was quite a little child she used to wish she coidd live there altogether. Here and there amongst the state rooms arc pretty winter gardens. In one of them is an aviary with hundreds of canaries, which a.'re 'allowed to flit amongst the- palms. There are also ~ fountains with goldfish. Catherine 11. • loved musical surprises in various forms, and there are writing-tables and presses which, on being opened, play various tunes. These were a great joy to my little charges. .

" Catherine 11. was an autocrat. She had a great objection to members of her household getting married. On one occasion a lady and gentleman belonging to her fluite became engaged. For a long time Catherine refused her consent to their marriage, but finally agreed on the express condition that she was allowed to make all arrangements for the wedding. To this proposition they gladly consented. The ceremony concluded, she led the way down to the frozen Neva, where she had caused an ice-house to be built. In this terrible abode she incarcerated them. Months after, when the Neva was in flood, their dead bodies were recovered and buried."