On this page

• Text (2)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    questionably , " says our author , " the most unfortunate princess of he * time . " Peter had selected her for her beauty from among several hundreds of noble damsels sent from all parts of the empire to the palace , that the Czar might choose one of them for his bride , according to ancient Russian usage . Their domestic . happiness was of brief duration . After Eudochia had borne him two sons , one of whom died in childhood , Peter consulted the most eminent theologians of his empire as to the possibility of his obtaining a divorce ; but their replies being unfavourable to

    his project , he shut his wife up in a convent where he compelled her to take the veil . After a long course of promiscuous debauchery , he at last became so enamoured of Catherine , a beautiful Livonian slave whom he had taken from Prince Menshikoff , as not only to marry her though his wife was living and not divorced , but also to resolve that the crown should pass to her children , to the prejudice of Alexis , his son by Eudochia . The consequence was a conspiracy on the part of the rejected heir , in concert with his mother and his aunt Sophia , to depose his father .

    " Eudochia , though a veiled and cloistered nun , was not so dead to the world , but that she found means to engage secretly in an amorous intrigue with a gentleman of the province of Rostow , named Gleboff , -whose amour was favoured by his brother , the Archbishop of the same province , and both exerted themselves to the utmost to promote the designs of the Czarowitch . But the conspiracy having got wind belbre the persons implicated in it had taken the necessary measures to secure its success , Peter I ., -who Avas then visiting various states of Europe with- the new Czarina , '' returned to Russia upon the first suspicious he conceived , and punished without mercy or distinction of persons all who were engaged in the plot .

    " The Princess Sophia , the monarch ' s sister , was condemned , as an accomplice , to receive a hundred blows of the palok ( a rod of the thickness of a finger ) , which were administered to her on her bare shoulders and loins , in presence of several lords and ladies of the Court . ' ' The Czarina Eudochia , having been convicted by letters under her hand , by witnesses , and by her own confession , of the crime of adultery with the boyavd Gleboff , was immured in the fortress of Schluxelburg , after . having Iiad to endure the grief of seeing her only son , Alexis Pctrovitch , condemned and perish in prison , and her brother , Abraham Lapoukine , executed on the Grand square of Moscow . "

    There is nothing in the annals of crime to equal in atrocity the cold-blooded murder of Alexis by his father , with all its accessories of perfidy , hypocrisy , and cruelty . By every art that could move the victim s hopes , his fears , his feelings as a son and a subject , and finally by a promise of pardon , he was beguiled into making a full confession . He was then arraigned before the senate and unanimously condemned to death by that herd of slaves . He then received a formal pardon , and was immediately after poisoned in prison by a draught administered by his father ' s hand .

    Gleboff , Eudochia ' s paramour , was tortured for six consecutive weeks , but no confession could be extorted from him . He was made to walk on planks sot with iron points , and finally he was impaled on the Grand square of Moscow . There he was once more appealed to by the Czar himself in the name of religion , and urged to penitence and confession . The dying man spat in the ruffian ' s face . Even his brutal pleasures Avere by Peter made subservient to purposes of treachery and cruelty . He was fond of encouraging his courtiers by precept and examplo to drink to excess .

    ' In all his cnUTtmiiincnts it Mas hi . s custom , when the gunsts l > t ! gim to bis hunted with wine , to walk about this tables and listen to all that was said ; and when lie overheard anything which ho thought it important to investigate in cooler moments , ho noted it down in his tablets , to bo used at . a fitting opportunity . ... A man whom tho C / . ar disliked having fallen dend drunk in one of the . su orgies , his majesty ordored him to bo taken aside ; and that he might sleep nioro soundly , ho was made to swallow sonio more doses of bmndy by means of a tunnel . Tho man is not awake vol . Ho i . not . tho only patient to whom this monarch bus administered similar soporifics . "

    In every stage of national existence the respect in which woman is hold ia a measure of the nation ' s capacity for social progress . In his feelings anil conduct towards women , tho inatitutor of Russian civilization proved himself a groan barbarian . " He was u perfect , monster of lusl , and though a hard worker , ho gave himself up at limns , if tlio ovpres . siou may bo allowed , to lits of amorous fur }' , in which age and cvr / i . sct worn mutters of iiidifloiviico to him I It : did not . con-Midcr silence in ull ' uirs of gallantry as n virl . no absolutely necessary . JIo was fond of Hunting with hi . s favourites about ( heir adventures with the Indies of tho (' ourl . or others , and ho was tho iir . st to joke about , bis own , good or bad . "'

    The marks of esteem which Peter bentowed on Catherine are tlio only redeeming tracts in thin foul chapter of Iuh personal history . But nobly an hIio regarded tho favours received at liia hands , it wim not in human nature that fliieh » wonmn should always remain faithful to Much a brute . His death alone pre-Horved her from the fate of Anno Jioleyn . " Novixtholess , bo did not depart for tbo other world without having NUtisttttd bin v « ng « iuiu : e , in part at KuvHt , if not wholly . H ' o wreaked it to tho full extent on tbo lover ( Mo ' oiih do la Croix ) , by having him behoaded for suppouititioiid crime * . Ton or twolvo ilnya after tho execution ho

    compelled the Empress to traverse the square in which the unfortunate man ' s body and head were still exposed , the latter being stuck on a pike ; and he directed her course so as to make her brush the scaffold with the iblds of her dress . Catherine was the less prepared for this horrible spectacle , as the Emperor , on leaving the palace , had told her they were going to a distant quarter , where they used often to take drives in an open sledge . He . had the cruelty even to stare her m the face all the time they were crossing the square ; but her fortitude enabled her to suppress her tears and betray no token of emotion . " He did not always resent so sternly the violation of his marriage bed , which he himself respected so little .

    " One day , when the Czar was at Strelna , a country seat on the Bay of St . Petersburg , and a few leagues distant from the capital , he despatched M . de Villebois with a secret message to the Czarina Catherine , who was at Cronstadt , a seaport at the entrance of the bay . The intensity of the cold on that day was such as is known only in northern climes , and against which travellers have no more certain preservative than to drink a few drams of brandy on the road . " Villebois did so , but in moderation , on hi . s way from Strelna to Cronstadt , where he arrived to all appearance in the full possession of his sober senses . He was so considered by all the officers of the guard , before whom he had to present himself in order to be admitted into the Czarina ' s

    apartments . " Unfortunately , before lie was introduced into the bedchamber of the Empress , who was still asleep , he had to wait in a very hot ante-room . The change of air and the brandy he had drunk on the road took such a sudden effect upon him just as he was summoned to the Empress ' s bedside , that the ladies whose duty it was to introduce him did not perceive it , and withdrew , leaving him at liberty to say to the Czarina what he was ordered to communicate to her in private . It is pretty clear that in the sudden commotion of his senses , caused by the sight of so beautiful a person , he forgot who she was and what he had to say to her , for without a word of warning he threw himself upon her lefore she had time to call for help to her women , who had retired out of respect for her privacy . ' " It would be at vnriance with that strict veracitv which

    the reader has a right to expect from a histortan , to say , as many persons did at the time , that | M . de Villebois confined himself to * a mere demonstration ; it is positive that he went so far in his contumacious effrontery as to incur a sentence of two years to the galleys . " The reader will doubtless be of opinion that the punishment vras not proportioned to the crime , and that on this occasion Peter I . afforded an example of incredible clemency on the part of a prince who had the reputation of being severe even to cruelty ; but what was still more surprising was that when he was apprised of this occurrence , far from manifesting any anger or indignation against Villebois , he began by expressing pity for him , saying that be wus so thoroughly acquainted with the nature and character of that ofiicttr as to be assured that the act he had committed was one in which

    reflection , reason , and understanding , had had no share . He asked those who reported the affair to him what had become of the offender , and where he was ; and on their replying that he had been gagged , put in prison , and lull asleep there , tin ; Czar replied , I bet that when he wsikus up and is asked why he is in prison , he will not know , and even that when all the c rcumsttiiiccs of his conduct are related to him , he will not believe a word they toll him . ' " ' Be that as it may , ' suid he , after walking up and down the room reflecting on the matter , ' an example must bo made , though the dog is innocent;—let him have two years at tho chain . ' To tho chain went Villebois , without any formal trial , upon the mere verbal order of tins Cxur . Hi ! wivs not put to any hard labour , tuid his punishment lasted but six months , at the end of which time tho C' / . ar recalled him to serve about bis person , reinstated bun in hi . s former oflices , and treated him with tb <> . sunm confidence sis be bad tlmio

    before hi . s transgression . "' Peter the Great died in 1725 . The heir to his policy is Nicholas a the God-fearing . " The greatgrandson of Peter ' s , Prince Menneliikoff , is the hero of the present " Turkish Question . " Such is Russia tho Civilizer .

    Untitled Article

    LETTERS FROM PARIS . [ FllOM OUIl OWN COHUKSPONDIINT . ] LlSTTKR . XCIII . Paris , Thursday Evening , Oct . fitli , 185 S . AiiTi matters are getting into a state of extraordinary complication in France . Tho crisis is thickening from hour to hour . There in utter dismay at the Bourse : the funds liavo fallen nearly three francs hi two days . From all quarters the brokers are assailed with orders to sell , and these

    orders precipitate the fall . I have tins moment returned from the . Bourns : you can scarcely imagine the confusion and disorder prevailing- there . It is like a general nax / vo qitipetit : if Paris was in flames from and to end , the alarm could scarcely be more intense . Thousands of contradictory rumours are huzzing about , and eagerly caught up , on the Kustenn question , on tho scarcity of food , on riots in the provinces , on tho despatch of troops to the scene of war , and all our conservative jobbers are crying out that they are ruined .

    . In the first place , touching Turkey , the news arrived yesterday states that on the 27 th ultimo the Divan declared war with RiiHHia . That the Turkish troops , without waiting lbr the oflicial declaration of hostilities , had attacked tho Russian detachments on the Islands of tho Danube , and driven them out ; that Goneral Gortsclmkott had

    made a movement towards Routschouh on the 1 ff of Omer Pasha ' s position , while General- laidI was concentrating his forces in an angle of t ] ® Danube before Schumla . It would appear fro this intelligence that the war is commenced Th ** Russian troops engage on two points at . once with 50 , 000 men under Luders , and 110 , 000 men under Gortschakoff . Luders , by favour of his position in an angle of the Danube , will draw away thp Turks to one side of his position , while he crosses the Danube on the other . While Omer Pasha is him

    marching against , GortschakofF i with his 110 , 000 men will pass the Danube in the neighbourhood of Routschouk . Thus Omer Pasha would find himself outflanked to his left , and be forced to retire upon the entrenched camp of Schumla , where Luders will be employed in beleaguering him . During this time Gortschakoff would march with his whole army by one of * the western routes of the Balhan , effect a passage of the range , and descend upon the plains of Adrianople before Omer Pasha could get out of Schumla .

    Such is the Russian plan of campaign in the opinion of military men here . In this supposition the Turks have but one chance of success namely , not to allow themselves to be intimidated by the demonstrations of Luders on the Lower Danube , and to maintain a force always within easy distance of Routschouk , to oppose Gortschakoff . It is thought by some , here that unless 30 , 000 men are landed at Constantinople by the Western Powers , Turkey , intimidated by the approach of the Russians , will sue for peace , and consent to dismemberment : that is , to lose Moldavia , and Wallachia , which would fall into the hands of the Russians , while Servia falls a prey to

    the Austrian " protectors . " In the presence of such a contingency our Government has just suspended all the ' half-yearly and other conges throughout the army . All officers and soldiers on leave of absence , have received orders to" rejoin their regiments instantly : and soldiers in their seventh year of service , instead of being discharged , as is usually the case about this time of year , are detained in their respective corps . Certain pursons , with whom I don't agree , pretend that these military measures are taken less with a view to operations in Turkey than to troubles at home , threatened by the scarcity of ' provisions . The price of corn now that the Government no longer

    controls the market , has risen two or three francs a week . There have been riots again in the provinces , and more formidable disturbances are apprehended . In Paris there have been some slig ht disturbances almost daily , in consequence of the dearness of bread . In exchange for the vegetables and other provisions imported into Paris from the departments , immense quantities are bought away ; so

    that when the people of Paris go to the bakers , they find the bread has vanished . Hence the files of hungry and discontented faces at the bakers' doors ; and the armed force is required to keep order . This was the case last Friday . The bread-tax was to have been fixed for tho neighbouring departments at five sous-and-a-hal f the pound , liy nine o ' clock in the morning all the bread in the streets adjoining the principal markets had been bought up by tbe country peasantry '' There was no bread to be had for several hours .

    Crowds assembled ; the sergents de villa were whipped by the women ; soldiers had to bo sent for to quell the mob . Yesterday , too , there was a display of troops , but it was ibr a very different cause . It was tno funeral of Fkan < jois Aiiaoo , who died on tnt . ' 3 rd instant . Arago was not only an illustrious savant , die rival and comrade of your Heryehei , but a patriot besides ! You remember he was om of the Provisional Government in 1 H 4 » . ' wi urn ; a . i uvi :- > juiuii uuvuiiiiiu-iii' « " — n

    , death was mi event . A great demonstration »> V " the working men of Paris was expected . ¦ prevent such a demonstration , the Govinnnit took the precaution to regulate tho procession , i' ¦ the troops in Paris were under arms in hurrac j . Three regiments of Cuii ' assiera wore brougnt " Versailles , Momix , and Melun , as they Jiroon V revolutionary occasions . All the streets abuttn ' n on tho pnHwi » e of the cortege were occupy * . troops . This corpse was preceded by two SU "'" /^ <> F ( iiiviilrvniul t . wa battalions of infantry . **¦

    12 , 000 persons were allowed to follow tho dec en * , but after this number , tho cortege was » copted by two moro battalions . AnotlJ ° * \ il caution waa taken . Inatcad oi directing

    Untitled Article

    964 THE LEADER . 'I BAm ^ ir ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 8, 1853, page 964, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2007/page/4/