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9614 TIE LEADEE. [Sa!i«day ,
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LETTERS FROM PARIS. [From our own Corbuh...
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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.
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* Ali'/Inoinn Sierflx Pour Xcrvir A I'Hi...
questionably , " says our author , " the most unfortunate princess of her 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 before the persons implicated in it had taken the necessary measures to secure its success , Peter I ., who was then visiting various states of Europe with the new Czarina , returned to Russia upon the first suspicions 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 afiiiger ) , 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 boyard Gleboff " , was immured in the fortress of Schluxelburg , after having had to endure the grief of seeing her only son , Alexis Petrovitch , 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 set 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 iu the ruffian ' s face . Even his brutal pleasures were by Peter made subservient to purposes of treachery and cruelty . He was fond of encouraging his ^ ourtiurs by precept and example to drink to excess .
"In all his entertainments it . was his custom , when the guests begun to be hcatud with wine , to walk about , tho tables and listen to all that was said ; and when he overheard anything which ho thought it important to investigate in cooler moments , ho liotud it down in his tablets , to bo used at n iitting opportunity . ... A man whom tho Czar disliked having fallen dead drunk in one of these orgies , his majesty ordered him to be token usido ; and that hti might slot : ]) moro soundly , ho was inudu to swallow some , more doses of bmndy by moans of a funnel . Tho mini is not nwuko vet . Ho is not the only patient to whom this monarch has administered Himilar soporifics . "
In every stage of national existence the respect iu which woman is hold is a measure of tho nation ' s capacity for social progress . In his feelings and conduct towards women , tho instttutor of Russian civilization proved himself a gross barbarian . " He was n perfect , monster of lust , and though a hnrd worker , ho guvo himself up at times , if ( ho expression may l > e allowed , to / its of iuiidvuim fury , in which ugo and rrcn . w . r wtnro lnnltorH of imh'lfereneo to him 11 <; did not eonwider nilence in affairs of gullnntry u . s n virfuo absolutely necessary . Ho was fond of chatting with his favourites about their adventures with the Indies of the Court or others , and he was the iirnt to joke about his own , good or bad . ''
Tho marks of esteem which Potor bestowed on Catharine are tho only redeeming tracts in this foul chapter of Iii » personal history . I $ ut nobly nn hIio regarded tho favour *) received at his hnndw , it wa « not in human nature that such a woman should always remain faithful to such a brute . His death nlouo pre-Burvod her from tho fato of Anno JJoleyn . " Noverlhole . su , ho did not . depart , for tho oilier world without having satisfied his vengeance , iu puvt . at , least , if not wholly . Ho wvoultod it to tho full extent on the lovor ( Mooiih dw la Croix ) , by having him bohoadod for supponitilimw crimos . Ton or twulvo dnr » 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 folds of her dress . Catherine was the less prepared for this horrible spectacle , aa the Emperor , on leaving the palace , had told her they were going to a distant quarter , where they used often to tak e drives in an open sledge . JHe had the cruelty even to stare her in 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 1 o drink a few drams of brandy on the road . " Villebois did so , but in moderation , on his 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 he 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 before she had time to call for help to her women , who had retired out of respect for her privacy .
" It would be at variance with that strict veracity which the reader has a right to expect from a historian , 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 fur 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 was 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 of indignation against Villebois , he began by expressing pity for him , saying that he was so thoroughh' acquainted with the nature and character of that o flic or as to bo assured that the act he had committed was one in which reflec
tion , reason , and understanding , had had no share . Pie asked those who reported the affair to him what had become of thu offender , and whore he was ; and on their replying that he had been gagged , put in prison , and left asleep there , the Czur replied , ' I bet that when ho wakes up and is asked why he is in prison ,-he will not know , and even that when all the c rcuinstanccs of his conduct are related to him , he will not believe a word they toll him . ' " ' JJe that as it may , ' said he , after walking up and down the room reflecting on the matter , ' an example must be made , though the dog is innocent;—let him have two years at the chain . ' To the chain went Villebois , without any formal trial , iip « Sn the mere verbal order of tho Czar . lie was not put to any hard labour , and bin punishment lasted but six months , at the end of which time tho Czar recalled him to serve about his person , reinstated him in his former offices , and tmited him with the sumo confidence as ho hud done before his transgression . "
Peter tho Great died in 1725 . The heir to his policy is Nicholas " the God-fearing . " Tho greatgrandson of Peter ' s , Prince Menschikoff , is the hero of the present " Turkish Question . " Such is Russia tho Civilizer .
9614 Tie Leadee. [Sa!I«Day ,
9614 TIE LEADEE . [ Sa ! i « day ,
Letters From Paris. [From Our Own Corbuh...
LETTERS FROM PARIS . [ From our own Corbuhpondknt . ] Lettish XCIII . Paris , Tlim-Hday Evening , Oct . fith , 18 CS . Ai'L matters are getting into a state of extraordinary complication in France . The crisis is thickening' from hour to hour . Thero is utter dismay at the Bourse : the funds have fallen nearly three franeH in two days . From all quarters tho brokers are assailed with orders to sell , and these
orders precipitate the full . I have thjfl moment returned from the Bourse : you can scarcel ' y > iina-S 'ine the confusion diuLiliBordor prevailing there . It is like a genenjff sauvc guipeut : if Paris > v ' as iu ilamos from end to * bud , tho alarm could scarcely be more intense . Thousands of contradictory rumours nre buzzing about , and eagerly caught up , on the Eastern question , on the scarcity of food , on riots ^ ltt the provinces , on the despatch of troops to the scene of war , and all our conservative jobbers are crying out that they arc ruined .
in tho iirat place , touching Turkey , the news arrived yoaterday status that on the 27 th ultimo the J ) ivan declared war with Rufiuin . That the Turkish troops , without waitifcg " for tho official declaration of hoHtilities , had attacked the Runaian detachmonts on tho Islands of tho Danubo , and driven them out ; that General * Gorlfschakoff liod
made a movement towards Routschouh on the 1 ff of Omer Pasha ' s position , while General Lud was concentrating his forces in an angle of th Danube-before Schumla . It would appear fr this intelligence that the war is commenced . TJ Russian troops engage on two points at once wkh 50 , 000 men under Luders > and 110 , 000 men unde Gortschakoff . Luders , by favour of his position in an angle of the Danube , will draw away th * Turks to one side of his position , while he crosses the Danube on the other . While Omer Pasha is him
marching against , Gortschakoff , 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 Seryia 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 .
I here have been riots again in the provinces , and more formidable disturbances are apprehended . In Paris there have been some slight 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 tho bakers' doors ; and the armed force is requiml to keep order . This was the case last Friday . Ihe bread-tax was to have been fixed for tho neighbouring departments at five sous-and-a-hal f the pound . By nine o ' clock in the morning all tho bread in the streets adjoining the principal markets had been bought ud bv the country peasantry :
There was no bread to be had for several hours Crowds assembled ; the serpents de ville were whipped by the women ; soldiers had to be sent for to quell the mob . Yesterday , too , there waa a display of troops , but it was for a very different cause . It was the funeral of FitANyois Auago , who died out ! " - ' 3 rd instant . Arago waa not only an illustrious savant , die rival and comrade of your IlerscIieJi , but a patriot besides ! You remember he was one of the Provisional Government in 1840 . l «' death was an event . A great demonstration by » the working men of Paris was expected , i
» ' ' iryijtvuji : iiaVjIK \ jk ^~ ****** *• j . . prevent such a demonstration , tho CJovernin "" - took the precaution to regulate tho procession . A the troop . s in Paris wore under arms m " » "' y Three regiments of Cuirassiers were brought " Vorsnillos , Meaux , and Molun , as they are on « i < - •' revolutionary oecanionH . AH tho streets ahuttwh on the pansnge of the cortege were occupied J J troops . The corpse was preceded by two » a »^ J of cavalry and two battalions of infantry . A " 12 , 000 persona were allowed to follow the ^^ but after this number , tho cortege was tnu > cepted by two more battalions . Anotnei j > caution was taken . Inetead of directing U *
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 8, 1853, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08101853/page/4/
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