one side; the face was sallow, cheeks he dined at home, always had his doctor hollow, nose large and square, nostrils to taste every dish before he partook of dilated, mouth large, and forehead promi- it, this functionary always attending at nent to complete the picture, he had breakfast and other meals for the same deep-lying grey eyes, and the whole ex- purpose. This ferocious man was utterpression of the countenance was a singu- ly incapable of a tender passion, but at lar mixture of intelligence and wicked- the same time most profligate in his ness. Being the son of a country gen- habits. tleman, he had been received as a cadet into the Artillery School, where he distinguished himself so much by his capaci ty and application, that he was very soon promoted to the rank of officer, and appointed teacher of geometry; but he turned out such a tyrant, and was so cruel to the cadets, that he was soon removed to a marching company of Artillery, part of which was sent to Gachina and Araktchejeff along with it. There he soon attracted Paul's attention; and by his superior cleverness, severity, and indefatigable watchfulness by day and by night, became the factotum of the garrison, the terror of every one in the place, and obtained the Grand Duke's entire confidence. It must be admitted that he was most faithfully attached to his master; most zealous to serve him, and most careful of the safety of the Emperor's person. He possessed great talents for establishing method and order in every department, and for maintaining them with a severity which amounted to frantic tyranny. Such was Araktchejeff. On Paul's accession he was breveted major-general, appointed chief of the Preobrajensky Foot-guards, and Commandant of St. Petersburg. Having personally served in the Artillery, he maintained great influence over this branch of the service, and was finally appointed Grand-Master of the Ordnance, in which department he rendered eminent services. This man was so violent and tyrannical that a very amiable young woman he married, finding it impossible to live with him, left his house and returned to that of her mother. It is a most fortunate circumstance that cruel, revengeful, and tyrannical men are always cowards and afraid of dying. Araktchejeff formed no exception to this rule; he was always surrounded with guards, seldom slept two nights running in the same bed, had his dinner dressed in a private kitchen by a confidential cook, who was his mistress, and when Nevertheless, Araktchejeff had two great merits; he was impartial in the administration of justice, and economical of the public money. During Paul's reign he certainly did much to exasperate public feeling, and create discontent with the government; but the Emperor, being himself naturally generous, clever, and intelligent, put some bounds to Araktchejeff's severity, and finally banished him. But when after Paul's death Alexander employed him again, and allowed his influence to extend itself to such an extent in every department of the State, that he actually enjoyed all the power of a Prime Minister, Count Araktchejeff became really a scourge to the empire, and led Alexander into that precarious position in which he was placed at the moment of his death, at Taganrog, and which resulted in the rebellion that broke out on the accession of the Emperor Nicholas, whose first public act of conciliation was to dismiss and banish Count Araktchejeff. Of the other public men of this reign I shall only mention Count Rostopchin, subsequently Governor-General of Moscow in 1812, a man of great talent and energy, very sarcastic and satirical, was Aide-de-camp-General, and for a time Minister of Foreign Affairs; Count Panin, also a talented and high-spirited, but cold and proud man, held the same office for some time. Admiral Ribas, a Maltese, had distinguished himself in the Turkish wars under Catherine, with General Count Pahlen and Admiral Litta: he was a man of great enterprise, and the person who first laid the foundations of the conspiracy against Paul, but he died before it came to maturity. shall close this list with General Nelidoff, a cousin of the young lady mentioned above, an excellent young man, possessed of great influence with the Emperor, and who in conjunction with Mademoiselle Nelidoff, did his utmost to mitigate the hardships of those days, restore worthy men to favor, and alleviate the fate of be God, who kept me clear from all those who were doomed to suffer. And participation in that crime! now for the ladies of the court. We have already seen how the Baroness, afterwards Countess and Princess Lieven, was placed at court. She was governess of the Imperial family, the friend and adviser of the Empress, and possessed the rarest qualities of mind and temper, being both frank and firm, so that she made the Emperor himself respect her opinion; she subsequently introduced her two friends, the Countess Pahlen and Madame de Renne, to be Dames d'Honneur for the two Grand Duchesses, Elizabeth and Anne. I should here mention that Count Pahlen, the husband of the former lady, was also brought to St. Petersburg, appointed to the command of the Horse Guards, and made Inspector of Heavy Cavalry; he was subsequently joint Military Governor of St. Petersburg with the Grand Duke Alexander, and at the time of Paul's death also Minister of Foreign Affairs, and PostmasterGeneral, so that in fact he was in possession of the keys to the secrets of the whole empire, no one being able to move without his knowledge. Now that the reader has been made acquainted with the singular character of those extraordinary times, and with most of the principal actors, I shall resume my account so as to place in chronological order the various occurrences of Paul's short reign. W- Hall, 6th February, 1847. Here I am once more again, after a lapse of seven years, but not under similar circumstances. I am now a widower, and have no longer my dear Julia to impart life, spirits, and animation to me, and to stimulate my moral and intellectual faculties to activity. It was to gratify her wishes that I commenced writing this narrative; she had pleasure in hearing it read, and to please her was all I desired in life. I have no longer this motive, and indisposed as I feel myself to continue my work, I must nevertheless exert myself to finish it, and conduct the poor Emperor Paul to the end of his earthly career; and as my Julia often entreated me to do, expose to the world the truth concerning that tragical event, the catastrophe ending in his death. Blessed I have represented Paul I. as being a sincerely pious man, imbued with the fear of God; he was really benevolent, generous, of a forgiving temper, ready to confess his errors, a lover of truth, and a hater of falsehood and deception, ever anxious to promote justice, and repress every abuse of authority, especially ven ality and corruption. Unfortunately, all these good and praiseworthy qualities were rendered useless to himself and to the empire by a total want of moderation, and extreme irritability of temper, and an irrational and impatient expectation of implicit obedience. The least hesitation in fulfilling his orders, or the slightest irregularity in the service, was visited with the severest reproof, and even with punishment, and this without respect of persons. Paul was not easily influenced, because, believing himself to be right, he was tenacious of his own opinions, and he was so excitable and so easily put out of humor by a slight pro vocation, that he sometimes looked per fectly furious. He was quite conscious of this and felt it deeply, lamenting his own irritability, but he had not strength enough to conquer his own violence. The petulance of Paul's disposition, and his extravagant strictness and severity towards officers, made the service very unpleasant. Frequently for trifling faults or mistakes in the words of command officers were sent off from the parade-ground to other regiments at a great distance, and this occurred so frequently, that when we mounted guard we used to put a few hundred roubles, in bank-notes, into the breast of our coats so as not to be left penniless when suddenly sent away. On three several occasions I have lent money to brother officers who had neglected this precaution. This kind of treatment made officers very nervous and uncomfortable, and many left the service altogether and retired to their estates in consequence, while others left the army and passed over into the civil service. In consequence of all this, promotion was very rapid for those who had good nerves, and I for one ran up very fast. From being sub-lieutenant of the Horse Guards at the Emperor's accession in 1796, I ran through all the grades up to full co lonel by June, 1799, and out of one hundred and thirty-two officers who were in the regiment at the former date, only myself and one other remained in it at the Emperor's death. It was as bad or worse in those regiments in which the tyranny of Araktchejeff and the other "Gachinois" was less restrained than with us. As may be conceived this system kept the families to which officers belonged in a state of perpetual fear and anxiety, and one may almost say that St. Petersburg, Moscow, and indeed all Russia, were in a state of constant mourning. Although the aristocracy was of course extremely careful to conceal its discontent and its grievances, the expression of the former sometimes broke out, and during the coronation at Moscow the Emperor could not avoid perceiving it. But the lower classes of the people, "the million," greeted the Emperor with such enthusiasm, whenever an occasion offered, that he attributed the coldness and apparent want of affection of the nobility only to moral corruption and Jacobinical leanings. As regards the moral corruption he was certainly so far right, as in many instances several of the most discontented had smiling faces and smooth words of flattery when he addressed them individually, which Paul, with his frank and honest nature, never suspected to be duplicity, particularly as he often declared "that being ready and willing to grant a legal trial and full redress to any one who thought themselves aggrieved or unjustly treated, he had no fear of being unjust." It was, however, his arbitrary mode of proceeding that alienated the affections of the noblesse, and sowed the seeds of discontent in every corner of the empire. I make no apology for introducing here an anecdote of Paul's reign, in illustration of his extraordinary character and mode of proceeding. I have already mentioned that grass green was formerly the color worn by the Russian army and white by the navy, and that Paul had changed them both into dark green, of a bluish tint, so as to render it more like the blue worn by the Prussian army. This dye being made of mineral substances, which settled down at the bottom of the vats, it became a matter of great difficulty to manufacture a large quantity of cloth of precisely the same shade. The troops were however to appear in the new uniforms by a certain day, at the manœuvres at Gachina, and it was necessary to procure a large quantity of cloth dyed in piece. But everything had to be done in such a hurry that the commissariat department had no time to sort the differet shades for the several brigades and divisions, so that in many regiments there was some difference of tint in the uniform. Paul observing this immediately, was very angry, and forth with sealed a pattern with his own seal, and issued a severe rescript to the Board of Manufactures, ordering that the crown factories should all make the cloth of precisely the same color and shade as per pattern. My father was then Vice-President of this Board, and in fact the manager of the whole department, for Prince Usoupoff, the President, never did anything. The Emperor ordered, therefore, Lieut.-General Lamp, President of the War Office, to recommend this affair to my father's special attention; and the latter, in consequence, issued a circular order to the crown manufactories, embodying his Majesty's commands and desiring them to report immediately by return of post. The reports were sent in almost simultaneously, and represented that the nature of the dye rendered it impossible to make cloth dyed in piece of exactly the same shade throughout, and my father communicated this to General Lamp. Just at the moment a sort of grippe was very prevalent at St. Petersburg, terminating fatally in many instances, and my father was seized with this disorder, becoming very ill indeed, with high fever and a tendency to delirium. Of course perfect quiet was ordered for him. Meanwhile General Lamp carried his portfolio to Gachina, where the Emperor then resided; and on his arrival found his Majesty on horse-back just going to a review. The Emperor asked whether there was anything new or important, and the General answered, "Nothing of interest except a letter from VicePresident S- with an answer from the manufacturers, who one and all informed him that it was utterly impossible to dye the cloth in piece of exactly the same shade." "What, impossible!" said the Emperor; "very well." well." Without saying another word Paul dismounted, went into the palace, and immediately despatched a special fieldjäger to Count Pahlen, Military Governor of St. Petersburg, with the following order: "Banish out of the town Privy Councillor S-, dismissed from the service, and send the messenger back immediately with a report of this order having been executed. (Signed) "PAUL." ble at first, sent immediately to our villa, situated a couple of miles out of town, to have a bed prepared in the gardener's room which was heated with a stove: it was in winter but not very cold; she also ordered a coach to be prepared and sent for a doctor. I went to Count Pahlen, who was very much attached to my father, and had been very kind to me on several occasions. "Here is a pretty job," said he; I was sitting watching my poor father" will you have a glass of Lafitte?" "İ in a room adjoining his cabinet, when don't want any Lafitte, but I want you Major-General Lisanovitch, the PoliceMaster, an intimate friend of the family,That is impossible; dites à votre père to let my father remain where he is." came in and asked me, "What is your qu'il sait combien je l'aime et que je n'y father doing?" I replied, "Lying in the next room, as I fear, on his death- puis rien, que si l'un de nous deux doit bed." "Indeed," replied Lisanovitch; "I Qu'il sorte de la ville coûte que coûte aller au diable c'est lui qui doit y aller. must nevertheless see him, as I have an après cela nous verrons à ce qu'on peut order from the Emperor to communicate faire. Mais pourquoi diable est il rento him instantly." With this he went voyé ?" asked the Count. "Ni moi ni into the inner room and I followed him. shook hands and went away. mon père n'en savons rien." I then 66 ? My poor father's face was quite purple, and he was scarcely conscious of what went on about him. Lisanovitch called out to him, "Alexander, Alexandrovitsch!" twice, and my father rousing himself a little, said, "Who are you? what do you want?" "I am Lisanovitch, the Police-Master, don't you know me?" My father replied, "Oh, Wassily Ivanitsch, it is you. I am very ill, what do you want?” Here, sir, is an order for you from the Emperor." My father opened the paper, and I placed myself so as to be able to read and at the same time observe the effect on my father's face. He read the paper, rubbed his eyes, and exclaimed, "Good God! but what have I done?" "I don't know anything, except that I must send you away out of St. Petersburg." "But you see, my dear friend, in what a state I am." can not help that; I must obey orders. I shall leave a police officer in the house to witness your removal, and will go myself immediately to report your state to Count Pahlen: you had better send your son to him too." “1 I thanked God when I saw my poor father grow pale, after having been previously quite purple, for 1 feared he might have had an apoplectic stroke. My dear mother, who was all energy and presence of mind in moments of difficulty, knowing that the Emperor would be inexora ready for my father's removal; my dear On returning home I found everything mother had been indefatigable, had wrapped him well up in fur clothing, and he was lifted, she herself sitting alonggot a bed made in the carriage into which side and the doctor following in another carriage. In three hours after the order had been issued my father had already passed the barriers of the city. The police officer made his report to Count Pahlen to that effect, he being Governor, and the latter sent back the field-jäger to the Emperor to report that the order of banishment had been executed. In the evening I went to see my father; both my mother and the doctor were with him and no serious consequences were anticipated. But, alas, he got a slight touch of palsy from which he never recovered. Two days after this occurred, it was announced that the Emperor and the whole court were to be in town the next morning; a guard was ordered as usual, and it was my turn for duty. Out of one hundred and six men, of which my squadron consisted, ninety-six were to be on parade, mounted, which is a large number. As it was usual that when one of a certain name suffered punish *It was a standing joke that the Count always offered a glass of Lafitte to any one that got into a scrape ment, all others bearing the same name I gave the word of command with rewere made to suffer too, my appearance doubled energy, the officers and men did on parade just when my father had been their duty admirably, and his Majesty, dismissed the service and banished, be- to his own astonishment I believe, was came rather a nervous affair; but there so much pleased, that he came to praise was no help for it, appear I must with me twice. Everything, in fact, went my whole squadron. I knew, indeed, right for me, for the squadron, for the that it was well drilled; but mistakes regiment, and for my father; indeed, for might occur, and the consequences might every one that had to speak to his Impebe most serious to myself: not only to rial Majesty that day, for a storm of this myself, but to my squadron, and even to kind affected all who came near him, the whole regiment; as had happened whether male or female, not excepting more than once under similar circum- his own family. stances. I must now beg of the reader to accompany me once more to Gachina, and we must also go back to the moment at which the Emperor signed the order for my father's dismissal and banishment. With the same pen he appointed Senator Arskenewski Vice-President of the Board of Manufactures, in place of my father, and by a special rescript, directed him to enforce his orders respecting the colors of the cloth. Arskenewski was a very intelligent and excellent man, and known to be a particular friend and admirer of my father. This the emperor too was aware of, for on most occasions they voted together in the Senate, and Paul had often sided with them; it is therefore evident that in the nomination of Arskenewski, there was no animosity against my father. Without an hour's delay, for the very minutes were of importance, the new Vice-President took his seat at the board: Prince Usoupoff, the President, could neither give any ex Our commanding officer, Prince Galitzin, ordered my squadron out (on the previous day) to make a rehearsal of the parade, and the officers and men were so nervous that everything went wrong; the general was in despair. I begged him, however, to be quiet, and not find fault and all would go well. I myself praised the men, ordered them to go to the vapor bath, and afterwards eat a good substantial supper and go quietly to bed. As to the officers, who ran the greatest risk, I begged of them to think of nothing, but only listen to the words of command. I gave strict orders at the barracks not to have my men called up until I should come myself. In those days the soldiers all wore curls and thick pigtails, with plenty of powder and pomatum, and dressing the hair took a long time, as we had only two perruquiers in each squadron; so that the men, when preparing for a parade, were obliged to sit up all night for their "frisure."*planation of what had occurred, nor offer This would never have done in my precarious position, where everything depended on the state of the men's nerves; and I therefore got all the hair dressers of the regiment together to dress up my squadron, by which means I was enabled to allow the men a good long sleep. At five o'clock in the morning I had them called up, and at nine o'clock men and horses were all ready, and when drawn up before the barracks looked fresh and in good spirits. I mounted my fine bay mare, Le Chevalier d'Eon, gave the men a cheer, then the word of command, and marched off to the palace. At first the Emperor looked sulky, but *This was a part of the Prussian system of which some people are so much enamored.-Editor of Article. any suggestion as to what should be done. Arskenewski examined himself into the business, went then and consulted my father, and finding that nothing else was to be done more than what my father had done, and rather than incur any further responsibility, he presented a petition to the Emperor requesting permission to leave the service, and enclosed a letter to his Majesty explaining the motives of his request. In the meantime, Beklisheff, the Attorney-General of the Senate, who was in fact, Minister of Justice, recommended my father to write a short letter to the Emperor, expressing his sorrow at having incurred his heavy displeasure. This and Arskenewski's petition he took care to present to Paul immediately after his return |