is the general aspect of the country during bitant a charge occasioned me to remonthe rigours of winter, with now and then strate. At this moment my servant came an exception of a large forest skirting the up [an honest Russ, who some time behorizon for a considerable length of way.

före had been made free]. He inquired At intervals, as you shoot along, you see

what was the matter. I told him the openings amongst its lofty trees, from extortion of the man, and that I wanted which emerge picturesque groups of na

to beat him down. “I'll beat him down!' tives and their one-horse sledges, where- cried he, catching the poor wretch by on are placed the different articles of the beard, and laying upon his shoulders, commerce, going to various parts of this with all his miglit, an immense bludgeou empire. They travel in vast numbers, large enough to be called a club. As the and from all quarters, seldom fewer than terrified host swung round at the arm's one hundred and fifty in a string, having length of my doughty champion; the blows a driver to every seventh horse. The ef- fell like hail upon his back, while he kept fect of this cavalcade at a distance is very bawling out : ' Twenty, fifteen, ten,' &c. curious; and in a morning, as they ad till he reduced his demand to the more vance towards you, the scene is as beau- reasonable sum of two rubles. On this tiful as striking. The sun then rising, cry, like the last bidding at an auction, throws his rays across the snow, trans- the appraiser was satisfied, and the hamforming it to the sight into a surface of mer fell. The poor battered wretch was diamonds. From the cold of the night, released ; and bowing with a grateful air every man and horse is encrusted with to his chastiser, turned to me. Almost these frosty particles; and, the beams killed with laughing at so extraordinary a falling on them too, seem to cover their sight, I paid him his rubles. I was no rude faces and rugged habits with a tis- less amused at the stupid indifference Stle of the most dazzling brilliants. The with which the standers-by regarded the manes of the horses, and the long beards whole transaction; and got into the kaof the men, from the quantity of con- bitka to pursue our journey, debating with gealed breath, have a particularly glitter- myself whether the frequent drubbings ing effect.” 1. 179.

these slaves endure, really reduces their The next is a specimen of Rus

flesh to the consistence of stockfish; or sian trúck and barter; which we re

whether the friendly sheepskins on their

backs do not blunt the force of blows; commend to the attention of all those

which otherwise threaten, not only brui. profound reasoners, who undervalue

ses but broken bones. The bow he made the blessings of liberty, and are un- to my triumphant valet entertained me willing to allow that it makes any as much as any thing; and as we drove considerable difference in the human off, he repeated his obeisance with as character. We submit this anecdote

much respect as if we had given him & also as affording a presumption of and a drubbing into the bargain.” I. 183,

hundred ducats, instead of a few rubles how little can be reasonably expected 184. from the resources of the Russian

Mr. Porter's residence at Moscow empire in any immediate contest with

gives him an opportunity of describmore civilized monarchies.

ing the manners and habits of the “ Twer is a place of considerable commerce, owing to its situation on the con

genuine Russian nobility. At St. Aux of two such advantageous rivers.

Petersburgh, they are somewhat civiAnd, perhaps, on this account we found lized ; at least they partake of foreign a very good inn, which was no trifling fashions, and conform externally to comfort; though we were detained, and

the usages of polished life. In their imposed on too, by the clumsiness and

own capital of Moscow, we have roguery of the host. Our unlucky barouche, after a variety of disasters in its

them living in the barbarous pomp journey, here broke fairly down; and thus which belongs to their wealth, and proved the folly of making use, in these to that stage of society. Our author, regions, of any carriage that is not adapt- however, is not of this opinion. He ed to the roads and horses of the coun. try. After much bungling, we at length who reckon excessive hospitality a

expresses some indignation at those got the vehicle mounted on its skates; and I inquired of the landlord his de- mong the symptoms of barbarism ; mand for the share he had in the repairs. protesting, that “ he never saw, in He cooly asked thirty rubles ! So exhor- any part of the world, such general

:

you saw it.”

polish of manners as in this city," nature, were it not for a peculiarity of We shall only justify the charge, by feature, and the size of the head, which quoting from Mr. Porter himself, a is commonly exceedingly enlarged. Take

them on the whole, they are such comvery lively and curious account of

pact, and even pretty little beings, that certain " frisks of nature," as he is no idea can be formed of them from the pleased to call them, which the high- clumsy deformed dwarfs which are exly polished nobles of Moscow exhibit hibited at our fairs in England. I cannot in their houses. These are dwarfs say that we need envy Russia this part of and fools. In the account of the for. her offspring. It is very curious to obmer, we omit a ranting eulogium other : their features are all so alike, that

serve how nearly they resemble each upon Nature for having made so few you might easily imagine that one pair female dwarfs.

had spread their progeny over the whole “ They are here the pages and the country.” I. 193—195. playthings of the great; and, at almost The author then gives some anec. all entertainments, stand for hours by their dotes of dwarfs of his acquaintance; lord's chair, holding his snuff box, or

as the governour of Moscow's dwarf, awaiting his commands. There is scarce.

“ whose features and expression have ly a nobleman in this country who is not possessed of one or more of these frisks an appearance to the eye as if he of nature ; but, in their selection, I can

washed his face with allum water." not say that the noblesse display their gal- Mr. Porter candidly admits, that it lantry, as they choose none but males.

may be difficult to divine this sort of “ These little beings are generally the gayest drest persons in the service of their expression; but adds, that it is a sort lord, and are attired in a uniform or livery of wizened, sharp look, inconceivable of very costly materials. In the

presence

unless of their owner, their usual station is at

Mr. Porter's description of Moshis elbow, in the character of a page ;

cow is very good, and deserves nearly and, during his absence, they are then responsible for the cleanliness and combed the same commendations which we locks of their companions of the canine offered to his account of St. Petersspeciee.

burgh. His rhapsodies (especially a “ Besides these Lilliputians, many of long one about kissing) occasionally the nobility keep a fool or two, like the interrupt it; and, to accuracy of motleys of our court in the days of Eliza style, he has no sort of pretension. beth ; but like in name alone ; for their But we should be glad to see other wit, if they ever had any, is swallowed cities described in as lively and disup by indolence. Savoury sauce and rich repasts swell their bodies to the most distinct a manner, by one evidently acgusting size; and, lying about in the customed to represent objects with corners of some splendid saloon, they his pencil. His return to St. Peterssleep profoundly, till awakened by the burgh is agreeably diversified with command of their lord to amuse the company. Shaking their enormous bulk, they he was led by an Italian adventurer

anecdotes of the scrapes into which rise from their trance ; and, supporting their unwieldly trunks against the wall

, who fastened upon him, and a dedrawl out their heavy nonsense, with as scription of the magnificent monasmuch grace as the motions of a sloth in tery at Voshkrashensky, and of Nithe hands of a reptile-fancier. One glance chon's hermitage. A trait of barwas sufficient for me of these imbruted barism is mentioned in the course of creatures; and, with something like pleasure, I turned from them to the less hu- this journey, which we are willing to miliating view of human nature in the hope may have been exaggerated to dwarf.

our author. It is stated as the ordi"The race of these unfortunates is ve. nary, and indeed constant practice Ty diminutive in Russia and very among merous. They are generally well shaped young men to marry at an early age,

the Russian peasantry, for the and their hands and feet particulars and immediately to leave their wives ly graceful. Indeed, in the proportion of their figures, we should no where dis- under the care of their fathers, who cover them to be flaws in the economy of cohabit with their daughters-in-law,

nu

;

while the husband is seeking his foró from the orchestra. His majesty seemed .tune in Moscow or St. Petersburgh. very attentive to what was sung ; while Mr. Porter assures us, that the hus. the queen, with a less impressed counte. band, on returning with his gains, and looked round on the assembly with a de

nance, sometimes listened, and at others finding a family ready made for him, lightful complacency. I confess that my only bethinks him of marrying his sons observation was most particularly direct. and sending them off, as he himself ed to Gustavus. He bears a striking rehad been sent, that he may “enjoy semblance to the best portraits of Charles himself, like a Turk in his seraglio, addition of similar habiliaments; for

the twelfth, and seems not to neglect the amongst their wives." Whatever

really, at the first glance, you might alfoundation there may be for this most imagine the picture of his renowned statement, we should require very ancestor had walked from its canvass. strong evidence to make us believe, He is thin, though well made , about the in its whole extent, any thing so con

middle stature, pale, and with eyes whose trary to the ordinary course of na

eagle beams strike with the force of light

ning. Look at them, and while he is in ture. It cannot, indeed, be denied, thought they appear remarkably calm and that much may be explained by the sweet; but when he looks at you and debased state of the lower orders in speaks, the vivacity of his manner and Russia, and their entire dependance the brilliancy of his countenance are beupon their masters, whose interests, shaped, with small mustaccios on his

yond description. His mouth is well as Mr. Porter has justly remarked, upper lip; and his hair, which is cropped lead them to encourage both the tem- and without powder, is combed up from porary emigration of the master, his forehead.

. from which great gain is derived to “Her majesty is most interestingly beauthe estate, and the continuance or tiful; very much resembling her sister, the increase of their numbers. We empress of Russia. She is fair, with exmust only suggest, that the expedient but the affability of her countenance, her

pressive blue eyes. Her features are fine: in question seems one of the least smile, and engaging air, independently of natural and obvious, as well as the other charms, would be sufficient to fas. most revolting which could have cinate every heart almost to forget she was been devised for accomplishing those a queen, in her loveliness as a woman.

She was drest with exquisite taste. Her purposes. We shall not follow our author

hair, in light but luxuriant tresses over

her brow and head, was looped up with back to Moscow, whither he again a double diadem of jewels. Her robe was went. He seems to have remained splendidly embroidered; and on her breast in Russia as long as the intercourse she wore the badges of the order of St. between that country and his own

Catherine. And certainly it must be acpermitted ; and, on the unhappy distinction or of beauty, 'never shone

knowledged, that the star, whether of commencement of hostilities, he re

brighter than on the bosom of the fair tired into Sweden. The journey Helen of the north, for thus this beautithrough Finland, and across the ful queen is generally distinguished: gulph, lo Stockholm, presents us though, were I to give her a title, it

to with nothing worthy of notice. On should rather be that of Andromache,

whose beauties, lovely as they were, were arriving there, our author, of course, yet transcended by the more endearing describes the city well; and it is

graces of the chaste wife and tender mos equally a matter of course, that he ther. should fall in love with the court, “ During the whole of the evening, afespecially the dresses, the king and ter the musical salutation, their majesties

We shall give his por- mingled with the company, versing with traits of these illustrious and unfor every person, with the kindest condescentunale persons.

sion. Every citizen was spoken to, and their

eyes sparkled with joy, while their tongues “ As soon as the king was seated, a faltered out a reply to the address of their piece of musick with, I suppose, appro- sovereign. His conversation with the riate words (for it was in Swedish) burst subjects of liis brother in arms, our 16. VOL.NL

PB

the queen.

vered monarch, was of the most gratify- fail to terminate in the dismembering complexion. No coldness; no form; all was frank, great, and consistent with

ment or subjugation of the kingdom. himself. In short, it would have been

If Sweden had enjoyed the benefits impossible for any potentate to have shown

of a free constitution, even of such more graceful, knight-like courtesy to all a form of government as Gustavus present; or for a sovereign to be received III. abolished, but, much more, if with deeper homage from a brave and

she had possessed the inestimable loyal people. In many courts I have seen

treasure of such a constitution as ours, the body of loyalty: here its spirit was felt.” II. 132-134.

the catastrophe which has, since Mr. Mr. Porter then proceeds to ex

Porter's return from the Baltick, bepress his astonishment and indigna- fallen her unhappy, misguided sovetion, that any persons should be reign, never could have happened found, especially in Sweden, who are

A course of misrule, supported by not as much enamoured as himself popular delusion, might, no doubt, of the king and his mode of govern

have brought the country into difficuling. “Who," says he, “ that was

ties. It is even possible that the capresent at such a scene would believe prices of the court should, for a short that some of his ungracious subjects time, have made them persist in affect to lament the destiny of the

measures contrary both to the interstate? But so it is. As in most

est and to the wishes of the people ; countries parties exist, who contend

but this could only have lasted for a for they know not what, even in

season ; and, in no long time after Sweden there are a set of grumblers,

the eyes of the people had been opentroubling the government with dis- ed, their voice must be heard, and a contents, which, lying in themselves change of councils, or, at the utmost, rather than in the constilution, neither

a change of counsellors, would have king nor senate can rectify. These prevented the necessity of any atturbulent natures are the torment of tempts upon the sacred person of the

moriarch. every stale.

We may consider them as inherent diseases amongst all peo- It may easily be conceived, that our ple; a sort of acrimonious humour author's enthusiasm about Charles boiling from the body politick, which, XII. leads him to every spot where as the evil is in human nature, must any memorial of that gallant and most discharge itself somewhere; and pernicious ruler can be found. He tells what is more, there is no hope of the the whole story of his assassination disorder being cured, till the final as minutely as if he had read the de. exit of the world with all its imper. tails in an extraordinary gazette, and fections.” (II. 134.] We are not elo- with as little hesitation as if this quent like Mr. Ker Porter : so we were, not one of the quæstiones vexa. cannot talk of diseases, and humours, tæ of modern history, but a passage and the exit of the world; but we free from all obscurity. We shall may give a very plain solution of his probably expose ourselves to the difficulties, in the matter of fact. The charge of jacobinism (though the king of Sweden, notwithstanding his wish is somewhat oldfashioned, and, high spirit (which, by the way, was indeed, so little in consonance with chiefly shown in imitations of Charles the prevailing taste, that it can scarceXII's dress, and in parodies upon ly be accused of triteness) if we exthe French bulletins) was disliked by press a desire to hear kings called liis subjecis; because, for the grati- by their proper names, and to have fication of personal feelings, he in- Charles XII. once more held up to volved his country in a war, which the world as a personage, whose want was necessarily expensive beyond its of all the good principles most requiatniost means, and could scarcely site irr a sorereign, is a great deal