Autobiography, a collection of the most instructive and amusing lives ever published

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AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

a &oUmion

OF THE

MOST INSTRUCTIVE AND AMUSING

LIVES

EVER PUBLISHED,
WRITTEN BY THE PARTIES THEMSELVES.

WITH BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS, AND COMPENDIOUS

SEQUELS CARRYING ON THE NARRATIVE TO THE

DEATH OF EACH WRITER.

VOLUME X.— KOTZEBUE.

LONDON :

PRINTED FOR HUNT AND CLARKE, YORK

STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

LONDON:

yRlMEl) Br C. H. RKYNfcLL, BROAU SlUELf, CULDkN SQVARE.

SKETCH

OF THE

LIFE AND LITERARY CAREER

OF

AUGUSTUS VON KOTZEBUE ;

WITH THE

JOURNAL OF HIS EXILE TO SIBERIA.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. IL . . \

LONDON: ,1$?7-; '^ .;/. ,;

PRINTED FOR HUNT AND' CLAftKE; YORK
STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

\

CONTENTS

OF

VOL. II.

THE MOST REMARKABLE YEAR OF MY

LIFE, &c. (continued) - - - 5

Hopes — Pecuniary extortions — Hospitality of the Rus-
sian peasantry — Measures of prudence taken against
the despair of exiles — Polozk — Barbarous procedure —
Moscow — Shameful fraud — Intrepidity, the only virtue
of the counsellor — Danger of perishing in the Sura near
Wasilskoe — Companion in misfortune — A man of one
hundred and thirty years of age — General Mertens —
Casaii — Hospitality the author finds there — Collection
of materials to compose a memorial to the emperor —
Young Tartar women — Last hopes cruelly frustrated —
Journey through the forests of Perm — Perm — A storm —
Siberian peasants — Ekaterinabourg — Discovery, of se-
cret writings — Frontiers of Tcbo'.sk^TIie' poor old
lunatic — Arrival at Tobolsk — First irrterview^ with the
governor — Lodgings at 'Tobolsk — The author delivered
over to a police ofRcei' — M. de KiniakofT — Baron Som-
maruga — Admirable conduct of Ms lady-^Count Solti-
koli — Becker the merchant^ — PhenomeuOn^ — Counsellor
Peterson — Substance of a memorial to /the "empe-
ror— Generosity of mini of the' go ^ernbi-— Permis-
sion to take a servant — The La-lian Russ or Rossi
—Liberty suddenly cirfcumscribed — Compassion of
the tradesmen of Tobolsk — Description of different

CONTENTS.

^Aisses of exiles, and their treatment — Fate of lietUe-
nant-colonel de Rusan — The author's way of living at
Tobolsk — Unpleasant situation of the governor — De-
scription of Tobolsk — The fish-market — The playhouse
— The casino — Produce of the soil' — Order to quit To-
bolsk— The author sells his carriage — A shameful
advantage taken — Preparations for a journey — The high
priestess of the sun — Journey to Kurgan — Description
of that town — The reception which the first magistrate
gave the author — Story and portrait of M. de Gravi —
Iwan SokolofF the Pole — First lodgings — Portraits of
some of the principal inhabitants of the town — The
story of the Pole — New lodgings, with a description of
them — Price of provisions — Frugal table — The way of
living and superstition of the author — The neighbouring
Kirgists — The chase — Walks on the banks of the To-
bol — Women and girls of Kurgan — Seneca — Project of
an escape — Description of a festival — The author is
set at liberty — Kind interest taken by the inhabitants of
Kurgan in his welfare — Religious festival — Sokoloff
takes leave of him — Departure from Kurgan — Prince
Simberski — An idiot that went on all fours — Scene in a
Tartar village — Arrival at Tobolsk — Generosity of the
emperor Paul I — Carpow the courier — Roguery of Ros-
si— Departure from Tobolsk — The frontiers of Siberia
■ — The author's impatience — The indolence of his cou-
rier— Wasili Sukin — The banished merchant — Danger
at Kurgan — Exiles and emigrants — Casan — Residence
in that city — Highway robbers — Precautions to secure
the mail — Nichnei Novogorod — Hospitality— Scheme
to rob the author — Moscow — Francis Courtener the
bookseller — Karamsin, a man of letters — Wischnei—
V/oktscnok— "Arrival at Petersburgh — Reception— i-
F'irst njght-'-The, authoi" hoars of his family — The
history of what had ^appeaed ♦o madame de Kotzebue
— Condutit of. the governor uf Courland — The worthy
innhpldc; Riiderf- G»^neral d'Essen — Wachter, coun-,
seller' of the regency — Weitbrecht the secretary — Riga
—Governor de^Richter — Count severs— Distressing
questions oi tl'ie,•c■JiiId^en- -Madame de Kotzebue's de-
parture for Friedenthal— M. Koch and his family —
Reception of a letter, and its evil consequences — M. de
Knorring and his lady — Catharine Tengman — Good

CONTENTS. iii

news — Count de Pahlen's letter — Attentions of the em-
peror— The inhabitants of Keval— Journey to Peters-
burgh— Noble and delicate attention on the part of
Graumann the merchant — Affecting scene — Count de
Pahlen — The emperor gives the author an estate in Li-
vonia— Letter from the privy counsellor Briskora —
The author is appointed manager of the German court
theatre — His papers are restored — Noble action of an
unknown person — Gustavus Vasa — Causes of the au-
thor's enlargement — The author receives an order to
repair to Gatschina — Severe censure of dramatic pieces
— The French theatre — Madame Chevalier— Melan-
choly picture — Singular idea of the emperor — First in-
terview of tlte author with him, and the emperor's great
affability — ' Misanthrophy and Repentance' acted at
Hermitage — Haydn's 'Creation' translated into French
— Circle of friends — The management of the theatre
rendered less burdensome to the author — The emperor
employs the author to write a description of the palace
of Michailoff — Last interview with the emperor — Alex-
, ander ascends the throne — His clemency — -His first edicts
— Affecting history of a colonel of the Cossacks— Round
hats — Exiles recalled from Siberia — Enlargement of
Sokoloff— History of the unfortunate parish minister
S*** — Monsieur and madame Chevalier — Madame
Valville — The author solicits his resignation — Depar-
ture fiom Petersburgh — Jure — VVolmanshof — Riga —
Polangen — Konigsberg,

APPENDLX 227

Review of M. M***'s ' Secret Memoirs of the
Court of Russia' — Of the author and his book —
Pretended rancour of Paul I — Jekatherine — The em-
peror calumniated as a father and a husband— The
great people of the empire— The laws of Russia—
A paradox — The empress Catherine did not protect the
sciences — Germans at Petersburgh — Colonels of Rus-
sian regiments — Vanity of the author of the 'Memoirs' —
False charges against Paul — Military orphan-house —
Prince Potemkin— Lanskoi — Russian princes — Gene-
ral Pistor — New gallantry of Potemkin — The emperor
Paul I. received and answered all letters — The impossi-
bility of reading them all himself— The Russians in
VOL. II. 2 A

IV CONTENTS.

office calumniated — The prison of prince Iwan at Schlus-
selbourg — Vanity and quackery of M. de M***—
Portraits of the reigning emperor and empress — Count
Nicolas Soltikofi'— The regiments of guards — Barno
Nicolai — Refinement of vengeance imputed to Paul —
Comparisons of families — Seditious practices of M. de
M*** — Calumnious anecdotes relative to Livonia — Of
the proneness of the Russians to theft — Their hospita-
lity and courage aspersed by M. de M*** — Russian
women — Tutors — False assertions that there are
no schools in Livonia, JEstonia, and Courland —
Causes of the author of the ' Memoirs' banishment —
Slavery of the Russian peasants — Philanthropic views
and proposals for bettering their condition — Humane
disposition and declarations of the reigning emperor.

SEQUEL ----- 263

LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

THE MOST REiMARKABLE YEAR OF iMY
LIFE, &c.

But what calmed my mind more than the hopes of
remaining at Tobolsk, v/as an incident the counsellor
now related. " A year ago," said he, " I was con-
ducting a woman this way ; we had already arrived
near Casan, when a courier overtook us, and pre-
sented me with an order directing me to return with
her immediately. Her case had been re-examined,
and other information had been received, by which
she was found to have been innocent." Scarcely-had
the counsellor related this anecdote, than I began to
apply tlie adventure of the woman to my own situation.

" I, then, as well as she," said I, "may be found
innocent."

*• Of that," rephed he, " there can be no doubt."

" And what did the woman say ? What became of
her?"

*' She was very happy, as you may well think; she
gave me her gold watch."

This even struck my imagination very forcibly, and
I cannot describe with what magic it impressed my
Mdiole soul. I had incessantly the image of this
woman before my eyes, joining her hands together,
and lifting them up to heaven, shedding tears of joy,
and eagerly taking her watch from her side; l" fol-
lowed lier carriage as it was returning back, felt v.diat

A 2

6 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

she must feel as she approached her home ; I saw her
discover her mansion, observed her children looking
out at the window ; saw her then drive up to the
door, throw herself out of the carriage, and faint
Avith dehght in their arras. Yes, this coarse -minded
man had, without being aware of it, found out the
true remedy for my affliction ; it was the balm that
was best adapted to heal the deep wounds of my soul.

From the time I received this cheering information,
I was every moment expecting the arrival of a courier.
As soon as I heard the bells* sound behind us, my
heart began to flutter in the most violent manner.
JMy papers, thought I, have been examined, and 1
am found innocent : an order has been instantly issued,
a courier on horseback has been dispatched after me,
and he will render me the most happy of men. Bat
I forgot, or strove to forget, that my papers were not
taken at all into consideration in this affair. I still
recurred to the idea of the kind courier pushing on
his horse to overtake me ; I calculated how many
days my papers must be on the road, how long a
time their examination would require, and I could
have wished to have slackened our pace, that the
courier might the sooner overtake us.

Three days had passed since we left the castle of
Stockmannshoff, and I now strove to eat for the first
time. Our people had devoured the Bologna sausage,
and drunk all the Dantzic brandy ; they had even
swallowed the bread, the butter, and the cold meat,
which M. de Beyer had ordered to be put into the
carriage. T wished for some wine and coffee; we
were not able to procure either the one or the other,
and I had nothing to eat but some eggs. The nights
were very cold, and the day not warm, on account of
a piercing wind that was continually blowing. I was
desirous to lay the cloak at my feet, which had been
lately given me ; but the courier had taken possession

* In Russia the jjost horses wear bells about their necks.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 7

of it, and likewise had put on my boots. I forebore,
however, to claim any of these things, as my com-
panions made use of what belonged to me without
the least ceremony ; and when they had once ap-
propriated it, they considered it as a lawful prize.
This conduct extended even to my purse : on the least
thing being purchased for me, or any repairs being
made to the carriage, I produced a note of twenty-
five roubles ; it was changed, and it was not common
to return me the overplus ; or if I ever obtained any-
thing back, it was only a part. The counsellor at
last grew short of money, and borrowed of me with-
out ceremony. Taking it once into my head to re-
fuse him, his whole manner of behaviour became so
much altered, that I was forced at length to yield. I
paid every expense on the road, and though I had
taken nothing but bread, milk, and eggs, and some-
times a little roast veal, this journey cost me upwards
of four hundred roubles, without reckoning the car-
riage. I paid for everything ; these fellows bought
brandy with my money, and never gave anythhig to
the poor peasants in return for the provisions which
they furnished us : an extortion of which these
wretched p-^ople dared not even complain.

Here I cannot refrain from praising that hospitality
which prevails among the Russian peasantry, and
which is still more remarkable the farther we advance
hito the country. They are all anxious to receive
strangers, and consider it a very great honour done
them. They set before their guests everything they
have, and are extremely delighted to see them relish the
repast. I shall never forget the uneasiness of a female
villager on seeing us approach, because she had no
refreshments at hand. She ran about tlie cottage, and
exclaimed, with tears in her eyes: "Here are three
good little guests, and T have nothing to set before
them :" the words, good little guests, made me smile.
The peasants never demand any money in return for
their hospitality; they refuse to be paid for bread.

8 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

quass, and such things; and for their poultry, cream,
and eg^s, they are always satisfied with whatever
price is offered for them. As they never receive any-
thing but curses from the soldiers and couriers who
call on them, they take care not to acknowledge that
they have any provisions in the house : I am however
convinced, that a traveller would always find plenty
when he accosts a Russian peasant in a civil manner.
Whenever we wanted anything out of the common
way, I undertook the business alone, and promising
to pay for what we ordered, we were supplied with
everything we desired ; but the manner in which
soldiers and couriers usually act is extremely tyranni-
cal. '* Where is the desiitnick ?" (an officer somewhat
like the mayor and bailiff in Germany) — Tlie desat-
nick presents himself with all humiUty. — '* We want
such and such things." — He makes excuses, and de-
clares he has none of them. Tlie depredators swear
in a horrid manner, and threaten to beat him : he
then sets out in quest of provisions, and if he find
any, brings them ; but as he is not to be paid for
them, he procures the worst that are to be had.
Were it not for this deeply-rooted abuse, travelling in
Russia would be very agreeable ; for these good and
hospitable peasants, who are so easily won over, are
everywhere to be met with. A thing of no value, a
mere trifle, a piece of sugar given to their children,
makes them instantly your friends. In tliis way I
acted during the whole journey, and I had al) the
mothers on my side. I gave the preference to chil-
dren about the size of two of my own daughters.
Often, very often, the tears came into my eyes :
** You have certainly children at home," the women
would say to me, — " Six," replied I, with a heavy
heart ; " and the youngest not a year old." Then 1
was sure to read that compassion in their eyes, which
is so easily understood. I would then get into my
carriage, and they would bless me.
But let me waive these digressions and return to my

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 9

own story. On the second night great precautions
were taken to prevent the possibiHty of an escape :
guards were stationed in the house, the window shut-
ters were fastened, and my bed placed near the coun-
sellor's. The courier slept on the floor, so that I
must have passed over his body had I endeavoured to
get away.

My beard was much grown; I wished to shave my-
self, but this was not allowed, and a barber was sent
for. In vain I urged, that for a long time past I had
been accustomed to perform this operation with my
ov/n hands, and that if I had any intention to destroy
myself, I was at liberty to plunge headlong into the
first river I came to. All this reasoning was without
effect ; the counsellor, however, took advantage of
what I had said concerning rivers ; and whenever we
came to one, he placed himself between me and the
water as a means of securing my person. Silly man !
the power of thy emperor does not extend so far.
We enter into this world by one road only, but
there are a thousand that lead out of it, and no
human authority can hinder me from breaking my
fetters whenever I desire. I recollect reading in
Rajiial, that tlie negroes frequently choke themselves
with their tongues, which they thrust into their
throats. Heaven be praised, I shall not do this ! A
germ of hope still exists in my breast ; it may be
checked a little, but still it may revive again, and pro-
duce such fruits as shall make me cherish my ex-
istence !

We now arrived at Polosk, the only considerable
town we had met with since we had passed Riga.
Here we merely changed horses ; but while this was
being done, the counsellor went on with his task
of writing down the report of his expedition. At
every town he did the same, and that induced me to
keep on good terms with him, and behave to him as
civilly as I possible could. I was well convinced he
would not insert a word of my elopement : the fear

IC LIFE OF KOTZEBLE.

of losing his noble confidential employment of escort-
ing prisoners to Siberia, and of being deprived of the
pleasant spectacle of their separation from their fa-
mily and friends, and the agreeable sounds of their
lamentations, prevented him from relating that : but
it was possible he would have written down some
little details which might have proved injurious to
me ; and yet, in spite of all my complaisance, who
knows if he have not done this ? I could see, from the
manner he set about this triflhig task, that he was no
adept at his pen. It cost him much time to get
through a few lines, and it was a ludicrous sight to
observe with what solemnity he would begin two or
three times to scrawl over a piece of paper. Our
counsellor therefore was fit only for the calling he ex-
ercised, that of dragging condemned people to punish-
ment: and in this he acquitted himself with much
dexterity and intelligence, the fruit of the long expe-
rience he had had in this kind of service. He had
not indeed always filled the office in so distinguished
a manner as in the present case. Hitherto he had
been nothing more than a mere officer in the service
of the senate. He was promoted to a civil employ-
ment, and honoured with the title of aulic counsellor
in consequence of this Siberian expedition, to which
he had been appointed as my conductor. 1 know not
why it was judged necessary to appoint an escort
invested with such a title. Was it done in order to
avoid all appearance of soldiers and guards ? What-
ever was the motive, it is equally vain to guess at it :
it is however certain, that he performed tliis duty in
his capacity of aulic counsellor, and he seemed not a
little vain of the title.

The title, no doubt, very much increased the con-
sideration with which I was treated on the way. T
was commonly taken for a person of great conse-
quence, being thus escorted by an aulic counsellor ;
while men of rank, and even general officers, had no
other escort than a dragoon, and no other carriage

EXILE TO SIBERIA. IJ

than a kibick: this flattering distinction, therefore,
was of considerable importance to me dm-ing the
whole journey.

On the road between Polosk and Smolensk, T was
again attacked by violent fits of the cholic ; and these
were accompanied by involuntary tremors, convul-
sions in all my limbs, and heats in my head and sto-
mach, which threatened to produce speedy suffocation ;
these heats declared themselves by tension of the
forehead, sparks of fire in the eyes, and a buzzing in
the ears. ]\ly pulse varied every moment; I lost my
appetite, and could not sleep ; I dreamed even when
awake, and phantoms were continually dancing before
my eyes. All my ideas were incoherent and obscure :
I was almost insensible to everything round me ; the
remembrance of my wife and my cliildren began to
lose its charm, and the prospect of death its terrors.

I had no other medicine at hand than some neu-
tralized salts, and the cream of tartar which had been
given me at Stockmannshoff. The prescriptions which
I had collected for a considerable time past, and which
I had obtained from some of the most celebrated
physicians in Germany, such as Zimmermann, Sellee,
Marcard, Gall, Hufeland, &c. were sealed up with the
rest of my papers. I had in vain petitioned to have
them restored to me ; they had been perhaps taken
for cyphered letters belonging to some secret corres-
jiondence. I was therefore without succour; and
experienced a sort of pleasure in the idea of arriving
at Smolensk, where 1 expected to procure some re-
lief. In fact, I owed my preservation to those soft
rays of hope which had already begun to gleam upon
me.

We arrived very late. The counsellor, who had
now an antipathy to inns, had ordered the postilion to
drive to the post-house ; but there was no room for
us ; and as I positively declared I would go no far-
ther, he was obliged to drive to an inn. That to
which we drove appeared to be a decent house : the

12 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

host received us with lights in his hand, and con-
ducted us up a large staircase into a spacious anti-
chamber. I imagined, from appearances, that we had
found a comfortable asylum; but when I saw our
destined apartment, how was I disappointed ! It was a
lofty garret, the floor of which was ready to give way
under our feet, and the panes of glass in the windov/
were broken, and all the furniture of the room was
an old bedstead : there was not a single chair, much
less a looking-glass ; and the walls fluttered with old
ragged tapestry.

I looked around, and but too well aware it was in
vain to make any complaint, I asked for a little hay
to fill up the empty bedstead ; and as soon as it was
brought, threw myself upon it without uttering a
word. The wind that came in through the broken
panes blew directly upon me. I liad no other cover-
ing than the bed-gown and cloak which had been
given me; and the cold and the vermin banished
repose.

Daylight began to aj)pear, and I found myself in a
violent fever; my eyes were swelled and inflamed.
I waited with impatience till the counsellor awaked,
in order to entreat him to procure me a physician ;
but the hard-liearted wretch refused my request. He
was of opinion, he said, that repose would be of more
service to me than anything else, and added that we
should halt for a day where we now were. The
courier, who had but one specific cure for the ills both
of body and soul, wisely recommended me to eat and
drink as much as I could.

This cruel proceeding stung me to the quick. I
punished my executioner, however, with contemptu-
ous silence, and I refused to remain there. I declared,
that if I must die, I would rather die in the fields,
and I immediately quitted my miserable couch.

Having expressed a wish for a glass of Rhenish as
we came along, the counsellor now brought me a
bottle ; it cost two roubles, and was so bad, that it

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 13

was absolutely thrown away, as ray worthy compa-
nions drank no wine ; brandy alone suited their palates.

Between Smolensk and Moscow, my indisposition
considerably increased. A general torpor pervaded
my limbs; I scarcely felt myself alive, and grew blind
to everything that surrounded me. To have any
idea of my condition at that time, the reader must
conceive himself in the situation of a man, who hav-
ing awaked in the midst of darkness, without any
recollection of the place in which he was, would fain
grope out his way, and yet has not the power to move.
From time to time the image of my wife seemed to
break through tbis gloom, but only for a moment ;
it was not hke a flash of hght, but resembled a soft
ray, which reached and penetrated my eyes ; and my
eyes alone participated in its lustre.

When the counsellor saw that my condition became
dangerous, he began to sliow some regard to it. He
promised that when we arrived at Moscow, a physi-
cian should attend me. Tiiis promise made but little
impression upon my mind ; and during the height of
my raging fever, if the idea of my wife and family
had not been ever present to my imagination, I should
gladly have thrown myself into the arms of death,
with all that eagerness with which we embrace a
friend, who has been long and ardently expected. We
arrived at Moscow the 7th of May, old style, and were
driven through a thousand dirty and pestiferous
streets, to the lodgings of major Maxiraoff, the com-
rade and very intimate friend of our counsellor. The
major inhabited a miserable hut, consisting of two
small rooms, which his ensign shared with him. The
unexpected arrival of three persons rendered the
dwelling still more inconvenient ; the major, however,
did the honours of his house with a good grace, and
strove by every means in his power to render my
situation tolerable. He gave me some soup and a
dish of coffee, and compelled me to accept his own
bed, which, though hard, proved a great comfort to me.

14 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Tlie counsellor, imagining that I had fallen asleep,
began to inform his dear comrade of the happy change
in his fortune. I felt a real pleasure to hear this
friend of his lament his being employed in such kind
of business. Our counsellor only smiled, and ex-
hibited his two deep wrinkles : he cared indeed but
little for what people said ; and rising from his seat,
walked to the stove to evaporate, through the pores
of his skin, the little portion of sentiment which
nature had bestowed on him. A physician had been
promised me, but I waited for him in vain, for in fact
he was not to come at all. When I requested my
executioner to make good his promise, he replied,
shrugging up his shoulders, that it was contrary to
his orders to allow me any medical assistance.

** You are instructed then to let me die ?"•—'•' Ah^
you will not die, sir." I remained silent. With
heaven's good help, said I to myself, before J die,* I
will make my will, and take leave of my wife. This
idea took strong hold of my mind, yet this favotir
was likewise denied me. It was necessary to procure
a public officer to authenticate such an act, and how
could I expect to be indulged with a notary, Avhen a
physician had been denied me ? I cut short this diffi-
culty, by begging I might be allowed a minister : can
it be conceived that this too was refused me ? It was
in vain I represented to our counsellor, that be-
sides the welfare of my soul, it must naturally be sup-
posed, that as a father of a family I had affairs to set
in order ; that the right of making bequests was
refused to none ; that the emperor had no design to
punish either my wife or my children : all these
reasons were of no avail, I was unable to move him.

" But, for God's sake," continued I, "let me write a
few words to my wife ! you shall read them yourself;
you have already promised her this, and to me you
have repeated that promise a hundred times." He con-
sidered a little, and at last consented.

1 wrote four or five lines only, and refrained from

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 15

all observations on my unhappy situation, I advised
her to arm herself with resolution, to take proper
care of her health for the sake of her children, who
were thus deprived of their father. I translated my
letter to the counsellor, sealed it in his presence, and
gave it into his hands ; and he begged the major to
have it sent to the post office. This task being per-
formed, I grew more composed ; but I was soon
after told by the courier, that my letter had been
thrown into the fire. I shuddered when I heard this.
I had indeed always thought meanly of the counsellor,
but stung with indignation at this act of treachery, he
now became odious to me, and I vowed for him eter-
nal hatred and contempt.

Yet, in spite of his vigilance, and all the eyes that
surrounded me, I found means to write a second letter.
I shall not relate what these means were ; I should
perhaps injure the kind person who furnished me
with them: may God reward him!* The next
evening we left Moscow. The weather was very fine ;
and crossing the city, we passed near the pubhc walk,
a birch-tree alley, which resembles the Linden at
Berlin. Here the beau monde resort : it was now
filled with equipages, handsome well-dressed ladies,
and fine gentlemen, not one of whom observed the
poor author, who perhaps that very evening was to
contribute to their amusement. How do the happy
and the unfortunate cross each other in this world !
How unusual is it for one among them to concern
himself about the situation of another, while every
one engrossed by his own concerns, stumbles indis-
criminately on the bramble or the flower ! Though
the sight of this promenade did not excite very agree-

* My wife (lid not receive the letter. Alexander Schulkins,
in whom, notwithstanding his foolery, I could always dis-
cover the sentiments of a well-meaning man, not easily
bribed,— Alexander Schiilkins, I say, who swore by every
saint he would forward this letter, did not perform what he
had promised.

16 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

able sensations in my mind, it diverted its attention
in some degree from the misery of its condition.

I know not whether I should ascribe the recovery
of my health to the spring, to my perfect resignation,
or my total relinquishment of hope, since to cease to
hope is to procure repose. I had, however, no sooner
quitted Moscow than T perceived I began to gain
strength. I also regained my fortitude, and often,
by way of consolation, I reflected on the cases of
several unfortunate persons, whose ills resembled
mine. I thouglit of Napper Tandy, of the exiles at
Cayenne ; but the former had taken an active part in
the troubles of his country; the others, more un-
happy perhaps than myself, had been concerned in
the administration of a disjointed state ; they were
innocent, it is true, but they had been punished for
the avowal of sentiments openly expressed ; but what
opinions had I avowed ? In a word, if their torments
have surpassed mine, my innocence, at least, was
more self-evident than theirs.

Nothing, alas ! can be more tormenting than the
condition of the man who, every time he looks into
himself, finds the consciousness of his own misery as-
sailing him like the serpents of Laocoon, in every
possible direction, and torturing him under a thou-
sand various shapes. Such was my case, isolated as
I was in my carriage, without a human creature near
me to offer comfort, to advise me, or to listen to my
complaints ; with no object to divert my attention,
but the discordant song of Alexander Schiilkins, and
the heavy sallies of my execra])le counsellor, whose
jokes were all ahke, and every moment repeated. If
the courier fell asleep, he would tickle his nose with
the tassel of his cane till he had awakened him, and
he would then rub him between the shoulders with
the head of it. When we came to a high mountain,
he would exclaim : MohcUnka gora ! (the little young
mountain). And was it but a moderate one, he would
cry: Wot star-ucha I (see the old mountain). A man

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 17

must, like myself, have frequented good company, to
have any idea of the horrid disgust I continually felt
in the society of these animals. The counsellor has
often repeated to me that he had five hundred souls
in his possession;* but I can safely aver he does not
carry half of one about him. The only good quality
the man had, was intrepidity in the hour of danger.
He would even tempt the danger he could have
avoided : he never, for instance, would allow the car-
riage-wheels to be locked in descending the steepest
mountains. One day our horses took fright coming
down a hill, at the foot of which was a brook ; over
the brook was a bridge ; but from the direction the
horses had taken, it was evident that they could not
reach it. The wheels were within two hundred paces
of the brink ; the counsellor, without hesitation, im-
mediately leaped out ; his foot shpped, and he fell
down the declivity ; notwithstanding this, he was able
to sustain with his hands the weight of the carriage,
which was on the point of turning over ; the postillion
then drove on, and it Avas by this fool-hardy ma-
noeuvre that we escaped being thnnvn into the brook.
He often gave us similar proofs of intrepidity, par-
ticularly when we had rivers to cross, which are very
dangerous in Russia, and remarkably so in the spring,
when the melting of the snows suddenly transforms a
brook into a deep stream. The method of ferrying
over them is also ill-contrived and dangerous. Two
boats fastened together by osier tvvigs, and covered
with planks, constitute the only conveyance for all
sorts of carriages. Two rowers, tugging on the same
side of this flying bridge, force it on, while a pilot at
the other end steers its course. In this manner the
most dfficult ferries are crossed. During the passage,
the boats are generally filled with water. Frequently
a mere raft, constructed in the slightest manner, forms
the ferry-boat, so that the passenger is sure to be

* This is the expression used by the Russians when they
are speaking of the peasants.

18 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

drenched to the skin. These flat-bottomed boats
are fastened by a rope, and held till the current grows
rapid, when they are let loose, and kept as much
as possible in a diagonal direction.

We had to pass the river Sura, near the little town
of Wasilkoi. When we arrived at the banks of it,
the wind was extremely boisterous ; and this small
stream, which during the summer months is almost
dry, was now so swoln, that the country for a German
mile round it was flooded, and even the tops of the
loftiest trees were below the water. We waited a
considerable time before we could venture upon this
passage. The boat was on the opposite side, and
more than two hours had passed before we were ob-
served : at last it came to our assistance. We had
judged from its slow motion when empty, though fur-
nished with an extra number of oars, that with our
incumbrance it would proceed more slowly. The
boatmen assured us, the moment they arrived, the
passage would be attended with much danger, and
that it was absolutely necessary to wait till the wind
abated. The counsellor did not attend to their ad-
vice, but determined, at all events, to embark without
loss of time. I coincided with him, for I braved for-
tune, and defied its power to render my situation
more lamentable than it already was. The men,
however, refused to take us ; it was necessary to shew
them our orders ; they then made the sign of the
cross, and prayed God to be their helper.

At first we proceeded extremely well, as we were
under the shelter of a neck of land, which completely
shielded us from the tempest : but when we gained
the middle of the river, we began to be much incom-
moded. The wind blew with such violence, and
drove us along with such rapidity, that, in spite of the
eflTorts of the boatmen, we could no longer weather
the storm. We then drove towards a bush, which
appeared to be of no very considerable size ; and as
we approached it, the aftVighted rowers strained every

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 19

nerve to avoid getting foul of it. They uttered seve-
ral loud exclamations, but I could not understand
what they said. Well, said I to myself, we can but
run aground, and as we are so near the town, we
shall soon be relieved. Their fears, however, were
not ill founded, as I soon perceived ; for on draw-
ing nigh the supposed bush, I found it was nothing
less than the top of a clump of trees, whose roots lay
deeper under water than our longest pole could reach.
We now got entangled among their branches, and
were in danger of being lost. The cords of the
raft seemed incapable of resisting such violent and re-
peated shocks. The two boats on which it was
placed, were on the point of breaking asunder, in
which case the carriage and liorses must have floated
down the stream. But this was not the greatest
danger that threatened us ; one of the boats was lifted
up by the top of a tree, and the other, which sunk in
proportion, was filling with water very fast. The
declivity of the raft became so considerable, that our
horses with difficulty kept their footing, and began
to be very unruly. We were ourselves obliged to
hold fast by the wheels of the carriage, and were all
but too sensible that this perilous situation must soon
yield to something still worse.

The counsellor himself was at length convinced of
the danger into which his rashness had plunged us :
he grew pale and uneasy ; then laying hold of a pole
with a hook, he grappled the bough of a tree ; the
courier did the same, and the boatmen, abandoning
both helm and oars, followed their example. I re-
mained the only inactive person on board, and sat
wrapped up in my cloak in the carriage, perfectly re-
signed, and awaited the worst that could befal me
with tranquillity.

The counsellor's manoeuvre saved the raft from
falling to pieces, and at length we got clear of the
bushes ; but were after all unable to make the shore,
and our boatmen being quits worn out with fatigue.

20 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

we returned to our former station. Fortunately a
light barge now came to our assistance j this being
fastened to the raft, our peoj)]e again set to work,
with the addition of four fresh hands, and we soon
arrived safely on the opposite shore.

Were I dis};Osed to jest, I might say with Tamino,*
that in going to Siberia, I had been obliged to pass
through fire and water before I had been initiated in
the dark mysteries of the country. One night we
saw a large forest in flames. At a distance the spec-
tacle produced a grand effect, but when I found we
were to pass through it, this new kind of danger
made me shudder. Some burning pines, which had
fallen one against the other, actually formed an arch
of fire in the very middle of the road, while others
threatened to fall upon our heads. We frequently
observed trees burnt eight or ten feet at bottom, sup-
ported by the mere thickness of their bark, their
tops and branches as yet untouched by the flames.
Vv'e came at length to a fir-tree on fire from top to
bottom, which was overturned across the road. At
first we hesitated what to do, as it was equally dan-
gerous to proceed or to turn back. It was at length
determined to proceed ; the postilion whipped the
horses, and drove them over the lowest part of the
tree. This agreeable passage was at least a thousand
paces in length.

There is nothing more common in travelling
through Russia, than to meet with these fires. I had
before seen several, but not so near at hand. The
natives appear dehghted at such accidents : the coun-
try is so encumbered with forests, that they take no
means whatever to extinguish such conflagrations.

We proceeded through Wolodimir, and Nichnei
Novogorod. The reader will not expect any descrip-
tion of these cities. The sensations with which I was
oppressed, precluded all observation of these places ;

* A character ir * The Enchanted Flute.'

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 21

which, however, many travellers have already de-
scribed, and of which I could relate nothing new.

One morning as we were about to depart from a
village where we had slept the preceding night, we
heard the bells of some post-horses that were on the
road coming to Moscow. This agreeable sound,
which I had in my ears ever since 1 left that city,
excited a sudden sensation in my mind, and my heart
beat violently. "A courier!" cried a peasant; "a
courier !" I instantly ran out. The sound drew nearer ;
it was in truth a courier, but not a courier dispatched
to announce my recal. An unfortunate old man,
dressed in a bed-gown and night-cap, with fetters on
his legs, now made his appearance, seated in a wretched
kibick. This prisoner was a lieutenant-colonel of
Rasan, a man in good circumstances, and, like my-
self, a husband and a father ; he had been dragged
out of his bed in the middle of the night, and, like
me, torn from his afflicted family, and destined also
to the same spot where I was travelling. A quarrel
which he had had with the governor was the cause
of his misfortune, Tlie irons with which he was
loaded had swelled his legs exceedingly ; he had no
change of linen, no clothes, and, in short, was in the
most deplorable condition that can be imagined.

He was escorted by a pohce-officer, belonging to
the town of Rasan. This man, who was a Greek by
birth, and who spoke Itahan very fluently, appeared
to be very civil and well-disposed, and to do ^ all in
his power to alleviate the misfortune of his prisoner.
He even went so far as to take off his chains, which
our counsellor would have been glad to have fastened
on me. His good-humour had pleased my odious
guard to such a degree, that he allowed me to chat
with him, though our conversation might naturally
enough have displeased him, as it was carried on in
Itahan, a language of which he had not the least
knowledge. I was delighted with this meeting : the
man was well informed; and, after three lonely

22 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

weeks, to find a human creature with whom I could
converse, was an inexpressible pleasure to me.

From this moment we generally travelled in com-
pany, and though we separated from time to time,
we soon met again. The colonel seemed to be a
quiet good-natured man, and to bear his misfortune
with great dignity of mind. In comparing our dif-
ferent cases, the consideration of his calamity was
well calculated to reconcile me in a certain degree to
my own. In his escort, he was more fortunate than
1 ; but in other respects his condition was worse
than mine, as he was in total want of everything, not
having had time to take any money with him.

This unfortunate gentleman, being continually in
sight, afforded me a spectacle that mitigated my own
affliction. It revived my sinking resolutions, and I
endeavoured to imitate his firmness of mind. I was
furnished with tea, and we often drank it together.
He would smile, as a token of gratitude : we wished
much to relate our mutual sorrows, but that consola-
tion was denied us.

I cannot refrain from noticing a natural pheno-
menon which I saw on the road. It was a man one
hundred and thirty years old. His eldest son, who
was eighty, appeared not more than fifty. He has
a numerous progeny. When we arrived at his
dwelling, we found him lying on a couch, with no-
thing but a hard mattress under him. Excepting his
sight, which was, grown very weak, he had all his
faculties unimpaired. He still continued to go into
the woods in quest of bark to make his shoes ; and I
was much struck to observe that his hands were
neitlier wTinkled nor thin, as is commonly the case
with old people. As soon as he saw lis, he arose,
di-essed himself, and offered me his bed. I was
affected by this act of hospitahty. That a man almost
a century older than myself, should offer me his bed,
and sleep himself on the ground, was indeed a very
singular act of kindness ! I felt peculiar delight in

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 23

gazing on the old man, and left him with much re-
gret. I should have been glad to have asked him
many questions relative to his manner of Hving,
which doubtless Avas a principal cause of his attaining
such an extreme old age, but our stay was too short,
and indeed I was not sufficiently master of the Russian
language. All that I was able to learn on this sub-
ject was, that he had married late in life, and had
never been addicted to the use of strong liquors.

At the last post before Ciisan, we met with gene-
ral JVIertens, whom I had formerly known. This
officer, who was a German by birth, had lately been
nominated vice-governor of Perm. We met on the
banks of the Wolga, and as the environs were under
water as far as the eye could reach, we made a long
passage together. I rejoiced at this meeting ; I had
not spoken German for the last three weeks : we
talked of the good old times, and he listened to the
story of my misfortunes with great attention. — The
counsellor, who formerly had served under him,
could not, from respect to the general, interrupt our
conversation. I learnt many occurrences that had
taken place ; few of which were of an agreeable
nature. He was himself much out of humour with
fortune. He was a major-general of considerable
standing, and had been invested with a civil employ-
ment, without having solicited or desired it, and sent
to Perm, two thousand verstes from Petersburgh,
where he had left his family. The office of vice-go-
vernor of that town was rather a degradation than
an advancement. I shall conclude his story by ob-
serving, that fortune, who had seemed to frown on
him, in making him vice-governor of Perm, where
in fact he was nothing better than an exile, has since
smiled on him ; for when he arrived at this place, he
received a commission which named him the governor
of Twer, a city situated not far from INIoscow, and
which holds a distinguished rank among the Russian
provinces. He arrived at the seat of his government

24 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

by a very singular road, having made his vfQ.y per
aspera ad astra. Ah ! why did not the emperor act
in the same manner towards me ? Had he only
ordered me to be conducted to Petersbargh through
Siberia, I would erase from the tablet of my memory
every circumstance of this narrative.

We arrived in the evening at Ciisan, avoiding the
inns, as usual. Tt was late, and I saw but little of
this remarkable city. Here the counsellor had
friends, as in all other parts ; very useful friends, with
whom he could lodge without expense. We alighted
in the Tartar suburbs, three verstes from the city, at
the house of lieutenant Justifei Temofetsch, a man
about fifty years of age, and one of the best crea-
tures in the world. He was married, but had no
children : he seemed flattered by the friendship of
the counsellor, and wished for no greater honour than
his high ])rotection. It was easy to perceive that he
was not ill very affluent circumstances, nevertheless
both he and his wife received us with so much kind-
ness, and offered us everything they had to ofier, in
so cordial a manner, that I never shall forget their
hospitahty. Had my appetite been much greater than
it was, they would have been so much the more
happy. It was however far from being moderate, as
all the post-houses we had stopped at, on the other
side of Ciisan, were mere pigsties. The Tschermists
and the Wotiaks who keep them are all dirty and
beastly people, scarcely acquainted with the laws of
hospitality ; not even a chair is to be found in their
houses.

Notwithstanding the keenness of my api)etite, liad
I been even Sancho himself, I could never iiare
swallowed everything my good host of Ciisan })laced
before me. Early in the morning was served coffee,
with bread and butter ; an hour after, pirogue (a kmd
of meat pie) with brandy ; two hours later, more
brandy, with souced fish, sausages, and such tilings.
Afterwards came in dinner, consisting of four very

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 25

lar^e dishes ; then at three o'clock coffee and biscuits ;
at five, tea, with several kinds of pastry; and at ni^ht,
after all this feasting, came a plentiful supper. Hea-
vens \ how my two companions laboured ; they had
certainly stomachs which contained a store-house
agahist a time of scarcity ! In addition to this good
eating and drinking, I was accommodated with a good
bed, and for the first night of my journey slept
soundly : I might even say, that the halt would have
refreshed me very much, had not the great number
of. taracans* interrupted the enjoyment of it. It is
difficult to form an idea of the })rodigious quantities
of these insects that infested every room. I had
never seen so many together, even in the most
wretched hut. Tiiey kept running by thousands over
the walls and ceiling ; and whenever a candle ap-
peared, these thousands were converted into millions,
A piece of bread left on the table would be instantly
covered with them ; and when the inhabitants take
their meals, they always sit at a distance from the
walls. When in bed, however, though I slept with
the curtains open, not one of them molested me.

We remained two days at Ciisan, or rather in the
Tartar suburbs. Here by stealth I wrote with a
pencil another note to my wife, but I know not whe-
ther she received it. I then began to commit to
paper the substance of a memorial to the emperor ;
and as- all writing for this purpose was positively for-
bidden me, I was obliged to observe the strictest
precaution in my proceedings. At first I only ven-
tured to scribble with a pencil. I had one about me
which I had bought at Moscow, on the pretext of
noting down the posts. I had likewise two diction-
aries to assist me in the attainment of the Russian
language, and on the margin of these books I made
my memorandums. For this purpose I availed my-
self of every solitary moment ; these were often of

♦ Blatta oxientalis : they are called in German kakerlakes.

c

26 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

short duration indeed ; but the repairs of the carriage
obHging the counsellor to go more than once to the
blaclcsinith's, T had then several hours at my com-
mand. In these dictionaries I registered many cir-
cumstances, without awakening the least suspicion.
At Casan, indeed, I remained much in bed, concealed
by curtains, wliich still admitted sufficient light to
enable me to jiroceed with my task. In this manner
I wrote without interruption, as my companions ima-
gining rest to be extremely necessary to my health,
were very willing that I should take it. I began to
consider this work as an indispensable measure ; in
the first place, because I had no reliance on the coun-
sellor's declarations that I should be allowed to write
at Tobolsk : and in the second, I had an opportunity
of sending these sketches to my wife, who would
arrange them in proper order, and forward them to
their destination.

Tlie rest of my time I passed in a very dull manner
at Ciisan. I commonly sat at the whidow wldch
looked into the court yard, where my carriage stood,
to remind me of the misery I had suffered in it for
three long weeks.

A handsome Tartar woman, who lodged in the
room over me, furnished me however with some
amusement ; not that I M'as struck either with her
beauty or her youth, but she afforded a picture of the
Tartar manners, which was quite a novel subject to
me. When a female of that nation sees a stranger,
she is obliged by custom to run from him, or to hide
her face. This woman had some business to transact
in a small warehouse exactly opposite to my window.
The sight of me embarrassed her extremely, and she
remained undecided whether to stay or go ; but ob-
servhig that I kept my ground, she took her resolu-
tion, and covering herself with a linen cloth she had
at hand, ventured across the yard. At other times
she had only her arms to screen her face from my
view ; l>ut having always something to carry in her

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 27

hands, this expedient proved very inconvenient to her,
and by way of remedy she would hft up the corner of
the handkerchief she had about her neck, and convert
it into a veiL This was robbing Peter to pay Paul,
for it left her bosom bare : again, endeavouring to hide
one part, she exposed the other; and whenever any-
thing fell out of her hand, she would stoop down to
recover it, and then both face and neck were exposed.
T should scarcely have conceived it possible, that so
much bashfulness and so much coquetry could be
united ; and I confess that at any other time I should
have enjoyed this little intrigue much longer.

An incident of a very different nature, however,
occurred, just as we were taking leave of this place :
Alexander Schiilkins, who was looking out of the
window, exclaimed, " A senate-courier 1" and instantly
hallooed out to him, " Who are you looking for?"

*' For you," was the reply. This answer threw me
into great agitation of mind ; my knees shook, and I
was incapable of seeing anything around me. A
courier from, the senate ! said I to myself. What can
he want? Surely his errand concerns me ! Alas, no !
— Two senators were travelling to Siberia to inspect
the government, 'j'he courier who attended them,
hearing of our arrival, had come to see Alexander
Schiilkins, his old comrade. Never in my life did I
experience so painful an illusion. It was long before
I could recover either my senses or the use of my
limbs. From this moment I gave up all hopes of
being overtaken by a courier, and in the same pro-
portion that I had hitherto wished to defer my depar-
ture, I now eagerly desired to accelerate it. I became
anxious to know my fate, in order to inform ray wife
of it, and witliout loss of time to present my memorial
to the emperor.

We left Ciisan the 17th of May, old sty.e; and
though the season was agreeably warm, we still found
great quantities of snow in tlie woods. The distance
from Casan to Perm is nearly six hundred verstes :

28 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

the route runs all the way through forests, in which
we often travelled four German miles together with-
out seeing a single village. The road is wide and
pretty level : it is, however, frequently intersected
by swamps, and being repaired with faggots, the tra-
veller is almost jolted to death.

We met several companies of robbers, chained in
couples, who were marching on foot to the mines of
Nertschinsk;* among them 1 observed several women.
They were escorted by the peasantry of the neigh-
bourhood : as they passed, they asked our charity.
Alas ! though riding in a carriage, I was certainly
more unfortunate than they were. Sufferings are to
be measured by the mind. The sight of these
wretches, the gloominess of the forest, the recitals of
the horrid murders committed in these deserts, not a
little conspired to aggravate my melancholy : but, O
God of consolation, thou aidest the unhappy Avhen
overv.'heimed with sorrows, and sendest hope to com-
fort them ! Yes, even in this forest, that benign star
began to shine upon me. It shone indeed at a dis-
tance, but it shed a beam that penetrated the dark
gloom that hung over my soul. It gradually dis-
persed, and my heart, while I am penning this pas-
sage, still feels its encouraging glow. 1 cannot now
mention whence this sudden alteration arose ; perhaps
I may never avow it.f Should I ever be able to do
so, it must be after having realized this pleasing hope.
Let me only add, that it was founded upon my wife's
affection ; the basis indeed was a solid one : yes, if
she still lived, her love was my guarantee that she
would fly to my assistance.

We arrived at Perm without any accident ; it is an
unpleasant town, and our counsellor had not a single
acquaintance in it. We lodged at a clock-maker's,

* These companies are often six months on their way.

f My hopes orig-inated in the plan of an escape which I
had formed, and expected to execute with the assistance of
my wife. This will be explained in the sequel.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 29

who kept a sort of inn. His name was Rosenburg;
he was born at Riga, and had formerly been in the
service of prince Biron. We were here accommo-
dated with everything that we wanted ; and I nov/
began to perceive my counsellor grew less mistrustful
of me. He frequently left me quite alone ; and the
box in which my money was kept lay near me un-
locked on the table. I availed myself of a moment
that seemed so favourable to my design, and took out
a hundred roubles. This idea of robbing my own
store occurred to me as a kind of presentiment that it
was soon going to be attacked for the last time. Our
counsellor, on his return, asked me for some more
money, and I refused him without any ceremony. He
then grew so much out of humour that I determined
to open the box before him. " See," said I, " here
are only one hundred and ten roubles. What a small
sum, in my present situation, in a strange country,
and in want of absolute necessaries ! This is all I have
to subsist on till I can procure a supply from a family
at five hundred German miles distance. Here are,
however, fifty roubles ; if you are not satisfied with
these, do your worst ; but I know how to find redress."
He appeared to be struck with these last words, and,
becoming more complaisant, took the fifty roubles,
and ceased to torment me. His principles, it seems,
were quite opposite to those of seamen, who are rough
and boisterous at the beginning of the voyage, but
grow kind and friendly towards the end of it; where-
as, the nearer we drew to our destination, the more
uncivil our counsellor became. Doubtless, nothing
but the fear of my elopement had induced him to
assume a decency of manners, and now that he no
longer entertained any apprehensions on that head,
he began to think there was no longer any necessity
for restraint upon his behaviour

We were on the point of setting out from I know
not what post, at about eight o'clock in the evening,
Avlien a dark storm burst over us, and it began to

30 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

thunder. I intreated the counsellor, in the most
pressing manner, to defer our departure till the storm
had abated ; but he positively refused. I represented
the dangers we had to dread from such tempestuous
weather ; that our horses had iron about them, that
the carriage contained much of that metal, and that
such conductors alone were sufficient to attract the
lightning. He told me with a sneer, that all that was
an idle story. I added, that prudent travellers gene-
rally got out of their carriages, and chose some open
spot to remain in when overtaken by thunder-storms.
But my counsellor still sneered at me, and asked me
how I could give credit to such trash. Irritated not
only at his want of complaisance, but likewise at his
ignorance, which certainly ought not to have vexed
me at all, I threw myself into the carriage. Why
should I dread death ? said I to myself. Only crea-
tures like this man should fear it ; for what has he to
expect beyond tlie grave ?

We continued our route, and the claps of thunder
grew more loud and frequent. We passed over a
heath which on one side of the road was in a blaze.
This kind of conflagration is different from that of a
vvood. The flame ci-awls along in a serpentine direc-
tion, at one time quick, at another slow. Sometimes
it darts upwards, but never continues long in that
direction ; sometimes it lurks concealed and concen-
trated till it finds fresh fuel to feed upon.

Although this fire was by no means dangerous, yet
the spectacle altogether was exceedingly terrible.
Here the flames of the heath and underwood crackled ;
there the lightning flashed, and the heavens were all
on fire. Such were the combined horrors of the route
for several verstes together, when at length we came
to a wood of fir and birch of small extent. Having
cleared the wood, we found the country all under
water A bridge of boats lay on the bank, for the
purpose of ferrying over to a village on the other side,
but it was unattended and emiity. The inundation

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 31

extended so far, that we stood at a great distance
from the village, where the boatmen were now regal-
ing themselves. We called loudly for these men, but
remained a considerable time before we could be
heard : at last a man crossed over to us in a small
boat. Though the raft had but one rope, and the
water we had to cross was stagnant, yet I was of
opinion that a single boatman was insufhcient for the
purpose of ferrying us over : but the counsellor Avas
determined to try the experiment, and accordingly
ordered the man to bring the raft to the bank. The
boatman replied that he could not do so on account
of the shallows, as it would drive the raft aground,
which, with our additional weight, could not be got
off again ; but the man added, that we had five good
horses, which were well able to draw us to the raft.
We therefore proceeded; the wheels sunk in stiff
clay ; four horses reached the raft, but the fifth, en-
deavouring to do the same, slipped back, and remained
with his hind parts deep in the water, and at last
floundered on one side ; nor could any means induce
him to get upon his legs again. In the meantime
the other horses kept pulling on. IMy companions
had jumped out of the carriage; I remained in it,
secretly delighted at what had happened. At length,
observing tliat the slight rope which fastened the
raft was likely to be broken by the struggles of the
horses, I thought it would be imprudent not to follow
their example, and I accordingly stepped into the
water, and climbed on board the raft. The counsellor
took the whip, and mounted the driver's seat; the
postillion held the horses by the reins, the courier beat
them forward with the boughs of a tree, the boatmen
laid hold of the rope, and I remained with my arms
folded, and my feet wet, exposed to a most violent
shower of rain. In the midst of all this bustle, a
thunderbolt fell upon a birch tree. The report was
terrible. They all let fall their arms, and only raised
them again to make a thousand signs of the cross
upon their breasts and foreheads. Gospod'm pomilu

32 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

was repeated incessantly. Tlie counsellor was con-
founded, and the courier upbraided him Avith not hav-
ing listened to his advice. I smiled, but did not utter
a word.

The distance from Perm to Tobolsk is computed to
be nine hundred verstes ; but the road and the coun-
try are far superior to those between Ciisan and Perm.
Instead of those gloomy forests of pine, we now saw
young woods of birch, intermixed with extensive and
fertile fields, in a high state of cultivation, and opu-
lent villages, either Russian or Tartar, situated at nc
great distance from each other The countenances of
the peasants appear so contented and cheerful on
Sundays and holidays, that the traveller can scarcely
persuade himself he is really in Siberia. In these
villages the houses are much cleaner than in those of
the other Russians. The inns have each two rooms ;
the common one, called the kha, and the other the
gorn'itza. These chambers have windows glazed with
transparent pebble ; there pre tables covered with
decent tapestry, and a variety of fine images are placed
in every corner. They are furnished also with many
household utensils, which we had not seen in any of
the peasants' houses for a considerable distance ; such
as glasses, cups and saucers, &c. I likewise remarked
more hospitality among tlie people of these parts
than even among the Russians, whose language, I
should observe, bears no resemblance to theirs.

On working-days the country seems to be thinly
inhabited : one may travel for hours together without
meeting a single man ; and yet these apparently desert
lands are so extremely fertile, that they appear as if
they were cultivated by magic. Every holiday, the
young girls, clad in white and red, or in blue, resort to
the village green, and entertain themselves with sing-
ing and dancing. The young men have their own
amusements ; parties of them were less frequently
seen than of the other sex, and were less numerous,
which must be attributed to the late levies, that had
considerably diminished their number in these parts.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 33

I did not observe the indiscriminate mixture of the
sexes in any of their sports. I saw a great nmnber
of children, most of whom were, however, born in
the reign of Catharine.

The peasants in general cherish a tender remem-
brance of the late empress : they call her matuschka
(little mother.) On the contrary, they seldom speak
of her son, the present emperor, and when they do, it
is with great reserve.

In all the government of Perm, Ekaterinaburg*
is the only town of importance. Here the counsellor
discovered my writings, which threw him into a vio-
lent rage. Had I not prevented him, he would have
torn my books. *' I shall let the governor see these,'*
said he. " You may, if you please," repHed I : they
contain nothing more than the draught of a memo-
rial which I intend to present to the emperor ; and
I began the task with so much the more confidence,
as you had assured me, in the most positive terms,
this indulgence would be granted me." — ** That,"
replied he, " will depend on the last instructions sent
to the governor." — " What," said I, " then you are
not certain, after all your oaths, that I am to remain
at Tobolsk ! And yet you assured me, on the word
and hon'^ur of a man, that that city was to be the end
of my journey."

He appeared to be confounded, and assured me
again that he was not the bearer of any order that
implied my being sent farther than Tobolsk. Here
he paused : my reproaches doubtless made him forget
what else he had to say ; at least he said no more.
He had, however, renewed my anxiety ; my fate still
appeared to be undecided.

Tinmen was the first town we came to on the
frontiers of Siberia. We passed through a forest
about forty verstes short of this place, in which the
direction-posts indicate that the traveller is already

* Celebrated for the mines in its neighbourhood.

34 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

iti the jurisdiction of Tobolsk. The counsellor was
inuuiiian enough to point to these j)0sts, and to ex-
plain the intention of them. I made no reply, though
my heart was bursting with anguish. Alas ! was it
not enough to be a prey to all the ills that a quick
sense of feeling created within fne ? Was it necessary
that this executioner should resort to outward Objects
to increase my sufferings ? I was now actually in
Siberia ; and a circumstance occurred at the first
post, not at all calculated to assuage the agony of
mind I had suffered at the sight of the direction-posts.
I shall relate the anecdote, which inflicted torments
upon my heart never to be forgotten.

We stopped to change horses at a village, and as
I was sitth)g at the door of a cottage, breaking some
bread into a bowl of milk, an old man of sixty, whose
hair and beard were white as snow, threw himself on
the ground, and enquired with extreme earnestness
if we had brought him any letters from Revel. I
fixed my eyes steadfastly upon him ; I doubted whe-
ther 1 had rightly understood him, upon wliich a
woman, who was standing by, whispered me ; — " This
man has lost his senses : he starts from his bed every
time he hears of the arrival of a stranger, and always
asks the same question." — " Give me a piece of
paper," continued she, '* and I will pacify him ; other-
wise you will have much trouble with him, for he
will persist in staying here, and tire you with his
lamentations." She then pretended to read a letter
to him, beginning with these words — " JMy dear hus-
band, I am in perfect health, as likewise are all our
children. Make yourself easy, we shall soon be with
you."

The old man appeared to listen with extreme de-
light ; he smiled and stroked his beard ; then taking
the paper in his hand he pressed it to his bosom.
He now related very rationally, that he had formerly
been a soldier, and had served on board the Revel
fleet, at Cronstadt, and at other places ; he added

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 35

that lie was an invalid, that had just left his wife,
and that she \vas now with her children at Revel.
The woman told us that he had left them thirty years
ago: the poor man vehemently contradicted her,
and then seated himself on the end of the bench,
where my two gentlemen were amusing themselves
in their old way, and of whom he appeared to take
no notice. After this, he uttered some words
which I could not well hear, then cried out aloud ;
** My dearest, where art thou at this moment? Art
thou at Revel, at Riga, or at Petersburg!! ?" — These
words were so applicable to my own situation, that
I had scarcely strength enough to rise from my seat,
and retire to conceal my tears. This good old man,
thouglit I, exhibits a picture of what ere long I may
be. Deprived of reason, I may perhaps one day loiter
about the road and ask the passengers if they had any
letters from Revel. Even now I may exclaim, like
him, " My dearest, were art thou at this moment I
Art thou at Petersburgh, at Riga, or at Revel?"
Never, O never, did I experience such a painful mo-
ment ! The image of the old man is for ever en-
graven on my memory ; it is present when I awake ;
it haunts me in my dreams, and is eternally before me.
The cairiage was ready before I had well recovered
myself; my companions, who saw me lay aside the
bowl of milk, could not conceive what ailed me, nor
did I acquaint them with the state of my feelings,
which would only have incurred their ridicule. I
almost blush to relate, that on leaving the poor luna-
tic I made him a small present. The man, who for
the long space of thirty-live years had never lost siglit
of his family, was a being of no common stamp ; nor
could the sufferings of his heart be relieved by money;
he received what I gave him with perfect indifference,
and without thanks. I felt the blood rise into my
cheeks, and I covered my face as I left him. Such
v/as my entrance into Siberia. The Irtisch and the
Tobol had deluged the country for some miles round j

3(3 LITE OF KOTZEBUE.

we were therefore obliged to leave our carriage, and
to embark with our baggage on board a slight barge.
The day was warm, and the boat sailed very fast.
My companions began to snore, and left me at full
leisure to reflect on the uncertainty of my destination.

Three hours after this, Tobolsk appeared at a short
distance. The city is built on the banks of the
Irtisch ; its steeples produce a grand effect, and tliat
part of the town which is called the citadel, where the
governor's palace forms a prominent object, was par-
ticularly striking ; on a nearer view, however, it
appeared partly in ruins, having formerly suffered by
fire. It was now that I had an opportunity of fully
ascertaining the difference between the coarse but
kind disposition of Alexander Schiilkins and the un-
feeling apathy of the counsellor. Wlien the latter
awoke, he gave a loose to the most indecent exulta-
tions of deliglit, and laughed immoderately, without
the least regard to that delicacy which respect for the
unfortunate naturally inspires. He appeared like an
executioner, who, the moment he has taken the life
of a fellow- creature, assumes a look of satisfaction,
and applauds his own dexterity. The coiirier, on the
contrary, was silent and dejected, at seeing me so
near a place where my destiny was to be decided ; he
gazed on me by stealth from time to time, with looks
of sorrow and compassion.

We entered the town by water : the lower parts
were overflowed ; the streets were full of boats, in
which the inhabitants were carrying on tlie necessary
business of the day.

On the tenth of May, in the afternoon, we landed
near the great market-place.* We procured a kibick,
and instantly repaired to the governor's house. When
we arrived at the door, the counsellor entered, and
left me in the carriage. This was a painful quarter of
an hour, indeed ! The servants stared at m.e, and

* Called the bazaar, the name this part of the town bears
all over Asia.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 37

whispered one another: all this gave rae great un-
easiness. At last the counsellor returned, and
beckoned me to follow him. He then led me through
the garden to a summer-house, where the governor
had been taking an afternoon's nap, I asked my
conductor if I was to remain here ; and he answered
me drily : *' Indeed, sir, I cannot say." — The sum-
mer-house was open ; I with a firm step entered
alone ; the counsellor remained without. The go-
vernor, M. de Kuschelef, who had been represented
to me as a very humane man by the people at Perm,
seemed about forty years old ; his person was noble,
and his countenance full of intelligence. His first
words were these: Parlez-vous Frangais, monsieur?
The question drove me almost frantic with delight,
so happy was I to be at length able to explain myself,
Oui, stammered I with great eagerness.

He then begged me to be seated. " Your name is
familiar to me ; it is the name of an author."

** Alas, sir ! I am myself that author." — " How,"
cried he, *' can that be possible ? What has occasioned
you to be brought here?" — " I imagined your excel-
lency would have informed me of that." — " I inform
you ! I am utterly ignorant of it. See what the order
states : you are president de Kotzebue of Revel, and
you are consigned to my custody." (He shewed me
the paper, which contained only five or six lines.)
" I do not come from Revel," said I ; ** but from the
frontiers of Prussia." — " Perhaps you had not per-
mission to enter Russia?" — " 1 had a passport in due
form, signed by the emperor, and expedited by his
order ; but this passport has not been respected ; on
the contrary, I have been torn from the arms of my
family, in order, as I was told, to be conveyed to
Petersburgh, and without any farther explanation I
have been dragged hither."

The governor was about to speak, but he suddenly
checked himself. ** Do you know nothing more than
this ?" at length, continued he ; *' do you suspect any-

38 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

thing which might have been laid to your charge?"
" I have not the least suspicion of anything what-
ever/' replied I : '* may I perish, sir, if I can form
any conjecture. Your excellency may easily imagine
I have been racking my brains, during the whole
journey, to discover what could have occasioned this
. proceeding : but I am unable even to guess at the
cause."

The governor, after a short pause, continued : " I
have read such of your works as have been translated
into the Russian language, and I am extremely happy
to be acquainted with you ; for your own sake, how-
ever, I could have wished not to have been introduced
to you here."

" It is a great consolation," replied I, ** to meet
with a man of your worth, and I flatter myself I shall
be able at least to remain in this neighbourhood." —
*• Much as I should gain by your society," answered
he, *' I am unable to grant your request." — I grew
quite alarmed. " I must not hope then to stay here,"
cried I, in the bitterness of my heart ; " miserable
indeed must that man be, who considers the privilege
of remaining at Tobolsk an indulgence ! Must I drag
on a wretched existence on a spot still more remote?"

" Everything in my power shall be done to alleviate
the severity of your situation ; but my orders require
me to assign you a place of retirement within the
limits of my government, and Tobolsk is expressly
excluded. I need not observe that I cannot act
against my instructions : make choice of any town
except Tiumen ; which, on account of its contiguity
to the high road cannot be allotted to you.'

*• I am an utter stranger to Siberia, and resign my-
self with confidence to your excellency's goodness ;
but, were it possible, I am desirous of being at no
great distance from this spot."

He immediately named Tschim, as the nearest
town, which is situate within three hundred and forty
versts, or fifty German miles, from Tobolsk. " But,"

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 39

continued he, " I would advise you to prefer Kurgan,*
a hundred verstes farther off, but situated in a milder
climate. Kurgan," said he with a smile, " is the
Italy of Siberia. You will even find wild cherries
there ; but what is of more importance, the state of
society there is very agreeable."

" I am at present so exhausted, that I wish, if it
could be allowed me, to remain here a few weeks at
least, to recover my strength." Tlie governor paused ;
after a short reflection — " Yes," replied he with great
goodness, " that may be done, and I will obtain you
the assistance of a physician." Another request
laboured in my mind : " May I write to the emperor?"
said I, in a stammering voice. — ** Certainly." — *' And
to my wife ?" — "Yes; but that can be done only
under cover to the crown advocate, who will take
care to forward the letter, if it contain nothing sus-
picious."

I felt myself still more consoled : he gave orders
that a good lodging should be provided for me in the
town, and I took my leave of him, as did the coun-
sellor, who, I could observe, had been treated Avith very
little consideration.

** Are you to remain here?" said the counsellor,
after we nad left the governor's palace. " No," re-
plied I, coldly ; but I soon after related the whole in-
terview to the good -hearted Schillkin'^. The coun-
sellor told me that the governor had asked him if I
was related to an author of my name, but that he did
not understand what he meant. T could not forbear
smihng at the man's stupidity : nothing indeed could
be more ludicrous than his surprise to find so many
people at Tobolsk acquainted with me, and to observe
the respect and attention that was paid to me there.
His friends, Maximoff of Moscow, and Justifei Timo-
feitch of Casan, had said nothing concerning me;
and to speak frankly, I was myself surprised to dis-

♦ It is writlen in this manner, but pronounced Kurgahn.

40 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

cover how well I was known, and to meet such kind-
hearted people in those remote and savage regions.

The police soon pointed out the lodging commonly-
occupied by people of distinction who are banished to
Siberia. It consisted of two rooms : it belonged to
an inhabitant of the place ; and as this man was com-
pelled to furnish the rooms without receiving any
retribution, he had not been at all solicitous to fit
them up in a capital style. The windows were bro-
ken, the walls naked, or hung with ragged old-
fashioned tapestry, and the chambers swarmed with
insects. Under the windows was a stagnant pond
exhaling putrid vapours. This is an exact picture of
the apartments, but they were far from appearing
contemptible in the eyes of a man who a few minutes
before had dreaded being consigned to a dark dungeon.
It was indeed but too natural to expect everything
that was dreadful ; having been dragged in this ex-
traordinary manner into Siberia, I had no security
that a prison did not await me there ; or even the
discipline of the knout, had my persecutors thought
lit to administer it ! From this time I was relieved
from the torments of uncertainty ; my fate seemed to
be decided. I had arrived at the very acmfe of misery,
and I began calmly to contemplate the whole extent
of my misfortune.

By means of a little civility on my part, which
appeared to strike my host as a novelty, and which
was nothing more with me than a virtue of habit, I
soon prevailed on him to accommodate me with a
table and two wooden stools. It would have been vain
to have asked for a bedstead ; but I had almost for-
gotten the use of one, and it was no new thing to me
to spread my cloak on the ground, with an old silk
surtout, which has often served as a covering for
my youngest child. I know not how it happened
that the maid put this coat into the carriage, but I am
exceedingly obliged to her care ; for the sight of it
renewed sensations of a very endearing nature ! To

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 41

these coverings I added a mattress which I purchased
in the town. Here, said I, throwing myself upon it,
here is my death-bed.

An hour after this an officer of the pohce made
his appearance, to take formal possession of my pei*-
son. He received m.e from the hands of the coun-
sellor ; with whom, heaven be praised ! I had thence-
forth nothing more to do. This officer, whose name
was Katatinski, was a man of a most agreeable figure :
he was attended by a single subaltern. " I shall call
every day," said he; "but merely for the sake of
form, to pay you a visit, and to know how you
are ; for I must make a daily report concerning you.
This man indeed" (alluding to the subaltern) " must
remain continually aljout you, but less as a guard
than as a person ready to serve you,"

The counsellor, happy to have done with me, told
me on going away, that he should immediately in-
troduce a friend of his to me, whom he had brought
into Siberia the preceding summer, and of whom he
had already spoken in very flattering terms on the
road ; but as his praise was no recommendation with
me, I had no desire to make this new acquaintance.
My surprise however was the more agreeable, when
he introduced M. Kiniiikoff, one of the best-informed
young men I had ever met with. He accosted me
in French, assured me he had repeatedly read my
works, and said many handsome things to me on
that subject. He offered me his services, lamented
that I had experienced the same misfortune that had
befallen him, and particularly that I had travehed in
such bad company, with such a miscreant ! That was
the flattering appellation with which he honoured the
counsellor.

" But this man calls himself your friend."

** Heaven preserve me from such a friend ! You
must think I wished to keep on good terms with him,
and this I still continue to do,"

Kinifikoff, the son of a man of rank, of the town

42 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

of Simbiesk,* had been sent to Siberia, with two of
his brothers, and some other officers, for having lam-
pooned the emperor. He alone had the good fortune
to remain at Tobolsk ; two others of tliem had
Irkutzk for their prison ; his youngest brother was
loaded with fetters, and closely confined in a small
fortress four thousand verstes from Tobolsk ; another
in the dreadful Beresow, a place equalling in horrors
all that can be imagined of the infernal regions.

I derived no small consolation from meeting with a
man who appeared endowed with noble sentiments ;
and with whom, from the first quarter of an hour
after our meeting, I felt myself as familiar as if he
had been an old acquaintance. He promised me
books ; — what luxury ! From him I learnt that the
emperor had proscribed all foreign literature through-
out his dominions, and that my pieces were frequently
acted at Tobolsk, in an indifferent manner indeed,
but with great applause ; he likewise was pleased
to add, that my arrival here was more talked of than
that of half-a-dozen generals in chief would have
been. He even offered me, witli the governor's
leave, his house and his table. We conversed to-
gether more than an hour, and parted highly sa-
tisfied with each other. Among other visitors, baron
de Sommaruga, a lieutenant-colonel in the Austrian
service, and knight of the order of Maria Theresa,
did me the favour to call on me. He had fought a
duel in consequence of a love affair, while he was
at Riga : and his rival, a man of more interest than
himself, had procured his exile, without reaping any
advantage from it ; for the young lady, a girl of
eighteen, whom Sommaruga had married, soon after
left her relations, and flew to Tobolsk to share the
misfortunes of her husband. She undertook this
long journey without knowing a word of the Russian

* A place situated two hundred verstes to the south of
■C'asan, in a very temperate cliinate.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 43

language, and under the sole escort of a common
courier. Hearing at Moscow that her husband lay
ill at Twer, she instantly flew to him, and after that
accompanied him to Tobolsk, where I have often
witnessed her unshaken attachment. She has evinced
great kindness towards me. Not knowing how to
cook victuals, I frequently made my meal upon a
slice of dry bread. From this lady, however, I have
more than once received a portion of her soup and
roast meat.

I also saw here count de SoltikofF, a man advanced
in years, and in affluent circumstances, who had been
exiled for usurious practices. He kept a good house
here, and was a very agreeable companion ; through
his means I was furnished with newspapers.

Three tradesmen from Moscow, two Frenchmen
and a German, increased the number of unfortunate
exiles at this place, having been concerned in smug-
gling transactions to the amount of not more than
two hundred roubles. The latter, whose name is
Becker, is a very worthy and friendly man. His
wife has just left him, in order to solicit his recal, and
if she should not succeed, she intends to return here
with her children. I embraced the hopes that this
opportunity would likewise enable my own family to
join me here.

I also received the visits of four Poles, who had
been sent into exile for imprudencies of a political
nature. They were poor, though of noble birth, and
received each an allowance from the state of twenty
copecks, or about ten French sols a day. In a word,
my chamber was crowded with guests, a circumstance
extremely inconvenient to me; and I felt relieved
when the approach of night enabled me to retire to
my bed, and to the indiilgence of my own reflections.

In the course of the night a remarkable circum-
stance took place, the explanation of which I must
leave to my good friends, doctors Gall and Huf eland.
I had fallen asleep ; towards twelve o'clock I awoke.

44 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

and fancied myself on board a ship. I not only felt
the rocking v- ion of the vessel, hut heard the flap-
ping of the sails, and the noise and hustle of the crew.
As I lay on the floor, I could see no objects through
the window, except the sky, and this circumstance
added to the force of the illusion. I was sensil^le it
was such, and endeavoured to overcome it. I felt
myself, as it were, furnished with two separate minds,
the one confirmed what I fancied, the other convinced
me that it was all imaginary. I staggered about the
room, thought I saw the counsellor, and everything
that surrounded me the evening before, remaining
absolutely in the same place. I went to the window ;
I thought the wooden houses in the streets were
ships, and in every direction I perceived the open
sea. Whither am I going ? seemed to say one mind.
Nowhere, replied the other ; you are still in your
own apartment. This singular sensation, which I
cannot well describe, continued for half an hour ; by
degrees it became less powerful, and at length en-
tirely quitted me. A violent palpitation of the heart,
and a quick convulsive pulse succeeded. Yet I was
not feverish, nor did I feel any head-ache. My own
opinion and conviction is, that the whole must have
been the commencement of a species of insanity.

I was visited by aulic counsellor Peterson, surgeon-
major of the town, who was born at Revel. He
ascribed this strange delirium to the fatigues I had
undergone, both of body and mind. This explana-
tion, however, appeared unsatisfactory to me, though
it was perhaps the best that could be given. I had
soon reason to entertain a very favourable opinion of
this worthy person : he was a countryman of my
wife's, and he quickly gained my confidence by the
noble frankness of his behaviour. From my first
arrival here, he gave me daily proof of his humanity,
which even accompanied me to my desert ; for it is
to him that I am indebted for many things of the
first necessity, which, at Kurgan, where I was com-

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 45

pelled to be my own physician, were of invaluable
service to me. He also took all possible pains with
the governor in order to procure me the privilege of
remaining at Tobolsk ; and if he was not successful,
it was merely because the order that came with me
did not state whether Tobolsk, or the government of
Tobolsk, was to be the place of my exile. In the
latter case, the spot not being positively specified, the
governor determines as he thinks fit. All my new
friends were of opinion, that the order being vague,
the governor had it in his power to retain me at
Tobolsk ; but, according to etiquette, he could not
assign to me the place where he himself resides. If
ever he loses sight of this rule, it is in the case of
obsciu-e exiles, and where there is good reason to
suppose that no enquiry would be made concerning
them. But unfortunately this was not my case,
my arrest having been attended with such singular
circumstances, that it appeared an affair of no small
importance. The governor naturally concluded that
he should be liable to those secret informations
which are now so common : in short, his whole con-
duct convinced me that he was unable to grant me
this indulgence, notwithstanding the strong plea of
health, which M. Peterson did not fail to urge. I
however received hopes of obtaining permission to
return to Tobolsk whenever my health required it.

As soon as I began to be free from the interruptions
of visits, I set about my memorial to the emperor,
and as I had already sketched the outline, the task
was not difficult. It contained eighteen articles, and
it is a duty I owe to my reputation, as well as to my
wife and children, to insert an extract in this place,
that my innocence and the whole tenor of my con-
duct may be exhibited in the strongest light. It in-
cludes a short sketch of my life, both public and
private, upon which so many falsehoods, or at least
so many ambiguous stories, have been universally
propagated.

46 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

MEMORIAL

In behalf of tJie unfortunate KoTZ'E.-BVE., with corrobo-
rating Documents contained in the Papers ichich have
been taken from him. Translated from the original
French.*

ARTICLE I.

KoTZEBUE, a native of Weimar, son to the late
counsellor of legation, Kotzebue, was called to Peters-
burgh at the age of eighteen, at the instance of count
de Gorz, a friend of his father, then envoy from the
court of Berlin. He was appointed secretary to M.
de Bawr, engineer-general, whom he served with
probity in many affairs of importance, and with ji^hom
he continued till the decease of the general.

Proof. — The general recommended him in his will
to the late empress, and that princess, by virtue of an
imfnenoi uhase,f named him a titular counsellor, and
ordered him to be employed in the administration of
Revel, at that time newly organized.

a.RTICLE II.

Kotzebue acted in the capacity of assessor in the
court of appeals in Revel, in 1783, and exercised that
office during two years to the satisfaction of the supe-
rior judges

Proof. — Count Browne, the governor-general,
recommended him to the vacant place of president of
the magistracy, a station which confers the rank of
lieutenant-colonel, and the senate thereupon appointed
hirn in 1785.

ARTICLE III.

Kotzebue filled this office for ten successive years,
without incmring the least reproach.

* A part of this was drawn up at Kurgan ; its sequel,
and the subsequent contents of this book, I did not com-
pose till a later period.

t A special ukase ; that is, one signed by the empress's
own hand.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 47

First proof. — When Kotzebue, at the end of ten
years, was obliged to ask his dismission on account of
the impaired state of his health, he received it with
advanced rank. The ukase to this effect is among his
sealed-up papers.

Second proof. — A. certificate was signed by the
governor of Revel, relative to the irreproachalile
manner in which he executed the duties of his office.
The original instrument is among the papers wliich
are sealed up.

ARTICLE IX.

Kotzebue retired to the country in 1795, and built
a small villa, called Friedenthal, at the distance of
forty-eight verstes from Narva ; a spot on which he
resided till the end of the year 17^7, in the midst of
his family, and in the service of the muses. He was
then invited to Vienna as manager of the court the-
atre : the terms being very advantageous, he left his
villa, and considered the sacritice he made as an offer-
ing due to his children. He had asked and obtained
the monarch's consent.

Proof. — The passport which the governor of Revel
delivered to him in virtue of superior orders.

ARTICLE V.

Kotzebue resided at Vienna, but still retained his
Livonian villa, hoping one day to return thither. He
acquitted himself in all his duties with zeal and pro-
bity.

Proof. — The flattering certificate of the theatrical
directory. The original is among the seized papers.

ARTICLE VI.

The emperor Francis II was well satisfied with his
service and conduct.

Proof. — He granted him his dismission, which on
several accoimts he had solicited, but retained him in
his service as dramatic writer to the court theatre,
with a pension for life of one thousand florins a year,
with leave to expend the same wherever he should
please. ""J'he original decree, together with a letter

48 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

written by count CoUoredo, make a part of the papers
under sequestration.

ARTICLE VII.

Kotzebue, not satisfied with the above honourable
certificate, as it regarded only his dramatic services,
thought it incumbent on him to procure a testimony
of his conduct, as the subject of a monarchical state,
before he left Vienna. For this purpose he applied
to count de Saurau, minister of the secret police, and
obtahied from him the most satisfactory answer.

Proof. — The minister's original note, together with
an official letter from aulic counsellor Schilling, are
both among his seized papers.

ARTICLE VIII.

Kotzebue left Vienna, and went to reside at Weimar,
in order to be near his mother. He purchased a
house and garden in the neighbourhood, at which he
resided twelve months, known and esteemed at the
ducal court, which he had often the honour to fre-
quent.

Proof. — A letter from the reigning duchess of
Weimar to the grand duchess Elizabeth, which may
be found among his papers. He appeals besides to
the testimony of the reigning duke and to that of the
duchess-dowager.

ARTICLE IX.

Kotzebue, as well to gratify the wishes of his wife
as to embrace his two sons, who have the honour to
be educated in the cadet corps at Petersburgh, resolved
to undertake a journey to Russia : his duty as drama-
tic writer to the emperor of Germany obliged him to
apply for a passport, which was accordingly granted.

Proof. — The original instrument is among his
papers, and it shews at the same time that he was bond
jfide in the service of his imperial and royal majesty.

ARTICLE X.

Kotzebue applied for a passport to his majesty the
emperor of Russia, and obtained it. [Here the writer
entered into all the necessary details,]

JEXILE TO SIBERIA. 49

Proof. — The original letter from baron de Kriidener.

ARTICLE XI.

Kotzebue commenced his journey, and was arrested
on the frontiers of Prussia. This unexpected blow
alarmed him : he however consoled himself with the
notion, that a prudent precaution, under the circum-
stances of the times, might have occasioned this
measure. Fully relying on his owii innocence, he
corsoled his family, and proceeded to Mittau.

Proof. — He appeals to the testimony of the officer
who escorted him thither.

ARTICLE XII.

At Mittau he was informed that he must be con-
ducted to Petersburgh. To this order he submitted
with a good grace ; but he soon discovered that his
guards were dragging him to Siberia. He then de-
manded, in an agony of despair, what crime he had
committed, his conscience being pure of all crime
towards God and his sovereign.

ARTICLE XIII.

But may it not be possible that, like many others,
he might have been an avowed partizan of the revo-
lutionary system ? — No.

First proof. — Two of his sons are in the cadet
corps at Petersburgh ; a third is in the cadet-engineers
at Vienna. These are so many hostages of his loyalty,
which he has voluntarily delivered up.

Second proof. — The bulk of his estate, with the
addition of that settled on his wife, is in Russia, and
he has never attempted to dispose of it.

Third proof. — Had he been a man of revolutionary
principles, it is natural to conclude that he would have
left Vienna to have visited France : he remained,
however, continually at Weimar, at which place he
received his pension from Vienna.

Fourth proof. — In the year 1 790 he was one of the
first to satirize the horrid outrages of the revolu-
tionists, in a comedy entitled * The Club of Female
Jacobins.' In 1792, he wrote a treatise on nobility.

50 LIFE OF KOTZEBLT£.

which, although it may boast of nothing interestmg,
except the subject, at least exhibits the sentiments cf
the writer on that subject.*

Fifth proof. — It is more than a year ago, that, in a
work entitled * On my Residence at Vienna,' he de-
clared publicly that he preferred the monarchical sys-
tem of government to any other ; and that, unless he
should become a knave or a madman, he never would
adopt the system of the present day. An author
well known throughout Europe would certainly
not have published such sentiments in evidence
against himself, if he had intended ever to have
renounced them.

Sixth proof. — In 1795, he presented to the empress
a plan for the establishment of an university at
Dopart, and among other motives which he alleged
in favour of its establishment, the following may be
found : namely, that the young men would be in less
danger of imbibing principles of a seditious nature.

ARTICLE XIV.

Has Kotzebue had any connexions with suspected
persons ? — No.

Proof. — Let the book which is to be found among
his papers be referred to ; it contains copies of all his
letters of importance.

ARTICLE XV.

Can it be surmised that his income arose from an

* A drowning man is glad to catch at a straw. I am
better aware than any one can be that this book is good ior
nothing ; and I am sorry that I ventured upon the task of
writing it. I yielded in this instance to the particular in-
treaties of a man of the first consequence, who is much in
favour of the sovereign. My situation at that time com-
pelled me to undertake a subject which I had never, or at
least very lately, considered with any degree of attention.
If the world knew the motives which often induce an
author to take up the pen, the judgment it passes upon their
works would be more charitable than it commonly is.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 51

impure source ? — He who surmises this is exceedingly
mistaken.

Proof. — The above-mentioned book, in which his
receipts are particularized.

ARTICLE XVI.

He has written, perhaps, on political subjects ? — No.
Proof. — In the aforesaid book may be seen the
catalogue of his literary labours,

ARTICLE XVII.

Can it be supposed that he does not entertain all
due respect for the emperor? — The contrary is posi-
tively the case.

Proof. — In the year 1 796, he converted a generous
trait of that monarch's conduct into a drama, under
the title of * The Emperor's Head Coachman.' This
work, perhaps, is beneath its subject, but still it
manifests the sentiments of the author.

ARTICLE XVIII.

Is Kotzebue an immoral man ? And ought he not
to be banished from society ? — No.

First proof. — On the perusal of the journal of his
occupations, and of all his actions (which are con-
tained in the same book), what does the reader find ?
That he planted a tree on his wife's birth-day ; that
he gave a fete champetre on the cutting of a child's
first tooth. It will there be found that he uniformly
placed his happiness in the endearments of domestic
life.

Second proof. — His almanack, after the plan of
Franklin, for the purpose of moral improvement,
is a proof of his sincere love of virtue. From the
tenor of his confessions it will be seen at first view
that they were made only for himself, and that he
never could have imagined they would have fallen,
during his life-time, into the hands of strangers.
They may represent him as a weak, but not as a
wicked man : people who know him will bear witness
that he is an affectionate husband and a good father j
qualities surely very foreign to immorality.

52 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

In a word, Kotzebue has proved that his public
conduct, during twenty years, is acknowledged to
have been irreproachable ; he has proved, that he has
never manifested principles subversive of good order ;
that his connexions have been unexceptionable ; that
he never has written on the subject of politics; that
he has ever entertained due sentiments of respect for
the person of the emperor; that his happiness has
invariably rested in the bosom of his family ; and that
he has been a lover of peace and virtue. By what
involuntary fault then has he had the misfortune to
incur your majesty's displeasure ? Of this he is to-
tally ignorant. He has in vain endeavoiu*ed to con-
jecture the cause ; unless it be that some malevolent
person, some secret enemy, has perhaps detached
separate passages from his writings, and exhibited
them in an unfavourable point of view. If this pre-
sumption be well-founded, he confines the whole of
his petition to one single favour, that of being allowed
an opportunity of explanation.

Your majesty must be aware that nothing can be
written to which malevolent interpretations may not
attribute evil designs. Kotzebue may have been
mistaken ; it is the fate of every man. He may,
like others, have introduced a word withoiit due re-
flection, or given to a phrase a doubtful turn ; but lie
swears before the throne of the monarch, before that
of the Eternal, that he has always strenuously en-
deavoured to tread in the paths of virtue. If he have
unknowingly swerved from them, he has been se-
verely punished, and the paternal hand which has
inflicted the blow will surely raise up the penitent
who bewails his fault. May your majesty, who pos-
sesses a feeling heart, contemplate for a moment the
horror of your petitioner's situation ! His wife far
advanced in her pregnancy, perhaps dying of a broken
heart ; for her the world has no longer any happiness
in store ; her children will soon fall into indigence ;
her husband's reputation, his honour, being tarnished.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 53

who will not conclude that he had been guilty of
some crime? After an illness of twelve months
duration, he finds himself deprived of everything,
condemned to a dreadful climate, where sorrow and
inevitable sickness will soon put an end to his exist-
ence. A beloved husband, the father of six children,
abandoned by the world, must expire far from the
sight of his family ! A severe doom for an innocent
man ! No ; Paul the Just still lives : he will restore
honour, and life, and tranquillity, to his unhappy pe-
titioner ; he will restore him to his afflicted family !

Such is the substance of the memorial which I
intended to present to the emperor. Just as I had
concluded it, the counsellor happened to come into
my room, and told me that he was going to the go-
vernor. I commissioned him to enquire at what
hour his excellency would favour me with an audi-
ence. He soon returned with the following answer,
which astonished the bearer exceedingly : that from
five in the morning till eleven at night the governor
was at my service. My companion could not possibly
conceive why such civility was shewn to me, an exile,
while he himself, though an aulic counsellor, was
treated ■''dth neglect.

What expression shall I employ to exhibit to the
eyes of the world the generosity of the beneficent
governor ? It is imj^ossible to express either the value
of his considerate goodness to me, or the grateful
feeHngs which such liberal and humane conduct ex-
cited in my breast. How diff'erently might he have
exercised his power ! He might have sent me to
Beresow, upon the shores of the Frozen Sea, where
in the warmest months of summer, the earth, for
more than a foot beneath its surface, is always frozen ;
-yet he chose for the place of my residence the mildest
climate, and for my fellow- inhabitants the most soci-
able people, in all his government. During my stay
at Tobolsk, he might have consigned me to sorrow,
to want, to solitude ; instead of which, he invited me

54 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

every day to his table, and loaded me with kindness,
in the face of two senators* sent thither to inspect
his government, and make rcj^ort of his conduct. He
permitted me hkewise to choose a servant who might
be acquainted with some language in which I could
explain myself. The choice indeed was soon made ;
the only man in Tobolsk qualified, being an Italian,
of the name of Rossi (commonly called Russ), who
had resided there for twenty years. Having served
on board the fleet at Cherson, he had been concerned
in a plot, with several of his comrades, to murder the
captain, and deliver the vessel into the hands of the
Turks. The conspiracy was happily discovered, and
my conspirator sent, by order of prince Potemkin,
into Siberia. He was enrolled among the peasantry,
and paid the accustomed tax ; but received permis-
sion to come to town and earn his bread in what way
he pleased, and he generally contrived to gain a good
livelihood. This man was indeed incredibly expert.
At one time he would make sausages, at another
shoes ; he would act in the capacity of a servant to
travellers, play the pimp, or attend his employers
through the whole extent of the government. He
had an artful countenance, with a keen eye ; in short,
he seemed fit for anything. The governor warned
me of his being an accomplished sharper, and having
cheated all his masters. What was to be done ? he
could speak French as well as Russian ; he knew the
whole country, and had been everywhere ; he could
make bread and dress victuals ; lie was just what I
wanted : and 1 hired him for three roubles and a half
per month, and his board. The governor extended
his kindness so far as to allow me to keep him in my
service at Kurgan ; a favour of such moment, that
had it been known at Petersburgh, he might in con-

* These two senators were M. de LawaschofF and M. de
Lapuchin, whose generous conduct to me is for ever im-
printed on my heart.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 55

sequence have forfeited his post. It is true, that the
name of Rossi not having been inserted in the pass-
port, the governor was able in some measure to con-
nive at tlie circumstance. When we were on our
journey, the fellow knew every village we passed
through, and insinuated himself everywhere in the
most happy manner. During the early part of my
residence at Tobolsk, I confess I enjoyed unbounded
liberty. I visited and received visits, when and as
often as I pleased. I was seldom without friends
when at home, and I often visited my friend KiniakofF.
He lived in a very agreeable style, and had a collec-
tion of choice books, among which were most of the
best French authors. J had also the privilege of
walking about the streets and even beyond the gates,
at my pleasure.

But all this indulgence was suddenly withdrawn.
One morning the governor sent for me, and in the
kindest manner expressed his uneasiness on my ac-
count. " Your arrival," said he, " has attracted
much notice here, and it becomes still more generally
the topic of conversation ; I cannot therefore consi-
der you as a person of no consequence, and I must
be the more circumspect as your counsellor does not
yet think of departing ; I fear, indeed, he stays to
be a spy upon your conduct. The senators too may
be displeased that you are treated with so much
indulgence. It appears necessary, for our mutual
interest, that you should live under a little more re-
straint; I beg therefore (this generous man could
command, and yet be begged) that you will receive
no visits, except those of your physician ; nor visit
any house except his and mine : at every hour of the
day my door will be open to you." I intreated him
to make an exception with respect to KiniakofF. He
shrugged up his shoulders, acknowledged the merit
of that young man, and said " that he was himself
fond of his company, and was convinced of his inno-
cence; yet," continued he, ** he is looked upon with

56 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

suspicion, and that is sufficient to injure you." I
thanked him for the goodness he had evinced in thus
explaining his motives, and without saying another
word, yielded to his arguments.

Hitherto I had no other guard than a subaltern officer
named Iwanowitsch, a good old man, hut very stupid.
He remained in the anti-chamber, where he was
almost always asleep. A younger man was now
added to my guard ; he gave me, however, no more
trouble than the other had done : both of them waited
on me, boiled my water, and went to market for me ;
but they were very assiduous in keeping off every
visitor except the physician, and when I went out,
one of them attended me. It was easily perceived
that they were ordered to examine closely into my
conduct ; however, excepting paying visits, I could
walk out wherever I pleased, both within and without
the city, entirely unmolested.

By means of my Italian knave I was enabled to
correspond with my good friend : we often met under
the arcades iri the great square ; and while the by-
standers would imagine we were both employed in
looking at the various articles placed there for sale,
we took the opportunity of exchanging a few words.

We were indeed under no fear of being betrayed :
the unfortunate exile is sure of the public compassion.
Several tradesmen, the first time I went to them,
whispered in my ear : *' Do you want to send a letter?
Give it me, and I will take care to forward it." This
trouble they take upon themselves without the least
interested motive, without even receiving the smallest
recompense. The name which they give the exiles
seems to have been dictated by the tenderest senti-
ments of compassion, and a full conviction of their
innocence — they call them unfortunates (neschts-
chastii). Who is that man ? they have asked : — An un-
fortunate, would be the answer ! and I never heara
them call an exile by any other name, much less by
any humiliating denomination implying guilt.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 57

Foreigners have been led to entertain such erro-
neous or at least imperfect ideas of what is called
being exiled to Siberia, that I think it necessary to
throw some light upon that subject.

The exiles are divided into several classes, very dif-
ferent from each other. The first class is composed
of malefactors, legally convicted of the most atrocious
crimes, and whose sentences have been confirmed by
the senate. These criminals are doomed to work in
the mines of Nertschinsk, whither they are con-
ducted in chains and on foot. Their sufferings are
worse than death ; as they commonly have under-
gone the chastisement of the knout, and have had
their nostrils slit.

The second class comprises that description of cri-
minals, who, though less guilty than the first, have
been juridically condemned to banishment. These
are enrolled among the peasantry, or bondmen ; their
names are changed to those of the boors among
whom they are settled, and they are employed as cul-
tivators of the soil. We met with many of this de-
scription with slit nostrils : these criminals, however,
have it in t'heir power, if they are at all diligent, to
gain something for themselves, and thereby render
their condition more tolerable.

The third class consists of such as the law has ac-
tually condemned, but sentenced only to banishment,
without the addition of any infamous and oppressive
punishment. If they are of noble birth, they do not
lose their rank. They are allowed to live without
molestation on the spot assigned to them, and they
are permitted to receive their usual incomes ; or in
case they have none, the crown furnishes them with
twenty or thirty copecs a day, or more.

The fourth and last class includes those who, with-
out any legal process, are exiled in an arbitrary man-
ner at the mere pleasure of the sovereign. They are
generally confounded with the third class. These
may write to their families or to the emperor, but

53 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

the letters are first perused by the governor, and
afterwards forwarded through his means. Sometimes
exiles of this class are confined in fortresses, and kept
in chains. Instances of this sort were however very
rare, and under the mild and merciful reign of Alex-
ander I, this class has entirely disappeared.

I know not to which of the two last classes my fellow-
traveller, the lieutenant-colonel from Rasan, belongs.
His destiny, however, appears to be very severe : for
although, on his arrival at Tobolsk, the governor
gave him hopes that he would be allowed to take up
his residence in that city ; and although, encouraged
by these insinuations, he had begun to make arrange-
ments, and to furnish himself with clothes and several
other necessaries ; he received an order two days
after to proceed instantly to Irkutzk. Two hours
only were allowed him to prepare for his departure,
and he has not been since heard of.

He was scarcely permitted to get back his clothes
in their half-finished state from the tailor. The go-
vernor, doubtless, received very particular orders
in this instance, or he would have acted more ac-
cording to the suggestions of his well-known hu-
manity.

Assisted by the kindness of a few friends, and some
compassionate and obliging tradesmen of the place, I
had been able to send off ten diflferent letters to my
wife,* the contents of which I shall notice hereafter.
Tlie hours which were devoted to her were the only
ones that afforded one drop of comfort to mingle in
my cup of sorrow ; yet, to my great surprise, I still
preserved my health, and I determined to divert my
grief in the best manner J could.

The counsellor, after the first two or three days of
my residence at Tobolsk, had quitted my lodgings to
live with a friend. I felt quite happy on his de-
parture, as it enabled me to devote myself without

* Most of these letters were duly received.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 59

interruption to my own thoughta. I employed the
greater part of the mcrnings in perusing tlie storj^ of
my misfortunes. Instead of common ink I made use
of Indian, which is good and in great plenty in this
country. Towards noon I usually walked 'out, or
climbed the rocks that surround the city, and which
the torrents have worn into a variety of picturesque
forms. From them I surveyed the vast expanse of
water that deluged its environs, and the thick forests
that skirted the horizon on every side. My eye too
caught every sail that glided along, and my imagina-
tion peopled the bark with my family. I dined almost
every day with the governor, sometimes with aulic
counsellor Peterson, and rarely at home. I never
quitted the company of M. de Kuscheleff without
feeling some alleviation of my grief: his delicacy and
sensibility found many an avenue to my heart, and
enlivened me with hope.

He was himself far from being happy. Often,
when seated beside each other in his summer-house,
we cast our eyes over the vast expanse of the waters,
and contemplated the immense forests beyond them.
One day, giving free utterance to his feehngs, he said
to me, stretching forth his hand, " Do you see those
forests ? they extend eleven hundred verstes towards
the shores of the Frozen Sea. The foot of man has
not yet trodden them ; they are inhabited solely by
wild beasts. My government contains more square
miles than Germany, France, and Turkey in Europe,
put together : yet what advantage docs it afford me ?
Scarcely a day passes without producing some new
spectacle of misery, either solitary or otherwise ; with
which I cannot, must not, condole, while the dis-
tresses of the sufferers rend my heart. A heavy re-
sponsibility lies upon me ; a mere accident, which no
human prudence or power could either foresee or
avert, a secret information, would be sufficient to
deprive me of my employment, my honour, and my
liberty ! And what indemnity have I for all this ? A

6G LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

desert country, a severe climate, and continual inter-
course with sufFerinfj^ and unhappy fellow- creatures 1'*

He has long heen desirous of his dismission, but has
not yet ventured to ask for it. May he never do it !
What will become of the wretched exiles, when he
who was their brother and their friend shall be no
longer with them ? For all his sacrifices may he find
ample recompense in the approbation of his own
heart ! When this man shall one day present him-
self before the tribunal of God, suiTounded by all the
innocent or unfortunate people whose sufferings he
has mitigated, with whose tears, when he could not
wipe them away, he has so often mingled his own ;
and when all of them shall lift up their voices to bless
him — what higher felicity than this can heaven itself
bestow ?

Towards the evening I commonly took a turn in
the town, or to the great square. This city is large ;
most of the streets are broad and straight, and the
houses chiefly constructed of wood ; those built of
stone are commodious and in the modern taste. The
churches, which are very numerous, are all heavily
designed. The streets are paved, or rather planked,
with thick timber, which is far cleaner and much
more agreeable than pebbles. The town is traversed
lengthways by navigable canals, over which are
bridges, kept in good repair. The market-place (the
bazaar) is very spacious ; where, besides provisions
and things of the first necessity, a great quantity of
Chinese and European goods are exposed to sale.
These articles are extremely dear, but the price of all
kinds of provisions is very moderate. The square
is crowded incessantly with people of all nations, par-
ticularly Russians and Tartars, Kirgists and Cal-
mucks. The fish-market aflforded a very novel spec-
tacle to me. Great quantities of different kinds of
fish, which I had hitherto known merely by descrip-
tion, were exposed, both dead and ahve, in tubs and
})arges, for sale. Esterlets (aoipemer rutkenus) sold

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 61

for a mere trifle. The husOy or royal fish, (acipenser
huso); the siliire, (s'durus g'lanis), &c., with cavcar oi
every colour, were equally reasonable. Had it not
been for the disagreeable smells in this market, I
should often have loitered there-
Curiosity sometimes led me to the playhouse. The
building is spacious, and fitted up with a row of boxes.
The greater number of these boxes belong to particu-
lar people ; and every proprietor having a right to
ornament his own box in what manner he pleases,
the variety of decorations was very striking. 'J'he
balustrade was covered in many places with rich silks
of very fanciful colours. At the back of the boxes
were girandole mirrors. The whole, it is true, had
an Asiatic appearance ; but at first sight it did not
fail to produce a good effect. The orchestra was ex-
ecraljlc. The company of performers was made up
of exiles. Among the number of these was the wife
of my worthy Rossi, a native of Revel, who, having
been transported to Siberia for some crime, found a
suitable husband in the person of my valet. She
now plays the parts of mothers and matrons on the
boards of the national theatre of Tobolsk. The de-
corations, the dresses, the, acting, the singing, were
all below criticism. One evening when I was pre-
sent, they acted the ' Dober Saldat' (the Good Sol-
dier). I forget the name of the other piece 1 saw;
but neither of the times I was there was I able to
stay more than a quarter of an hour. The admit-
tance to the best places costs no more than thirty
copecs, or nearly fifteen French sols.

* Misanthropy and Repentance,' * The Natural
Son,' and some other of my pieces, had been repre-
sented with much applause. They were getting up
* The Virgin of the Sun ;' but the dresses and de-
corations demanding an expense beyond the mana-
ger's revenues, they had determined to supply the
deficiency by making a collection among the principal
inhabitants of the place.

62 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

There is likewise a club at Tobolsk (I believe they
call it the Casiiis), kept by an Italian whose nostrils
are sht. He had been guilty of murder; and hav-
hig sturdily undergone the dis^cipline of tlie knout,
he gained his livelihood in this manner. 1 never
entered this house.

During my stay here, a ball and a masquerade had
been twice given in honour of the two deputies from
the senate. I was invited to both in due form ; but
being unwilling to make a show of myself and my
misfortunes, I did not accept the invitations, and can
therefore say nothing of the fair sex of Toholsl;.
Except the excellent family of aulic counsellor Petei-
son, and the beautiful and amiable daughter of colo-
nel Kramer, I scarcely saw a woman of condition in
the place.

I should have walked about the environs of the
town more frequently than I did, if the insupportable
heat during day-time, and the gnats, still more into-
lerable, at night, had not hindered me from taking
that recreation. Not a day passed in which Reau-
mur's thermometer was not from twenty-six to
twenty-eight degrees. We had regularly five or six
hurricanes every four-and-twenty hours ; Avhich, pro-
ceeding from all points of the compass, seemed like
a war of winds. There were tremendous showers of
rain, which, however, very little if at all refreshed
the air. Notwithstanding all this heat, nature is
very sparing in her gifts here ; and I did not see a
single fruit-bearing tree. The governor's garden,
iiideed, which is certainly the finest in all the country,
exhibited some in painting against the plank walls
that form its enclosure. In fact, the garden contained
scarcely anything but the black alder (i-hamnus frnra-
gulu) ; ihe Siberian pear tree (roh'mia caragona) ; and
the birch (bctula alba). Tliis last tree is very com-
mon all over the country, but it is slender and dwai'f-
ish. At a distance, a stranger would take a grove
of old birch-trees for a cluster of young European

£XILB to SIBERIA. 63

plants. The alder is the favourite tree with the
inhabitants of Tobolsk ; they plant it in the streets
before their houses. They prefer it on account of its
sweet-scented blossom, and seem satisfied with it for
want of something better. There Avere likewise a
few green and red gooseberry bushes in the go-
vernor's garden, with various kinds of cabbages, and
a few cucumber-plants in flower. Some apple-treeg
are also to be found in the neighbourhood of Tiumen,
which bear fruit about the size of walnuts.

Tf the inhabitants of this country are little in-
debted to nature for fruits, she has abundantly com-
pensated for that defect in the article of grain. The
Siberian buck- wheat (polygonum tartariciim) , so well
known in Europe, reproduces itself without any kind
of culture, and requires no other labour than that of
reaping it. Every sort of grain grows in astonishing
abundance. Tlie grass too is thick and succulent ; the
soil is in general of a dark colour, loose, and requires
no manure. The peasants, too indolent to cany
away by degrees the dung of their cow-houses and
stables, are often thrown into a very singular kind of
embarrassment. JMy friend Peterson has assured me,
that frequsntly havhig occasion to travel about the
country as a physician, he one day came to a village
the inhabitants of which were employed in pulling
down their houses in order to rebuild them on
another spot ; as it was more difficult to remove the
enormous dunghills which surrounded the houses,
than the houses themselves.

In the same degree that the heat is insupportable in
summer, so is the cold during winter ; and the ther-
mometer often falls to forty degrees below the cypher.
M. Peterson mentioned an experiment which he
makes every year : he freezes quicksilver, wliich he
carves into small figures with a pen-knife, and sends
them in snow to the governor.

This severe climate is however conducive to health.
My physician knew of only two prevalent diseases :

64 LIFE OF K0T2EBUE.

tlie one a disease too common in most parts of the
world ; the other a catarrhal fever, to which the in-
habitants are liable on account of the sudden changes
in the temj^erature of the air ; yet, by proper atten-
tion, particularly at night-fall, a man may attain to a
healthy old age in Sil^eria.

The evenings I emi)loyed in reading. JMy friends
Peterson and Kiniiikoff had furnished me with some
good authors, and in this country I valued them far
above their worth.

I still flattered myself with the hopes of being
allowed to remain at Tobolsk. The governor not
having mentioned my removal, my friend conjectured
that he only waited for the departure of the two
senators and the counsellor, to grant me a formal
permission to stay. The senators indeed set off for
Irkutzk, but the counsellor still remained. I have
since learned that his stay was occasioned merely by
a want of money ; and that he had been waiting tne
determination of a tradesman of Tobolsk, whom he
had offered to take with him free of post expenses,
on condition that he would defray the rest. However
natural the solution of this enigma may appear, it
was difficult to divine it at that time ; and it is not
to be wondered at that both the governor and myself
should have taken him for a s])y.

The fourteen days wliich had been granted me,
had now nearly expired. I waited on the governor
one Sunday to pay him my respects ; as the exiles of
the third and fourth classes keep up a custom of pre-
senting themselves before him on that day in regi-
mentals, but without sAvords. The governor drew
me on one side, and informed me that it was ne-
cessary I should prepare for leaving Tobolsk on the
morrow ; as he could not, for reasons already known
to me, allow me to remain there any longer. I was
much dejected on hearing this, but submitted with a
good grace, contenthig myself with intreating him to
indulge me with a delay of two days, for the j)urpose

EXILE TO SIBERFA. 65

of procuring several things I stood in need of, and
which were not to be obtained in Kurgan ; and to
dispose of my carriage (for which I had no farther
occasion), in order to recruit my exhausted purse.
The governor granted my request in the most obhg-
ing manner, and I instantly began my preparations,
that I might run no risk of trespassing on his good-
ness.

The most opulent tradesman in the town, whose
name I forget, had offered me a few days before a
hundred and fifty roubles for my carriage, which as
the reader has seen, had cost me more than three
times that sum ; and I had of course refused to part
with it at such a price. Being now, however, obliged
to disi)Ose of it, I would have wilhngly struck a bar-
gain with him on his former terms, but he had the
effrontery to bid me twenty-five roubles less. I was
obhged to take that sum, and this transaction did not
vex me so much as it shocked the worthy governor,
who expressed his indignation in the strongest terms,
and seriously recommended me to turn the anecdote
into a little farce, which he promised, if I would give
it him ir French, he would himself translate, and
have it brought on the stage at Tobolsk. Alas ! I
was but ill disposed to write plays.

T purchased sugar, tea, coffee, paper, pens, and
such articles ; but what I most lamented was the want
of books ; for how could the winter be passed in Sibe-
ria without reading ? The good counsellor Peterson
furnislied me with such as he possessed, but his library
was chiefly composed of medical works, and a few
volumes of voyages and travels which I had read. ^ I
was however able to give my friend Kiniakoff notice
of my approaching departure and my want of books :
he wrote me word that at midnight, while the guard
was asleep, I might expect him at my window. He
came ; and for three successive nights he brought me.
some of the choicest volumes of his collection ; and

66 LIFE or KOTZEBUE.

among ot'liers the works of Seneca, which afterwards
proved a /^reat source of consolation to me.

I wrote to my wife and to ahout a dozen generous
friends in Russia and Germany. All these letters I
enclosed in one parcel, directed to ray old and trusty
friend Graumann, a merchant at Petersburgh, and
consigned it to the care of Alexander Schiilkins, with
a promise that he should receive fifty roubles at the
hands of my friend on its delivery. This seemed to
me the best manner of securing the due delivery of it,
and the event has shewn that I judged rightly.

Everything being ready for my departure, I waited
on the governor, and having learnt that a subaltern
was to accompany me to Kurgan, I requested him to
allow honest Iwanowitsch, notwithstanding his ad-
vanced age, to be the man. M. de KuschelefF, who
refused me nothing in his power, granted me this
favour. To this he added others : he furnished me
with letters of recommendation to the principal people
of Kurgan, presented me with a chest of fine tea,
which was highly acceptable to me, and promised to
send me every week the ' Frankfort Journal,' which
he took hi regularly. He kept his word ; and, as I
have since learned, risked much by his complaisance.

My kibick, an old worn-out cart, which however
cost me thirty roubles, was now loaded. I took a
cold and formal leave of the counsellor, whose de-
parture was to take place the day after mine, and
which gave me so much the more pleasure, as he was
to be the bearer of my memorial to the emperor. He
went away by no means satisfied with the governor,
who did not once invite him to his table.

It was on the 13th of June, at two o'clock in the
afternoon, that I walked with great reluctance to the
banks of the Tobol, my kibick being already on board.
On my way thither a singular adventure took place.
I was accosted by a well-dressed Russian woman, and
loaded with compliments on my plays. These c »m-

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 67

pliments appeared to me to be ill-timed ; and after
makings her a slight bow, 1 was passing on. She
stojiped me however, and announced herself as one
of the company of the town-comedians, and informed
me that she was studying the part of the high priestess
in the * Virgin of the Sun ;' but being ignorant of
the proper dress of such a character, she begged T
would describe it to her. At any other time I should
have laughed at her, but my departure having thrown
me into an ill-humour, I was quite angry, and told
her with a frown that a man banished into Siberia
could have no inclination to trouble his head about
Peruvian dresses ; and begging her to choose a robe
according to her own taste,. I left her in an abrupt
manner.

The common road to Kurgan lies through a small
tov.'n called Juluterski ; the distance is little more
than four hundred and twenty verstes, but the inun-
dation of the Tobol obliged us to fall back at Tinmen,
which lies on the frontiers, and from thence we pro-
ceeded soutliwards. At Tiumen I passed the night
at the house of a notary, who entertained us with
unaffected hospitality. Whoever had told me three
weeks before that I should so soon revisit this town,
would have been considered by me as an angel of
deliverance : but now I beheld it again, and my liberty
appeared still farther off than ever ! On this journey
I paid the established uhase price at each stage, being
no more than one copeck a verste for two horses,
which just amounted to six French sols the German
mile.

At a few posts from Thimen I observed, in a
marshy forest, a phenomenon in botany, which I have
mentioned since my return to several learned natural-
ists, none of whom had ever heard of it before. On
a spot about six hundred paces over, appeared an in-
numerable quantity of red flowers, and on the top of
each there seemed to lie a large flake of snow. Their
appearance struck me, and, alighting from the car-

GS LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

riage, I gathered several of the flowers, which I shall
now endeavour to describe. On a stalk of about fivt;
inches in height, the leaves of which, as well as I can
remember, resemble those of the lily of the valley,
hung a kind of purse, not unlike a work-bag, of about
an inch and a half square, with tendrils dangling from
the upper end, as it were, for the purpose of tying it
up. This bag, which both within and without was
of a fine deep purple-colour, was furnished witli a
leaf in the form of the heart, proportioned to the
other parts of the flower, the top of which was as
white as snow, and the bottom of the same colour as
the bag. This leaf opened and shut with ease, and
served in some sort as a lid. I am unable to express
how beautiful this flower (which, I must observe, had
no smell) appeared to the eye. I fear I have not
been able to describe it with any degree of precise-
ness, being but a novice in the science of botany ; I
can however positively assert, that it would prove a
very beautiful ornament to any garden. The great
quantity of them which I saw induced me to believe
it was a common flower in Siberia, and I therefore
neglected to take any of them with me. I have re-
gretted this a thousand times since, for 1 looked in
vain for tlie flower on my return, and I could find no
one that was acquainted with it.*

At the distance of a day's journey from Kurgan we
passed the night at the house of a priest, where we
were accommodated with a well-furnished chamber
and good beds, and were treated in the most hospi-
table manner ; and where, to my great astonishment,
no payment was required from us the next morning.

* Mr Peterson, to whom I gave a descrijHion of this
flower on my return from Kiirj^an, was extremely desirous
to procure some roots of it ; and he intended to transj.lant
them the following' summer should he be able to discover
where they grew. Having been obliged to make a very
irregular tour on account of the floods, it is probable
that I mar have thus made a discovery in botany.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 69

I learn that the village in common was at the expense
of keeping up this hospitable establishment merely
for the convenience of travellers. Could the virtue
and duty of hospitality be carried farther than this ?
Not a peasant made his appearance at our departure
even to receive our thanks.

At four in the afternoon we came in sight of Kur-
gan. A single steeple raises its head above a group
of mean-looking buildings. The town is situated on
an elevated bank of the Tobol : it is surrounded with
a naked and barren heath, which spreads itself on all
sides, for several verstes, to the foot of some rising
woodlands; it is intersected by a great number of
lakes choked up with reeds. The rainy weather by
no means rendered the landscape more inviting. The
name of Kurgan, which signifies a grave, I had long
considered as a bad omen. Willi tears in my eyes,
and despair at my heart, I found myself arrived at the
termination of my past and the beginning of my
future miseries ; and as the floods obliged us to ap-
proach the town by a circuitous route, I had ample
leisure to contemplate the grave which was about to
receive its living victim.

In the midst of a cluster of wooden cottages of one
story high, a single house built of stone, and not in a
bad style, now rose before me, and appeared like a
palace in comparison with the others. I enquired the
name of its owner, and T learnt it belonged to a cer-
tain M. de Rosen, formerly vice-governor of Perm,
who had an estate in this country.

The capricious taste of this man, which had induced
him to take up his abode in this corner of the world,
did not tempt me to covet his acquaintance. His
name however was German, and I ventured to hope
he was descended from a German family. The name
had been long dear to my heart. It reminded me of
a sincere and faithful friend, the old baron de Rosen,
and of his incomparable lady, whom I revered hke a
second mother: a generous pair, who had often

70 Lit'E or KOTZlLEVli,

soothed the vexations of my life, and whose name at
that moment was sufficient to inspire consolation and
delight even at an immeasurable distance.

After many turnings and windings, we came to a
kind of flying-bridge, a mere raft, fastened at each
end to the opposite shores of the Tobol, and exposed
to all tlie violence of the waves. Every carriage that
drove njjon it caused it to sink considerably, and the
greatest care was necessary to keep the emergent
part in sight, without which the boatmen who stood
on that part which was under water would have had
no guide to direct them in crossing the ferry.

Kurgan has two spacious streets, lying parallel to
each other. We alighted at ths house in which the
common court of justice is held : my subaltern en-
tered, and quickly returned with the account of the
gorodrntscJiie, or the head of the police, being from
home, and that the president of the district acted in
his place. We then drove to him, and arriving at the
door I was announced, and in a few minutes invited
to walk in.

I was introduced to an old man whose countenance
was extremely engaging, but who imagined it w^as
necessary to assume a serious and important air on
this occasion. He saluted me coldly, put on his
spectacles, opened every paper which concerned me,
and read them with great composure one after the
other, without paying the least attention to me. I
thought it would be as well to give him a hint how I
wished to be treated, both at the present time and in
future, and taking a chair, I sat myself down. He
cast a side glance at me, and seemed much surprised,
but continued to read on without uttering a single
word.

In an adjoining chamber I noticed a curious group
of persons, consisting of several grown-up children,
a handsome woman (the president's second wife) his
mother, who was almost blind, and a middle-aged
man in a Polish dress. They all fixed their eyes on

EXILE TO SIBERIA, 71

me in silence, and not a word was spoken till the
reading of the papers was concluded. Probably the
governor had recommended me to the president, or
rather his own heart spoke in my behalf, as he then
turned to me, and with a smiling countenance gave
me his hand, and welcomed me to liis house. He
presented me to his family and to the Pole, whom he
congratulated on having found a companion in mis-
fortune, and whom he also recommended to my
friendship. I embraced him with commiseration,
and we both felt that the similarity of our destinies
would soon make us brothers and friends.

The president of the common tribunal of the pro-
vince, and at the same time first magistrate of Kur-
gan, was named De Gravi. His father, a Swedish
officer, who had been taken prisoner at the battle of
Pultava, had been sent into Siberia with many of his
fellow-soldiers. He married a native of the country,
and died in exile. His son served in the Russian
army, fought during the seven years' war, returned
afterwards to the place of his birth, and having
changed a military for a civil employment, lived satis-
fied and happy on a moderate income ; at least, he
always appeared cheerful and content. He had lately
been named aulic counsellor, and though not fool"-
ishly vain, he seemed not a little flattered by the title..

After the first compliments were over, he began to,
think about providing me with a lodging, which, ac-
cording to the governor's order, was to be one of the
best that could be found. Such lodging, however,
being of the number of those the crown disposes of,
and which the proprietor of the town is obliged to
furnish gratis on the arrival of an exile, it is natural
enough that every inhabitant should do all he can to
avoid this disagreeable tax, and that he whose lot it
is to submit to it, should accommodate the unbidden
guest with the worst room in the house.

M. de Gravi, who had been a long time considering
this matter, at last named for my host a kind o(

72 LIFE OF KOTZELUE.

adjutant, a little hump-backed man. He then mvited
me to supper, but I begged he would excuse me, as I
stood in great need of rest, and Avished likewise to
arrange my affairs at my new lodgings.

I accompanied my guide, who led me to a small
low-built house, where I was nearly breaking my
head in going in at the door. This beginning pro-
mised but pa'itry accommodation, and the rooms I was
shewn into were still less inviting. They were no-
thing better than mere holes, in which a man could
hardly stand upright ; the walls were naked, there
was no bed, nor any other furniture than a table and
two wooden stools ; the windows were patched with
paper. I sighed from the bottom of my heart ; the
mistress of the house returned my sigh in a most cor-
dial manner, and with silent ill-humour set about
clearing the place of some linen, a few broken utensils,
and some old clothes, which she had been accustomed
to keep there.

I grew, however, in some degree reconciled to the
lodging, and began to make my little arrangements as
well as I was able. Scarcely had 1 been an hour in
the house, when the worthy De Gravi sent me a ham,
two loaves of bread, some eggs, fresh butter, and
other provisions, out of which my dexterous Rossi
prepared an excellent supper, rather indeed for him-
self than for me. After this I endeavoured to invoke
the power of sleep for the first time at Kurgan, but
the distress of mind under which I laboured, and the
myriads of insects that tormented me, did not allow
me to close my eyes.

The next day, rather early in the morning, I re-
ceived the visits of the principal people of the town.
These I shall name hi succession, to give the reader
an idea of what is termed good company at Kurgan.

Stephen OsipowitschMammejef was kapiUni \spraw-
ri'ih, or intendant of the province, as far as relates to
the police, the repairs of bridges and public roads, the
collection of tolls, &c. He likewise heard and decided

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 73

all differences arising among the peasantry. He was
a clever, jovial man, very civil, and in easy circum-
stances. Some traits of luxury even were to be found
in his house, but luxury not ahvays accompanied by
good taste. I remember, for instance, to have re-
marked in one of the rooms several small tables and
teaboards, ornamented with some good copies of
engravings, executed and varnished over at the
manufactory of Ekaterinabourg. These pieces of
furniture were very expensive ; but, instead of their
being used either as tables or teaboards, they were
hung against the wall like so many pictures, and the
feet which belonged to the former were placed in dif-
ferent parts of the room as mere ornaments.

Juda Nikitisch, a sedatel, or assessor of the common
tribunal, the brother to a female friend of the gover-
nor, who had given me a letter of recommendation
to him, was a very shallow and insigr.ificant personage.

Another sedatel, still more insignificant than the
former.

The secretary of the tribunal, a good sort of a man,
who had no very humble notions of his own capa-
city. He was the only inhabitant of Kurgan that
look in the Moscow Gazette.

A very ignorant surgeon.

Such was the narrow circle, exclusive of the absent
master of the police, in which I was to pass the
gloomy remnant of my days.

The most interesting man in all the place was cer-
tainly the Polish gentleman of whom I have already
spoken, whose name was Iwan SokolofF. He pos-
sessed an estate situated upon the new Russian-
Prussian frontiers, and had neither taken arms nor
had any concern directly or indirectly in the revolu-
tion of Poland. A friend of his who kept up a cor-
respondence with some of the new Prussian subjects,
imagined he might receive his letters with more cer-
tainty by having them addressed to SokolofF, and

VOL.fl. O

74 LIFE OF K0T2EBUE.

without informing him of the matter, pointed out that
way of communication to his correspondents. The
first letter was intercepted. Sokolotf, who was a
perfect stranger to the wliole transaction, was at
dinner in the neighbourhood, with his friend general
Wielhurski, when he was arrested with several others,
both innocent and guilty. They were a long time
confined as state prisoners, in a fortress of which I
forget the name. The business was reported at
Petersburgh, and they all obtained their pardon on
condition of being transported into Siberia for life.

SokolofF and his companions were thrown into
kibicks, and conducted to the place of their destina-
tion. The road lay within a few verstes of his estate.
In vain he petitioned to be permitted to bid farewell
to his family, to take a little linen and some clothes
with him ; no attention was paid to his entreaties.
In the sam^e kibick he was dragged on to Tobolsk.
At that place he was separated from his friends, and
sent to Kurgan, where he has led a most melancholy
life for three years past, without having received the
least intelligence of his wife and six cliildren.

Not being allowed more than about fifteen French
sols a day by the crown, he is obliged to forego every
convenience and comfort of life, in order to provide
himself with necessaries. During the winter he has
been shut up in the same hole with a landlord who
was never sober, and a landlady who was always out
of humour, surrounded with dogs and cats, poultry
and hogs. In the summer, for the sake of being
alone, he has lived in a cow-house, where I have often
visited him, A bare bedstead, a small table, a chair,
a bason and a crucifix, comprise the catalogue of all
his furniture, and all his wealth.

Notwithstanding the galHng misery that oppresses
him, he refuses every present that is offered him,
lives upon milk, bread and quass, and appears always
decently dressed. He is beloved by every one in the

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 15

town, and the only name by which he is called is
iramischa* He is particularly well received by M. de
Gravi, as he unites to uncommon goodness of heart
the manners of polished society, and is able to pre-
serv^e under the pressure of adversity an equanimity
of mind, which T have often admired, and sometimes
envied, being myself unable to attain it. It was only
when he was alone with me, after having repeated
twenty times over the history of our misfortunes,
told each other the names of our favourite children,
and concluded by naming everyone of them, that the
tears would start into his eyes, and a deep melan-
choly take possession of him.

Unhappily for me, he did not speak French, nor
even Latin, a circumstance very unusual among the
natives of Poland. We often found it difficult to
understand each other ; for, although he spoke Rus-
sian much better than 1 did, he had only learnt it at
Kurgan, and Ids Polish accent often rendered it unin-
telligible to me ; but our hearts were the better ac-
quainted on this very account. In the bosom of
misfortune two strangers felt themselves more inti-
mately united than any other connection could have
made them ; had we been born twins, the union could
not have been closer.

With a single trait I shall finish the character of
this extraordinary man. He has been so scrupulously
honourable as to reject every oiler that has been made
him to convey letters to his family, solely because he
had promised government never to avail himself of
any indirect means whatever to carry on a corres-
pondence with any of his relations, that indulgence
having been strictly prohibited him.

I now return to my own history. Not one of those
who came to see me on the day after my arrival,
came empty-handed : every one brought me something

* This word signifies a man full of goodness and conde»
•cension, and a lover of children.

76 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

either to eat or to drink, and I was at a loss for room
to store their presents. M. de Gravi came in person
to know how I hked my new lodging ; I confessed it
did not please me at all. He immediately offered to
accompany me over the whole town in quest of such
as he was able to dispose of : I accepted his offer with
gratitude, and we passed a great part of the day in
examining several houses, but most of them were
found to be still worse, and very few better than that
of which I had taken possession ; there was every-
where such want of rooms that, had I changed, my
servant must have slept in the same chamber with
myself — a circumstance I could not have supported.

At length, I requested M. de Gravi to allow me to
look out for myself, being desirous to try if money,
the master-key to every door, would not procure me
an abode where I might find better accommodations.
He freely gave me leave, observing at the same time
that I should find nothing to my liking. I chiefly
relied on my intelligent Rossi, who, in the course of
twenty-four hours, was well acquainted with tlie town,
and had perhaps already overreached some of its
unsuspecting inhabitants. He began to make inqui-
ries, and soon returned with information that I
might become sole master of a small new house, if I
chose to make a sacrifice of the sum of fifteen roubles
a month. The owner was a tradesman, who, allured
by the love of gain, would willingly give up his v/hole
Habitation, and confine himself to a small apartment
behind it.

I went immediately to the man, and took a survey
of the house, which I found so convenient and well-
furnished, considering the place we were in, that it
much surpassed my expectations. It consisted of
one large room, another of less size, together with a
warm and spacious kitchen, and a kind of lumber-
room, which the Russians call hladavm. The parti-
tions, indeed, were only naked boards, but the land-
lord had ornamented them with coloured prints, and

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 77

pictures painted in oil; these were executed badly
enough, as it may be imagined, but this furnished an
agreeable illusion, which made me in some sense for-
get where I was. Among them, for instance, were
several of the productions of Nuremburg, a female
inhabitant of Augsburg, a Leipsic lass, a vender of
cracknels of Vienna, all with German inscriptions.
The mere sight of a dozen lines written in my own
language, rendered me so happy that I could not
summon sufficient resolution to give up these inter-
esting remembrancers. There were besides these,
some bad copies of lady Hamilton's attitudes, and the
Herculaneum paintings, landscapes, &c. The por-
traits in oil were done in Russia, and represented the
czars ; that is to say, the painter having daubed the
canvas with some long-bearded figures, had decorated
them with a czar's cap, and put an imperial globe in
their hands, and written under them the name of
Alexci Michailoivisch, or some such imperial appella-
tion.

The furniture consisted of two wooden benches
with backs to them, which were dignified with the
name of sofas, because a cushion, covered with printed
cotton, had been placed on them ; there were also
some tables and chairs. I'here was, besides, a cup-
board stored with china, but locked up, and sacred to
the exclusive use of the landlady. The windows
opened into the street ; behind the house there was a
spacious yard, which extended to the banks of the
Tobol, and opened upon a very agreeable walk. The
apartment my landlord occupied was entirely sepa-
rated from mine. All these considerations united,
tempted me to close with the extravagant terms that
were demanded, which would have been a consider-
able price even at Petersburgh, and which ill ac-
corded with the low state of my finances. I agreed
to take possession the same day.

An obstacle 1 did not at all expect, at first counter-
acted ray plan. My good friend de Gravi would not

G 2

78 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

consent to see me lavish away so much money. He
continually repeated — " What a sum for a town like
Kurgan 1 A price quite unheard of 1" He even sent
for the landlord, and treated him so roughly, that
the latter was on the point of breaking off the agree-
ment. He repeated to me twenty times a Russian
proverb : ''Bereghi denje 7ia tscliomi lien ; — lay by your
money for a dark day !" He had even some thoughts
of informing the govemor of the transaction ; be-
cause, as he observed, his duty required him to
watch over me ; and in short, I had great trouble to
convince him that I was able to bear the expense ;
and that at all times it had been a maxim with me to
prefer a good lodging to a good table. At length he
yielded, but not before my landlord promised him to
furnish me with fire-wood and quass for the same
price, and I then took possession of my rooms ; every
time, however, that I met him afterwards, I had to
sui)port his lamentations at the extravagant price of
my lodging.

It is true, had the remittances I hoped to receive
from Livonia failed me ; had all my wife's letters to
me been intercepted ; had my wife not ventured to
join me, or not been allowed to do it, I should at the
end of six months, have been very much embarrassed,
as the crown had not allowed me a copeck. I had
however money for the })resent, and hope for the
future, and nothing could induce me to refrain from
a temporary mitigation of my ills. Living also was
so cheap at Kurgan, my wants were so few, and the
opportunities of falling into extraordinary expenses
so rare, that I calculated my money was in fact suffi-
cient, with good economy, to supply me for a whole
year ; and that in the space of a year many a change
might take place!

1 shall mention the price of several kinds of pro-
Tisions, observing at the same time, that my honest
servant seldom failed to cheat me out of one half of
the sums I entrusted to him. Bread cost at the rate

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 79

of four French sols for a loaf of six pounds weight ;
beef sold for a sol and a half a pound ; a fowl, a sol
and a half ; butter, from three to four sols a pound ;
a couple of heath cocks at most four sols ; hares
without their skins were to be had for nothing, as the
Russians never eat them ; a dish of fish, two sols ; a
cord of wood, a livre. The most confirmed drinker
could not swallow more than half a sol of quass a day.
I once took an opportunity of asking M. de Gravi, in
the presence of the Kap'itan Isprnicnik, what the ex-
pense of keeping a pair of horses would amount to-
ll e replied, tliirty roubles a year would be sufficient.
** What do you say? thirty roubles !" cried the other,
interrupting him:'" I will undertake to keep them,
and hi excellent condition too, for twenty-five !"

From the above statement, it appears what a trifle
is sufficient to procure the necessaries of life at Kur-
gan ; but the misfortune is, that they are not always
to be purchased. There is neither baker nor butcher
in the whole town ; once a week on Sunday afternoon,
a kind of market is kept, in which the inhabitants
must provide themselves with bread and meat for the
whole week. It often happens too, that this market
is without a supply of meat.

Other articles, particularly articles of luxury, are,
on the contrary, exorbitantly dear. A quart of
French brandy costs two roubles and a half ; sugar a
rouble a pound ; coffee a rouble and a half, or up-
wards ; half-a-dozen packs of ugly cards, seven rou-
bles ; a quire of Dutch paper about three roubles.

These, however, are articles that a man may do
without, and I found, at the end of the first week,
that I had hardly spent two roubles, including wash-
ing, candles, and other trifling things. It is true,
my table was as frugal as I was able to make it. The
delicacies which appeared on it consisted of bread,
and flour (with which M. de Gravi took care to sup-
ply me twice a week, and which is a scarce article at
Kurgan), and excellent fresh butter. Of the latter I

80 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

never ate better in any part of the world : its good
qualities arise from the rich pasturage in the neigh-
bourhood, where the cattle graze at will. In addition
to my bread and butter, I had sometimes a fowl stewed
with rice, or a pigeon, or a duck, which I had shot
myself; and my dessert was nothing more than a
draught of quass. I arose every day from table sa-
tisfied, but never with a full stomach ; and I have
reason to believe it is to that circumstance I am in-
debted for the uninterrupted state of good health
which I latterly enjoyed at Kurgan.

My way of living in general was as follows : I
rose at six, and studied the Russian language for an
hour ; as not a soul in the town spoke any other, it
was absolutely necessary to recover that knowledge
which I had lost through disuse. I then took my
breakfast, and sat down for some hours to the his-
tory of my misfortunes. After this task, which at
length became pleasant to me, I usually walked on
the banks of the Tobol in my bed-gown and slippers.
I had marked out the extent of two verstes, which
was ray daily exercise ; and, as I have already ob-
served, I could go there through the yard door un-
observed. At my return I usually read Seneca ; I
then took my ])lain dinner, after which I indvilged
myself with an hour's nap, and when I awoke, took
up Pallas or Gmelin, till Sokoloff called on me to
take the diversion of shooting. On our return he
generally drank tea with me, over which we repeated
the story of our misfortunes, imparted to each other
our hopes, or combated each other's fears. After
his departure I again read Seneca, and ate a slice of
bread and butter for my supper ; I then played alone
at grande patience * and went to bed more or less
sorrowful (I am almost ashamed to own it) as the
game had proved more or less successful.

Whoever has undergone a series of misfortunes,

* A kind of fortune-telling game at cards.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 81

must certainly have experienced that the mind is
never more prone to superstition than when under
the immediate controul of grief. What would be
considered as a mere nothing under other circum-
stances, acquires importance during the hour of
affliction. A mere straw will then attract our notice,
and notwitlistanding the firm persuasion that this
straw is not able to bear a fly, yet we would fain lay
hold of it, and are unhappy if we miss it. I must
confess, that scarcely an evening passed at Kurgan,
in which I did not put the question to myself, as 1 was
playing at patience, whether 1 should see my family
again or not. When the game succeeded (I should
do wrong to say it filled me with hope and delight,)
but it always gave me pleasure ; and when the game
was not successful (I should be equally blameable to
say, that it increased my affliction or despair), but it
never failed to give me some uneasiness. Smile,
reader ; you have my permission. Ridicule me, ye
happy mortals, whose bark has ever glided down a
clear smooth stream, whose banks are enamelled with
flowers ! ridicule the wretch who, as he clings to the
wreck of his vessel, is tossed by the waves on the
wide ocean, and eagerly endeavours to grasp the
most slender weed !

In this manner my time passed away. I sufiTered
no kind of restraint, and no one overlooked my con-
duct. My subaltern, Iwanowitsch, had returned to
Tobolsk the day after my arrival, and it was not
judged necessary to put another in his place, as had
been done in the case of Sokoloff on his first arrival
here. All kind of superintendence would have been
needless precaution : our field sports indeed drew us
sometimes several verstes from the town ; but whither
could we have fled ? Kurgan had formerly been con-
sidered as the frontier of the Kirgists ; but for many
years this frontier had been removed backward more
than sixty verstes, and a fort erected to cover it. ^

And had the borders still extended to the neigh-

82 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

bourhood of Kurgan, it could not have facilitated the
escape of people totally unprepared for such an enter-
prize, ill acquainted with the Russian language, and
wholly ignorant of the Kirgish, Ev^en, in any case,
the idea of flight would be the last resort of despair :
for the inhabitants of Kurgan still remember with
horror, the time in which they could not venture out
of the town, without the risk of being carried off by
the Kirgists, who were then ever on the watch. The
captive was tied to the tail of a horse, and obliged to
follow the rider, who rode off at full gallop ! Tiie
latter cared but little for the cries and groans of the
wretch he was dragging along : when he came home
he examined whether he was alive or dead ; in the
first case, he made him his slave, or, what was more
common, sold him to the Bucharians, who trans-
ported him heaven knows where. We had reason,
therefore, to be happy in this enjoyment of the sports
of the field, free from the dread of these monsters !

The diversion of shooting was extremely agreeable
to me, though we were but ill provided for it. We
possessed nothing more than two miserable guns,
which generally missed fire four or five times before
they went off. Tlie whole town did not afford a
pointer, nor even a spaniel to fetch our game out of
the water. The neighbourhood being full of lakes
and marshes, our principal sport consisted in shooting
woodcocks and wild ducks ; we were therefore obliged
to perform the office of a spaniel ourselves, and wade
up to our middle in water to look for our prey. My
Polish friend was much more expert in this fatiguing
exercise than I was. He would plunge into the deep-
est waters, and wade about for half an hour together,
firing among the reeds, or looking for those birds
which I had shot from the banks. He was equal to
the best spaniel, in every respect but his nose ; and
indeed a dog was not very necessary to us, on account
of the great abundance of game. Never had I seen in
Europe so many rooks in one flight, as I saw wild

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 83

ducks of a hundred different sorts, in flocks in this
country. Some were very small ; some had round,
others flat beaks ; some long, and others short ones.
There were some with short legs, others with long,
and of grey or brown colour, or of black, with
yellow beaks. Sometimes, though rarely, we met
with the great Persian duck, of a rose colour, with
black beak, and a tuft on its head. Every time we
shot at this bird, it screamed in a most lamentable
manner, even when we had missed our aim.

The species of woodcocks were likewise equally
numerous and various. Some we saw of about the
size of a pigeon, of a brown yellow colour, with long
legs, and a frill of feathers round their necks. They
build their nests among the reeds, and they always
fly about the fowler, and make a singular noise : we
seldom shot at them, as their flesh has a disagreeable
taste. Twice I discovered some birds as white as
snow, and of the size of a goose, with long legs and
beaks, which were both times seeking their food on
the border of a lake ; but they were so wild, that
they flew away when we advanced within two hun-
dred paces of them. I never was able to learn their
names.

Besides ducks and woodcocks, we found wild
pigeons in abundance ; and blackbirds, flying in such
immense flocks, that whenever they alighted on a
tuft of trees, they covered it entirely. Their flesh
was delicious, but our small stock of powder obliged
us to be very sparing of our shots.

My Pole informed me, that in the end of autumn,
all sorts of game multiplied prodigiously ; and that
hares and heath cocks were to be found everywhere.
He assured me likewise, and I had heard the same at
Tobolsk, that the turkey, called in Russia drachwa,
was sometimes to be met with here. Bears were un-
known in the neighl)ourhood of Kurgan, and wolves
were not common, as those animals seldom haunt flat
countries. The sable is scarce in those parts, but the

84 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

ermine is found in great plenty. The goshawk, both
great and small, filled the air ; and so little did they
avoid the abodes of man, that they were often shot
from the very windows of the town. Having been
always fond of the sports of the field, the permission
given me to shoot proved one of my most agreeable
pastimes. The country itself likewise contributed
much to my amusement. Wherever I walked, the
most beautiful flowers sprang up under my feet. I fre-
quently remarked the fine spircea fiUpemlula, and often
met with tracts of land entirely covered with sweet-
scented herbs, particularly the southernwood, (ar-
temisia arbrotamim) . Multitudes of horned cattle and
horses, without any one to watch them, grazed at will
on every side ; and the weather, during the wliole
time of my residence here, had been remarkably
serene. While the inhabitants of Livonia were com-
plaining of cold and wet, in Asia the summer was
both dry and warm. Most days, indeed, we were
visited by storms ; but they were quickly over, and
refreshed the atmosphere without rendering it cold.

Another of my recreations was, the exercise of
long and frequent walks which I took on the banks of
the Tobol. Several parts of this river were resorted
to by the girls of Kurgan, for the purpose of washing
linen, or of bathing. These baths afforded them a
most agreeable gymnastic exercise, and contributed
greatly to their health. They swam over the stream
without the least difficulty, and lay on the water with-
out any apparent effort, and in this manner floated
down the current on their backs. They often gam-
boled together, pursued one another in the water,
and tumbled over one another with incredible dex-
terity. They indeed carried their sports so far as to
alarm an inexperienced spectator, who must every
moment have concluded that some of them would
sink and be lost. Everything, I must observe, was
carried on with the utmost decency ; their heads
alone were above the water, and one might have

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 85

doubted of their sex, had not their motions some-
times displayed a glimpse of their bosoms ; a circum-
stance which, however, seemed totally disregarded by
themselves. Whenever they were desirous of ending
their sport and coming out of the water, they pro-
ceeded hi a very modest manner. They desired the
lookers on to retire ; and if any person, more curious
or mischievous than the rest, refused to ^^'itlldraw,
the women on the banks would form a close circle
round the first girl that came out, and each of them
would hurry on a part of her clothes, so that in an
instant she would appear in a very modest dress.

These young girls seemed in general to be all in
good-humour, laughing and playing tricks. The
Kapitnn Isprawmk, a great admirer of the sex, came
frequently of an evening to my rooms, about the
time when the beauties of Kurgan were accustomed
to fetch water from the Tobol, and would sit with me
at the window to see them pass by. He would name
them to me one after the other ; boast of favours he
had received from many of them ; and the half-fa-
miliar, half-bashful manner in which they saluted
him, seemed but too well to confirm what he had
said.

The frequent visits of the inhabitants of Kurgan
became at length very troublesome to me, though I
could not but be sensible of their good intentions. A
notary who lived opposite to me, having sometimes
seen me smoke at the window, and who was himself a
great smoker, informed me he would come over and
take his pipe with me every morning, by way of keep-
ing me company. It was with the greatest difficulty
that I could prevail on him to give up his scheme, for
neither he, nor any one at Kurgan, could conceive it
possible that a man should -wdsh to be always alone
and fond of solitude. They knew not that, with the
image of a beloved wife in my heart, and Seneca in
my hand, I could never be without company.

I owe much, I owe everythmg, to Seneca ; and I

86 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

believe that during eighteen centuries, there has not
hved a man in the world who has blessed and revered
his memory so much as myself ! Often when despair
had plunged his poinard in my heart, I stretched out
my arms to this friend, who every day administered
the balm of patience and fortitude to my wounds.
The similarity of our fates rendered him still more
dear to me. He was an exile, he was innocent ; he
passed eight melancholy years among the barren rocks
of Corsica. The description he gives of his situation
accords with my own. He complains of an unpleasant
climate, of the savage manners and uncouth language
of the inhabitants. All this was applicable to my own
case ; but that which above all transported me, was
the eloquent and energetic reasoning against the fear
of death, contained in several fine passages of his
works. I collected these with care, and rendered them
familiar to my mind and my heart. I carried them
always about me, as Frederick the Great carried the
friendly poison, to which he intended to apply had all
his hopes failed him.

I cannot better paint the situation of my mind, or
furnish the unhappy, into whose hands these sheets
may fall, with more efficacious consolation, than by
transcribing some of those sentences which frequent
repetition has imprinted, not on my memory alone.

" Can the least of evils be deemed a great one ? Is
the task of despising death so difficult to learn ? Do
we not see it practised every day on the most unim-
portant occasions, even the paltry love of gain ? — A
slave, in order to escape from his master's fury, will
throw himself headlong from the top of a house ! A
fugitive, fearful of being taken, will stab himself !
Shall not courage then produce as great effects as fear ?"

*' The loss of life is the only one which cannot be
lamented when it is too late."

** Thou fallest into the hands of an enemy ; he
drags thee — whither? To that very goal to which
thou hast been travelling ever since thou wast bom.'*

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 87

** Long life is the wish of all men ; they are but
little solicitous that it should he a wise and good one :
yet it is in our power to embellish life with virtue, and
we are unable to prolong it."

** Death is the threshold of the house of rest, and
thou tremblest to set thy foot thereon."

** We are grown-up children, who fear death as in-
fants do tiieir nearest relation in a mask. What
relative is nearer akin to us than death ? Boldly tear
off his mask ; take from him his scythe ; deprive him of
his attendants, the physicians, the priests, and the
mourners ; and what then remains ? Nothing but
death."

** Be not terrified at the sound of lamentations and
groans ; these arise from pain, and not from death.
Every man who has suffered the gout, every emaciated
libertine, every woman in child-bed, has supported
pain. The more violent the pain, the shorter its
duration."

" 1 shall die : — that is, I shall cease to feel pain ; my
fetters will be broken ; I shall cease to lament my wife
and my children j I shall no longer be a slave, even to
death."

** Death frees thee from all ills, even from the fears
itself inspires."

** Are we not dying daily ? The child grows and
improves in stature, but his life decreases. We divide
with death every one of our days. It is not in
swallowing the last drop that we empty the cup of life :
to die is only to accomplish life."

" All thy life long, learn how to die, though thou
wilt be able to make use of what thou hast learnt but
one single time. Learn to die ; it is unlearning to be a
slave."

** Neither children nor madmen fear death. How
humiliating to reason, not to be able to furnish what
insanity can procure!"

" To die, is to become again what we once were. Is
the flame less happy when it is extinguished, than it

88 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

was before it was kindled ? Are we not kindled and
extinguished by the breath of nature ? It is an error
to say death only follows life ; it precedes it likewise.
To have terminated, and not to have begun existence,
must be the same."

" Death is either the end of our journey, or a point
of repose, where we change our garments. In the latter
case we shall be gainers, for our clothes encumber us
on all sides. But if it be the end of our journey, it
was not worth while to have set out. We shall, how-
ever, fall asleep, excessively fatigued, and shall not be
disturbed by dreams."

*' Life is merely a coasting voyage. Childhood,
youth, and manhood, are passed by with rapidity, as
towns and villages float before the eyes of the navi-
gator. At length we perceive the port ; and, fools that
we are, we take it for a shoal !'*

" Captivity is a hard lot : but who compels thee to
live a slave ? A thousand ways lead to liberty, ways
that are short and easy of access : thanks to the gods,
who constrain no man to live against his will !"

** Not a long life, but a pleasant one, constitutes the
happiness of our existence ; for which reason, the wise
man does not live as long as he may, but as long as he
likes. If misfortune oppress him, he throws off the
burthen. To him it is absolutely indifferent whether
he waits the arrival of death, or goes out to meet it :
whether he empties his cup drop by drop, or at a
single draught."

" Telesphorus, the Rhodian, was a mere coward.
Being shut up in a cage by the tyrant into whose
hands he had fallen, and fed like a wild beast, he said,
* As long as I am alive, I may hope.*

** What ! shall a man presume to ransom his life at
such a price ! Thou tellest me that Fortune may do
everything for the man that still lives, and I answer,
that she can do nothing against the man who knows
how to die."

*' How often are we bled to cure a head-ache ; and

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 89

thou hesitatest to open a vein to terminate a miserable
life !"

" Among the apostles of virtue there are some who
deem suicide a crime ; as there are dogs who bark at
you when you approach the gate of hberty. The
Creator has been more compassionate : one road alone
leads into life ; a thousand lead out of it."

" I am allowed to choose the house in which I
should like to dwell, the vessel on board of which I
should like to sail ; and shall I not choose the kind of
death which must conduct me beyond the grave?"

** A long life is not the worst of things : for this
reason death ought to be obedient to our will. To
others we are accountable for our life ; to ourselves
alone for our death."

I shall not take upon myself to deny that among the
foregoing sentences, there are several which, on a
close examination, would prove to be mere tinsel of
words ; but who can be displeased at me, that, situated
as I was, I felt averse to enter into a closer investiga-
tion of their reasoning before I adopted them ? I con-
sidered my last hope as having failed me. At the ex-
piration of a few months, I saw my dear wife worn out
with grief, sulking into her grave; andObuljaninoff",*
still more cruel than death, strenuously preventing
her coming to join me. I considered that my money
would leave me with the summer, and that I should
then be obliged to work as a day-labourer, in a tem-
perature of thirty-six degrees of cold, to earn a morsel
of bread and a draught of quass. This melancholy
prospect I had constantly before my eyes, and what
resource had I but death ?

My resolution was maturely weighed, and my plan
formed and determined upon. In case, however, my
wife should have come to me, 1 had planned the last,
the only means of effecting my escape. My hopes
vere founded on the feasibility of traversing the inte-

* Ciown advocate to Paul I.

'90 LIFE OF KOTZEBIIE.

rior part of Russia, from one end to the other, with-
out being seen. I formed the following' scheme : —

I intended to have made a partition in my large
room, and in one of the outward corners to have
placed a great clothes-press. After such preparations,
I should have lived two months with my family, to all
appearance easy and contented : after that time 1 in-
tended to affect a progressive decay of health, and at
last a derangement of mind. This deception should
have continued for another two months. I should
then have placed my furred cloak and cap, some dark
evening, upon the bank of the Tobol, near the spot
where the ice is broken for the purpose of drawing
water. This being done, I should have returned
quietly home and hidden myself in the clothes-press,
which should be so contrived as to admit air.

Having succeeded tluis far, my wife would have
spread an alarm ; search would have been made after
me ; my clothes would have been found, and every one
would have concluded that I had thiown myself into
the river : a letter in my own hand-writing would
have announced my design of putting an end to my ex-
istence ; my wife would then have appeared the victim
of despair ; she would have kept her bed the whole
day, and at night would have furnished me with sus-
tenance. Report would have been made of this acci-
dent at Tobolsk, and from thence to Petersburgh,
where it would have been thrown aside, and I should
have been forgotten. Some time after this my wife
was to have appeared to recover ; she was then to ask
for a passport to Livonia, which in the common course
of things would not have been refused her. She
would then have procured a large sledge-kibick, in
which a man may lie at full length, and which, indeed,
would have been the only carriage in which such an
enterprize could have been executed. I should have
filled up the hollow part of the vehicle, and have been
covered with pillows and baggage. My wife would
have occupied the seat, and have admitted air when-

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 91

ever necessary ; and unless ray strength had failed me
on the road, I should most certainly have arrived,
without the least obstacle, before my own door at
Friedenthal ; for, as I have already observed, no one
is examined in the interior parts of Russia, and a man
may travel from Polangen to Tscliukotskoi-Noss with-
out being once asked what he has in his carriage.

The most difficult point would have been to give an
appearance of authenticity to the story of my death ;
which would have been so much the more easily esta-
blished, as the inhabitants of Kurgan were a simple,
unsuspicious people, utterly incapable of following the
thread of a plan so artfully contrived and executed.

Being arrived at Friedenthal, I should have found
it easy enough to conceal myself for some time from
every eye. [ had, besides, more than one friend in
Estonia on whom 1 could depend as confidentially as I
could on my wife. Knorring or Huek would have con-
veyed me in the same manner as far as Revel. The
generous Frederick de Ungern -Sternberg would have
removed me to his estate at Hapsal ; and from thence
to the Isle of Dagoe, where 1 should have embarked
for Sweden in a fishing-boat, which, with a fair wind,
would have made the passage in twelve hours. Every
thing, I must repeat, depended on my being able to
bear the fatigue of such a journey ; for in every other
respect, having the happiness to possess a wife so sin-
gularly excellent, and friends so devoted to my service,
the plan was very practicable.

The project of escape I had formed in Livonia, and
of which I may now speak without reserve, was
similar to this. I designed to have made the Duna
the scene of my pretended death, and to have hidden
myself in the ruins of Kokenhusen. M. de Lo wen-
stern would have ordered a search to be made for me.
Every enquiry having been made to no purpose, a cer-
tificate of my death would have been dispatched to the
counsellor ; I should have been forgotten at Peters-
burgh, and the affair being over, some of my friends

92 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

might have conveyed me away in the manner already
pointed out.

My project at Kurgan, however, appeared more
practicable than that at the other place. It would natu-
rally be supposed, that a body sunk under the ice could
not be found again ; whereas an unsuccessful search in
the Duna, which was not frozen, might have given
rise to suspicion. Besides, it was no uncommon thing
in Livonia for an unfortunate man to put an end to
his sufferings.

The advice of my friend KiniakofF was, that I
should join one of the caravans, under a good dis-
guise, on its return to China. He himself would
have endeavoured to escape in that manner, had he
not been apprehensive of embittering the fate of his
two brothers. I should have found such an enter-
prise impracticable : I was a foreigner, and the suc-
cess of this scheme depended on being a native of
Russia, or at least, on knowing the language well
enough to pass for a carrier of that nation. I ad-
hered therefore to my former plan, and I desired my
wife, in an indirect manner, to bring everything with
her that could aid its success ; and at the end of every
letter, I hinted at what I intended to do, by these
words : ** If you come here you vnll be more to me
than Lodoiska was to her Louvet."

Even at Kurgan I met with a man, who kindly and
voluntarily offered to transmit a letter to my wife,
and who has conveyed several to her in a more ex-
peditious manner than they would have reached her
the common way. If I do not name this friend, the
reason may be easily imagined. Before God my
heart has named him more than a thousand times !

I pity those gloomy philosophers, who ascribe to
human nature an innate and original depravity. JVIy
misfortunes have confirmed me in the opinion that
man may put confidence in man. How few hard-
hearted and insensible beings are to be m.et with in
my narrative I How few that resemble the unfeeluig

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 93

counsellor, or the coxcomical Prostenius ! I have
always thought, and I am convhiced of the fact, that
if a man bs unfortimate, he will everywhere find
friends : the arms, the hearts of men will open at his
approach, in the most dreary wilderness, in the most
remote corner of the universe !

The good inhabitants of Kurgan are certainly of
this description. I was invited to all their little feasts ;
every one would fain divide his pittance, and share
his pleasures with me. On my arrival among them
they did not know me as an author ; but a paragraph
which was inserted in the 'Moscow Gazette,' relative
to the brilliant success of my pieces on the English
stage, informed them of my literary existence, and
served to increase that esteem which they had already
evinced for me. The goodnature with which they
endeavoured to divert me, and the kind intention
they had in drawing me into their little circles, have
sometimes proved troublesome to me; for, on one
hand, my mind was ill adapted to any intercourse
with mankind, and, on the other, their company had
but few charms for a European like myself, spoiled
by the habits of polished society.

The folio whig may serve as a sketch of the state of
society at this place. The assessor, Judas Nikitisch,
celebrated the festival of his patron saint, which, it
must be observed, in Russia is a more important
festival than a birth-day. He came to me early in
the morning, and invited me to his house, where, he
said, I should meet all the principal people of the
place. I went, and on my arrival was stunned by
the noise of five men, whom they called singers.
These men, turning their backs to the company,
apply their right hands to their mouths to improve
the sound of their voices, and make as loud a noise as
possible in one corner of the room. This was the
salutation given to every guest on his entering the
house. An immense table groaned under the weight
of twenty dishes, but I could see neither plates nor

94 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

chairs for the accommodation of the company. The
whole had the ai)pearance of a breakfast, which the
Russians often give under the name of a sacuschku.
The principal dishes were pirogues, not made of meat,
as is usual, but of different kinds of fish, it being the
season of Lent. There were besides, several dishes of
soused fish, and pastry of many sorts. The master
of the house carried a huge brandy bottle in his hand,
eager to serve his guests, who frequently drank to his
health, and, to my great surprise, without shewing
any signs of intoxication. There was no wine, and
indeed I had drank none in Siberia, except at Tobolsk,
at the governor's table : it was a Russian wine, pala-
table enough, which, if 1 mistake not, had been pro-
cured from the Crimea. Instead of wine, our host
presented us with mead ; another rarity, and much
esteemed here, as there are no bees in Siberia. Every
guest, except myself, however, preferred brandy to
this mead.

I expected every moment that another door would
be thrown open, and that the company would sit
down to table ; but I expected in vain. The guests
took their hats one after the other, and went away ;
and I felt it necessary to follow their example.

"Is the entertainment over?" said I to M. de
Gravi, who stood near me.

" No," replied he ; ** the company are going home
to take their naps, and at five o'clock they will be here
again. "

I returned at the appointed hour. The scene was
then changed; the great table still occupied the
centre of the room, but instead of pirogues, fish, and
brandy, it was covered with cakes, raisins, almonds,
and a quantity of Chinese sweetmeats, several of
which were of an exquisite flavour, and among
which I remarked a dry conserve of apples cut into
slices.

The mistress of the house, a young and charming
woman, now made her appearance, and with hei the

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 95

ladies and daughters of the guests, in their old-
fashioned dresses. Tea and French brandy were
handed to the company, with punch, into which the
gluhra berry (vnccin'mm okycocos) was squeezed in-
stead of lemon. Card-tables were then set, and the
guests played at boston* as long as the brandy al-
lowed them to distinguish the colour of the cards.
At supper-time every person retired as they had done
at noon, and the entertainment closed.

It will be easily imagined that it required no small
effort on my part to partake of such recreations.
Happy was I when I could return to my own cham-
ber to breathe in freedom, or take my gun on my
shoulder, and walk out with my worthy Sokoloff.

Thus my days passed on at Kurgan. My health
continued invariably good, which had not been the
case for many years before, and this contributed in a
considerable degree to the serenity of my mind. I
indulged tlie fondest hopes : the idea of my family
assembled round me, was always present to my mind,
and thus re-united, I was convinced we could not be
unhappy even at Kurgan. Such was my firm per-
suasion and I knew my wife would think the same.

Nor was this my sole and last hope. I had pre-
sented a memorial to the emperor; to an emperor
who would not blush to make reparation for the im-
petuosity of the moment, into which he had been
surprised by calumny or suspicion ; to an emperor,
who, being himself a father, would allow the voice
tj nature to reach his heart through all the obstacles
that his court advocate Obuljaninoff could throw
between him and me. With what sincerity did I
wish my counsellor a good journey ! How many
times have I calculated the weeks, the days, that
would be necessary for his arrival at Petersburgh 1
the days and the weeks after that which must elapse
betore the decision of my fate could reach me, whe-

* A Russian f^anie.

96 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

ther on the banks of the Neva or those of the Tobol !
Towards the end of August, if everything agreed with
my calculations, I expected to receive my final sen-
tence. Thank heaven ! I had in this instance erro-
neously calculated —

The hand that leads us througli life's dreary road,
Aids the lorn wretch to bear his galling load :
And though fond hope, bereft of all its power,
Has scarce a gleam to cheer the darkened hour,
Still may one thought the erring mind employ,
That one short moment brings unlook'd-for joy !

It M^as now the 7th of July: the morning was
fine, and I was engaged in my usual manner, in draw-
ing up the story of my misfortunes, when, at about
ten o'clock, M. de Gravi came in; and, after a fe\y'
words of ordinary chat, took up a pack of cards, as
he most commonly did, to play at the game oi grande
patience, which he often carried so far as to put my
patience to a severe trial. I was sometimes whole
hours a witness to his pastime, for the good man
could not conceive it possible that any one's time at
Kurgan was A-aluable, and particularly an exile's. He
continued to play till eleven o'clock : during this
time J walked up and down the room in ill-humoured
silence, without taking any notice of the game, ex-
cept once, when he asked me with what view he
should turn up the cards. ** Consult the oracle,"
said I peevishly, *' whether I am to see my family
shortly." The deal proved fortunate, and he was
highly delighted that they were soon to be with me.

At length he recollected he had business to dis-
patch, and took his leave.

I continued my task. In the middle of a period,
my servant interrupted me by saying — ** Well, sir, wc
have some more news."

I paid little attention to him, concluding he was
going to er.tertain me with some new love affair; (for
he b.ad had twenty, and some of no common sort^

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 97

since we had resided here :) and without taking my
pen from the paper, I turned myself half round to
ask him what the news was.

" This very moment a dragoon is arrived to take
you away," said he. Struck with terror, I started
from my chair, and looked him full in the face with-
out being able to utter a single word.

" Yes, yes," continued he, " we shall perhaps set
off this very day for Tobolsk."

** How !" was all I was able to say.

Instead of answering me, he brought a man to me
who had seen the dragoon, had heard him speak of
his commission, had accompanied him to JM. de Gra-
vi's, and from thence had run to my lodging to be
the first bearer of the news, but wlio was totally
ignorant of the dispatches that were brought.

What had I to expect ! My liberty ? Alas, no !
For in such case, why was I to be taken back to To-
bolsk ? The nearest road lay through Ekaterinabourg,
and why make a circuitous journey of five hundred
verstes ? Besides, the answer to my memorial could
not arrive for a considerable time to come. I had
therefore nothing better before me than the horrid
prospect of being transported from Tobolsk farther
up the country, perhaps to Kamtschatka. I remained
a considerable time in great perturbation of mind, till,
rousing myself from a painful train of thought, I
took the quire of paper on which I had been writing,
together with all the bank notes I had left, and con-
cealed the whole under my waistcoat. I waited for
more than ten minutes in the most painful state of
suspense, for the arrival of my sentence. These ten
minutes are to be numbered among the most dreadful
of my life. At last I perceived from my window
M. de Gravi, accompanied by a crowd of people,
turning the corner of the street, and in the midst of
them I discerned a dragoon, with a plume that covered
his hat. Tliey were too far off for me to observe the

98 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

expression of their countenances ; and I remained
more dead than ahve, ^vaiting to know my fate.

1 walked with tremhhng steps about the room ;
and again drawing near the window, 1 could distin-
guish the features of M. de Gravi, which seemed to
be very composed. A ray of hope now gleamed upon
me, yet heaviness still pressed upon my heart.

The people were now in the yard: M. de Gravi
looked up at my window, perceived me there, and
saluted me in a gay and friendly manner, I felt my
heart grow lighter ; I attempted to go out to meet
him, but was unable : T remained quite motionless,
and fixed my eyes upon the door of the chamber : it
opened ; I endeavoured to speak, but continued
speechless.

" Prosdnirlaja, iind swohodni — I congratulate you,
you are free." — As he uttered these words, the good
De Gravi threw himself into my arms, and shed tears
of joy. I saw nothing, heard nothing ; felt only the
tears of De Gravi, which wetted my cheek, while my
own eyes remained dry. The cry oi prosdaidaja, was
repeated by all around me ; every one strove to be
first to embrace me, and my servant too pressed me
to his heart. I permitted all these proceedings, still
looking at them with silent stupor : I could neither
thank them, nor utter a word.

The dragoon then delivered me a letter from the
governor. I had strength enough to open it, and
1 read the following lines, which were written in
French : —

'' Sir,
** Rejoice, but moderate your transports ; the state
of your health requires it. My prediction is accom-
plished. I have the satisfaction to inform you that
our gracious emperor desires your return. Command
everything of which you may be in want, and it shall
be procured you. Orders are already given for your

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 99

accommodation. Hasten and receive the congratu-
lations of

*' Your very humble servant,

" De Kuscheleff."
July 4th.

Every word of the letter sank deep into my heart.
The governor sent me at the same time a bundle of
newspapers, and a short congratulatory note from M.
Becker, who by chance had been present when the
dragoon was sent off, and who offered me his house, in
the most pressing manner, on my return to Tobolsk.
M. de Gravi read to me the order which he had
received. The substance of it was that I should be
furnished with whatever I might want, even with
money, and that I should be sent off immediately.

I had not yet recovered my speech, but a flood of
tears relieved me. I wept, and the greater part of the
spectators wept with me.

Suddenly Sokoloff came in and fell upon my neck,
pressed me in his arms, and shed many bitter tears.
*' I am again," said he, much affected, ** alone and
forsaken, but what does it signify ? God knows, I
rejoice sincerely in your deliverance."

All the principal people of the town crowded about
me ; the room could scarcely hold them. Every one
was eager to testify his joy, and to compliment me on
this occasion. The worthy De Gravi, who naturally
imagined such a crowd would at the present moment
prove troublesome to me, dispersed them by degrees,
and proposed my going to dine at his hovise. I could
neither eat nor drink. " When do you think of
setting off?" said he. " In two hours," I replied.
" What shall you want?" — " Horses." — He smiled,
and left me.

I was now alone — I shall not attempt to describe
the state of my mind. For several hours I could
neither stand nor sit still. I walked backwards and
forwards without intermission, and measured the room

100 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

in every direction. I had scarcely any ideas ; I had
merely sensations, confused images which rapidly
succeeded each other, without leaving any distinct
traces on my mind. I still saw my wife and my chil-
dren fluttering before my eyes as in a mist. I felt
my head grow giddy, and my whole frame was
strangely affected ; I endeavoured to think in a con-
nected manner, to reflect, to read the newspapers,
which was a favourite occupation with me ; but all
was in vain, my tears from lime to time gushed out
afresh, and all I was able to say was confined to this
single exclamation — O God ! O God !

As soon as ray mind became more tranquil, I found
that my cup of joy was not without a mixture of re-
gret. The stranger to whom, in the first transports
of delight, I had made a present very inconsistent
wdth my means, informed m.e, among other things,
that a senate courier had arrived from Petersburgh,
to conduct me thither : but, that having orders only
to go to Tobolsk, he had refused to stir beyond that
place ; on account of which, it had not been in the
governor's power to spare me this circuitous route.
This point, indeed, was sufficiently cleared up, but
the dragoon could not solve a second question, of
much more im})ortance to me, which was, whether
the courier had brought any letters from my family,
or at least any account of them ? Of this the dra-
goon was quite ignorant ; and it seemed but too pro-
bable, in my mind, that the courier had no such let-
ters or accounts to bring me, shice the well-known
humanity of the governor would certainly have hi-
duced him to mention the circumstance in his letter.
He well knew how much I was attached to my wife ;
he had witnessed the tears I had shed for her, and in
sympathy often mingled his own witli mine. As
therefore he mentioned not a v/ord of her in his note,
I dreaded that he had something very shocking to
conceal from me.

Tims ingenious was I in tormenting myself ; but

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 101

happily the preparations for the journey in some de-.
gree diverted my attention. I was as impatient as a
child : all my things were crammed in haste into ray
portmanteau, and thrown into a kibick. I liastily
acquitted myself of my last duty at Kurgan, and took
leave of all my good friends. It wiU be supposed I
did not stay many minutes in one house. I remained
longer with my excellent friend De Gravi, and he ex-
acted a sacrifice from me on leaving him, which gave
me no small pain, but which I could not refuse, as he
solicited me in the most pressing manner.

The 7th of July was a solemn festival, the true
meaning of which I was never able to discover. It
chiefly consisted in transporting the image of the
saint of a neighbouring village into the town. The
saint of the town was carried in procession to meet
it, received it with politeness, and bore it company to
its own temple ; honoured it with certain prayers and
hymns, and accompanied it back in the evening. All
the inhabitants of the place escorted their saint on
this little excursion, singing psalms as they marched
along. The worthy De Gravi thought it his duty to
be at the head of this procession, and it was at this
ceremony that I was compelled to be present. He
assured me that it would not last half an hour, and I
accompanied him.

Borne by six pretty country girls, and attended
by a priest with a long beard, the saint of the vil-
lage met us in the skirts of the town. Every one
sang and made the sign of the cross. The images of
the two saints politely exchanged salutations. We re-
turned with them to the town ; the stranger saint
went to the house of its host, and I flew to mine to
make my last preparations.

I found my good friend SokolofF there, whose heart
was much oppressed on account of our separation.
The night before we had both observed, that the
liberty of the one would render the captivity of the

102 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Other doubly painful. The followirig day the circum-
stance was to take place ! I made him a present of
my gun, my shooting apparatus, all my powder and
shot, and everything else that I could spare. He ac-
cepted them without saying a word, and I could read
in his moistened eye, that he had much rather have
had my company than my presents. 1 pressed him to
write to his family, and promised to transmit his let-
ters safely into their hands. His conscience, however,
which was scrupulous to excess, would not permit hiiu
to embrace my offer. He was determined in no re-
spect to disobey the severe orders he had received,
and deemed it meritorious rather to suffer everything
than incur the imputation of a single fault.

The idea that this excellent man would have been
far less unhappy at Kurgan had he never found a
fellow-sufferer in me, embittered the moment of joy
which I had experienced on regaining my liberty. In
fact, I had been the cause of his having resumed his
former habits of society and friendship, and having
again tasted some of the enjoyments of life. He could
always pour forth his complaints to me ; my ear and
my heart were ever open to him, and my sudden de-
parture plunged him once more into his former soli-
tude ! It had been my intention to have taken him
out of his melancholy dwelling, and have lodged with
me during the winter, had not my departure con-
demned him again to his garret. I embraced him and
shed many tears ; he wept also and left the room. I
did not see him any more, for when the greater part
of the inhabitants of the town were assembled in the
yard at the moment of my departure, Simon Sokolofi^
was not of the number.

I was obliged to wait an hour for the horses.
Never in my life did I feel myself so much upon
thorns. I was hardly capable of acknowledging the
marks of kindness which the Kurganians lavished
upon me. One had made me some punch ; another

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 103

loaded my kibick with provisions ; a third presented
me with a pot of cucumbers.* I must have walked
on foot by the side of my carnage, had I accepted all
their presents. May the benediction of heaven fall on
these good people ! I shall see them no more, but I
bear in my heart a tender and grateful remembrance
of their hospitality.

The horses at length arrived. 1 was embraced by
the whole circle, and put into the kibick. Good old
De Gravi got in with r^e, determined, as he said, to
accompany me out of the gates. Benedictions and
prayers were showered upon me at parting, and I was
lost in a transport of dehght. After proceeding about
two verstes: on my journey, De Gravi stopped the
postilion, fell upon my neck, embraced me and wept ;
pressed my hand, and alighted from the carriage ; left
me, returned again, shook me once more by the
hand, sobbed, bade me farewell, and departed. I
raised myself in the kibick, kept my eyes a long while
'upon him, and contemplated with emotion the spot
of my exile ; and then having cast behind me the
painful dream of my misfortunes, I bade the driver
make the best of his way.

I was not obliged to go so far round as Tiumen ;
the water had in a great degree subsided ; and being
provided with a gauze fence to keep off the gnats, I
was enabled to go on during the whole night, which,
without such precaution, had been impracticable at
this season of the year. The gnats of this country
resemble those of Europe, exxept that they are of a
yellow colour, and are still more venomous.

Towards evening I fell asleep, and after an easy
slumber, I awoke to new enjoyment. I was a full
minute before I could well recollect what had so lately
happened to me, but this minute, during which the

* At Kurgan cucumbers are considered as a great deli-
cacy ; they are cultivated as melons are in Germany, and
are served to the guests as part of the dessert, cut into
small slice*

104 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

idea of my liberty gradually unfolded itself in my
mind, was a celestial one.

In the afternoon we passed through a little town
called Jaluterski. It contained a great number of
exiles, among whom was prince Simbirski, formerly
commanatr-in-chief of the Russian army, who had
been sentenced to banishment on account of mal-
practices in the delivery of a cloth contract, of which
he in fact had not "been himself guilty, though
charged with conniving at tl]e guilt of others. It is
scarcely to be imagined that he deserved so heavy a
punishment, and still less easy to believe that it could
have been inflicted in so cruel a majmer. He waa
loaded with irons, and dragged into exile with a guide
three times as cruel as mine, and obliged, i>y''''P'^^® ^^
the bad state of his health, and the incumbiN^nce of
his fetters, to give up, almost continually, his place
in the kibick to his guide, and to walk. There 'cyas
no sort of ill-treatment, no kind of humiliating out-
rage, that he had not experienced at the hands of his^
executioner.*

A scene of happiness nevertheless awaited him on
the inhospitable banks of the Tobol, which I have
often envied him, and which must have considerably
alleviated his misfortunes. On his way from Tobolsk
tov/ards Jaluterski, the place of his destination, hav-
ing been obliged, as I had been, to measure back the
high road for some hundred verstes, he saw, at thu
very moment in which he was leaving the Tobol and
striking up the country ; he saw, 1 say, a raft on the
other side of the river begin to move, with several
persons and their baggage on board. Let the reader
judge of his joy, when he recognised by degrees his
wife and his children ! He uttered a loud shriek, and
it was echoed from the raft ; it was the dear and well-
known voice of his family. Their arms were ex-

* He was afterwards found to be innocent of the charges
exhibited against him, and he has been since reinstated in
all his honours and dijjnities.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 105

tended towards him : he rushed into the water, met
the raft, and sprang into it. Heavens ! what a mo-
ment ! Some peasants, who were spectators of this
scene, related it to me. They had felt as they ought
on this occasion, and they yet speak of it with
emotion.

When I passed through the town, prince Simbirski
was ill ; he was surrounded, however, by his family,
and was the object of their most tender solicitude.

I never saw finer pastures than in this countrv.
Any one has liberty to mow them, and yet the greater
part remains unmowed, in consequence of the thin
population and scaixity of cattle.

I must not pass over in silence a phenomenon
which I met with in a village near Jaluterski. It was
a male idiot, about eighteen years old, who walked
on all-fours : he might be cited hi behalf of the hy-
pothesis, that man originally walked in that manner.
lie not only trotted very fast whenever he chose, but
at the same time held his head in a vertical position
as other men do. The muscles of his neck must cer-
tainly have given way, and become accustomed to
this direction. He seldom stood erect, and never
walked In that attitude, but often squatted upon his
legs in the manner of a bear.

Between Jaluterski and Tobolsk, we drove through
several villages inhabited by Tartars. This nation
does not appear to me to merit the contempt with
which the Russians, their conquerors, choose to treat
them. An accident which befel me in one of these
villages gave me an opportunity of learning some
particulars.

One evening, near sun-set, the axletree of my car-
riage broke dov%'n, when two or three Tartars imme-
diately ran to my assistance. One of them was a sort
of carpenter. I stopped before his door, and learn-
ing that the repairs would take up three hours, I de-
sired my servant to make some tea. The inside of the
Tartar houses being very dirty, I preferred passing

106 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

the evening, which was very fine, hefore the door;
and having procured a table and a chair, I began to
open my travelling trunk to take out what was neces-
sary to make my tea. Curiosity had drawn all the in-
habitants of the village about me, who seemed to be
totally ignorant of the use of utensils of luxury. An
old silk bed-gown, that my wife had often wished me
to throw aside, attracted their attention and admira-
tion to such a degree, that every one of them was
desirous to handle it.

But Avhat delighted them to ecstacy was the looking-
glass that lined the lid of my travelling-box. They
sat cowering in groups before it, laughed aloud at the
sight of their own faces, and explained to one another,
by droll gesticulations, their astonishment at seeing
before them the country that lay behind them I
took the glass from the lid, and presented it to the
carpenter's wife, who at first cast a look by stealth
upon it, then by degrees grew more familiar with it,
and at last admired herself with no small satisfaction,
for she was very pretty. It appeared to me that the
female Tartar peasants were not so scrupulous as the
women of Casan in hiding their faces ; at least, all 1
saw here were without veils.

Tea being ready, I lighted my pipe,* and sat myself
down upon a pile of timber which stood just opposite
my carpenter's house. It was a pictiiresque nocturnal
scene. A score of Tartars were seated about me,
upon the rude steps formed by the beams of timber ;
at my feet a little fire was kindled, at which the car-
penter was working ; and across the way, close to the
house, stood several women, girls, and children, who
were too bashful to approach nearer.

By degrees a very singular conversation took place
between me and the surrounding group. The moment

* Lest the printer should be innocently accused of a
blunder, the translator begs to inform his countrymen, that
the Germans frequently take a pipe with their tea and
coffee.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 107

they had discovered I was not a Russian, they took cou-
rage ; I gained their confidence ; tliey overwhelmed
me with enquiries : Who was I ? Where was I going ?
What countryman was I ? How did people live in my
country ? The crowd and myself were aHke ill versed
in the Russian tongue, and we had infinite trouble to
understand each other. Having told them 1 was a
Saxon, they conversed for some time in the Tartar
language together, and then asked me if Saxony was
not situated upon the Caspian Sea. I knew not how
to give them an idea of the geographical position of
that country. They were ignorant of all Germany,
except Prussia, and of that they had but very confused
ideas. They had never heard of the name of France,
of its revolution, nor its wars. Happy people !

The young woman, whom the looking-glass had
attracted so much, having in the mean while drawn
nearer to us to profit by the conversation, I took an
opportunity of asking her if polygamy was common
among them ; and it appeared, that in all the village
there were but two men who had more than one
wife, and my carpenter was one of these. I was
asked if I did not think it very agreeable to have se-
veral helpmates and several companions. Each by-
stander strove to prove the advantages of polygamy.
•* When a man's wife grows old," said one of them,
** she is associated with a younger woman." " When
the old one is sad," added another, ** the young one
may smile and be merry."

** Very well," said I, ** but does this arrangement
please your females ?" On saying this, I cast my
eyes upon my pretty hostess. The by-standers ex-
plained what I said, as she scarcely understood a word
of Russian, and when she had comprehended the
question, she shook her head, as if she would say,
" you are right to doubt it." After this she turned
her eyes in a timid manner towards the door of her
own house, where a woman of about forty, and of a
crabbed look, probably her companion, was sitting.

108 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

My eyes followed hers, and I was convinced tliat I
had discovered a family secret.

I had evidently gained the good- will of this young
woman, by the part T had taken in favour of her sex,
for she soon after brought a pot filled with eggs,
though I had not asked for anything of the kind,
which having placed upon the fire that was burning
before me, she squatted down in such a manner that
the flames reddened her countenance in a high de-
gree : having boiled the eggs, she presented them to
me upon a wooden dish.

I had never before had an opportunity of being con-
vinced of the inveterate hatred which the Tartars
bear the Russians. My dragoon had fallen asleep ;
my servant and myself were strangers, and they could
venture to explain themselves with freedom, which
they soon began to do without the least reserve.

As far as I have been able to observe the Tartar
nation, I have found them frank, ambitious, quick in
perception, of strong feelings, and much addicted to
revenge. The men are in general tall, stout, and
hardy. With such faculties and dispositions, it is im-
possible that the conduct of the Russians towards
them should produce any other effects than hatred.
The Tartars are considered as the reprobate descend-
ants of certain Finlandish colonies. The name of
Tartar in this part of the world is an expression as
injurious as that of Tsuchon* which is bestowed on
the wretched inhabitants of the north of the Baltic.
They are used in the most cruel and ignominious
manner. Wlien any accident happens to a Russian
on the road, he claims, as the bounden duty of a
slave, the assistance of the first Tartar he meets,
without condescending either to pay or thank him for
his service. They even ridicule his prophet during
the very time the man is at work for them, and while
they themselves remain idle lookers-on. I have been

* The true name of the Finlanders, but which is now
degenerated into a term of reproach.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 109

present at a scene of this kind, in which Alexander
Schiilkins behaved with great indecency, and I could
observe, that when he began to speak profanely of
the prophet, the Tartar grew pale with anger, and
was scarcely able to restrain his indignation.

I afforded this injured people some consolation,
by informing them, that several of their m'wzas were
treated with great respect at Petersburgh. I named
iDerschawin in particular, a man equally celebrated as
a poet and a statesman ; advising them at the same
time to make application to him whenever they stood
in need of redress.

If my conversation seemed to afford them much
delight, their frank and unreserved behaviour gave
' me no less pleasure, except that they pressed too
closely about me.

As soon as the carriage was repaired, I prepared to
depart. 'J'he carpenter received a trifle for his labour,
but refused to take anything for his hospitality ; and
though this accident was far from being agreeable, as
it impeded my journey, yet I cannot help congratu-
lating myself on having employed the period of the
delay in a very satisfactory manner.

1 continued my journey without any farther acci-
dent, and arrived on the 9th of July, early in the
morning, at the last post before Tobolsk. The spring
floods had not long subsided, and 1 was obliged to
travel the last four German miles, as I had formerly
done, in a miserable bark. But the weather was fine,
and my mind was as serene as the atmosphere. I saw
the same objects witli far diff'erent sensations, and my
soul resembled the smooth surface over which we
were gently gliding.

A ten o'clock I arrived at Tobolsk. M. Becker, as
I have already said, had offered me his house, but I
waived going there immediately, behig uncertain whe-
ther such a step might be agreeable to the governor,
who was obliged above all other men to observe every
measure of prudence and circumspection.

110 LIFE OF KOrZEBUE.

Under this impression, 1 preferred going directly
to my former quarters, where I was received witii
open arms hy the master of the house, and shewn
into the apartment which I had before occupied, and
in which another unfortunate exile had lodged since I
left it. 1 announced my arrival to the governor by
means of the dragoon, and as soon as I had changed
my dress 1 followed him.

The courier who had been dispatched to me, and
whose name was Carpow, lodged in the same house
with us. He was, however, from home, and I was
still obliged to reserve all the anxious questions I had
to ask relative to my family in my own bosom. I flew
to the governor, and found him, as before, in his
garden. He pressed me to his heart, and his eyes
sparkled with sincere delight.

My first enquiry was respecting those who belonged
to me. Alas ! he was unable to afford me the least
imformation ; he however strove to console me by
every means in his power. He shewed me the ukase
which related to me, and which contained only a few
lines, written in the court advocate's hand, enjoining
him, " to set the within-named Kotzebue, committed
to his keeping, imfnediately at liberty ; to send him
to Petersburg!!, and to furnish him, at the expense of
the crown, with whatever was necessary or agreeable
to him." The courier was also directed to defray all
the expenses of the journey.

In consequence of this order, the governor asked
me what sum of money would be sufficient for me. I
had still some hundred roubles in my possession, and
I should not have accepted any assistance, had I not
apprehended that my refusal of the emperor's gene-
rous offers might be construed into pride or disdain.
On the other hand, I was fearful of asking too much ;
and it was as necessary to avoid the imputation of
presumption as that of haughtiness. I mentioned my
scruples to the governor ; and requested him to assist
me with his advice. He was of opinion that by taking

EXILE TO SIBERIA. Ill

three hundred roubles I should observe a proper me-
dium. I fixed upon that sum, and had then no other
^vish than to proceed on my journey within two hours.
In vain did the governor press me to stay a few days
at Tobolsk ; I answered with some degree of impa-
tience, that I considered every hour which did not
convey me nearer to my wife, as a robbery committed
upon her. He acquiesced in this reasonuig, and,
turning with apparent emotion towards a lady that sat
near him, he explained to her, in the Russian lan-
guage, what I had just said. He promised to give
orders to hasten my departure, and even offered to
compel the man who had so shamefully cheated me
in the purchase of my carriage, to return it to me for
the same sum which he had paid for it. I thanked
him for his kindness, but preferred rather to pursue
the journey in an inconvenient kibick, than be liable
to stop every moment on the road to repair the
carriage.

I did not, however, depart so speedily as I had
hoped. The payment of the three hundred roubles,
which I would gladly have renounced, required many
formalities. The governor was obhged to write to the
city chamber, the members of which attended on
public business only in the forenoon ; it was too late
that day, and I was under the necessity of passing
that night at Tobolsk.

I diped with the governor, and went afterwards to
see my good friends Kiniakoff, Becker, and the excel-
lent Peterson, who all received me with expressions of
the sincerest friendship. On my return home I found
my courier, but he was unable to give me any in-
formation relative to my family. His j)rivate instruc-
tions, which he gave me to read, proved indeed that
the emperor was perfectly convinced of my innocence,
since he was charged to take the greatest care of me
on the route, and to treat me ivsiiMe udowolst-wre ;
that is to say, to do everything that could contribute
to my satisfaction.

112 LIFE OF KOTiJEBUE.

For this purpose, indeed, a bad choice had been
made in the person of the courier. M. Carpow was
one of the most ill-bred and slovenly young men in
the world, extremely fond of his ease, and as lazy as
a spoiled lap-dog ; never giving himself the least
trouble about anything. It was a matter of indiffer-
ence to him whether we travelled quickly or slowly : he
did not even possess the talent so common to people
of his condition, of hurrying the post-masters and
drivers, by assuming an air of importance, and be-
stowing threats and curses upon them. He was a
mere log ; and his invincible apathy has often put my
patience to the severest trial. In other respects he
was a good sort of a fellow ; he had been formerly an
apothecary's apprentice, and perhaps was well enough
calculated for his post at the mortar. He was much
vexed at not being able to stay and indulge himself a
few days longer at Tobolsk. It was likewise rather
difficult to satisfy him in respect to money : when I
gave him a hundred roubles on our first interview, it
seemed the sum did not equal his expectations.

During the whole evening my room was crowded
with people, who came to congratulate me ; some of
whom were known, and others quite unknown to me.
The governor himself honoured me with a visit, and
the whole town vied in paying me the same com-
pliment.

This night was the first I had passed in Siberia in
pleasant and uninterrupted repose. I rose early next
morning, in the hope of being able to set oflf by nine
o'clock, for which purpose I had already engaged a
boat ; but unfortunately I was obliged to wait till the
evening, before the petty businesvi of the three hun-
dred roubles was decreed, signed, and concluded ! I
ought perhaps to consider this delay as a most for-
tunate circumstance, as during the wliole day there
were several storms, which might have overset the
boat. I derived also another advantage from this
delay. I had consented, out of mere complaisance.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 113,

to take the son of a German tailor to Petershurgh in
the capacity of a servant : his friends had concealed
from me that he was subject to sickness and fits, and
I should have had a very troublesome travelling com-
panion in the poor youth, had not my farther deten-
tion given me an opportunity of discovering his
infirmity.

It was, hov/ever, much against my will that I dined
and supped once more with my friends at Tobolsk.
Towards evening everything was ready, when the
wind and rain still compelled me to defer my depar-
ture for some hours. I fixed it for three the next
morning, and threw myself upon my bed without
taking otr my clothes.

I was the first person awake in the house, or, to
express myself with more accuracy, I did not close
my eyes. At day-break I caused my lazy companion
to be roused from his slumbers. The tempest was
rather increased than dim'inished, yet I resolved to
wait no longer. At four o'clock we were on the banks
of the Irtisch, and I saw with delight that my carriage
was already on board the agitated vessel. " Will the
passage be dangerous?" said I to the pilot. "Not
extremely so," replied he (ne otschen apasno). This
expression was somewhat alarming, yet inclina-
tion got the better of fear, and in spite of all my
companion could urge, I told the boatmen to
proceed.

My Italian servant had accompanied me to the river.
He appeared to be affected at taking leave ; but his
grief, if not feigned, most probably arose from the loss
of his opportunities to pilfer me : for although I gave
him a considerable gratuity, besides paying him the
wages due to him, I discovered, on opening my port-
manteau, that he had divided with me the few things
which I possessed. I say divided, for he had left me
exactly one-half of everything : he had even cut the
sheet which I carried with me in half. May he enjoy
soft and pleasant slumbers upon it 1 and no doubt but

114 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

he may, for what is called cotiscience was far from
being the foible of this fellow.

At length we put oif, and the joy with which T be-
held the water tbat rippled between me and the shore
cannot be described. My eyes were fixed upon the
town as it receded from my view, upon the mass of
buildings which gradually disappeared ; and I should
have continued to enjoy this charming scene, at once
so affecting and so pleasing, had not the increasing
violence of the tempest, the motion of the bark, and
the cries of the pilot and boatmen, aroused me from
my reverie.

As long as we steered over the deluged fields, as
long as we coasted the forests, we went on pleasantly
enough ; but when we were obliged to venture out at
sea (the reader will pardon the expression), or cross
the sinuosities of the Irtisch and the Tobol, the danger
became imminent. The waves rolled over the boat
every moment, and we were obliged to scoop out the
water with our hats, or in any manner we could. No
one could stand upright without being in danger of
falling overboard ; and at the moment when we en-
deavoured to cross the Tobol in the teeth of the
wind, our bark was on the point of foundering. The
day before, such an accident had actually happened.
It was only by crowding ah together on the elevated
side of the vessel, that we could have preserved an
equilibrium, and thus have saved ourselves from in-
stant death.

We likewise met with shallows, where the grass
that grew in the meadows over which we passed ap-
peared above water ; here we often ran aground. It
was then necessary for the rowers to wade half-way
up their bodies in water to push the barge afloat
again, which often required much time and labour.

At length, after toiling for more than seven hours,
we happily arrived on the opposite shore, and from
this moment all our fatigues on water were at an end ;
as every one of the other rivers which had so much

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 115

incommoded me on my way to Siberia, had now sunk
into their usual channels. The gloomy Sura, the beau-
tiful Kama, the majestic Wolga, the rapid ^Viatka,
had all subsided ; as if they had been averse to inter-
rupt my return.

A new danger, however, threatened m.e a little be-
fore my arrival at Tiumen. I felt myself exceedingly
indisposed. I was ignorant of the cause of this ma-
lady, the symptoms of which were quite new to me.
My whole frame underwent such violent agitations,
that I could no longer bear the motion of the carriage
even at a moderate rate. I had unfortunately no re-
medy at hand, except a little lemonade powder. My
good friend Peterson had offered me some medicines
vv^hen I was at Tobolsk, but as I had no idea that so
happy a journey could be attended with sickness, I
had refused them ; indeed, had I taken them, I should
not have known what to have used, as I was ignorant
of the cause of my illness. There was then no remedy
but patience ; and the tormenting idea of being so
near the end of my journey, and yet to die before I
had embraced my family, was ill calculated to inspire
patience.

I was conveyed slowly on as far as Tiumen, where
we arrived in the afternoon. My courier advised me
to remain here till I grew better, but I was averse to
all delay; and the best assistance I could have pro-
cured at Tiumen would perhaps have been an ignorant
surgeon, as there was no physician in the place. I
preferred therefore, at all events, to continue my
route. Am 1 not, thought I to myself, on the fron-
tiers of Siberia } At least I will pass beyond the limits
of my exile before I die.

We proceeded, but my pains increased to such a
degree, that at the next post I was unable to bear the
least motion of the carriage, and was obliged to pass
the night in a miserable village. It was already even-
ing : I caused a bed to be made in my kibick in the
best manner it could be done, and endeavoured to

116 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

sleep. I was, however, unable to close my eye-lids ;
my illness was now at its crisis : it was long and vio-
lent, but my constitution triumphed at length, and to
this struggle I am perhaps indebted for that health
which I enjoyed all last winter, during which I was
in better health than I had experienced for the twelve
preceding years.

The next morning I was able, though extremely
weak, to continue my journey, and at ten o'clock I
again saw the direction-post in the forest that indi-
cated the boundaries of Tobolsk, and which I had be-
fore beheld with such heartfelt grief.

On my former journey I had been allowed to pur-
chase at Moscow a few bottles of Burgundy to
strengthen my stomach. I paid at the rate of four
roubles a bottle. The state of my finances not per-
mitting me to indulge in extravagance, I had only
purchased three bottles : two were emptied on my
arrival at Tobolsk; the third accompanied me to
Kurgan : I had preserved it as a treasure, and des-
tined it for the celebration of the day of my wife's
arrival. I now drew the cork, in the face of this post,
with the assistance of a corkscrew my dear mother
had given me last new-year's day, and which I now
used for the first time. I drank several glasses. I
shed tears of joy. 1 made the courier and the driver
drink with me, and then broke the empty bottle
against the post ; after which, with a light heart, and
as if I had nothing more to fear, I gaily cried, " Drive
on, postilion."

As my health continued to mend, I recovered my
accustomed flow of spirits, and quickened the pro-
gress of my journey. I had, however two difficulties
to combat with: the first arose from the bad condition
of my kibick ; it was old when I bought it, and had
carried me, including the journey to and from Kur-
gan, more than four hundred leagues ; it grew more
and more out of order every hour, and at length be-
gan to crack in the most alarming manner. I had

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 117

been obliged to stop a dozen times to have it repaired,
and I was aware the moment was not far off in which
I should be in the middle of the highway. I deter-
mined, therefore, to dispose of it at the next stage,
and to make use of the post kibicks, notwithstanding
they are the most incommodious of all vehicles. They
are in fact mere carts, generally without any covenng,
and so short, that the traveller cannot he in them at
full length. They are changed at every stage, which,
besides the trouble of loading and unloading the bag-
gage, expose^s the traveller to the inconvenience of
quitting his bed in the coldest night, and in all wea-
ther. Scarcely perhaps has he, by covering himself
up to the chin with the bed-clothes, begun to feel
warmth, when the kibick stops, and he is compelled
to quit it for another.

My courier made all these representations to me :
aware how much he should suffer by this plan, he of
course employed all his rhetoric to dissuade me from
adopting it. I had, however, calculated that we must
lose a day or more in case the kibick broke down on
the road ; I had considered the possibility of my dear
wife being ill, perhaps dangerously ill ; that my ar-
rival might contribute to her recovery, and that an
hour's delay might possibly render my arrival too late
to save her life. These considerations triumphed over
every difficulty, and determined my conduct. At the
next stage I enquired who was the poorest man in
the village ; to him I made a present of my old kibick,
and in this manner removed the first obstacle. It
was far more difficult to overcome the second ; for
what steps could be taken to give activity to my lazy
automaton of a courier? Every expedient had
hitherto proved of no avail ; presents, threats, ridi-
cule and reproaches, were all in vain ; his indolence
was invincible : he was perpetually yawning, and cry-
ing out that we had time to spare. It was surely as
a punishment for my sins that this most dilatory, most
stupid of all couriers was selected.

118 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

In the midst of all the distress which I felt on this
occasion, an angel of deliverance appeared in the
person of Wassili Sukin, whom the emperor had dis-
patched with all possible speed from liis anti-cham-
ber, to restore to liberty a merchant whom prince
Potemkin had banished to Siberia eight years ago.
The courier, who had arrived at Tobolsk before I left
that place, had waited for the prisoner there, who
had been exiled, if I am not mistaken, to Pelim, a
thousand verstes farther up the country. 'J'hey could
not have set out till some days after my departure.
The merchant arrived at Tobolsk with his legs swelled
and full of sores, but in spite of the shattered state of
his health, impatience furnished him with wings. He
set off, and, thanks to the laziness of my friend
Carpow, he overtook us in the neighbourhood of
Ekaterinabourg.

From this moment we proceeded with rapidity.
Wassili Sukin was a spirited, active young man ; he
looked after the relays of horses himself, and either
kind or rigid, as circumstances required, knew how to
handle the whip, and to spur on both man and horse.
Carpow, thus finding himself relieved from all kind
of trouble, had nothing more to do than follow Sukin.
Even in this, however, he failed, and we always
arrived a quarter of an hour later at each stage.
However, we found our horses always ready, and
were never detained a moment. Had it not been for
the service Sukin rendered me, I should not have
arrived at Petersburgh so soon as I did by ten days.

I must add one word more on the subject of the mer-
chant who accompanied me. He had been podr'ud-
Schick to the crown (a contractor for provisions and
buildings) ; he had acquired great wealth, had a house
at Petersburgh, and another at Moscow. Being ex-
asperated at some unnecessary delays, and a variety
of frauds that had been practised upon him by pi'ince
Potemkin, he one day uttered some inconsiderate ex-
pressions in the an ti. chamber of that favourite, and

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 119

was instantly sent into banishment, and deprived of
everything he had, even to his very cloak. At Pelim,
in the very heart of Siberia, he became Avhat is called
forgotten, and earned his bread by working as a com-
mon labourer. He had even, according to his own
account, been announced as dead, in a formal report
delivered to government. This gentleman was ig-
norant by whom, or in what manner, the emperor
had been informed of his innocence, and of his being
still alive. When sent into banishment he had not
been allowed to see his wife or his children, and since
that time he had not heard anything concerning them
or his property. Let the reader imagine with what
ardour he burned to see his family again. Although
he was old and feeble, and obliged at every stage to
have his wounds dressed, he never during the whole
journey deferred the moment of our departure, but
would even have travelled faster.

On the 15th of July we arrived at Ekaterinabourg,
where we rested. I purchased some fine Siberian
stones at the polishing manufactory, where they are
sold very cheaply. These I intented to present to my
daughters for necklaces, which from them might pass
to my latest posterity, in memory of the most un-
happy event of their father's life.

As we were proceeding on our journey, after quit-
ting Ekaterinabourg, and were passing through an ill-
paved town called Kungun, I very narrowly escaped
being killed, in the following manner: we were driv-
ing very swiftly down a hill, when the axle-tree
snapped, and the kibick was overturned. My head
touched the pavement, and as the horses continued
galloping, I was dragged over the stones, in the most
imminent danger of being dashed to pieces. My hat
preserved me in the first instance — but I soon lost it,
and must certainly have perished, had not some pea-
sants, whom a fair had drawn to the town, stopped
the horses. I received a severe contusion ; the pos-
tilion suffered still more, and bled very much : while

120 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

the passive Carpow, who was sitting with his legs
dangling over the side of the kibick, was gently
pitched into the mire.

On the 18th we arrived at Perm, where I lodged
with the honest clock-maker, Rosenburg, and peace-
ably rested my weary limbs upon the self-same sofa
on which two months before I lay agitated with despair.

From Perm to Casan nothing particular occurred,
and the good spirits I enjoyed were only damped by
the sight of the exiles we continually met with on the
road. Some of them, like myself, were in their own
carriages, others in open kibicks : and a far greater
number, chained together in couples, travelled on
foot, and were escorted by parties of armed peasants,
who were relieved from village to village. Some of
them had forked pieces of wood fastened about their
necks, the handles of which hung over their breasts
and fell down to their knees. In these handles were
two holes, through which their hands had been
thrust by force. 'J 'he spectacle was truly shocking.
All those who walked on foot asked our charity, and
with what pleasure did I relieve tliem ! I, wbo was
returning from my captivity ! 1, who was flying to
the arms of my family.

I likewise met several companies of emigrants, des-
tined to people the new city which was building,
by the emperor's orders, on the confines of China.
The men and women walked on foot ; the children
were perched upon the waggons, among bales and
"boxes, dogs and poultry. Their countenances did not
•express either hope or satisfaction.

On the 22nd of July, at noon, I entered the city
of Casan, and lodged in a very handsome house, de-
signed for purposes of public festivity, the mistress
-of which was extremely attentive and obliging. I did
•not neglect paying a visit to the hospitable Justifei
Timofeiisch, whose house was so infested with tara-
cans, to thank him once more for his former kindness.

I was induced to spend the rest of the day at Casan,

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 121

as a relation of my wife was married and settled
there, with whom I wished to speak, as I knew she
corresponded with her friends in Estonia, and I flat-
tered myself with the- hope of learning some tidings
from home. I trembled as I entered tlie house ; she
received me with open arms ; but alas ! had not a
word of consolation for me, being totally unacquainted
with the state of my family. One of her brothers,
indeed, had just written to her, and mentioned that
the baroness Dellingshausen, my wife's sister, was pre-
paring for a journey to Germany ; but of my wife, not
a word was said ! If this brother of hers had been
aware what pain his silence occasioned me, he cer-
tainly would not have carried his dread of the govern-
ment to such an excess ; he would have inserted a
few lines, hov/ever insignicant in the eyes of a stran-
ger, and without making any mention of my name,
at that moment so odious, would simply have ob-
served, ** Our cousin is here or there; is in good
health, lives in such or such a manner." I could in-
deed draw this consoHng inference from his letter,
that she was not dead ; for surely, said I, he would
at least have ventured to have stated such an event
as that.

On my arrival at Casan, I enjoyed a very agree-
able surprise. Every one, whether known or un-
known, Germans, French, and Russians, crowded to
see me, and expressed in a thousand ways the good-
will they bore me. They had heard two months
before that I had passed through the town, and had
given themselves much trouble to find me out, but in
vain ; for my amiable counsellor had taken effectual
means to prevent my being known.

Casan is a large and populous city, well built, and
has a lively appearance. The custom-house is not
inferior to that of Petersburgh or Moscow, in the
size of its structure, or the extensiveness of its busi-
ness. The antique fortress of the khans of Tartary,
which was demolished by Iwan Wassilewitsch, rises

L

122 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE,

above the heights of an adjacent rock, and forms a
grand and picturesque spectacle. The building is
very extensive ; part of its ruins has been lately re-
stored, and is now inhabited by the commander of
the town.

The strangers resident at Casan are sociable, and
their manner of life very agreeable. Were I obliged
to live in the interior part of Russia, this would be
the spot which I should prefer.

On leaving Ctisan I was accompanied by half-a-
dozen droschkas,* and other carriages as far as the
banks of the Wolga, which, on my first passage over
it, reached to the very walls of the city, but now
flowed in its regular bed seven verstes farther on.
At Ciisan I purchased a kibick to continue my joiurney
with more convenience.

Having crossed the Wolga, Carpow shewed me the
spot where he had met my counsellor and Schiilkins,
whom he very much astonished by the news of my
recal. The counsellor particularly regretted his not
having foreseen the favourable turn that my affairs
had taken. This regret did not arise from a very
pure source.

Between Casan and Novogorod, I saw at different
times, and on both sides of the road, a group of
armed men, seated round a great fire, the meaning of
which my curiosity at last induced me to enquire into.
The information I received was not of the most
agreeable nature : they were parties of peasants under
guard to cover the road, which was much infested by
robbers, whom the fair of MakariofFf had drawn in
bands to this neigbourhood. Hitherto I had observed
nothmg suspicious on the way : a traveller, however,
who meets the mail for the first time in this country,
naturally concludes that the roads are very dangerous,

* A kind of small carriage, coiriposed of a mere bench,
sometimes stuffed, and mounted upon four wheels.

f Busching, the geographer, mistakes in making Maka-
rioff^ a mere convent, and not a town.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 123

which hi fact they are. The kibick in which the
courier rides with the mail, is ahvays accompanied by
four or five peasants armed with guns and swords,
who are hardly able to keep up with it. This pre-
caution, however, has only lately taken place, in con-
sequence of an order of Paul I, which makes every
governor responsible for the mail within the precincts
of his jurisdiction. It is therefore natural that the
governors, especially of thinly inhabited countries,
should provide against danger. This order, however,
appears to me to be very severe ; since, in a country
where immense forests afford the robbers an imper-
vioas retreat, no human power is able to prevent their
depredations.

On approaching Nischnei-Novogorod, my eyes were
regaled with the sight of two objects which I had
not for a long time met with. These were cherry-
trees and bee-hives. It is well known, though not
accounted for, that there are neither bees nor clierries
to be found in Siberia; and that all fruit-bearing trees
are unknown, or rarely to be found. The joy I felt
at the sight of my old acquaintances was transporting.
*'■ I am now in Europe," I cried exultingly ; ** I am
now nea/ my native home !"

At Nischnei I would fain have dined in the Euro-
pean manner, but could find nothing but a miserable
Russian hut, without anything to eat ; nor was there
a better inn in the whole place. Returning, after
this fruitless search, to the door of the post-house, I
began to make preparation for eating my bread and
cheese in my kibick, while Sukin was gone into the
house to hasten the arrival of fresh horses. Through
him it was discovered who I was, and immediately a
servant came from the mistress of the house to invite
me in the most polite manner to dine with her. My
long beard, uncombed hair, and my torn night-gown,
were sufficient apologies for excusing myself, but
ihey were not admitted as such. The servant was sent

124 LITE OF KOTZEBUE.

back to inform me I should dine alone in a private
room, and be incommoded by no one.

I could not long resist such polite intreaties, and
having been ill-suj)pUed with food for several days
past, I was tempted to accept the invitation. I came
down from the kibick, and entered the house, very
mucli resembling Poor Tom in ' King Lear.' I was
shewn into an elegant room, in which I found a table
prepared, and where I was left to myself for several
minutes. A young and handsome woman, the mis-
tress of the house, exceedingly well dressed, then
made her appearance, and addressed me in German,
and ascribed the rudeness she had been guilty of t.)
her desire of being acquainted with me.

Although a great admirer of the fair sex, I must
confess this unexpected introduction threw me into
the greatest embarrassment. I considered myself as
Diogenes before Aspasia : all her affability could not
relieve me from the false shame that had wholly
taken possession of me. Every time I cast my eyes
upon my old night-gown, or took a peep into the
looking-glass, I felt myself shrink into nothing. My
perplexity was increased when I observed that the
room was filling apace with men and women of the
first consequence, both Germans and Russians, who
all accosted me in the politest manner, while 1 alono
sat eating, like a king of France or Spain dining in
state. At one time, the spectators interested my feel-
ings, by expressions of the most affectionate concern
which they took in my welfare ; and at another, put
me quite out of countenance by the extravagant
praises they bestowed upon me. Nor was this all ;
the scene was not ended till the first volume of my
dramatic works had been sent for, in order to com-
pare the portrait with the long-bearded original.

Although my appetite and my vanity had been
sufficiently pampered, I must confess, it was not till I
had returned to my kibick that I was able to rehsh
the gratification of the last hour. Then it was (and

EXILE TO SIBEUIA. 125

why should I deny it?) tliat the reflection on this
singular scene on the confines of Asia, and in an iin-
civihzed country, touched and flattered my heart. To
have found at Nischnei-Novogorod admirers of my
muse, who were anxious to serve, to console, to honour
me, because they recognised in me an old acquaint-
ance, who had long since gained their esteem, v/as a
singular kind of triumph ! And I prefer this re-
compense to all the adulation of the public prints,
since at the present day their praise of living authors
is rarely pure or disinterested.

I was again threatened with new perils on the road
from Nischnei to Moscoav, and from which I escaped
through my own vigilance. I had passed four nights
without having slept, when towards evening, as it
began to rain, I resolved to remain in a village till day-
break. I ordered the horses to be ready at four
o'clock in the morning, and desired that I might be
called at that hour.

I was called accordingly, when looking towards the
window, it appeared as if the day had begun to dawn,
and I hurried into my kibick. Wassili Sukin and his
merchant set out before me, and I followed them
closely. They had a young lad for their driver, and
mine \vas a man with a black beard and a savage
countenance.

I soon perceived that the light which I had taken
for break of day was nothing else than that of the
moon. I took out my watch, and found it was only
one o'clock. This surprised me exceedingly ; the
Russian postilions, like all others, I knew had rather
rise too late than too early ; and I was at a loss to ac-
count for my having been called three hours before
my time. I resolved not to fall asleep on the road ; and
having nothing to fear while the two carriages kept
together, I ordered my driver not to loiter behind,
which he often attempted, under various pretences,
to do.

My indolent Carpow, according to custom, was soon

L 2

126 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

fast asleep, yet as I was not fully persuaded that my
suspicions were well grounded, I was unwilling to
awaken bim. The postilion often turned his head
arovmd, and eyed us one after the other. I looked him,
however, full in the face every time he cast his eye to-
wards me, as much as to say — I am still awake. At
length I determined to try what he would do in case
he thought I had fallen asleep, that I might take my
measures accordingly. I closed my eyes therefore, but
])eeped from time to time, whenever the motions of
the postilion excited my suspicion. This precaution
seemed the more necessary after I had observed that
he carried a long knife, in a sheath, by his side. I had
caught a glimpse of this formidable weapon as he was
getting down from his seat to fasten a cord that had
given way in the harness. Both I and the courier
were unarmed, and two backward stabs, which he
might have given us without getting off his box,
would easily have dispatched us had we been asleep.

Scarcely had I begun to play my part, and appeared
to be fast asleep, when he turned towards me and
looked at me for some time, in a very stedfast manner.
Hitherto, intimidated by my threats and maledictions,
he had followed the other kibick rather closely ; but
from this moment he began to slacken his pace. The
better to be convinced of his bad intentions, I suffered
the first carriage to advance a little before ours ; but
the postilion had soon occasion to stop to repair his
harness, an accident that commonly happens every
quarter of an hour on the road. My driver likewise
ahghted, on pretence of fastening a belt. It began to
grow light however, and I could plainly see that the
belt had not been loose ; and that the fellow appeared
to be busy in adjusting it, the better to observe
whether I was asleep or not.

As soon as he thought himself safe, he called out to
the young lad in a low voice, and said several words
which I did not understand : I judged by the answer
of the latter, that he had asked what the two travellers

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 127

were doing, for the boy replied by the single word
spit, " they are both asleep."

They now began a conversation in a kind of whisper,
which lasted a considerable time, and during which, it
will not be supposed I was at all at my ease. This
conversation I soon thought fit to interrupt, by a
volley of maledictions, and calling the postilion a
scoundrel to his face. He protested that he was inno-
cent of any bad design ; but I maintained, in a firm
manner, that I had overheard all their discourse, and
at the same time took care to speak of the importance
of the dispatches I had with me, and threatened to
shoot him with a pistol, though I had not one in my
possession. I likewise roused my courier, and told
him what had passed ; and leaping out of my kibick,
I hastened to awaken the meichant and Sukin. We
were all on our legs in a moment, and my voice,
which echoed in the forest, seemed to acquire new
strength We all joined in the most violent reproaches ;
the postihon mounted his seat, grumbled, and drove
on without looking either on one side or the other.

At the distance of a verste from the spot where this
happened, we perceived two men in the middle of the
road, who appeared to be waiting for us ; for I had
remarked, some time before we came up to them, that
they were standing still. The moment the postilion
saw them, he began to make a noise with his horses,
as if he wished to signify to these men that we were
not asleep. We drove very fast by these fellows, who
stared at us very attentively, but durst not venture to
attack us, and we arrived in safety at the next stage.

I am fully convinced that a scheme had been formed
to assassinate, or, at least to rob us. This project was
chiefly directed against me, and the affair explains
itself naturally enough. The merchant travelled in an
open kibick ; it was easy to discover what he had
with him when his baggage was handed from one
carriage to another, and it afibrded nothing worth
the trouble of stealing; while, on the contrary, it

128 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

might be supposed, that my covered kibick contained
hidden treasures. I had hkevvise opened my travelHng
box the evening before, in which a silver coffee-pot,
and other plate, might have been noticed. Nor was
it necessary to be a deep physiognomist to perceive
that Carpow was a stupid fellow that might easily be
dispatched. The plan, according to all appearance,
was to let Sukin and the merchant gain ground upon
us ; we then should have lagged behind to the spot
where the two fellows were posted to way- lay us :
there we should have been robbed, perhaps murdered,
and the postilion in either case could have maintained
that he was innocent of all connivance. What still
further confirms me in my conjecture is, that the
postilion, at the beginning of the stage, was always
complaining that he could not make his horses move ;
and afterwards, when his scheme was defeated, and he
had no interest in retarding them, they went on with
more spirit than those which the young lad drove.

On the 28th of July, having at length escaped all
the dangors of a long journey of so many dreary,
solitary miles, I beheld the immense city of Moscow
rising majestically before me.

1 stopped awhile on an eminence to enjoy the fine
scene it afforded, but soon hastened within its walls,
full of the pleasing hope of hearing at last some
account of my family ; and after having driven through
a number of streets, I ahghted at an hotel which
belonged to a good old Frenchwoman, whom iM.
Becker had recommended to me. After a few hours
necessary repose, of which I stood in great need, and
which I had hardly patience to take ; and after having
cleaned myself, and with the assistance of the comb
and razor, recovered the appearance of a human crea-
ture, I waited on M. Francis Courtener, a bookseller,
of whom M. Becker had spoken in the highest terms
of approbation. I found him just as he had been
described to me, and he received me with the most
cordial hospitality.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 129

My first question was, whether he could give me
any information respecting my wife. He remembered
to have heard, in a vague manner, that the emperor
had sent for her to Petersburgh, and had received her
in a most gracious manner. I interrupted him to
enquire whence he had the account, but he could not
recollect it.

I accompanied him on a visit to M. Karamsin, an
entertaining writer, known even in Germany by his
* Letters of a Russian Traveller.' He received me in
a very friendly manner, and informed me that he had
likewise heard the above-mentioned rumour ; he knew
not, however, from what source it had arisen, but both
he and M. Courtener promised that they would en-
deavour to trace it out.

'^I'he reader may imagine what pleasure I felt in the
soci'ety of autliors and booksellers, after having passed
four months almost wholly destitute of literary food !
M. Karamsin's cabinet too, was furnished with en-
gravings of the principal authors of Germany ; and I
could speak to him of Wieland, of Schiller, ol Herder,
and Goethe, and of my dear native country, to which
he seemed to be very partial.

I passed this and the following day at Moscow, and
amused myself in examining the curiosities of the
place. My hopes of hearing farther particulars rela-
tive to my family proved fruitless, and I quickly con-
sidered the story of her arrival at Petersburgh as an
unfounded report.

I should have been glad to have paid a visit to
general Mertens, to have recalled to memory the
melancholy moments we passed together on the
Wolga, but he was making a tour through his govern-
ment.

At Wishnei Wolotschok, which lay no more than
four hundred and thirty-two verstes from Petersburgh,
I determined to separate from my worthy Wassili
Sukin, who fiitherto had accompanied me out of mere
complaisance, on account of the laziness of my courier,

130 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

and to suffer liim to go forwards, that in case my wife
should really he at Petershurgh, he might inform her
of my speedy arrival. I gave him a note for her, in
which 1 hegged her to meet me at the first stage. I
gave him, at the same time, the address of my old
and faithful friend Graumann,* from whom he might
learn if she was at Petersbargh, and where she lodged.
He set off, accompanied with my best wishes, and
I calculated that he would arrive at the capital twenty-
four hours before me. It seemed that the mark of
confidence which I had just given Sukin, roused the
ambition of my slow and heavy companion, for he
now became much more alert and attentive than
usual. We passed through the city of Novogorod,
famous for the Hansiatic alliance, without making
any stay, and at every stage we came to, we leanit
that Sukin had set off but a few hours before.

At the last stage but one he had left his passport,
without Avhich he could not have ventured to enter
Petershurgh. He waited our arrival at the last post,
under great apprehension ; fortunately, however, we
had taken care of his papers, which Ave gave him. It
was now about four in the afternoon, and I stepped
into my kibick, for the last time, with a palpitating
heart.

At Czarskozelo, a country palace of the emperor's,
we were stopped three or four times by the piquet-
guard, whose tedious examinations cost me many a
sigh. But my patience was now put to a severer test :
a number of troops having received orders to march
on this day to Gatschina, the emperor's favourite resi-
dence, to be reviewed there, I met, within a dozen
verstes of Petershurgh, six regiments on their march,
with their ammunition waggons, forges, &c. through
which it was impossible to make my Avay. 1 had a
long hour to wait, during which my impatience
became intolerably painful.

• An intimacy of twenty-four years has produced no
alteration in our reciprocal sentiments.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 131

Nor was this all ; I had very nearly fallen into se-
rious trouble. The grand duke Alexander was on
horseback at the head of the troops. I did not know
him, and even had I been acquainted with his per-
son, I was ignorant of the order that required every
person to get out of his carriage when any of the
imperial family passed by. My indolent courier
seemed to know as little as myself, and we remained
in our places. I should infallibly have been arrested
and carried to the police prison, if the gracious prince,
notwithstanding he looked us full in the face, had not
shewn himself superior to noticing our involuntary
neglect.

At nine in the evening we arrived at the barriers of
the capital, where we underwent,^ as we did soon after
at the gate, a long and troublesome examination. A
Cossack on horseback accompanied us from thence to
the commander, who lodged in the imperial palace.
The two couriers alighted and went in, while I re~
mahied on this well-known spot, in the most torment-
ing state of anxiety and distress.

A quarter of an hour passed in this manner, after
which we were taken to count Pahlen, the military
governor of the city. He was from home, and we
had to travel still farther. I was extremely desirous,
late as it was, to be set down at my friend Grau-
mann's, but the couriers had received strict orders to
deliver us up to the court-advocate, and we were
driven to his house. He was at Gatschina, and his
deputy in the department of secret dispatches, M.
Fuchs, counsellor of state, lived at a great distance
from thence. What was to be done ? The couriers
left the merchant and myself in the oi)en street, under
the guard of the court-advocate's servants, who had
crowded to the door out of mere curiosity, and has-
tened to M. Fuchs's lodgings.

I remained full half an hour leaning ov.^r the
parapet wall of the Moika, contemplating its peace-
ful current, while my heart was torn by a thousand

132 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

different emotions. At length the couriers returned,
and M. Fuchs soon came after them. He spoke to
me v/ith great poHtencss, and provided me with a
small chamber at his office for that night. 1 o the re-
quest I had made of being allowed to be driven to my
friend Graumann's, he rephed, that although I was
no longer absolutely a state-prisoner, it was his im-
mediate duty to make his report at Gatschina, for the
purpose of obtaining final orders ; and that he would
instantly send off an express. The answer could not
arrive till the next day ; and he begged I would
accept of such accommodations as he could procure
for me that night.

I enquired after my wife, but he was unable to give
me any accovmt of her : the dream of hope, therefore,
which had accompanied me in so agreeable a manner
from Moscow to Petersburgh, was now at an end.

I likewise asked him, why I had been exiled? All
the information he could give me on this subject was,
that everything had been done by the special order of
the emperor, who, he added, had enquired a few days
since whether 1 was returned. He assured me all my
papers were in the hands of the court-advocate, and
would be faithfully restored to me. He then took his
leave, and retired to hasten the departme of his
courier.

The night passed away in a very melancholy man-
ner, and I was unable to close my eyes. I felt myself
more deluded than ever, as my desire of seeing my
family had never been so strong, nor my expectations
so well founded. To the vexation of this disappoint-
ment was added the gloomy impressions arising from
the chamber in which I lay. It was a low and narrow
room, into which both innocent and guilty were indis-
criminately thrown, as soon as they fell into the
power of the secret inquisition. Excepting a bed, a
table, a bedstead and a chair, nothing but the four
walls was to be seen. The bedstead swarmed with
vermin, which prevented even an attempt to slf^ep.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 133

With what delight did I behold the break of day !
With what impatience did I await the return of the
courier, who was to bring me liberty, and enable me
to fly to my friend Graumann !

At about eight o'clock M. Fuchs called upon rae
again. He had not received any answer from Gats-
china; but how great were my transports, when he
informed me my wife was in Petersburg!! ! It was
the sensation of a palsied man restored in a moment
to the use of his limbs by an electric stroke. I was
frantic with delight : tears of joy started from my
eyes. ** Where is she?" was all my answer. He
could not tell me, nor was he able to release me from
the restrauit I was still under ; but he informed me I
was at full liberty to send for any person I wished to see.

I immediately discharged Sukin in quest of M.
Graumann ; he quickly came back and informed me
of the transports of my worthy friend, who had made
him a handsome present, and sent me the following
billet :—

" Your wife and your children are well, and lodge
not far from me. Before you see them, call on me,
that I may prepare madame de Kotzebue for this
meeting • sudden joy may prove fatal to her."

Sukin returned to inform him, that I was not yet
allowed to go out, but that I might receive any one
where I was ; I conjured him by the friendship that
had subsisted between us, to let me see my family as
soon as possible.

Ht came. I shall not speak of our mutual joy ; the
scene was the first step only that led me to my domestic
paradise. He told me my wife was in good health,
though still weak in consequence of a miscarriage my
misfortune had occasioned. He convinced me of the
necessity of preparing her by slow degrees for my
reception, notwithstanding she had expected me for
some time past. I saw the propriety of his advice,
and yielded.

Before he came to me, he had been with her. His

134 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

cheerful countenance appearing to her a good omen,
she had received him with these words, " You liave
certainly some news from my hushand!" He replied
he had, and that I was not far off. Upon this he
shewed her the note I had written him from Wis-
chnei Wolotschok, in which I had begged her to meet
me at the first stage. Wassili Sukin had given my
note, though now of no use, into his hands, with
that I had written from the secret expedition office,
and my friend had been able to convert it to a good
purpose. My impatient wife, quite wild at seeing my
note, immediately sent to order post-horses, and
determined to set off in an instant. She requested
Graumann to hasten to the military governor of
the city to procure a passport, without which, no
one, at that time, was allowed to go beyond the gates.
This he was obliged to promise, in order to appease
her ; and under pretence of going to the governor, he
left her and re])aired to me.

He found me equally restless and impatient. I
blessed and condemned his prudence at the same mo-
ment, and he now left me with the promise of brhig-
ing my wife to me as soon as he thought it could be
done without danger.

As he entered the room, she cried out, " Where is
the passport?" — "You have no occasion for one,"
he replied, — "He is arrived!" said she, and then
flung her arms about his neck.

In vain he attempted to reason with her : he was
obliged to conduct her to me that very moment in
his coach, and all he could obtain from her was, that
she would stay some minutes in the carriage, while he
gave me information of her arrival.

I was conversing with M. Fuchs, when Graumann,
with the countenance of an angel, burst into the
room : " Your wife is here," said he. I could not
contain myself, but uttered a loud cry of joy. M.
Fuchs had the delicacy to retire, to avoid disturbing
the first moments of our re-union. Graumann was

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 135

gone to conduct her to me. I stood trembling at the
•window, which was just over the gate-way : I saw
my wife enter ; I staggered towards the door ; she
rushed in, and fainted in my arms.

Who can attempt the description of such a scene !
I pity the man who cannot enter into my feehngs on
this occasion. Ves, there are moments in hfe which
counterbalance years ; that compensate for a series of
years of misery ! I would not at this moment have
relinquished for the world the remembrance of what
I had suffered : the enjoyment of this one moment
overbalanced it all.

With the assistance of my friend, I had placed my
wife on the only chair the room afforded. Kneeling
down and hiding my face in her lap, I wept such
tears as I had never wept before, and waited till her
senses should return. She recovered, and hanging
affectionately over me, mingled her tears with mine.
My friend walked silently about the room ; he was
much affected; he was not an indifferent spectator of
this affecting scene ; he shared in the transports of it.
Generous man ! this hour has recompensed thee for
all thou hast done for me and mine ! thou hast en-
joyed a scene which is not often represented on the
great stage of the world, and thou didst feel that thy
disinterested friendship had contributed to procure it !

After the first transports of delight had in some
degree subsided, after we had recovered our speech,
what questions had we to ask ! What answers !
What broken recitals and narrations ! How often
did we interrupt each other, and smile and kiss off
the tear that bedewed our cheeks ! It seemed as if
our graves had been opened, as if we were rising from
the earth, and had become two celestial substances,
enjoying a new union in a better world, and casting a
last look upon the sufferings we had undergone in
our terrestrial career.

INIy dear wife then related what had happened to
lier from the moment of our separation. She men-
tioned her recovery from her first swoon, the death-

136 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

like silence that surrounded her, and which was only
interrupted by the sobs of oui- eldest daughter, who
was seated on the ground in the corner of the room,
and weeping in silence.

In vain had I flattered myself, under my affliction,
that the governor of Courland and his family Avould
have taken pity on them : neglected by them and the
world, she only found compassion and consolation in
a quarter where she had no right to expect it ; at the
inn at which we had ahghted. The landlord and his
wife (the rjame of these worthy people is Riider)
treated her with humanity and delicacy, and afforded
the finest example of disinterested feelings, even in a
condition of life in which their absence would have
been excusable. — Obliged by misfortune and our se-
paration, as much as by reason and necessity, to ob-
serve the strictest economy, my wife intended to
deny the children their accustomed dainties, but
madame Rader supplied them by stealth, and likewise
];laced jellies and other delicacies of the kind upon
the table of their sick mother, without making any
extra charge in the bill.

General d'Essen* to whom we are related, came
regularly twice a day to see my wife, without caring
for the danger to which he was exposed, although he
himself had already been so much the object of ca-
lumny He did all he could to console and divert, his
kinswoman. JMay God reward him for it !

AI. de Wachter, a counsellor of the regency, and
his lady, whose acquaintance we had first made at
Revel, and with whom we had been but slightly con-
nected, proved on this occasion, that misfortune
strengthens the bonds of friendship.

With wliat pleasure, with what gratitude do I here
mention the small number of generous-minded people

* The same who commanded in Holland, after the un-
fortunate battle in ^^hiell g-cnt'ial flerman was taken pri-
soner, and who was soon aftor dismissed from the service,
because hated the witness of his exploits.

EXILE TO SIBERIA. 137

•who assisted my wife, as much as was in their power,
to support the burden that bowed her to the earth !

M. de Weitbecht, the secretary, had one single time
the goodness to pay a visit to my wife, and to be
angry that she wept ! *' Do not weep, madame," he
cried, over and over again; *' of what use are your
tears?" She insisted on seeing the governor. "The
governor," replied he, " has as great an aversion as
myself to see people cry." — "Ah!" replied my wife,
*' if he is determined not to see the unhappy, let him
resign his office."

At last she obtained an audience. M. de Driesen
received her in his morning gown, with his pipe in
his mouth, and said a thousand pretty unmeaning
things to her, but never asked her to sit down. He
made excuses for madame de Driesen, who, he said,
was not able to receive her, on account of her preg-
nancy ; as if that circumstance would not allow her
to be seen by an unfortunate sufferer of her own sex !
After some moments of vague conversation, during
which lie concealed everything that related to my
situation, he put an end to the visit, conducted my
wife to the door, and from that time took no farther
notice of her. She continued to expect my return
from Petersburgh every moment ; at the rumbling of
every carriage that passed by, she would run to the
window. Every letter which she wrote was inspected
by the governor, and she was forbidden to mention a
word relative to my misfortune, or her own situation.
Not one of these letters was transmitted to the
person for whom it was intended ; but ail of them
were transcribed, and the copies sent to Peters-
burgh. A single letter happily reached my friend
Graumann, the M'orthy Riider having put it into the
post-office with his own hands.

Thank heaven ! I can now, without the least danger,
submit to the public eye every incident, and every
trait of character connected with my history.

At length, after fifteen days of anxious expectation,

M 2

138 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

niy wife obtained the emperor's leave to retire to
Estonia, to one of her relations. She left Mittau,
and arrived at Riga, where she was obliged to make
some stay on account of her health. The master of
the hotel de Petersburgh, M. Langwitz, was imprudent
enough to reply, when asked by her, if I had lodged
there in my v/ay through Riga ; " O no ! they took
him directly to Tobolsk," — What must have been her
horror ! She had not, till then, entertained the slight-
est idea of my banishment ! She, however, soon began
to discredit the account, and my friend Eckhardt^
counsellor of the regency, with the assistance of some
other humane people, at last succeeded, in some de-
gree, in tranquillizing her mind.

I snatch this opportunity of naming, at the head of
these compassionate and worthy persons, M. de
Richter, governor of Riga. He instantly visited my
wife, and treated her in the most delicate and ge-
nerous manner ; and by the contrast made her doubly
sensible of the hardships she had undergone at Mittau.
The only thing he refused her was, the information
where I was; he assured her, however, that I was
neither shut up in the fortress of Riga, nor in the
neighbourhood : and that he had received a very sa-
tisfactory account respecting my existence and my
health.

I must mention also, with gratitude, two other per-
sons, whom the ties of blood, and the feeUngs of
humanity, equally attached to my unha])py wife ; and
these are the count and countess Sievers de Wenden.
This generous pair flew to their relation, and treated
her with the most delicate attentions. Let them not,
on reading these lines, mistake them for the measure
of my gratitude, but assure themselves, that it can
only be equalled in extent and force by their own noble
sentiments.

Though my wife was consoled by the kind interest
which the governor of Riga, and the whole town, took
in my extraordinary affair j though she was comforted

EXLLE TO SIBERIA. 139

by the tender and brotherly attentions of my friend
Eckhardt, who softened the anguish of her most pain-
ful hours ; and though she was treated with as much
skill as disinterestedness by Dr StofFregen, there were
nevertheless moments in which the weight of her
affliction threatened her destruction. Our little ones
would frequently play before the door ; the passengers
would stop and enquire to whom they belonged, and
after having learnt this, would often shed tears as
they left them, and exclaim, '* poor children!" — This
was so often repeated, that one day they ran in to their
mother, and asked her why they were always called
poor children ? Another time one of them, of her own
accord, asked her mother to let her be fettered and
sent to her father, to bear him company. It may
easily be imagined what effect these scenes had upon
a mind so distracted and a constitution so shaken, as
were those of my poor wife.

As soon as she had, in some degree, recruited her
health, she continued her journey, and passing through
Dopart, arrived at our favourite Friedenthal. The
most painful sensations were renewed in her mind,
the moment she beheld, from an adjacent hill, the
spot where we had passed together so many years of
uninterrupted felicity. She had not resolution enough
to take up her abode in our beloved habitation, in
which every apartment, every piece of furniture,
would have brought to her recollection her unfortu-
nate husband ; she chose rather to alight at the house
of M. Koch, the minister of the parish, and as worthy
an ecclesiastic as ever preached the gospel of truth.
His wife, of French origin, having been madame de
Kotzebue's instructress, has the merit of being the
first who enriched her mind with knowledge, and her
heart with sentiment. She is not inferior to her
husband in education, mind, or talents. They became
acquainted first in the paternal mansion of my wife,
where he was tutor and she was governess. They
soon became attached to each other, and at last were

140 LIFE OF KOTZEliUK

married. M. Koch is likewise my old college friend,
so that our families have always continued upon the
most friendly and affectionate terms. My dear good
wife was received by this respectable couple as a
daughter would have been by her father and mother.
They consoled her ; they bestowed upon her the most
unremitting attentions, and the most cordial caresses.

Officious people were not wanting, who advised this
worthy man to withdraw his protection from my wife,
to avoid danger to himself; to these counsellors,
however, he replied with great firmness, that were he
certain to be sent to Siberia for his conduct, he would
still persist in it.

May heaven bless this excellent family, who in a
distant corner of the world exercise their benevolence,
without pomp or ostentation ; and who unite the
simplicity and integrity of rural manners, with the
culture and politeness of courts ! — May heaven, I
say, bless them ! and should, sooner or later, the
caprice of fortune frown on any of their children or
descendants, let these lines serve for me and my pos-
terity, as a sacred and valid promissory note of hand
at their service. I declare in the face of all Europe,
that as long as my children shall continue to respect
my memory, and value my blessing, every member
of this worthy family shall find my house and my
heart open to them, as well as the houses and the
hearts of my descendants.

Here, in the circle of her respectable friends, my
wife at last received the letter which I had written to
her from StockmannshofF, and which had undergone
many strange adventures before it came to her hands.
The young man to whom I had entrusted it, with the
other two, appears to have wanted resolution or ad-
dress to forward them according to their direction.
M. de Bayer, or perhaps the cautious M. Prostenius,
probably sent them to the governor of Riga, who
must have forwarded them to the court-advocate of
Petersburgh. The letter to count Cobenzel hai

RESIDENCE AT PETERS B URGII. 141

been instantly suppressed ; and such was then the
gloomy state of the political horizon, that I consider
the precaution as prudent and necessary. The court-
advocate shewed these letters to the emperor, who
was angry at my having called count de Pahlen his
favourite, and that I had applied to him in that ca-
pacity for his protection. It was one of the singu-
larities of this prince, not to suffer it to be said tliat
he had any favourite, nor allow any one to boast of
having an influence over him. It may likewise be
supposed that the court-advocate, the declared enemy
of the count, did not fail, on the present occasion, to
do him all the injury in his power, and to represent
the matter to the emperor in the most odious point of
view. In short, the emperor, though he saw count
Pahlen every day, caused my letter to be transmitted
to him through the court-advocate. He did not,
however, speak a word to him on the subject, and
looked cool on him for a long time. The count has
since given me to understand, that I bad very nearly
been the cause of his disgrace.

As to the letter to madame Kotzebue, although it
would have been more delicate to have suppressed it,
as it had been written in a moment of despair, the
emperor gave orders that it should be forwarded ac-
cording to its address, and delivered, on having a re-
ceipt for it. It was therefore sent to the governor of
Estonia, who in his turn dispatched it to baron de
Rosen, the provincial judge* of the circle of Wesen-
burg, who at last delivered it to my wife, and took
from her a receipt subscribed by her trembling hand.

This fatal letter produced, as I had but too well
foreseen, the most dreadful effects. My wife, reduced
to the last extremity of grief, fell into labour and
miscarried : her recovery was long doubtful, and
more than once she was on the brink of the grave.

• The judges and provincial counsellors of Livonia and
Estonia superintended the police of the country.

142 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Had it not been for the tender assiduity, the inex-
pressible attentions of the Koch family, I, with six
helpless orphans, should at this moment be deploring
her loss ; and what emperor, Avhat empire, could in-
demnify me for such a calamity ?

She recovered. — As soon as she had gained a little
strength, she accepted the invitation of my intimate
friend Knorring, at Revel, and went thither to con-
cert with her relations and friends, not on what she
intended to do, for she had already resolved to follow
me into Siberia, but how she should put that inten-
tion into execution, and previously to arrange with
them our pecuniary affairs.

Many of our former friends at Revel behaved in a
very equivocal manner on my wife's arrival among them.
I pass over their names in silence, to do justice to my
real friends, Ue Knorring and his lady, Huek, and
many others, who gave themselves up, without the
least scruple or fear, to the impulses of their own
hearts. In vain did several timid-minded persons
advise De Knorring to shut his doors against my un-
happy wife. He remained firm, his friendship wavered
not ; though he has since acknowledged to me, that
he expected 'to be involved in some unpleasant di-
lemma, and even to be obliged to take a journey to
Petersburgh to clear up his conduct.

My wife had now but one idea which engrossed her
attention — her journey to Siberia. Whatever could
be urged to dissuade her from it was of no avail ; she
was not to be moved ; and even when she was given
to hope that my exile would not be of long duration,
and the step consequently useless, she replied with
warmth, that if it only contributed to soften my af-
flictions for a few days, it would more than repay her
trouble ! Her chambermaid, Catherine Tengmaun,
(she deserves to have her name mentioned — it is an
homage of gratitude) offered to accompany her, al-
though she would have left behind a mother seventy
years of age. " 1 have partaken," said she, ** in your

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 143

prosperity, and it is but just I should share your mis-
fortunes." J\Ty wife intended to bring our youngest
girl with her, and to leave the other children at
Revel. She had engaged to pay a considerable sum
to a man whom she could trust, to escort her on the
journey, and her departure was fixed for the 1st July.

Such was the state of things on the l/th of June,
when my wife, having passed the morning under
great dejection of mind, after dinner retired to her
chamber, and threw herself on the bed. JM. de
Knorring was enjoying the fresh air at the balcony,
from whence he saw a courier galloping along tlie
avenue, who passed by, made enquiries, returned, held
his dispatches over his head, and aligliting from his
horse, darted into the hall. JMy friend flew to meet
him, half-hoping and half-afraid, and his family be-
gan to tremble for Knorring himself.

** Good news !" exclaimed the courier with a shout
of joy, holding in his hand a letter from count de
Pahlen to my wife. Knorring would have taken the
letter, but the courier begged to deliver it into her
own hands. The family, though wild with delight,
had nevertheless recourse to every necessary precaii-
tion. On the one hand, they were averse to disturb
my wife ; on the other, they were impatient to com-
municate the happy tidings. Their friend, however,
was not asleep : she perceived the door to be a little
a-jar, and several faces peeping in to see if she were
awake, and upon every face she observed an impres-
sion of satisfaction, which they had not worn for
some tim^e past. " What is the matter?" said sho,
raising herself up a little.

" Nothing at all," replied they ; " we only came to
see if you were asleep."

** No, no, you have some good news to tell me ; I
see it on your countenances."

" Well, we have : we bring you good news from
four husband ; a courier from count Pahlen waits for
you below."

144 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

She sprang to the door, and in a moment was in
the halh She seized the letter, tore it open, and with
eyes half-bhnd with tears, read as follows : —

" Madam,

*' His majesty the emperor condescends to permit
you to come to Petersburgh, and to reside there with
your husband ; I hasten, with the most sincere satis-
faction, to inform you of this special favour on the
part of our most gracious sovereign, that you may set
off as soon as you think proper. An express has been
sent to your husband, in order that he may be at
Petersburgh on your arrival, or soon after you. I
shall with pleasure take upon myself to provide you
with a suitable lodging.

" Accept, madam, the assurance of my sincere joy
at this event, and the perfect esteem with which I
have the honour to be your devoted humble servant,

" De Pahlen."

*' Petersburgh, 15th June, 1800.

The accounts which my friends gave me of the
effect which this letter produced on my wife, affected
me extremely. Her joy had the appearance of mad-
ness. She, who had scarcely strength enough to
move from one chair to another, leaped about the
room like a fawn, and was unable to stand still. For
a long time she kept running here and there, looking
for a thousand things that she thought she wanted,
and laughed and wept in the same moment. She
gave the courier all the money which she had in her
possession. She would instantly have prepared for
the journey, wished to set out the next day, and de-
clared that she should consider every one as her
enemy who counteracted her intentions.

Fortunately her physician, doctor Bluhm, was not
fearful of incurring her displeasure : he was able to
make her feel that her high spirits were not symptoms
v^ Strength, and she consented to waita few days longe^.

RESIDEXC/-: AT PETERSBURG H. 145

In the meanwhile a messenger from the governor
of Revel, who lived in the comitry, arrived. The
court- advocate had communicated the same informa-
tion to him, with instructions to furnish madame de
Kotzebue with everything necessary for her journey,
and to make a report of the amount. He likewise
mentioned that the military governor of Petersburg!!
had received orders to provide a suitable lodging for
my wife and me.

Madame de Kotzebue felt herself under the same
embarrassment, relative to the emperor's offer to bear
the expense of the journey, which I had suffered some
weeks after at Tobolsk, Unwilling to ask much, at
the same time fearful of incurring the imputation of
arrogance should she accept nothing, she consulted
her friends, and confined herself to the mere travelling
expenses to Petersburgh, which were immediately
paid her.

The manner in which the greater number of the in-
habitants of Revel acted on this occasion is entitled to
my warmest gratitude. In half an hour the news
had spread over the whole city. It was repeated in
the streets : people were stopped in their carriages to
be infornied of it ; and they, in their turn, stopped
every acqaaintance they met to impart it to them.
" Have you heard the news?" cried one, when he
saw a friend at a distance. " Yes, I have heard it,"
was the common reply. It Avas not my friends alone
that exulted ; every heart partook of the general
satisfaction of the day, and the good town of Revel
proved itself to be peopled with benevolent beings.

On the fourth day my wife was able to undertake
her journey ; she travelled the whole hundred leagues
from Revel to Petersburgh without stopping to sleep,
in the hope of finding me there ! a hope which, in
fact, count de Pahlen's letter had encouraged. The
good wishes of the count could alone have suggested
such an idea, for the courier who had been despatched
to Siberia, not having set off before the 15th of June,

146 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

it was impossible that I could arrive at Petersburgli in
less than seven weeks from that time ; and even to
effect this, it was necessary to travel, as in fact I did,
faster than the mail ; my wife therefore arrived long
before me, and went to an hotel, as the lodging in-
tended for us was not yet fitted up ; nor was it indeed
ever completed, owing to an excess of delicacy on her
part, which prevented her from taking any steps
about it.

T should not mention this circumstance, if it had
not furnished me with a new occasion of discovering
the noble conduct of my friend Graumann. Being
aware that the expenses of an hotel, for a large family,
were heavier than my wife, in her present situation,
could well bear, he hired apai'tments in the most secret
manner, fitted up the rooms in the best style, and one
day begged madame de Kotzebue to accompany him
to them. How great was her surprise, when on
entering she found herself in an elegant and commo-
dious set of well-furnished apartments ; a kitchen
provided with every culinary utensil ; linen, china,
cupboards stored with sugar, tea, coflfee, wax candles,
&c. in great abundance ; even silver plate was not
forgotten ; so that she felt hei-self suddenly trans-
ported into a new establishment, without being able
to learn from the generous man whose magic wand
had created it, wliat sum he had consecrated to tliis
act of friendship !

Such was the account I received from madame de
Kotzebue ; and the hours gaily danced around me and
the dear companion of my life, who had just been re-
stored to my arms. Tlie walls which inclosed us,
those walls which had echoed to the plaints of so
many unfortunate people, now resounded with ex-
pressions of the purest rapture, the tenderest love,
and the most grateful friendship.

Nothing indeed was wanting to render this scene
of happiness complete, but the presence of my children.
Their mother hastened to fetch them; they had

TlESiDENCF, AT PETEllSEURG 11. 147

waited for this moment with the most impetuous
eagerness : they arrived ; I saw them get out of the
carriage ; I heard their Httle footsteps upon the staircase;
I felt them hang round my neck — A man must be a
father to conceive what I felt.

It was noon, and later than noon, without our
having perceived it. The express had not returned
from Gatschina, and I had not noticed the delay ; for
had I not in my little chamber, or, as it really was, my
prison, all that my heart desired !

An event, which took place in the evening, excited
in us the tenderest emotions, and even added to our
joy. The Russian merchant, the companion of my
journey, had cherished hopes of obtaining, on his
arrival at JVIoscow, some accovmt of his wife and
daughter : with this design he had called on one of his
relations there, and returned overwhelmed with grief
and despair. '* I was so joyful," said he, with the
most affecting simplicity, " but God has turned my joy
into sorrow ; my wife and daughter are dead !" From
that moment he mentioned the subject no more, and
during the rest of the journey he scarcely uttered a
word. I often saw him weeping in his kibick, till the
tears trickled down his grey beard. On our arrival at
Petersburg!! he lodged in the same room with me.
When my wife came he was seated in a corner of the
room, lost in silent affliction, and witnessed our
felicity without uttering a syllable, while the deepest
sorrow was imprinted on his countenance.

Towards evening his courier, Sukin, suddenly en-
tered the room : " Iwan Semenovvitsch," cried he,
** your wife and daughter are alive, and here they
are !" The old man av/oke as from a dream, and
starting from his seat he staggered to the door, and his
wife and child rushed into his arms. This was an
affecting repetition of the scene we had ourselves just
been acting ; and what tended to increase the interest
of the meeting, was the long duration of their absence.
He had been torn from his wife when she was in the

148 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

prime of youth and beauty ; he found her less bloom-
ing, but she was still in good health. His daughter,
who was only eight years old Vv-hen he left her, was
now a fine girl of sixteen. He could scarcely believe
his eyes, or give credit to his own happiness. He
took the candle, from time to time, and examined her
in every point of view ; his features brightened up,
and the tears stole apace down his cheeks. An inarti-
culate sound of joy and surprise was all he was able to
utter.

Thus passed away the day, and night now ap-
proaching, I ventured to ask M. Fuchs to allow me to
go to my own lodgings, on the promise of returning
the next morning. He had the goodness to grant my
request, and made himself responsible for this per-
mission. With a heart overflowing with delight and
gratitude, I now entered the abode which love and
friendship had vied together in preparing, and my
faithful servants received me with transports of joy.

Scarcely had I been an hour at home, when a note
from M. Fuchs came to inform me the order was
arrived from (iatschina, and that 1 was at liberty. I
then retired to rest ; and it was now, for the first time
for four months past, that I freely enjoyed that
blessing.

The next morning I waited on count de Palilen
agreeably to my duty; but duty alone did not lead me
to his house, he was entitled to my gratitude ; for in
the midst of his innumerable avocations he had found
lime to announce my enlargement, not only to madame
de Kotzebue, but likewise in the most obliging terms
to my aged mother. The great crowd with which he
was always surrounded, prevented me from saying
anything beyond what the formality of custom pre-
scribed, and to which he replied likewise in the same
style.

On the 13th of August I received the copy of an
ukase, by which the emperor bestowed on me, free of
service, the estate of \A^orrokull, situated in Livonia,

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 149

and belonging to the crown. This estate, which con-
tains four hundred souls, and brings me in four
thousand roubles a year upon lease, together with a
commodious mansion house, and advantages of various
kinds, was a gift truly imperial, and affords the most un-
equivocal proof of my innocence.

I could have wished, the sooner to forget the whole
dream of my misfortunes, to liave returned to Ger-
many ; but my friends advised me, for very good
reasons, not to ask the emperor's permission, I fol-
lowed their counsel, as they knew the monarch better
than I, and contented myself with just hinting, in my
letter of thanks, that I was on the point of retiring
into the country, the better to enjoy his majesty's
gracious benefaction.

My letter produced an effect which I had not ex-
pected. On the very next morning I received the
following note from M. Briskorn, the emperor's
secretary : —

" On beginning to read your letter to his imperial
majesty, I had the pleasure to hear him order me to
draw up an ukase, which appoints you manager of the
company of German comedians, with the title of aulic
counsellor, together with a salary of twelve hundred
roubles. When I came to the passage in which you
speak of your design to retire into the country, his
majesty deigned to order me to propose your accept-
ance of the above-mentioned place. I therefore acquit
myself of tiiis duty ; and, begging you to inform me,
as soon as possible, whether it be your intention to
accept the offer of our most gracious monarch, I re-
main, sir, with particular consideration, &c. &c.

** Briskorn.'*

'* P.S. In quality of manager you will act under
the immediate orders of count Narisckin, grand mar-
shal of the court."

My embarrassment on the receipt of this letter was
equal to my terror. I was again to undertake the
management of a playhouse — I, who at Vienna, not-

n2

150 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

withstanding the singular kindness of haron Braun,
had refused longer to continue in so thankless an
employment, and who had so often vowed to my wife,
and to myself, to tread no more a path of thorns
deceitfuhy strewed with roses— I, who knewhy sorrow-
ful experience, that the best performers are often the
most immoral and untractable of men ; that a single
word of disapprobation renders the actor, to whom we
venture to whisper it, om- most implacable enemy,
though he had asked our judgment with apparent
frankness and modesty — I, \vho knew that the greater
part of dramatic performers, even among the most
distinguished, love not the art but the artist ; that they
are delighted with a piece composed of scenic charac-
ters and grotesque figures, provided their own dear
persons appear with eclat therein — but wdiere is ray
painful experience of twenty years now carrying me ?
I entreat the reader's pardon for this digression, and
beg he will just allow me to parody the words of
Shakspeare : —

" Vanity, thy name's a player."

With such a disposition, together with sad expe-
rience cohected from so many theatres, I was now to
put myself at the head of a company w^hich one Alir^
had collected from several strolling parties, and im-
proved by the addition of a few good actors brought
from Germany ; but which, after all, was far from
being complete. Hitherto a society of merchants had
supported the company by subscription, but it was now
in a very embarrassed situation, and upon the point of
breaking up. The emperor, on the representation of
count de Pahlen, determined to take them into his
own service ; unfortunately, the circumstance of my
return coincided with the plan, and his majesty
naturally enough wished to charge me with the man-
agement of it. Doubtless there was much goodness on
his part, and a wish to oblige me in this business,
which farther induced me not to refuse the favour
which he conceived he was offering me.

TIESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 151

I endeavoured, however, in my answer, with all the
art I was master of, to extricate myself from this un-
pleasant affair ; and displayed, in colours equally
strong-, my boundless gratitude and invincible aversion
to such an office. But all was in vain : instead of an
answer, came the copy of three ukases ; the first of
which, addressed to the grand marshal of the court,
appointed me manager of the German Theatre ; the
second named me aulic counsellor; and the third
secured my salary on the emperor's privy purse. To
this salary, which otherwise might appear but small,
was added eighteen hundred roubles, charged on the
treasury of the theatre, for the expense of a carriage ;
and I was besides allowed fire and candles, with a
large and commodious lodging. As to the pecuniary
part of the business, the emperor had done all, and
more than I could have hoped from him ; and in that -^
respect, my gratitude was extreme. I had, including
the produce of my estate, an annual income of at least
nine thousand roubles, besides the receipts of the
second representation of my new pieces, which added
a few thousand roubles more to my revenue.* But
what occasion had I for this additional fortune ? Can
repose, tranquillity, or health, be purchased with gold?
Did I not possess at Weimar, at Jena, a dwelhng less
splendid indeed, but more cheerful? an income less con-
siderable, but yet sufficient for every purpose of happi-
ness ? Though I lived there under a prince less powerful,
yet did I not live free from every apprehension of danger?
In fine (and what alone is worth all the rest) , had I
not a good and tender mother there ? a mother to
whom I owed the culture of my mind ; and who was
waiting for my return with tlie most ardent impatience,
and whom it was my duty to aid to bear the increasing
burden of age ?

* I lately read in the Gazette /«r die elegante Welt, that
I had sixteen benefit niglits during my residence at Peters-
burgh. The truth is, that 1 had no more than six, whjcb
produced me about three thousand roubles.

152 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

At the same time I received from the secret inqui-
sition all the papers which had been taken from me
on the frontiers : not a sheet was wanting ; and I
shall here mention a very remarkable circumstance
attending them.

From the first moment of my arrest to the end of
exile, I had thought there was not a passage to be
found among all my papers that could in any respect
authorise the government to act as it had done towards
me, yet there was one single Ihie, which had it come
to the knowledge of the emperor, would have perhaps
aggravated my captivity, and certainly prolonged it.
This line was in the journal I had kept at Vienna. I
had been on my arrival, and before I was known there,
suspected of Jacobinism. Soon after my new voca-
tion, I mentioned my fears on this head to baron de
Braun. " Make yourself easy," said he, " if you are
conscious of your innocence ; the emperor is just, and
condemns no one without the most strict and impar-
tial examination.'* On inserting these words, I added
the following reflection : — " I am now at ease ; I have

gained much : the e P seldom thinks it

worth his while to examine affairs."

This unfortunate remark, these words, which in
truth were harsh and offensive, had entirely escaped
my memory ; and how great was my tremor, when on
turning over my papers they caught my eye ! But, at
the same time, how great was my joy, and what were
the emotions I felt, on observing that some generous
hand had blotted the line with so much care, that it
was not without great difficulty I could at first guess at
the tenor of it ! Here then is a proof, that under all
the terror which the secret inquisition in general
created, the mem.bers of whom it was composed merely
obeyed the severe orders enjoined them ; and when-
ever they had opportunity, yielded to the better feel-
ings of their own hearts. This eulogy, in particular,
is justly due to M. Makaroff, counsellor of state,
whose tears have often mingled with those of the \m-

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBU RGIl . 153

fortunate ; and whose heart has often bled when he
has been obhged to dehver them up into the hands of
their executioners. I know not whether it was this
gentleman, or M. Fuchs, or a third person, that was
charged with the examination of my papers ; having
in rain endeavoured to obtain any information respect-
ing it, although I have done everything in my power
to discover it. I must therefore satisfy myself with
declaring my gratitude to my unknown benefactor in
the face of the world, and before the throne of hea\en.
How fortunate to have fallen into such hands ! This
single line might have ruined me for ever !

I likewise observed several trifling passages among
my papers which had been underlined with a pencil,
but none of them could have done me any injury;
they consisted only in satirical remarks, anecdotes,
incidents I wished to remember ; and to which I had
added some reflections.

My Gustavus Vasa was returned me in a cover,
with orders not to make any use of it. A single pas-
sage had condemned this unfortunate piece.

" Whene'er a monarch's voice commands a crime,
" A thorsand arms are rais'd to strike the blow."

J flatter myself that the reader will be anxious to
learn to what circumstance I am indebted for my
liberty. He already knows, it could not have been in
consequence of the memorial transmitted from To-
bolsk, as the courier who brought the ukase which
enlarged me, met the bearer of my memorial near
Casan. I shall therefore relate all the information
which I have been able to collect on that subject.

I v/as assured that the inhuman court-advocate suf-
fered my papers to lie in a corner of his office for the
space of a whole month, without paying the least re-
gard to the situation of the unhappy man who, in
consequence of such neglect, was pining in exile. The
emperor himself at length inquired into the contents of
my papers ; and the proof which they afforded of my in-

154 MFE OF KOTZEBUE.

noeence, was doubtless one cause of Ills majesty's
change of disposition towards me; yet I doubt
whether my innocence alone would have effected my
deliverance ; for in general it is much easier for the
rulers of the earth to persevere in the injustice they
have once committed, than to acknowledge and repair it.
The emperor Paul, and some other sovereigns are, how-
ever, honourable exceptions from this charge. My
good fortune gave birth to another circumstance,
which could never have happened more h propos.

I have already spoken of a little piece in titled
* The Emperor's Head Coachman,' which I had
written with a kind of enthusiasm, some years ago, to
celebrate a generous action of Paul I, without dream-
ing it would ever have any influence on my own wel-
fare. This piece had just been translated into the Russian
language, by a young man of the name of Krasno-
bolski ; who, being desirous of dedicating it to the
emperor himself, had applied to several persons of
consequence, who dissuaded him from his intention,
or at all events advised the omission of the name of
Kotzebue in the title-page, since that odious name
was sufficient to ruin everything. The Russian and
German playhouses had long since discontinued the
insertion of my name in the bills of such of my pieces
as were represented.

The honest youth was above having recourse to
plagiary. " The piece is his," said he ; " I am but his
translator : I will not deck myself in borrowed
plumes : and I shall let his name remain at the head
of the work." Finding, however, insurmountable
difficulties in having liis translation presented in this
form to the emperor, he determined to transmit it by
the post.

The reception of this piece made a singular impres-
sion on the mind of the monarch : he perused it, and
it affected and pleased him. He ordered a valuable
ring to be given to the translator, and at the same
time forbad the printing of the manuscript. Some

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 155

liours after this, he asked for it again, re-perused it,
declared that he would allow it to be printed on con-
dition of certain passages being omitted ; and among
others, which is hardly credible, the following one :
"My emperor saluted me ; he salutes all worthy people/'
In the course of the day he asked for the piece a third
time, read it over, and then allowed it to be printed
without any alterations at all. At the same time, he
declared : " he had done me wrong; that he owed me
reparation, and that he thought it incuml)ent on him
to make me a present equal to that conferred on his
father's coachman."* That very moment he dispatched
the courier to Siberia.

Soon after this my memorial arrived : the emperor,
notwithstanding its length, read it twice over from
beginning to end, and behig affected at its contents,
he gave instant orders to the governor of Estonia to look
out for some valuable estate belonging to the crown, and
situated in the neighbourhood of Friedenthal. He was
not satisfied with merely making me the present, he
would also confer it in a manner likely to prove the most
agreeable to me ; and the order did as much credit to
bis head as to his heart. In all the neighbourhood of
Friedenthal there was not another estate of so much
value as that intended for me.

Such is the substance of all the information I have
been able to procure relative to my restoration to
liberty. Of my arrest and exile I am far from being
even so well informed, and I doubt whether the hand
of time itself will be able to withdraw the veil of mys-
tery which hangs over that event.

Notwithstanding all these acts of benevolence on
the part of the monarch, terror had laid such fast
hold on my mind, that I could never see a senate
courier, or chasseur pass by me, without experiencing
the most violent trepidation ; nor did I ever set out
for Gatschina, without providing myself with a con-

* Twenty thousand roubles.

156 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

siderable sum of money, and holding myself in readi-
ness for a second journey to Siberia.

On the 9th of October I received, for the first time,
an order to repair to Gatschina. It was scarcely day-
break when 1 set off: the exjDress had been sent in
the night, and I trembled as I took leave of my wife.
From the haste with which this order was communi-
cated, it was natural to imagine that something of the
utmost importance had given birth to it. On my
arrival, I was simply informed of the emperor's
orders, that J must be very particular in the choice of
my dramatic subjects, and in the omission of all sus-
picious passages. He had, it seems, the day before,
talked of tlie necessity of establishing a censorship,
and had intended me to fill that office. It was easy
to foresee, that sooner or later this task would prove
a shoal upon which my frail bark, so recently saved
from destruction, would finally be wrecked. I urged
the propriety of appointing some other person to that
office, alleging that an author could not be the im-
partial censor of his own works ; that self-love would
render him blind ; and that, without knowing it, he
would often act contrary to the will of his sovereign.'
In short, I endeavoured strenuously to evade this
intention of the emperor, and at length I succeeded ;
my scruples were even applauded by the monarch,
and he was pleased to appoint aulic counsellor Ade-
lung to that office ; a learned man, whose ' Monu-
ments of German Poetry,' collected with both care
and diligence, have rendered him celebrated and
esteemed in Germany.

It is difficult to form an idea of the scrupulousness
which M. Adelung and myself were obhged to exert
in the execution of this painful office ; it will be suffi-
cient to name a few instances, to shew how often I
must have been overwhelmed with disgust, and what
aversion I must have entertained for the vocation
which had been imposed upon me.

The word " republic" was not allowed to be pro-

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 157

nounced in my play of * Octavia ;' nor did Antony daro
to say,

" Die, like a Roman, free !"

In the * Epigram' it was necessary to change the
word " emperor" of Japan into ** master*' of that island.
It was likewise necessary to strike out the dangerous
assertions, that " caviare came from Russia," and that
Russia was " a distant country." — The counsellor of the
chamber was not allowed to think himself " a good
patriot," in having refused to marry a foreigner ;
neither was it allowed to be said, that a valet could
be an *' insolent fellow." We struck out the passage
which observes that "his highness is neither blind nor
sick ;" the princess was not permitted to have a grey-
hound, nor the counsellor to tickle the dog behind
its ears ; neither were the pages allowed to muffle up
the counsellor.

In ' The Two Klingsbergs,' the " Russian prince," of
whom madame Wanschel speaks cursorily, was trans-
formed into " a great foreign nobleman ;" and instead
of a Polish cap, this same madame Wanschel was made
to wear a Hungarian one. The word " fortress" was
changed to " prison ;" "courtier" was changed to
'* flatterer" (which, by the by, is not very flattering to
courtiers) ; and instead of " my uncle the minister,"
was inserted "my all-powerful uncle." The exclama-
tion of young Kiingsberg, after having seen his aunt
and Amelia, — " at last they will be prhicesses !" ap-
peared offensive, and was therefore struck out.

In the ' Abbe de TEp^e,' " citizens" were not allowed
to live at Toulouse. Fran val durst not say, " woe to my
native country ;" but " woe to my country," because
an ukase had positively forbidden the Russians tohave-
a native country. The abb^ de I'Epee, who, as it is
known, arrives from Paris, was not allowed to come
from thence ; nor durst he make any mention of the
Lyceum in that city, nor of France.

The physical knowledge of Buffon, the science of

158 LIFE 01' KOTZEBUE

d'Alembert, the sensibility of Rousseau, tlie wit of
Voltaire, were all most unmercifully effaced by a single
stroke of the pen.

In the piece entitled * The Secretary,' the part of
the conjuror was struck out.

These instances, which I have quoted at random,
in order to avoid entering too much into detail, are
sufficient to give an idea of the extreme severity
which the censor, in spite of himself, was obliged to
exert in the execution of his office. How often have
I been amused formerly at the stupidity of the censor
at Riga, who, for instance, in my play intitled * The
Reconciliation,' effaced the following words, which are
put into the mouth of the shoemaker ! " I will go to
Russia, where, they say, it is colder than it is here ;"
(he felt himself consuming with the flames of hope-
less love :) and substituted these in their stead; "I
will go to Russia, where none but good people are to
be found." I little thought in those times, that one
day fear would do the same thing at Petersburgh
which stupidity, in the person of the conceited Mr
Tumanski, had done at Riga.

If however the emperor had cast his eyes upon
many of the passages which were changed, and had
asked the cause of such alterations, he would, I must
confess, have thrown us into no small embarrassment.
I shall mention two passages, for instance from * Oc-
tavia :' it is there said : —

" And to a cook, who chanc'd to hit his taste,
" He'd give a house he could not call his own."

"What!" the emperor might have said, "have I
done anything of the kind ? And if I have not, why
do you consider the passage as offensive?"

Again, —

" And Channion knows, and Marian knows it too,
'That Antony doth many a master own."

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBtJ RG II. 159

** Wliat !" might the emperor have said, *■ do you
thii)k I am governed by chambermaids and favourites ?
and if you do not think so, why have you struck out
this historical trait?"

From these examples, and a thousand more that
might be produced, it may be seen how dangerous is
the business of a censor to the man who exercises it,
and how embarrassing to the author upon whom it is
exercised. M. Adelung, with tlie best disposition in
the world, could not render this task less disgusting
either to me or to himself.

Besides this constraint, a thousand other unplea-
sant circumstances contributed to disgust me with
my situation. I do not here speak of the eternal
quarrels of the performers ; their reluctance, their
boundless self-love : they are everywliere the same.
A more powerful obstacle, which impeded the ad-
vancement of the German theatre, was the jealousy
of the French company, or rather the jealousy of
madame Ciievalier, who was at their head, or, in
other words, who was the soul of them. Not tliat
this lady was apprehensive that the German drama
would eclipse the talents of the French comedians ;
she was too well aware of the mediocrity of our com-
pany, and the predilection of Russians for everything
that is Gallic, to be at all alarmed with such idle fears ;
but she was determined to allow no one besides her-
self to amuse the emperor. She had already effected
the annihilation of the Italian and Russian comedians
of the theatres of Gatschina and the Hermitage, and
she rarely condescended to allow the French tragic
muse to make her appearance in the person of ma-
dame de Valville. It was indeed possible that the
Gennan comedians, merely from novelty, might ex-
cite the attention and gain the approbation of the
monarch, in which case madame Chevalier would
have appeared less frequently on the stage before him ;
a circumstance which she not at all approving, deter-
mined to prevent.

160 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Four times the emperor had commanded a German
play ; and four times I was ordered to hold myself in
readiness ; and four times madame Chevalier found
means to prevent its representation.

Being pretty well acquainted with the emperor's
taste, and having heen expressly commanded hy his
majesty to bring forward one of my own pieces, I
had chosen * Tlie Reconciliation' for the first night,
and * The Bachelors' of Iffland for the second. It is
necessary that the play which the emperor honours
with his presence slioidd be short, and not take up
more time than an hour and a half, or, at most, an
hour and three quarters, in the representation. I had
therefore taken upon myself the disagreeable task of
curtailing these two pieces ; but I had been labouring
in vain. Madame Chevalier was able to prove, on
this occasion, that the race of pretty scornful Tultanas
(mentioned by Marmontel) was not extinct.

What could I do ? . I could have addressed the em-
peror in person, and obtained an order that would
have rendered all contradiction vain ; I was, however,
too well acquainted with the court, and was therefore
determined to submit with a good grace to that which
I could not remedy.

In all other respects, in every personal considera-
tion, madame Chevalier conducted herself perfectly
well towards me ; desirous, perhaps, of indemnifying
me by this method for the trouble she had brought
upon the company and their manager. I was indulged
with the special and uncommon favour of having free
access to her house and table. She did me the honour
too to play the part of Gurli in my * Indians in Eng-
land,' which a certain marquis de Castelnau had the
barbarous goodness to metamorphose into a comic
opera; and into which the able Sarti, master of the
chapel, infused a little life and colour, by his excellent
composition of the music. She carried the confidence
she had in my talents so far, as to request me to write
a French comic opera according to my OAvn fancy.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 161

and circumstances obliged me to set seriously about
the task.

All this politeness, which, at best, could only affect
me individually, did not render my public situation
the more agreeable ; and I was firmly determined
to solicit my discharge on the first favourable oppor-
tunity.

In justification of this resolution, I must describe
wi<^h a strong, but true pencil, my own situation and
the state of my mind. Alas ! I shared in common
with almost every inhabitant of Petersburgh the
alarms aud disquietudes of the times. A set of
wicked men, having abused the confidence of a mo-
narch whose heart was prone to gentleness and bene-
volence, were always talking to him of phantoms
which had no existence, and the existence of which
they themselves did not believe ; and at length intro-
duced and established the system of terror. Every
night I went to bed full of the most gloomy appre-
hensions. J started from my rest in the \vildest sur-
prise at the least noise, or whenever a carriage stopped
in the street. INIy first care every morning was to
anticipate all the possible disasters of the day, with
a view of avoiding them. When I went out, my eyes
were constantly looking for the emperor, to be able
to alight from my carriage in due time. I watched
with ceaseless attention over the whole economy of
my dress, the choice of the colours, the cut and fash-
ion of the garment. I found myself under the ne-
cessity of paying my court to women of doubtful re-
putation, and men of shallow understanding. I had
the insolence of an ignorant ballet-master (the hus-
band of madame Chevalier) to combat with. On
the representation of every new piece, I tremblingly
expected that the police, ever on the watch, or the
secret inquisition, would discover some passage to be
either specious or offensive. Every time my wife
took an airing with the children, and stayed a few
moments later than usual, I was fearful of liearing
that she had not got out of the carriage quickly

162 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

enough on meeting the emperor, and had been dragged
to the common prison, as had lately happened to the
wife of Demuth, the inn-keeper. I could rarely dis-
burden my heart of its vexations to a friend ; for as
the proverb says, '* walls had ears, and one brother
could not trust another." Nor could I fill up these
disastrous hours with reading, for every book was
prohibited. I was even obliged to forego the use of
the pen ! For I coidd not venture to commii my
thoughts to paper, which might be seized and taken
from me perhaps the next hour. Every time my bu-
siness obliged me to walk near the palace, I risked
injuring my health ; because at every season of the
year, and in all kinds of weather, a man was com-
pelled to keep his head uncovered on approaching or
leaving that mass of stones. The most harmless walk
became a torment, for one was almost sure to meet
some unhappy wretch on his way to prison, and often
to the knout.

I call the whole town of Petersburgh to witness, if
the colourings of this picture are too dark ! O, if the
monarch had known all this, what redress might not
have been expected, for certainly he had the good of
his subjects at heart !

How great was my terror, when in the very midst
of these continual alarms, on the 16th day of Decem-
ber, at eight o'clock in the morning, count Pahlen
sent me an order to hasten to him immediately. Al-
though he had chosen a young man of easy and polite
manners, and with whom I was acquainted, for the
messenger ; and although he had been expressly en-
joined to assure me I had nothing to fear, and ought
not therefore to be alarmed at the summons, the mere
sight of him drove back the blood to my heart ; and
my wife was so much terrified on the occasion, that
she became seriously indisposed.

On my arrival, count de Pahlen told me that the
emperor had determined to send a challenge to all the
sovereigns of Europe and their ministers ; and that
his majesty had made choice of me to draw up the form

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 163

of the challenge, which was to be inserted in the
newspapers. He added, that baron Tlmgut in parti-
cular must be mentioned with ridicule ; and that
generals de Kutuscoff and de Pahlen were to be
named as seconds to his majesty. The article of se-
conds, it may be observed, had been communicated
but half an hour before, in a note written with a pen-
cil, and which still lay on the count's table. This
singular challenge was to be ready in an hour, and I
was ordered to present it in person to the emperor.

I obeyed ; and in less than an hour returned with
the challenge which I had drawn uj). Tlie count,
who knew the emperor's intentions better than my-
self, did not thnik it satirical enough. He made me
sit down at his desk, and I composed a second, which
pleased him better. We both went to the palace ;
and I was now, for the first time in my life, to be
presented to a man, who, on account of his severity
and beneficence, the terror and the joy which he had
caused me, and the aversion and gratitude with which
by turns he had inspired me, was become a most im-
portant personage in my eyes. I had not desired
this honour, and had much doubted of ever receiving
it; for the sigbt of me could not fail to excite senti-
ments of regret and self-reproach in his imperial
majesty.

We waited a long time in the anti-chamber. The
emperor was gone out on horseback ; he returned
late ; the count went in to him with my paper, and
stayed some time ; at length he returned much out of
humour, and spoke these words to me as he passed
by : — ** Come to me at two o'clock ; the challenge is
not yet strong enough."

I went home, fully persuaded that it was not in this
manner I was likely to gain the good graces of the
sovereign ; and scarcely had I been half an hour in
the house, when a running footman of the count's
came to me quite out of breath, to inform me I must
repair that instant to the emperor.— I obeyed.

164 Life of kotzebue.

The moment I entered the cabinet, in which were
only himself and count de Pahlen, he rose from his
seat, and walking two or three paces towards me,
said in a manner peculiarly graceful, and with his
body inclined: — "jM. de Kotzebue, I • must in the
first place be reconciled to you."

I was much struck at a reception I had such little
reason to expect. Princes carry in their hand a magic
wand called clemency, which renders them all-power-
ful : — every resentment was banished from my breast
the moment the emperor pronounced these words.
Agreeably to etiquette, I was going to kneel and kiss
his hand ; he lifted me up however in the kindest
manner, kissed me on the forehead, and in very good
German said:

" You know the world too well to be a stranger to
the political events of the day, and you must know
likewise in what manner I have figured in them. I
have often acted like a fool," * added he, with a
laugh, " and it is but just I should be punished ; and
with this view, therefore, I have imposed a chastise-
ment on myself. I wish," continued he, holding a
paper in his hand, " that this should be inserted in
the Hamburgh Gazette, as well as in some other pub-
lic prints."

He then took me under the arm, in a confidential
manner, and leading me to the window, read the
paper to me, which was written with his own hand in
French ; f it was as follows : —

* His own expression.

t The following- is the original French, spelt, pointed, &c
exactly as his iiiajesty wrote it : —

" On appreiid tie Petersbourg, que I'Empereur de Russie
voyant que les j)uissances de I'Europe ne pouvoit s'accordei
entr' elle, et voulant mettre fin a une guerre qui la deso-
loit depuis onze ans, vouloit proposer une lieu ou il inviterait
tous les autres souverains de se rendre et y combattre en
champ clos, ayant avec eux pour ecuyer juge de camp et
heros d'armes leurs ministres les plus eclaires et les gene-

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 165

•* We hear from Petersburg!!, that the emperor of
Russia, finding that the powers of Europe cannot
agree among themselves, and being desirous to put
an end to a war which has desolated it for eleven
years past, intends to point out a spot, to which he
will invite all the other sovereigns to repair and fight
in single combat ; bringing with them, as seconds and
squires, their most enlightened ministers, and their
most able generals, such as Messrs Thugut, Pitt,
Bernstorif, &c. and that the emperor himself propo-
ses being attended by generals count de Pahlen and
Kutuscoff. We know not if this report be worthy of
credit : however, the thing appears not to be destitute
of some foundation, and bears strong marks of what
he has been often taxed with."

At the last period he laughed most heartily; and,
courier-like, I laughed too.

" What do you laugh at ?" said he, twice in one breath
and very rapidly, still continuing to laugh himself.

*' Tliat your majesty is so well informed of things.'*

*' Here," resumed he, putting the paper into my
hands, " translate this into German ; keep the ori-
ginal, and bring me a copy."

I took my leave, and set about my task. The last
word, ' taxed with,' embarrassed me much. Had I
chosen the German word which signifies 'accused,' the
expression, I thought, might appear too strong, and
give the emperor offence. After mature reflection, I
went indirectly to work, and I wrote, 'what he has
been often judged capable of.'

At two o'clock I returned to the castle. Count
Kutaissoff announced me ; I was immediately intro-
duced, and I found the emperor alone.

" Sit down," said he, in a very affable manner.
Not obeying him at first, from motives of mere re-

raux les plus habiles tels que MM. Thugut, Pitt, Bernstorff,
lui nieme se proposant de prendre avec hii les generaux C.
de Pahlen et Kutuscoff; on ne s^ait si on doit y ajouter fois,
toute fois la chose ne paroit pas destituee de fondement,
en portant I'empreinte de ce dont il a souvcnt etd taxe."

166 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

spect, he added, in a severer tone, "sit down, I say."
I took a chair, and sat opposite to him at his table.

He took the original French, and said, " read your
translation to me :" * I read slowly, and eyed him
occasionally over the paper as I proceeded. He
laughed when I came to the words single combat, and
he gave a nod of approbation, from time to time, till
I came to the last word.

" Judged capable of!" — resumed he, " no, that is
not the word ; you must say, ' taxed with.' " I took
the liberty of observnig to him, that the word * tax,' in
German, signilied to estimate the value of goods, and
not of an action. '* That is very well," replied he,
"but, 'judged capable' does not express the French
word * taxe.' "

I then ventured to ask in a low voice, '* if I might
be allowed to employ the word ' accused.' "

" Very well, that is the word ; — accused, accused:"
— he repeated it three or four times, and I changed
the expression agreeably to his order. He thanked
me very cordially for my trouble, and dismissed me,
equally touched and delighted with the manner in
which he had received me. All who have nearly
approached him will bear witness, that he knew how
to be extremely engaging, and that in such moments
he was quite irresistible.

I did not feel it incumbent on me to omit the
smallest circumstance relative to a fact which hcus
made so much noise in the world. The challenge
appeared two days after in the Court Gazette, to the
great astonishment of the whole town. The presi-
dent of the Academy of Sciences, who had received
the manuscript in order to have it inserted, could not
believe his own eyes. He went in person to count
de Pahlen, to be assured there was no foul play in the
business. At Moscow, the Gazette in which it ap-
peared was stopped by order of the police, as it could

* It appeared word for word in No. Oof theHamburfrh
Gazette of the 15th January 1801, dated from Petersburgh,
the 30th Dec. 1800.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 167

not be imagined there that the monarch wished to
make the article pubHc. The same thing took place
at Riga.

The emperor on his part, could hardly wait till the
paragraph was printed ; and such was his impatience,
that he made enquiries about it several times in the
interval.

The next day he made me a present of a snuff-box
set with brilliants, of the value of about two thou-
sand roubles.* I do not believe that a translation of
twenty lines was ever better paid for.

The emperor soon after told the empress that he
had become acquainted with me. " He is now," said
he, " one of my best subjects." I have this anecdote
from one who was present ; but I am ignorant why his
majesty thought me a better subject then, than I was
before my journey to Siberia.

There are persons who blamed me for not availing
myself of these opportunities of soliciting new favours.
It is true his imperial majesty seemed to expect this ;
and his kind and affable deportment appeared not a
little to encourage such views : but I always felt an
indescribable reluctance on these occasions ; and what-
ever I miglit have lost by this ditfidence will never
cost me a single regret.

On the other hand, I had gained the inestimable
blessings of tranquillity, to which my heart had been
so long a stranger : for having nov\^ spoken with the
emperor, and seen and discovered the nobleness and
benevolence of his disposition, the greater part of my
alarms subsided. I now admired him more than I
had hitherto feared him, being persuaded, as I still
am, that a decent freedom, a frank and open manner,
without meanness, without servility, was, of all kinds
of behaviour, the most agreeable to him. All that
was necessary, ^'/as to give way to his little singu-

* The editor of the Gazette " fiir die elegante Welt" as-
serted it was worth four thousand. He was mistaken.

168 LIFE OF KOTZEEUE.

larities, wliich was far from being a difticult task; for
admitting there was no greatness on iiis part in exact-
ing the rigorous observance of certain trifles, it must
likewise be allowed there was less in submitting with
repugnance to those formalities, as they did not abso-
lutely disturb the happiness of society.

From this moment I received a thousand little
marks of good- will at the hands of his majesty, I
never met him in the street but he stopped to con-
verse with me. His conduct towards me never
changed to the day of his death ; he continued to show
himself to be benevolent, alial)le, and noble. Why
should I be ashamed to confess that my eyes are
bathed in tears, while gratitude strews these flowers
upon his grave ?

In the month of January he ordered ' Misanthropy
and Repentance' to be acted by the French company
at the Hermitage. It is well known that, except the
officers of the guards, none but the four first classes
have access to the interior circle of the court. The
emperor, however, condescended to make an excep-
tion in favour of tlie author of the piece, and invited
me to the representation ; and from that moment I
was admitted every time a play was acted at the Her-
mitage.

It will readily be believed that my heart beat vio-
lently at the representation of * ^iisanthropy and
Repentance.' To the perfect acting of madame de
Valville, I am principally indebted for the visible
emotion which the piece excited in the emperor.
Aufresne, a man turned of seventy, whose talents
have been known and applauded in Germany, acted
the part of the old man. His majesty sat just over
the orchestra, and I ol)served that during the whole
representation he had a sentinel on duty behind his
chair, dressed in the Maltese regimentals.

About this time the emperor mshed to have * Tlie
Creation' of Haydn performed in French, and asked
me to translate it into that language. To have any

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 169

idea of this work, a man must be thoroughly ac-
quainted with the difficulty of adapting words to
music already composed. What rendered this task
still more irksome, wa* the extreme exactness, not to
say tedious minuteness, of good old Sarti ; who being
employed to accommodate my words with the music,
was eternally talking to me of long and short sylla-
bles ; while it is weU known that the French tongue
cannot be said to have either long ones or short ones.
The work, however, was almost completed, and was
intended for the Easter holidays ; but the emperor did
not live so long.

If notwithstanding all the distinguished kindness
of the court-marshal, whose noble conduct I shall ever
remember with gratitude, a thousand little plagues
had not contributed to disgust me with the manage-
ment of the playhouse, I may with truth reckon this
among the most happy periods of my life : for I had
formed round me a circle of select and amiable friends ;
their number indeed was smaU, but their merit amply
supplied that deficiency. Among these I may name
aulic counsellor Storch, known in Germany as an
excellent writer, and well known to me for the good-
ness of his heart and the generosity of hi-, sentiments;
the worthy counsellor of state Suthof and his lady
were of the number ; as well as the counsellor of state
Welzien, a most modest man, and endowed with
original comic humour. We had established among
ourselves a hitle well-regulated circle, where I have
passed hours, the remembrance of which will be long
attended with the most agreeable sensations ; and I
am sure that on their parts the friends I have named
will often think of me.

At this period I found myself suddenly emancipated
from the troublesome business of the theatre, and in
the most agreeable manner. The emperor had just
finished his famous palace of MichailofF. Enamoured
with this fairy castle, which rose out of the earth as it
were by magic, and which had cost between fifteen

170 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

and eighteen millions of roubles, he preferred it to all
his other habitations ; and left, among the rest, his
winter palace, as it is called, a healthy and commo-
dious building, to shut himself up among damp walls,
down which tlie water still continued to trickle. His
physicians were ordered to examine at several different
times the state of this new edifice, and each time they
warned him of the danger he would incur by residing
in it. But perceiving they were continually sent to
repeat tlieir examination, in order to weary them into
a more favourable judgment, they at last surrendered
up their sincerity.

The emperor took up his abode in this mephitic
mansion in the depth of winter, and was highly de-
lighted with it. He felt much })leasure in conducting
his guests over the whole edifice, and in shewing
them the various treasures which he liad procured at
a vast expense from Paris and Rome. The extrava-
gant praises Avhich were of course lavished upon mere
trifles, and the exclamation a thousand times repeated,
that " all was divine, unique !" at length possessed
him with the idea of having drawn up a detailed des-
cription of this eighth wonder of the world. He
charged me with this task in the most flattering man
ncr. IVIore than once he was pleased to tell me that
he expected to see something extraordinary produced
by my pen, and threw me into great embarrassment
by the high expectation he had formed relative to my
work. He lent me ' The Description of Berlin and
Potsdam,' written by Nicolai, from his own library
at the same time expressing a wish that my descrip-
tion might be still more detailed than Nicolai's.

I complied immediately with the monarch's orders.
I observed, however, that I was deficient in many
branches of knowledge necessary to produce this work ;
that I knew not how to describe in proper terms the
several beauties of architecture, sculpture, and paint-
ing ; that 1 presumed therefore to request, that I might
be allowed the assistance of able men in these difTerent

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBU RG H. 171

departments. The request was instantly granted. I
proposed for antiquities, the aulic counsellor Kohler,
keeper of the cabinet of curiosities at the Hermitage ;
a man equally able and obliging. For architecture, I
named Brenna the Roman ; and for painting, the two
brothers Kugeikhen, whose admirable talents and
amiable manners are generally known.

His majesty with great goodness consented to every-
thing I proposed ; and gave orders that T should have
access to every part of the palace at all hours. The
grand-marshal, as captain of t]ie palace, made the tour
with me the first time, and I then set about my task.

I spent the greater part of every day in this edifice :
I was there in the morning, the afternoon, and often
late in the evening. I frequently met the emperor as
I was busied in noting down my observations. He
always stopped, and spoke to me in a very friendly
manner; and often exhorted me to describe nothing
superficially, but to enter into the most comphte
detail.

I availed myself of this opportunity to request my
discharge from the managership of the theatre, and
presented my petition in writhig to count de Narisch-
kin, the 8th of February. The count made many
flattering objections ; but perceiving that I persisted
in my sohcitations, he postponed the matter to a
future day. Tn a short time, however, I renewed my
solicitation ; nor did I cease my importunity till I
clearly discovered the inefficacy of my apphcations.
I then petitioned for some alleviation of the burthen
imposed upon me ; alleging that my attendance at
MichailofF did not allow me sufficient time to super-
intend the affairs of the theatre ; and that if my dis-
charge should be denied, I had no expedient left but
to aslc for a colleague. Tins last request wes granted ;
and the choice of the colleague was left to myself. Tn
this manner I obtained, in the person of one of my
friends, an assistant, with a salary of fifteen hundred
roubles and a yearly benefit ; and upon him I was thus

172 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

enabled to throw a great part of that load of troubles
inseparable from a situation of that nature.

I must take this opportunity of refuting an absurd
paragraph \v])ich has crept into the gazette " liir die
elegante Welt." It asserts in the first place, that I
wearied out the actors in making them study their
parts. I apprehend that the man who furnished this
article is himself some idle player, constantly imperfect
in his part, since I never allowed less than a fortnight
for the most trivial character. In the same place he
asserts, that my pieces alone were represented. A
most ridiculous reproach ! The greater part of the
new pieces in fact were mine, because it was not
possible to obtain others. All Europe knows, that no
manuscript was suffered to pass the frontiers ; that all
books, even the bible, were proscribed. How then
could I procure new plays? I had only the * Remem-
brances ' of Iffland, and the * Incognito ' of Ziegler,
and two or three more which Mir{^ had left in the
stock of the theatre. These I had given, and others
/ could not give. T appeal to the testimony of Iffland
himself, who will declare that I had written to him to
send me some of his new pieces, closely transcribed in
the form of letters. Even this was a dangerous expe-
dient ; and since I obtained nothing in this manner, I
could only give old stock-pieces ; for I was nearly at
the end of my own. Such an attack is really scanda-
lous, since the writer, if he actually wrote from
Petersburgh, must have been fully convinced of the
injustice of the charge.

What he has farther written against me has been
already refuted, or shall be in the sequel. The reader,
1 trust, will pardon this digression on a subject in
which my honour is so materially concerned.

The description of the palace was hearly completed
when the emperor died. As the greater part of the
valuable articles which it contained were soon after
removed ; and as the building itself, as well as the
whole arrangement of it, throws considerable light

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 173

tiI)on the taste, and even the character, of that prince;
I shall gratify the wishes of several of my friends, and
I trust indulge the curiosity of many of my readers,
by the insertion of an abridgment of a long and pain-
ful work.

A SHORT DESCRIPTIOX OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE
OF MICHAILOFF.

This edifice stands at the confluence of the iNIoika
and Fontanka, and occupies the ground on which the
summer palace of Peter the Great had been erected.
The empress Elizabeth caused many alterations to be
made therein : being built of wood, however, it soon
fell into decay; and a phoenix has risen from its ashes.*

The garden street terminates with a portal. Eight
Doric columns of red marble, the produce of the
country, suj)port a number of trophies, and three
gates open between four pillars of granite. The
emperor's cypher (interwoven with the Maltese cross,)
with eagles, crowns, and garlands, in gilt bronze, or-
nament the gates and palisades. The middle gate is
never opened except for the imperial family. These
gates lead to a triple row of linden and birch trees,
three hundred feet long, planted in the reign of the
empress Anne. This alley is bounded on the left by
the exercise room, an immense edifice of an oblong
square, which is never warm during winter, although
furnished with twenty-four huge stoves. On the right
the walk is bordered by the stable walls : it is termi-
nated by tw.o pavilions intended for the lodgings of the
officers of the imperial household.

A drav/ -bridge leads over a canal, thirty feet wide,
faced with free-stone, to the grand area before the
jialace,' which is three hundred and thirty feet long,
and sixty feet wide. In the middle stands a colossal
equestrian statue, in bronze, of Peter the Great, upon

* For a description of the Moika, the Fontanka, thesum-
jnor palace, kc. see Storchs' ' Picture of Petersburjjh.'

, r2

174 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE,

a marble pedestal, raised upon four steps. The horse
seems in motion ; the rider is dressed in a Roman
habit, and crowned with a laurel wreath. An Italian
of the name of Martelli cast this statue in the year
1744, in the reign of Elizabeth ; and it had lain for-
gotten under a shed ever since. Tlie esteem the great
grandson entertained for his ancestor, drew it out of
its obscurity. On the pedestal is the following in-
scription :—

Prodaedu Pravnuch.*

On the right and left sides of this pedestal are two
bas-reliefs in bronze, representing the battle of Pul-
tava, and the taking of Schlusselburg.

We now come to the front of the palace. Each
side of this edifice measures two hundred and ninety-
four feet, independent of the salient angles. The
building is surrounded on all sides by canals, which
are supplied by the Fontanka : they are ornamented
with quays of granite, over which are thrown five
draw-bridges. The foundations of the palace are
nine feet deep, and composed of large piles driven
close to each other, and cased with strong pieces of
timber.

The subterraneous part, and the first story, are
built with blocks of granite, and the two other
stories with brick, nicrusted in part with marble.
The re&t is covered with a reddish stucco, which
colour tradition ascribes to a trait of chivalrous gal-
lantry. A lady of the court having one day appeared
in gloves of that hue, it is positively said that the
emperor sent one of them as a pattern to the plais-
terer. It must be confessed, however, that such a
colour suited a pair of gloves much better than the
walls of a palace. Many of the inhabitants of Pe-
tersburgh seized that opportunity of flattering the
emperor, and daubed their houses with this colour.
Madame Chevalier carried this species of flattery still

^ The Great Grandson to his Great Grandfather.

RESLDENCE AT PETERSE URG 11. 175

farther : she made choice of the colour for the part of
Iphigenia.

The reader may form some idea of the impression
with which a stranger must be struck on approaching
tliis edifice. It is a monstrous mass of red stone, en-
vironed with ditches and draw-bridges, and encum-
bered with twenty pieces of large brass cannon, many
of the various ornaments of which are directly con-
trary to the common rules of art. The two large
obelisks of grey marble, for instance, at the entrance
of the principal front, reach to the top of the edifice,
and support the emperor's cypher in bronze, with
trophies of white marble ; and near them are the two
statues, Diana and the Belvedere Apollo, which being
placed in small niches, produce a mean effect, merely
on account of their situation : above these is a colon-
nade of the Doric order, sustaining a rustic portal ; a
frontispiece of Parian marble, the work of the two
Stagis, likewise catches the eye, presenting History
under the figure of Fame, as she appears on Trajan's
column. On the attic, two goddesses of Glory sup-
port the imperial arms ; and on the roof, which is
overlaid ^vith gi-een varnish, appear struggling groups
of statues, representing Cybeles crowned with towers,
and bearing on their shields the arms of the Russian
provinces. Upon the frieze, which is composed of
porphyry of the country, we read the following words :

DOMU TVOJEMU PODOVAJET.
SVATUNA GOSPODNA v'dOLGOTU DNEI.*

And lastly, about the gate, upon a ground of black
marble, we behold this inscription : —

VOSKRESENSKIJA.-f-

Such is the grotesque assemblage of objects which
excites the stranger's surprise, each of which, it taken

* Holiness becometh thine house for ever. Psalm xciii
Terse 5.

t The Sabbath gate

176 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

separately, would display many beauties ; but which,
grouped as they are, produce an effect disgusting to
true taste. The architect, whose name is Brenna,
ascribes the wliole composition to the emperor him-
self, who, according to his account, even sketched
the designs ; but some people doubt this assertion.

The church starts out in form of an oval from the
second front. It is incrusted with grey Siberian
marble, and decorated with bas-reliefs, representing
the four Evangelists, with a cornice of cherubs, to ■
gether with the two statues standing in niches, the
one of Religion, and the other of Faith.* On the
attic are two statues of St Peter and St Paul on each
side of a cross. A gilt tower finishes the dome of the
church ; the cupola is hung with four chandeliers,
which, as well as the dome itself, and the cross, are
of gilded bronze.

Over a door, not far from the church, we read this
word, inscribed on a black marble ground : —

ROSCHESTWENSKIJA.f

I endeavoured in vain to discover the monarch's
intention in the choice he had made of the two last
inscriptions. A man of high consequence, however,
advised me to leave them untranslated in my descrip-
tion.

The third front overlooks the summer garden : a
circular staircase, containing twenty-six steps of Ser-
dopol granite, leads to a large hall, supported by ten
Doric pillars of red marble. The floor is white ; on
each side are two Egyptian statues of bardiglio de
Carrara, a hard stone, resembhng in colour a basalt.
The landing-place of the staircase is graced on each
side with six Doric columns of red marble, over which
rises an attic, surrounded by a balustrade, which

* These two beautiful statues, by Contadini, were
brought hither from the summer gardens, and are more
fully described in Storchs' 'Picture of Peternburg-h,' p. 43.
+ The •fate of the reburrection

RESIDENCE AT PETEKSBURGH. 177

serves as a belvedere. To these ornaments are like-
wise added the statues of Prudence and Strength,
which stand in two niches. In the cupola of an ad-
jacent pavilion is the palace clock ; and, when the
emperor is here, the imperial flag is hoisted on a
small tower, which forms a part of the pavilion.

Having thus surveyed the exterior of the palace,
we shall enter it on the side of the grand front ; and
the sabbath-door will lead us under a peristyle, which
forms an oblong square. On each side the coach-
way, which divides the peristyle, rises a colonnade
containiiig twenty-four Doric pillars ; each pillar is
composed of a single block of granite, the bases and
capitals of which are of Raskol marble. In the midst
of the colonnade are placed the copies of the JMedicean
and Borghesian vases,* in white marble, and on one
side stand two colossal statues in niches, the one re-
presenting Hercules with his club, and the other Alex-
ander the Great.

After having traversed the peristyle, we come to
the interior area of the palace, an octagon of one lum-
dred and ninety-eight feet diameter, and which lies
six feet hi^rher than the circumjacent level. The im-
perial family and ambassadors are alone permitted to
drive through this court.

It would be impossible to count how often the em-
peror's cypher is repeated within and without this
edifice : in the interior court the piers of the windows
and all the adjacent parts are filled with it. In this
area, in eight niches, stand as many statues of wretched
workmanship ; they are intended to represent Strength,
Plenty, Victory, Glory, &c., but they are miserably
executed, and furnish new proof of the disgusting
contrast of the luxury and want of taste which prevail
through the whole palace.

* Brought from the Tauridan palace, where they were
placed by prince Potemkin, and are of exquisite workman-
shij).

178 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Four large flights of steps, and two of less dimen-
sions, lead from the area to the inside of the palace,
and are terminated by large glass doors ; but without
passing through the court we enter on the left side of
the peristyle into an oval room, where thirty soldiers,
and one officer of the regiment of life-guards remain
always upon duty. This party is continuaUy relieved
by another of the same regiment, while the rest of
the palace is guarded by soldiers of several different
regiments. Tiie spot where these thirty men mount
guard has been very judiciously chosen ; the hall they
occupy extending on one side to the extremity of the
peristyle, and on the other to the state staircase ; no
one could approach the emperor witliout passing close
to the guard-house. The granite steps of this stair-
case rise between two balustrades of grey Siberian
marble, intermixed with pilasters of polished bronze.
The walls are incrusted with various kinds of marble,
and the compartments were intended to be painted in
fresco. On the landing-place stood a fine copy in
white marble of the Capitoline Cleopatra ; on each
side were seen the statues of Prudence and Justice in
niches. At the top of the staircase two grenadiers
stand always upon guard.

I have led the reader as far as the grand mahogany
doors, the pannels of which are richly ornamented
with shields and arms, and gorgons' heads finely
worked in bronze. The door on the right opens into
the state apartments of the emperor.

From an oval anti-chamber, in which we behold
with pleasure the bust of Gustavus Adolphus, and
with pity an allegorical ceiling painted by a Russian
dauber of the name of Smuglevitsch, we pass into a
spacious room plastered with spotted yellow stucco.
For tlie sake of brevity, I shall mention only the
principal ornaments of each chamber. In this room
were six historical pictures, sixteen feet in height,
and twelve in breadth. The subjects are as follow : —
The battle of Pultava, by Schebujeff, a fine composi-

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 179

tion, full offeree and expression, in which Peter the
Great and general Schermetoff are the principal
figures. The Taking of Casan, by the Czar Ivan Va-
silevitsch, painted l3y Ogrumoff, a well-grounded
piece. The Coronation of Michael Fedorowitsch
Romanow, grandfather to Peter the Great, a good
picture, the work of Ogrumoff, who deserves to be
ranked among the best historical painters of his time.
The Union of the Russian and Turkish Fleets, and
their common passage through the Dardanelles, by
PretschetnikofF, an indifTerent representation of a me-
morable event, though not deficient in aerial perspec-
tive. The Victory of Prince Demetrius Ivanovitsch
Donsky over the Tartars of the Don in the Plains of
KulikofF, and The Baptism of the great Duke of
Vladimir, painted by an Englishman of the name of
Atkinson,* whose pencil has a bold and striking
effect, though he is far from being faultless with re-
gard to his outlines. f

T shall now introduce the reader into the throne-
chamber, which is seventy feet long, and thirty wide.
It was perfectly well fitted up, and the sight of it
created respect and confidence. I shall not speak of
the hangings of green velvet embroidered with gold,
nor of the magnificent furniture, nor the colossal
stove, twenty-six feet in height, and almost covered
with bronze. The throne was covered with red velvet
richly worked in gold. On the back were displayed
the arms of Russia, surrounded with those of the
kingdoms of Kasan and Astrakhan, of Siberia and
Great Russia. Various niches, directly opposite to
the throne, and over the doors, were filled with an-
tique busts of Julius Csesar, Antoninus Pius, Lucius

* Mr John Atkinson, a young artist of great talents. He
was brout^ht up under his father-in-law, Mr James Walker,
and finished his studies at the Academy of Arts.

+ The emperor's funeral decorations have since been
erected in this room.

180 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Venis, and others. Above these appeared colossal
statues of Justice, Peace, Victory, and Glory; and
round the chambers were displayed the arms of all the
provinces subject to the Russian sceptre, seventj'-six
in number, emblematically representing the difTerent
inhabitants of this vast empire. It must be confessed
that these decorations, which were invented by the
monarch himself, could not have been better chosen,
and they manifested, whatever the world may choose
to say, the noble and chivalrous spirit that animated
his breast.

Among the superb furniture of this chamber, a
looking-glass, the largest in the palace, is worthy of
notice. It is of one single plate, nearly twelve feet in
height, and seven wide. There are likewise three
magnificent tables worthy the admiration of the cu-
rious, one of verde antico, and the others of oriental
green porphyry. Each of these is upwards of six
feet long, and two feet wide : they are supported by
brass and bronze columns four feet high. A vast
sconce of bronze hung from the ceiling, which is de-
corated with two allegorical paintings, very indiffe-
rently executed, by Vareliani. The banner of the
Order of Malta was introduced into both these pictures

From the throne- chamber we pass into the arabesque
gallery, through a door placed between two beautiful
Doric pillars of oriental porphyry, which were pur-
chased at Rome. On the cornice stood the bust of
Marcus Aurelius, with several large vases of red Sibe-
rian porphyry. Five niches were filled with as many
statues, copied in Italy from antiques, and represent-
ing the Venus de Medici, Antinous Germanicus, the
Apollo of Florence, and the Venus Callipygia. The
architecture of this gallery is in the style of the fa-
mous chamber of Raphael at the Vatican, and like
that wholly ornamented with arabesques in different
colours, by Pietro Scoti : the figures were painted by
Vighi : the work, however, remains unfinished.

From this room we pass through a large glass door

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 181

into the Laocoon Gallery, so called from the celebrated
group of that name, copied at Rome from the original,
composed of one single block of marble, without spot
or vein, and transported to Petersburgh without the
least accident.

The walls are decorated with four superb GobeHns
hangings, twelve feet square, representing Saint Peter
fishhig ; Jesus driving the buyers and sellers out of
the Temple ; The Resurrection of Lazarus ; and Mary
Magdalen anointing the feet of our Saviour. Two
groups taken from ancient fable form a strange con-
trast with the above scriptural subjects : these are
copies by Pacetti, from the celebrated Canova, of
Diana and Endymion, and Cupid and Psyche. At
one glance the eye catches the figure of Jesus Christ
and that of the perpetual sleeper.

Over the doors are two pictures by Dallera of Rome,
in wax colours : the subjects are Ulysses finding
Penelope, and Hector taking leave of Andromache.
They are already damaged by the dampness of their
position : the latter is almost cracked in two.

I shall not speak of the valuable tables of breccia
and oriental alabaster, the chairs of velvet, the various
bronzes, all executed at Paris, &c. I shall only men-
tion some of the innumerable clocks that were to be seen
all over the palace. In this room there was one in which
the four seasons were represented in bronze in a car
drawn by Hons, and conducted by one of the genii.
The wheel served as a dial-plate. The observer, by
looking upwards, would soon dissipate all the effect
this curious piece of mechanism might have produced
on his mir.d, by the sight of pictures which disfigure
the ceiling : that in the middle representing ' The choice
of Hercules,' is the least objectionable of the three ;
on the right is Courage accompanied by Merit, on
the left. Justice ,and Peace embracing each other;
these are all painted by Smuglevitsch, an abortive son
of the Muses and Graces. It must be observed, how-
ever, that the emperor himself had furnished the
Q

182 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

subjects of this ceiling : he it was who associated
justice and peace, courage and merit, together. It had
been well had he committed the execution of these
designs to a more able hand. But such was his
general conduct. The source of his actions was
always pure and benevolent, but the agents of his in-
tentions were frequently corrupt.

Two life-guard subalterns stood sentinel, with spon-
toons in their hands, at the entrance of an oval
apartment, in which sixteen Corinthian columns of
stucco supported an attic, the ceiling of which rested
upon as many caryatides, executed by Albani. Five
allegorical bas-reliefs, that set all explanation at
defiance, filled up the intervals. The furniture of this
room was of flame-coloured velvet, worked on silver,
which produced a fine effect.

The ceiling, painted by Vighi, and of a different
description from those just mentioned, represents the
gods in Olympus. Jupiter seems to be absorbed in a
flood of glory, and the whole composition bes])eaks
the hand of a distinguished artist.

Near this apartment is the Marble Hall, the guard-
house of the Knights of Malta, which measures ninety
feet in length, thirty in breadth, and near forty-two in
height. The architecture is composed of two different
orders ; the walls are divided, as high as the attic, into
vast compartments, decorated with breccia Carolina de
Genova, and black Porto- Venese marble. The long
and flat sconces of polished bronze, which are fixed at
proper distances in the walls, produced a good efi'ect
upon the black ground. At one end of the wall is an
orchestra of white marble, surrounded by a balustrade
of polished bronze, on which were ranged ten large
vase chandeliers. The ceiling was naked ; a Parnassus
was then painting at Rome to cover it.

A large niche, formed and supported by two superb
Ionic columns of Siberian marble, divided the hall
into two equal parts. A chimney-piece of white mar-
ble, sustained by four termes, and incrusted with lapis

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURG II. 183

jazuli and agate, is constructed in this niche. Two
other chimnies are built on each side, in similar niches,
and afford fine specimens of gipolino ant'ico, a rare
marble, resembling green petrined wood. The niches
were adorned with statues, copied at Rome from the
antique, representing Bacchus, Mercury, Flora, and
Venus. I pass over the clocks, sconces, vases, small
statues, and all the curious ornaments in bronze,
which contributed to the decoration of the apartment.

At one end of this hall is a grand niche, formed by
two large Ionic columns, and containing a door-way,
through which we pass into the circular throne- chamber.

Sixteen Atiasses of colossal size sustain the dome.
The walls are hung with red velvet embroidered with
gold, and decorated with gilt carvings. The windows
are concealed by curtains of the same stuff, except one,
which is composed of a single pane of glass, and
framed in solid silver. The throne differs in no respect
from that already described, except in the number of
steps, the former being composed of eight, and this of
only three. One sconce of nine, and eight others of
seven feet in height, ornamented this apartment ; they
were all of massy silver, highly polished, worked in
one piece, and were purchased at the manufactory of
the ingenious JM. Buch, counsellor of state in the king-
dom of Denmark. The ceiling, which is painted in
camf^in and gold, intermixed with arabesques, was ex-
ecuted by Carlo Scoti.

Some time before his death, the emperor had
ordered several alterations to be made in this room.
The red velvet hangings were to have been stripped off,
to give place to others of yellow velvet, finely embroi-
dered in silver. In the corners were to have been
placed large roses of massy silver, with medallions and
wreaths of laurel of the same metal. The two tables,
the stands, the clocks, &c. were likewise to have been
of silver, and the court goldsmiths had already been
furnished with fourteen hundred pounds weight of that
metal for this purpose.

184 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

' From this room a dom* opens into the inner apart-
ments of the empress. The first chamber was hung
with tapestry of sky-bhie ground, upon which were
represented various views of the castle of Pavlofsky.
At the bottom of the room is a niche sustained by two
superb Doric cohimns of porphyry, before which is
placed the group of Apollo and Daphne, copied in
Carrara marble, from Bernini. Vases, clocks, tables
of porphyry, agate, oriental alabaster, rosso antico, and
bronze, were ornamentally scattered over the chamber.
Paintings in wax-colours, by Dallera, adorned the
door .tops ; and the ceiling, as well as most of the
others in the palace, was painted in fresco by
Cadenacci.

Two doors formed of mahogany, rosewood, and
cedar, embossed with gilt carvings, and encrusted with
white marble, lapis lazuli, and malachite, led us into a
cabinet as much overcharged with ornaments as the
doors themselves, and with which the eye quickly
grows distracted and fatigued. The walls are of grey
Siberian marble, with compartments of lapis lazuli, &c.
and a wainscot of g'uiUo and nero antico ; the cornice
of lapis lazuli, with lions' heads in bronze : the cor-
nice is topped with bas-reliefs raised upon a polished
golden ground. The divans, or sofas, the stools, and
the curtains, were cloth of gold : a niche was formed
by two Corinthian columns, of fine oriental alabaster
of entire pieces ; the pedestals encrusted with vei'de
antico and lapis lazuli : there Avas likewise a group in
white marble, representing Castor and Pollux, the
work of Albagini ; and in two small niches the tragic
and the comic muses. The chimney-piece was of
verde antico, malachite, and bronze : besides these
were tables, vases, and small statues, in agate, bronze,
&c. together with a quantity of fine china painted with
arabesques, in the manner of Raphael. All these, and
many other articles which I have not named, were
crowded into a closet of twelve feet square

The closet opens into the state bedroom which is

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 185

more plainly, and therefore more agreeably, furnished.
This chamber is very spacious. The walls are of
stucco, covered v/ith festoons painted upon a polished
gold ground.

The bed,which is richly carved and gilt, is surrounded
by a balustrade of massy silver of four hundred
and ninety pounds weight. Over the bed is a sky-blue
velvet canopy, suspended by six silver strings. The
cornice is supported by Corinthian columns, and
painted in arabesque, upon a polished gold ground.

The interstices of the columns are furnished with
divans of blue velvet, and vast looking-glasses com-
posed of single plates. The chimney is of white
Carrara marble, with a cornice ornamented with lapis
lazuli, and Florentine mosaic work of amethyst and
other fine stones, representing various kinds of fruit
in the most natural manner. An allegorical ceiling,
indifferently painted by Vallerini, seemed to be very
difficult to unravel.

The chamber next to the state bed-room was fitted
up in a plain style, and has served at one time for an
eating, and at another for a concert-room. Besides
two chimney-pieces and some porphyry vases, the
room affords nothing remarkable. It interested me,
however exceedingly, as it was the play-room of the
young grand dukes. I have many times found them
there : they are two lively spirited princes, and ex-
tremely affable and polite lo all ranks of j^eople. The
tenderness of the empress mother, whose soul is
wrapped up in her children, had provided against acci-
dents, by having caused pillows to be piled against the
glass doors which open upon the balcony, to the height .
of four feet.

Leaving this apartment on the left, and the com-
mon apartments of the empress on the right, we pass
through a room of no grand appearance into her ma-
jesty's throne-chamber. The throne resembles that
of the emperor, except that it is less, and stands only
upon a single step. A grand niche, sustained by two

Q 2

186 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

colossal caryatides, contains a fine chimney-piece of
white marble, representing the nine muses. The
splendour of the furniture may he compared with that
of the other chambers. I shall only mention a beau-
tiful clock, representing Phoebus in his car, drawn by
two horses, and performing his diurnal courses The
dial-plate is fixed in the wheel of the car, the whole
is highly finished, and exhibits a master-piece of art.
The ceiling, painted by Mettenleiter, represents the
Judgment of Paris, and is not ill done. Of the same
description are the pictures by Bessonoff, a scholar of
the Academy of Arts at Petersburgh, which are placed
over the doors, and represent Painting, Sculpture, and
Architecture.

On one side of the throne-chamber is the gallery of
Raphael, so called from four magnificent pieces of
tapestry, which almost cover a wall of seventy-two
feet in length. These are copies of four well-known
pictures by Raphael in the Vatican : Constantine
haranguing his troops on the day he gave battle to
Maxentius ; Heliodorus driven out of the Temple ;
the famous School of Athens ; and the no less fa-
mous Parnassus, in which Apollo plays on a modern
violin. I refer the reader to M. Ramdohr's able de-
scription of these pictures, before even the copies of
which I have passed many an hour in silent admira-
tion. A large ceiling-piece, and two small ones,
painted by Mettenleiter, deserve attention ; that in the
middle, represents the temple of Minerva, upon the
steps of which the Liberal Arts are grouped ; the Greek
that represents architecture, is a portrait of Brenna ;
and Mettenleiter has depicted himself in the allegori-
cal figure that personates painting. The subjects of
the two small ceilings are, Prometheus animating Man,
and Idleness and Industry. This gallery is adorned
likewise with fine bronzes, marble chimney-pieces, &c.

The gallery leads to an oblong saloon, in which are
a very fine antique statue of Bacchus, and a modern
statue, perhaps as fine, of Diana, executed by Houdon.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 187

The whole room is filled with busts, bas-reliefs,
searcophagi, antique vases, &c. of very different degrees
of merit.

This saloon lies contiguous to the grand-hall, where
a detachment of horse always remained on duty. The
room merely exhibits four Ionic columns, and a ceiling-
piece, by Smuglevitsch, in which Curtius leaps into the
gulph in a very awkward manner.

We are now upon the grand staircase again, after
having gone through the state chambers of the em-
peror and empress, to the right and to the left. On
the 8th of November 1800, his imperial majesty cele-
brated the inauguration of the palace with the greatest
pomp. He dined for the first time in this edifice, and
gave a grand masked ball to the public, during which
all the apartments I have described were thrown
open and lighted up with several thousand wax
candles.

The reader will doubtless be curious to be ac-
quainted with the rooms which the emperor and empress
commonly inhabited. From Raphael's gallery a door
opened into the apartments of the monarch : an anti-
chamber plainly painted, had no other ornament than
seven pictures by Charles Vanloo, representing the
legends of St Gregory,

The second room, inlaid with white and stripes of
gold, was decorated with fine landscapes, and several
views of the palace itself. The ceiling had a very
striknig effect ; it was painted by Tiepolo, and repre-
sented Mark Antony and Cleopatra dissolving the
pearl in vinegar. The ignorance of the painter has
committed several ridiculous faults against costume.

In the third apartment the walls are almost entirely
covered by six landscapes, painted by Martinoff,
which exhibit views of the palaces of Gatschina and
Pavlofsky. Six elegant mahogany cases, upon which
are fixed twenty beautiful vases of porphyry, oriental
alabaster, &c. contain the emperor's private library.
This room was the post of his majesty's body-hussar.

]88 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

A back door leads from hence into a kitchen which
supplies the table of the monarch, and in which he had
designedly established a German cook, who always
dressed his victuals. He had lately fitted up a similar
kitchen near his own apartments at the winter palace.
Where is the man who, with all these precautions,
(perhaps very necessary ones), could envy the con-
dition of the most powerful monarch upon earth ?

Another private door opens into a small room
intended for the body-hussars, and which, communi-
cating with a winding stair-case, since become very
celebrated, leads into the court, through a door
guarded by a single sentinel.

From the library we pass immediately into the em-
peror's bed-chamber, in which likewise he chiefly
remained during the day, and in which he died. The
room is very large, being, if I mistake not, between
thirty and forty feet square. The walls are wains-
coted in white, and were hung with a great number of
landscapes, the greater part by Vernet, some by Wou-
vermans, and Vander I\Jeulen. In the middle of the
chamber, behind a screen, stood a small camp bed
without curtains. Over the bed was an angel, (not a
guardian one,) by Guido Reni. In one corner hung
the portrait of an ancient knight banneret, painted by
Jean le Due, which the emperor greatly valued.

A bad picture of Frederick II on horseback, and a
well-known plaster figure of that monarch, placed in
a corner upon a marble pedestal, formed a strange
contrast with these magnificent pictures.

The emperor's writing table was remarkable in
more than one respect. It was fixed upon four ivory
pillars of the Ionic order, with bronze bases and capi-
tals. An ivory edge of fine workmanship, ornamented
with small vases of the same, was fixed to it. Two
chandeliers, with ivory branches inserted in blocks of
amber, displayed four paste medallions, in the manner
of Leberecht, representing the emperor, the empress,
the two grand dukes, and the grand duchess Elizabeth.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 189

The table and the candlesticks were the work of the
empress ; that princess, who patronizes the arts and
cultivates them with success, turned the ivory with
her own hands, and formed the pastes.

On one of the walls hung pictures representing all
the different regimental costume of the Russian army.

A report has been a thousand times repeated, that
the emperor had a trap-door in his bedroom, together
with several private doors ; I am, however, enabled to
declare and maintain the falsity of such assertion.
The magnificent carpet that covered the floor rendered
the very existence of such a door impossible ; neither
did the stove stand upon feet, and consequently there
was no hollow place under it, as has been likewise pre-
tended. There were indeed two concealed doors in the
room, but one of them led to a corner that served for
a well-knouTi use, and the other shut up a recess in
which the swords of such officers as were under arrest
were deposited. The folding doors between the
emperor's chamber and the apartments of the empress
remained shut and bolted on both sides.

The passage from the bed-chamber to the library
was furnished with double doors, and on account of
the great thickness of the walls, there was space
enough between them for the construction of two pri-
vate ones ; in fact there were two : that on the right
shut up a dark closet, where the imperial colours were
kept ; and that on the left opened upon a back stair-
case which led to the emperor's apartments on the
ground floor.

Contiguously to this staircase we enter a large wains-
coted chamber, in one of the walls of which was fixed
an old clock made at Dresden, by Dinglinger, in 1714.
Three silver hands point out the hour, the tempera-
ture of the air, and the direction of the wind. This
clock had formerly stood in the garden of Peter the
Great.

From hence we step into a circular closet, in which
stood two Italian statues, a Vesta, and a woman sacri-

100 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

jficing : besides these was a statue of Apollo, which
was wrought at the Academy of Arts at Petersburg!! ;
and likewise a collection of fine vases of Seve porce-
lain, and a vahiable table of rossa entico.

The next room, which is likewise wainscoted, con-
tained an embroidered portrait of Peter the Great, of
exquisite workmanship, several fine vases of Seve
manufactory, and some of the height of a man, made
at the manufactory of Petersburg!!.

Tlie last room, and in whicli the emperor usually
transacted business, was wainscoted with walnut-tree,
and bordered with vamisiied carved festoons. Tlie
compartments were ornamented witli pagan divinities
surrounded with garlands, on whicli various kinds of
birds were perched. The general effect of tliis room
was soft and agreeable ; the furniture was superb, par-
ticularly a chest of drawers, the work of tlie famous
Kontgen of Neuwied. A little monument that stood
on a table, bearing this inscription — Mary, the 2\st
April 1/91,* was probably the work of tlie empress.
A breakfast service of' porcelain, of tlie Petersl)urgh
manufactory, which stood in tliis room, and on wliich
■were painted several views of tlie palace of Miclia'iloff,
afforded new proof of the prince's predilection for this
work of liis own creation.

Tlie way to the empress's apartments lay through
tlie concert-room already described. A chamber of a
gay and elegant appearance communicated with a
state-room, the walls of which were of grey Siberian
marble, tlie compartments of lapis lazuli and porphyry,
tlie borders of variegated marble richly ornamented
with gilded bronze. Antique busts were placed at pro-
per distances round the walls upon porphyry grounds ;
tlie panels were of hrecma. The cliimney-piece was
sup])orted by alabaster columns ; the frieze was of
verde antico, &c. Tlie furniture was suitably splen-
did : the sconce, whicli was of the finest crystal, cost
twenty thousand roubles.

* The birth-day of Catherine II.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 191

The empress's dressing and working-room lay con-
tiguously to this state-chamber. It was wainscoted, and
the bookcases and chests of drawers were of the most
beautiful mahogany. A golden toilet caught the at-
tention in a less forcible degree tlian four fine orginal
pictures in the same room, one of which was painted
by Marie Gerard, the other three by Greuze. One of
the latter represents a young girl being scolded by her
mother, for giving herself so much up to love affairs
as to suffer her bird to die for want of food. Diderot
gives an ample description of this picture in his Trea-
tise on Painting. A writing-table stood in the middle-
of the room, and bore marks of the noble and fre-
quent use that had been made of it. The empress, as
I have been told, lately slept in this chamber on ac-
count of its being perfectly dry.

The last room is a boudoir or round closet, resplen-
dent with magnificence. The walls were hung with
light blue velvet, richly embroidered with gold stripes ;
and every part of the chamber displayed the finest
c.pecimens of art, either in bronze or in lapis lazuli,
and other valuable stones. I was particularly struck
with a large red porphyry vase, standing upon a pedes-
tal of the same, intermixed with malachite ; the whole
was five feet in height. The floor was covered with a
splendid French carpet.

This closet, which is situated in a corner of the
palace, behind the bed-rooms of the emperor and em-
press, connected those apartments together by a single
wall, but of such thickness that we are not surprised
her majesty was ignorant of the death of her husband
for some time after the event.

Besides the emperor and empress, the grand duke,
his consort, and a lady of honour, no one lodged on
this story. In the chamber of the grand duchess Anne,
I remarked a time-piece which was inscribed with the
following words : ' Love reduced to reason.' The
god appears in fetters, and Reason holds the end
of the chain. In the presence of so beautiful and

192 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE

amiable a princess, the punishment did not seem at all
severe. In her husband's apartment I saw a copy of
the Borghesian hermaphrodite, and one of the Venus
coming out of the bath in the Florentine Gallery.

On the ground-floor there is nothing remarkable
besides an unfinished theatre and church. In the
latter, the choir is supported by fourteen Ionic columns
of Serdepol granite. The grand altar, which is of an
octagonal form, is constructed of black and white
marble. Three doors lead to it : that in the middle is
of massy silver, in open work, and ornamented with
six medallions, painted on copper, by professor Gio-
venco. Over the door are silver rays of glory ; and
the whole altar is incrusted with lapis lazuli and
bronze. The altar-piece represents The Last Supper,
and was painted by Akimoff, one of the professors of
the academy. On either side the middle door stands
a magnificent Corinthian column of porphyry, with
a bronze base and capital ; the pedestal is incrusted
with lapis lazuli. Silver lamps are hung before various
images, and in the middle of them appears a golden
one set with briUiants. The farther end of the
edifice is terminated by a large picture, — alas ! by
Smuglevitsch, — representing the archangel Michael,
the patron of the church, hurling the devils headlong
into the dark abyss. The decorous artist, who was
obliged to paint this group naked, has had recourse to
a singular expedient in order to avoid giving the least
offence to modesty. Every devil, as if by accident,
covers, either with his hands or feet, such parts of the
adjacent figures as the painter thought fit to conceal,
which, in fact, rather transgresses against than pre-
serves decency. The cieling of the cupola was painted
by Carlo Scoti, and happily for the artist, his work is
almost defaced by the dampness of the situation. A
gallery, containing four separate pews, was erected on
each side of the altar for the use of the imperial
family.

The rest of the ground-floor was occupied by the

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 193

grand duke Alexander and his consort, the young
grand duke Nicolas Paulovitsch, princess Gagarin,
count Narischkin, and count Koteitzoff, the em-
peror's favourite. I shall confine myself to the
description of the grand duke's apartments, which,
though less magnificent, were, in my opinion, more
agreeahle than those on the first story. At the same
time I cannot but remember with gratitude the polite
and engaging behaviour of every one about that
prhice's person. The goodness of the master had
warmed the hearts of all his attendants, and every one
of them spoke with enthusiasm of the noble pair they
had the honour to serve.

The dressing-room of the grand duchess Elizabeth,
now reigning empress, was hung with rich Lyonese
silk. Two fine Ionic columns of red and white Olonetz
marble ornamented a niche, and sustained an entabla-
ture decorated with antique busts. On each side this
recess stood a statue of Carrara marble ; the one re-
presenting a woman under affliction supporting her
head with her hands ; the other a young girl playing
with a dove.

In the same room I remarked a table which was in-
laid with different specimens of the marble of the
country, and a clock representing Bacchus sitting
astride a tun, on the head of v/hich the dial-plate was
fixed.

Contiguous to this chamber was a beautiful closet
hung with looking-glasses. A recess, supported by
two columns of French marble, contained the divan,*
which, together with the rest of the furniture, was of
uncut rose-coloured velvet, and had the appearance of
being covered over with fine lace. It is not easy to
describe the pleasing effect of the whole closet and its
furniture. A desk filled with books, and a piano-forte
made by Longman and Broderip, shewed that more
than one muse had taken up her lesidence here.

* A kind of sofa formed of mattresses piled one upon
aiiolhei.

194 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

The bed-chamber was singularly striking. Tlie
compartments of the walls were half hung with purple
velvet and half with gold stuflf ; they were connected
together in a serpentine manner, and ran horizontally
round the room. The bed was fitted up in the same
style. The apartment contained several bronze and
marble statues, and the whole had a magnificent effect,
without at all distracting or fatiguing the eye. The
spot was however uninhabitable, on account of its
excessive dampness, and the arch duchess had suffered
considerably during the time she had occupied it.
The wax-coloured paintings over the doors are entirely
defaced.

This bed-chamber opened into the saloon of an-
tiques, which contained about fifty statues, several
busts, sarcophagi, and other ancient monuments. I
shall only mention the principal.

1 . A fine colossal bust of Juno, two feet five inches
high, placed upon a sarcophagus, ornamented with
three bas-reliefs, and containing an inscription. The
first represents the figure of a woman with a floating
robe, holding something in her hands, which are
lifted up. Two masks lie at her feet. The same
subject is repeated on the other side. The third bas-
relief represents Bacchus crowned with bunches of
grapes, with the mystic basket, in which a dog is
seated, placed near him : on the other side appears a
serpent. The inscription runs thus : —

r. SCANTIUS PI

OLIMPUS

FECIT. SIBI. V. A. LXX SINE CRIMINE.

VITJE ET SCANTI^ ABELE CONLIBERT

OPTIMA ^DESE. BENE MERITS*.

2. A fine bust of young Apollo with flowing locks.

3. A very fine Silenus, about three feet high, hold-

* This may be read as follows : — Publius Scaniius Pius
Olimpius fecit sibi^volvciiti aimum lxx sine crimine vitiey
et Scantice Aureliee co7ilibcrt<E optima de se bene mcritic.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 195

ing in one hand a cup, and in the other bunches of
grapes.

4. A triangular altar with bas-reliefs, one of which
in particular is remarkable. It represents a man
wearing a pointed crown. In one hand he holds a
sword, in tlie other a human head. The other two
represent a satyr with a cock and a basket of fruit,
and a female bacchanalian.

5. A sarcophagus with goats' heads and garlands of
fruit, and two dead children lying upon a protube-
rant part. A swan is likewise represented on the point
of taking its flight. The inscription is as follows :—

D. M.

M. MUTIUS. M. L. AURELIUS

AGITATOR.

FAC. GARAMANTINIC.

VIXIT ANN. XXXV.
AGITAVIT ANN. XII.*

6. A round pedestal, which probably supported a
funeral urn. It is encircled with a very prominent
bas-relief finely executed, and in high preservation.
The subject is a wild boar hunt. On one side is seen
the animal, and at his feet a dying man ; behind him
are two hunters in mantles ; on the other side appear
a naked youth in a helmet, and a dog near him ; and
behind him the figures of two men. Aulic counsellor
Kohler takes the latter for Castor and Pollux ; or the
whole for an allusion to the dead person, which seems
the more natural of the two. The young man per-
liaps is represented, on one side, gaily setting out
with his two friends to the chace, and on the other,
overthrown and killed by a wild boar. The inscrip-
tion, which begins with these words, n. m. corneli
.... has been mislaid among my papers : all I recol-
lect is, that it contained no reference to a hunt.

* It may be read in this manner : — Diis Manibus Marcus
Miitius Marci Libertus Aurelhis, Agitator factionis
Garamantiniccc-, vixit annos xxxv. asitavit annos xu.

196 LIFE OF KOTZEBUF,.

7. A very fine bust of Achilles, which was procured
from Greece : it is three feet high, and wrought in
Parian marble.

8. A Bacchus, three feet two inches in height, of
exquisite workmanship. In one hand he holds a
bunch of grapes, in the other a cup. His shoulders
are covered with a goat-skin, and crowned with ivy.
Upon the cippus, wliicli stands in the stead of a pe-
destal, we read the following words : —

D. M.

ANTISTI/E.

TERSIPIUI.

V. A. XX. D. V.

ANTISTIA. APATE.

SOROR. GEMEI.LA.

FECIT PIENTISSIMiE

9. A muse in meditation leaning against a rock.
This figure is three feet nine inches high : the drapery
is exceedingly well executed.

10. A fine torso of Hercules, three feet two inches
long.

1 1 . A double bust of the Indian bearded Apollo and
Ariadne.

12. A graceful bust of JMarcus Aurelius.

Such are the pieces which particularly interest the
antiquarian.

The amateur of painting will also find ample gratifi-
cation in this saloon, and will he peculiarly struck
with eight large landscapes by Cliedrin, contahiing
views of Pavlofsky, Gatschina, and PeterhofF; and
likewise with two ceilings painted by J. P. Scoti,
which represent Cephalus and Procris, and Venus
rising from the sea.

The apartments of the grand duke (the present
emperor) were small, and less remarkable for the
sumptuousness of their furniture than for some origi-
nal pictures of great value. Of these I shall only
mention Achilles, discovered by Ulysses among the

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURG II. 197

women, the work of Angelica Kauffman ; a woman
weeping over a dead body, with an angel at her side
pointing to heaven, by Carlo Maratti ; a Juno and a
Diana, by Pesca.

These apartments, are contiguous to a fine bath
which count Narisclikin had fitted up Avith much
taste for the grand duchess. The walls and ceiling
are hung with muslin upon a rose-coloured ground,
and the floor was overspread with white cloth. There
was a fountain that played on turning a cock. A ca-
nopy was suspended over the bath, from whence
sweet scented waters distilled at the pleasure of the
bather. Other pipes introduced warm water. One
of the walls was covered with a vast looking glass,
and in the shade of a recess a Turkish sofa invited to
repose.

This pretty cabinet communicated with a vapour
bath, I know not, however, if the beautiful and de-
licate grand duchess (a German by birth) was accus-
tomed to this Russian usage ; for my own part, I think
these kind of stoves detestable things, and I could
never prevail on myself to pass over the threshold of
any of them.

Besides his lodging-rooms, the grand duke had
several state apartments, and a superb hall divided in
two by an arcade supported by Ionic columns of white
marble : the hall was decorated with several valuable
original pictures, among which was one painted by
Rubens, representing a fawn embraced by a female
bacchanalian. At one end of the apartment a second
arcade is constructed npon four Ionic columns, be-
tween which, stood two magnificent statues of a fawn
and a bacchanalian, by Cavaceppi.

Through this hall we arrive at the throne or au-
dience-chamber of the grand duke, the walls of which
were hung with purple-velvet, embroidered with
silver. The prince gave his audiences under a ca-
nopy, but not seated, and the carpet on which he
stood was not raised above the level of the floor.

198 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

The second story of the palace was inhabited by the
grand duchesses Mary and Catherine, with the coun-
tess de Lieven their governess. Their apartments
were less superb than those which have been de-
scribed, but were neverthekss extremely elegant.

In the area stood another guard-house, containing
a company of the body guards. The report that the
number of such guards about the palace was small, is
destitute of all foundation, though it was generahy be-
lieved, and has been everywhere propagated. The
back parts of the edifice form a mere labyrinth of
dark staircases and gloomy corridors, in which lamps
are continually burning day and night. For two or
three weeks I stood in need of a guide to lead me
through these intricate turnings and windings.

Nothing could have been more detrimental to
health than a residence in this palace. In every part
the destructive effects of humidity were to be ob-
served ; and even in the apartment which contained
the great historical pictures, I have seen ice an inch
thick in each corner, from the roof to the floor, not-
withstanding the continual fires that were kept up in
the two chimnies. The wainscoting of the emperor
and empress's apartments had in some degree coun-
teracted the bad effects of cold and moisture ; but all
who occupied the other rooms of the palace were ma-
terially affected in their health. The palace was like-
wise extremely inconvenient to all who had business
to transact therein. It was contirmally necessary to
run across the peristyle, along corridors exposed to
the air, or over the open court. Few even of the
higher orders were allowed to alight at the grand
staircase : almost every person was obliged to stop at
a low door, and wander up and down the back stair-
cases, till they found the place they were in quest of.

The emperor, however, was so captivated with this
production of his own fancy, that the most delicate
censure irritated as much as the coarsest panegyric
pleased him. One day he met an elderly lady on the

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBUGH. 199

Staircase : — ** These stairs,'* said sh, " have heen
represented to me as inconvenient ;f>ut T find them
extremely pleasant." His maje«y was so de-
lighted with this praise, that he kised the old lady.
All the corn-tiers knew how to tm'nhis disposition to
their own advantage. Tlieir praxes never ceased ;
and I am well informed, that whej every expression
of praise, exclamation, and admiratxJi were exhausted,
some have fallen upon their knees ''efore the bronze
statues, and worshipped them in s;ent extacy.

Had I obeyed the repeated injunctions of the em-
peror to omit no trifle in my (2Scription, I should
have tilled a large volume, and hye wearied both the
reader and myself. Some weels before his death, I
presented his majesty with a speomen of my labom's ;
of which he was pleased to exprejs his satisfaction.

There are many palaces in- the world that contain a
great number of scarce and vabable articles, but not
one which has been erected, furnished, and inha-
bited within so short a period as tint of MichailofF,
which was completed in less than four years. A
magnificent service of gold, and another of china,
ornamented with views of the palace, were not
finished.

A few weeks after the empenr's death, all the
valuable articles that were moveable, were removed
from this palace, and placed in ethers, to preserve
them from the effects of humidil/'. At present it is
uninhabited, and resembles a maisoleum.

On the 11th of March, at one o'clock, and conse-
quently about twelve hours before his death, I saw
'the emperor Paul for the last time. I met him on
the state staircase close to the stame of Cleopatra,
He stopped as usual, and spoke to me. The subject of
our conversation was the statue before us. He called
It a fine copy ; examined the different khids of marble
that composed the pedestal, and asked me the names
of them : then touching upon the history of the

200

LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Egyptian quee, he expressed his admiration of her
heroic death, ie seemed by a smile to approve of a
remark I madethat she would not have destroyed
herself had Avustus yielded to the force of her
charms. He tin asked me if my description of the
palace was in mdi forwardness. I replied, that it
Avas almost finishi ; and he left me after having ob-
served, with greU condescension, that he was happy
to hear it.

JNIy eyes follo>ed him as he ascended the steps :
when he arrived n the top, he turned towards the
place where I wa^ standing ; neither of us then en-
tertained the least suspicion that we had seen each
other for the last tine. This interview made a strong
impression upon m mind, and I have more than
once, since the emieror's death, indulged a melan-
choly contemplation of the statue of Cleopatra.

On the ^ 12th of March, early in the morning,
the accession cf the young emperor to the throne
\yas announced. By eight o'clock the principal nobi-
hty had alreadypaid him their homage in the chapel
of the winter pilace. The people gave themselves
up to joy, and t) the free indulgence of those hopes,
which the well kiown merits of the young monarch
so naturally inspind.

Tlie first measv<res adopted by Alexander, his pro-
clamation, the fiin orders he issued, all tended to
encourage and conirm the confidence with which his
subjects beheld bin ascend the throne of his fore-
fatliers. He solemily promised to tread in the steps
of Catherme U of glorious memory; he allowed
every one to dress according to his own fancy ; exo-
nerated the inhabitants of the capital from the trou-
blesome duty of alighting from their carriages at the
approach of any of the imperial family ; dismissed the
court-advocate, who was universally and justly de-
tested; suppressed the Secret Inquisition, that had
become the scourg^e of the country ; restored to the
senate its former autbority: and set at Hberty tbe

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 20l

■*

State prisoners in the fortress. What a spectacle to
see these unfortunate people released from captivity,
mute with surprise at their delivery, taking their
happiness for a dream, and with tremhling steps
seeking their respective homes !

I saw an old colonel of the Cossacks and his son
hrought from the fortress to the count de Pahlen's
apartments. The story of this generous youth is
extremely interesting. His father had been dragged,
for I know not what offence, from Tscherkask to
Petersburgh, and there closely imprisoned. Soon
afterwards his son arrived, a handsome and brave
young man, who had obtahied in the reign of
Catherine II, the cross of St George and that of
Wolodimer. For a long while he exerted himself
to procure his father's enlargement by solicitations
and petitions ; but perceiving no hopes of success,
he requested, as a particular favour, to be al-
lowed to share his captivity and misfortunes- This
was in part granted him ; he was committed a pri-
soner to the fortress ; but was not permitted to see
his father ; nor was the unfortunate old man even
informed that his son was so near him. On a sudden
the prison bolts were drauTi, the doors were opened,
his son rushed into his arms ; and he not only learned
that he was at liberty, but at the same time was in-
formed of the noble sacrifice which filial piety had
offered. He alone can decide which information gave
him most delight. I saw him several mornings to-
gether in count de Pahlen's audience chamber; he
still wore his long beard, reaching down to his waist.
He commonly sat in the recess of a window, with
downcast eyes, and without paying the least attention
to the bustle of the surrounding scene. His son,
whose noble countenance shone more resplenderit from
the consciousness of his own heroism, than did his
breast decorated by the two orders which he wore,
walked about the room and conversed with his
acquaintances.

202 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

The audience chamber was indeed a rich field of
observation to a looker-on at all conversant with the
human heart ; and though I had no particular business
there, I continued to pass several hours on the spot
every morning ; nor did I ever leave the groups that
surrounded me, without having added to my stock of
this species of knowledge. By way of contrast to the
affecting scene I have just related, I shall give the
reader an anecdote of a livelier cast : it happened, I
think, the day after the emperor's death. The room
was extremely full ; there were probably some hundreds
present : I was warming myself at a stove, when sud-
denly there was a great murmur, and the company,
one after another, all rushed to the windows, and kept
looking into the street as if something very wonderful
had happened. Curiosity at length drew me from
the stove : it was with difficulty I could share the in-
teresting spectacle. At length I got through the crowd,
and what was the mighty affair ? Why, truly, the first
round hat that had passed by. This round hat appeared
to make more impression upon the minds of the com-
pany, than even the liberation of the state prisoners
liad done : nothing was to be seen but cheerful laughing
countenances. Such creatures are men !

I have long wished to inform the reader, that the
first days of the reign of Alexander the Clement,
afforded me the most delicious enjoyments. In the
course of this narrative, T have often been drawn into
many heart-rending recollections. I have now come
to one that overwhelms me with delight. The senate,
by command of the young monarch, printed and dis-
tributed three separate lists of the names of the exiles
recalled from Siberia. No sooner had I heard of this,
than I dispatched my servant to procure a copy. My
eye ran over it in haste, till dimmed with tears of joy,
it fell upon the name of Sokoloff. Yes ! he obtained
his liberty ; and, at the moment in which I am writing
this, is restored to his wife and children ! May he,
like me, have found them all well ! and of his long

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 203

and painful dream may nothing remain but the recol-
lection of the companion of his misfortune, and the
sentiment of friendship which united us under our
common afflictions.

M. de KiniakoiF and his brothers, M. Beecher of
Moscow, a^d many more of my acquaintances, were
included in the same list. The most remarkable case

of all was that of M. S , a clergyman. He had

fallen into the infernal snares of M. Tumanski,* the
atrocious censor of Riga. Although M. S pro-
bably intends to publish his story, I think myself
warranted to relate it to the reader, as I have the par-
ticulars from very good authority.

M. S , minister of a parish in the neighbourhood

of Dopart, had collected a small library for the use of
his flock. Tumanski having been made counsellor of
the province, and being desirous of giving proofs of
his vigilance and zeal, applied to M. S for a cata-
logue of his books. The pastor, intimidated by the
complexion of the times, replied, that he had discon-
tinued the reading society, and such was in fact his
intention. It was, however, necessary to collect the
various books that were in circulation, which, within
a few, he had been able to effect. Among that num-
ber was a small volume written by Augustus Lafontaine,
and entitled * The Power of Love/ Not recollecting
to whom he had lent the bock, and still unwilling to
lose it, he had recourse to the usual way of advertise-
ment, and inserted in the Dopart Gazette a request
that the person who had this volume in his possession,
*' which made part of the circulating library," would
have the goodness to return it.

The advertisement unhappily fell into tVie hands of
M. Tumanski. It is, however, confidently asserted,

* The reader must not confound his name with that of a
distant relation of his, M. Tumanski, counsellor of state, and
head of the censorship at Petersburgh ; a person who never
caused any one to be unhappy, and who lias the reputation
of being a well-informed polite man.

204 LIFE CF KOTZEBUE.

that the intentions of that wretch were less inimical

to M. S , than to M. Nagel, the worthy governor

of Livonia, to whom he bore a secret enmity, on
account of some pretended offence. He reported the
business to his friend and patron, Obuljaninoff, with
the addition of many aggravating circumstances. The
latter communicated it to the emperor, with farther
aggravations. In a word, the clergyman was accused
of having continued his circulating library in spite of
the warning given by the censor ; and of endeavouring
to propagate dangerous principles among his readers,
by furnishing them with prohibited Jacobinical books,
while in fact no catalogue of forbidden books at all
existed. This conduct was represented to the prince
in such a false and odious point of view, that he gave
orders that the minister should be immediately arrested
and brought to Petersburgh; M. Tumanski having
previously surrounded his house with a detachment
of soldiers, and caused all his books to be publicly
burnt.

When Tumanski set out to execute his agreeable
commission, the whole city of Riga interceded in be-
behalf of this unfortunate family, and conjured him to
do everything in his power to save them from ruin.
He promised this ; but, as it may be well supposed,
took care not to keep his word. In the dead of the
night, the troops under the command of the noble
censor beset the parsonage-house, while the peaceful
inhabitants were fast asleep. Wiiat must their surprise
have been on waking ! every avenue vv^as stopped up,
an inventory was instantly taken of the good man's
papers, and seals put upon them ; all the books, the
bible not excepted, were piled in a heap, and com-
mitted to the flames. The unhappy minister himself
was hurried into a kibick, and conducted by an officer
of the police to Petersburgli.

Towards day-break, when he had recovered a little
from his first astonishment, he requested his guard to
allow him to v/rite a few lines to his wife. The perfi-

RESIDENCE AT PETERS BUllGII. 205

dious man pretended to yield to his entreaties, and
even undertook to put the letter into the post-office ;
he detained it, however ; and on his arrival in the
capital, delivered it into the hands of the court-advo-
cate. The letter contained, besides some very natural
complaints, a request that his wife would quiet the
minds of his parishioners till his return ; from which
was inferred, that he had already incited the peasants
to revolt, and that they only waited the return of their
ringleader to rise up in arms. Others say, he had re-
quested his wife to burn some letters of a friend of his,
with whom he had formerly corresponded; and which
contained some remarks upon the French revolution ;
and that a chasseur had already been sent to arrest
this friend, who, very happily for himself, had been
dead several years.

Whatever it might have been, the whole matter was
represented in such black colours by the court-advo-
cate, that the prince instantly ordered the tribunal to
condemn M. S — — to corporal punishment, and after-
wards to be sent to the mines of Siberia. The judges
were under no small embarrassment in consequence of
this injunction. The sentence, which in the natural
order of things ought to result from examination and
evidence, was prescribed to them beforehand, and
they felt themselves reduced to the situation of
executive agents. The president ventured to remon-
strate v/ith the court-advocate on this point, who coolly
replied, " that the judges might incur what hazard
they pleased ; hut that for his part, he knew the will
of the emperor."

The unfortunate minister, then in the fortress, was
one morning ordered instantly to put on his robes,
and accompany M. de MarakofF to the public tribunal,
in order to hear his sentence pronounced.

Full of hope, and the more so as he had been
directed to appear in his sacerdotal habit, he set out to
meet his fate. When he arrived in court, he was placed
with his back against the wall, and the secretary began

206 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

to read his sentence. ^Mien the secretary came to
these words, ** The minister of S shall he de-
prived of his benefice, stripped of his gown and band,
receive twenty strokes of tlie knout, and be sent in
irons to the mines of Nertschinsk, to work there for
life," the unhappy man seemed lost in despair ; and
after a convulsive motion of the head, he fell flat on
the ground. Proper assistance being afforded him, he
recovered the use of his senses, and falling upon his
knees, he implored the judges to condescend to
hear him.

** This is not the place," replied the court advocate.
** Where then?" cried the wretched man, in a resolute
tone of voice, "Where? there! above in heaven ?"

He was now dragged to the common prison. All
Petersburgh took an interest in his fate ; every one
interceded in his behalf; even the Russian clergy, to
their great honour, among the rest. (Jount de Pahlen
won the hearts of the public by his generous exertions
to save him. But every effort was in vain ; Obuljani-

nofFhad laid too fast hold on his victim. S was

led to the place where the punishment of the knout is
administered ; and when he had proceeded half-way
there, he was ordered back to receive the sacrament
at the hands of M. Reinbolt. After this he set out
again to4he place of torment.

Already were his hands tied to the posts, already
were his shoulders bared to undergo the horrid pu-
nishment, when an oflicer arrived ; and having whis-
pered a word in the executioner's ear, the latter
respectfully rephed, " sluschu," (I understand you),
and then brandished the knout twenty different times
over the prisoner, without touching his body, very
adroitly applying every stroke upon his clothes only.
Hence it is manifest, that some humane personage,
who had not been able to screen this innocent man
from the ignominy, had at least exerted his authority
so far as to i)revent his suffering the horrid torture to
which he had been condemned.

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 207

M. S was led back to prison. Count de Pahlen,

under various pretences, retarded his departure for the
mines ; and had several sharp altercations with the
court-advocate on the subject. The emperor, how-
ever, strenuously insisting that the sentence should
be duly executed, the count was at length obliged to

give way, and the unfortunate IM. S dragged his

fetters, step by step, as far as Nertschinsk. His wife,
who^ was determined to share his fate, could not
obtain permission to accompany him.

This unfortunate man is now free. When I left
Petersburgh he was daily expected there j and doubt-
less the young emperor will restore him to honour and
fortune.

Some days after the death of Paul I, prince Suboff
gave a splendid tavern dinner to a hundred of his
friends, at twenty-five roubles a head, exclusive of
wine. The company drank between thirty and forty
dozen of champaign, at five roubles a bottle. I should
not have mentioned this princely feast, but for the
purpose of recording a princely act. In the height of
their jollity, the company recollected the case of the
unhappy M. S , and immediately opened a sub-
scription hi his favour, which, it is said, produced him
ten thousand roubles.

It is the opinion of many lawyers, that the order in-
timated to the court of justice, to inflict corporal

punishment on M. S , did not oblige the judges

to condemn him to the knout, the most severe of all
punishments.

The reader will not be displeased to learn, that M.
Turaanski, who had been for so many years the
scourge of Riga, has ended his career in the most
wretched manner. Enraged at the contempt with
which he was generally treated, he at last meditated
the ruin of the whole town ; and with that view de-
nounced the inhabitants to the emperor as arrant
jacobins, sending a long list of names, among which
were those of the principal people, and men in office.

208 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

with the venerahle governor M. de Nagel at their head.
The upright and clear-sighted monarch having read
this hbel, declared, with too much benevolence
perhaps, that Tumanski was out of his senses, and
immediately dismissed him from his employment. On
my return through Riga, in the month of June last,
he was living there, poor and despised, on the bounty
of the very inhabitants whom he had devoted to ruin.
In this manner has leaden-heeled Justice, as the poet
calls her, overtaken the guilty, and condemned him to
condign punishment ; a punishment indeed much too
gentle, when compared with the innumerable afflictions
which his adminstration had brought upon so many
unfortunate people.

Madame Chevalier and her husband, who had
figured, though in another way, in the late reign, like-
wise experienced the clemency of the young m.onarch,
who contented himself with merely sending them out
of the country. M. Chevalier, who had acted a part
no less i3ublic than dishonourable, and who has since
endeavoured, through the medium of the French news-
papers, to persuade the world of his innocence,
challenges a scrutiny of his conduct ; and without
touching on his private life, I shall endeavour to shew
in what manner he and wife conducted themselves to
the world.

Madame Chevalier was born at Lyons : her father,
who was a dancing-master, died young, and left his
family in indigent circumstances. M. Chevalier be-
came acquainted with her in this situation, and
married her. He is himself one of the most arrogant
of men, and the worst ballet-master that ever existed,
although he has often boasted of having danced a pas
de cinq at the opera-house, with Vestris, Gardel, &c.
One day, as he was relating this gasconade, a man of
wit who had known him at Paris, where he v/as en-
gaged as a mere figurante, observed aloud, *' I think
M. Chevalier very modest; he speaks of 7i pas de c'mq
only, whereas I have seen him dance a pas de seize.*'

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURG 11. 209

I know not if he was in fact a figm'ante ; some say he
was second haliet-master at the ItaUan theatre ; this
however, is of no consequence : but I can affirm with
great truth, that his ballets have appeared to me
to be the most "wretched I have ever seen. He always
strove to hide the penury of his genius by the intro-
duction of grand marches, and the splendid decorations
which Gonzaza, a very eminent artist, afforded him, as
well as with the assistance of the most superb dresses.
His ballets were extremely expensive, though they
were seldom repeated more than twice. He was
likewise indulged with the privilege, that none of
his decorations, or any article of his wardrobe, should
ever be used except in his own ballets. The German
company has often felt the inconvenience of this
privilege ; for whenever we had occasion for a
foreign dress, and sent for it to the keeper of the
wardrobe, the answer constantly returned was, that
the dresses belonged to M. Chevalier. I must how-
ever confess, that the hatred the French theatre bore
the German one, has often suggested this pretext in
order to cover a refusal. One Sunday, I remember,
I found myself under the necessity of changing the
piece 1 intended to have given (which was Octavia)
for another, a little before the curtain drew up, be-
cause T could not obtain a few miserable dresses for
the Roman soldiers, although my request had been
backed by a note from the grand marshal of the court.
I mention this as one of the thousand unpleasant cir-
cumstances which I had to encounter in the manage-
ment of the theatre.

I now return to M. Chevalier. It is well known
that he left Hamburgh, and arrived,, with his wife, at
Petersburgh, where by means of her personal charms,
for she is very handsome, she soon acquired connec-
tions of the most distinguished kind. To these
connections her husband owed his office of assessor,
and the victory he gained over old Le Picq, a ballet-
master of distinguished merit.

s2

210 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Had he remained satisfied with this advantage ; had
he continued to reign within his own sphere, and
not made such a display of his foolish self-love, the
public would have been content with laughing at him,
and I should not have mentioned his name. In spite
of his protestations of innocence and probity, it is
clearly proved, that he has bartered his real or pre-
tended influence for immense sums of money. I am
acquainted with several instances of this sort. I am
averse to expose any person ; but in case of necessity,
1 can prove what I advance ; and I think it incumbent
on me to make such declaration, lest I should be sup-
posed to have attacked the reputation of an honest
man wantonly, or merely upon report.

The most shocking transaction of this kind, and
which is notorious all over Petersburg!!, is the very
one M. Chevalier asserts, in the Journal de Paris, to
be a mere fabrication. The fact is, that he has had
art enough to take advantage of an accessary incident,
which had been erroneously stated, in order to break
out in a general complaint of calumny and injustice.
I am not now speaking of a divorce, respecting which
M. Chevalier may, if he please, call heaven and earth
to attest his innocence, but of a fraudulent and atro-
cious act; and therefore the particulars shall be
related.

Madame de , of one of the first families in

the Russian empire, bequeathed her fortune, which
consisted of thirteen thousand peasants, to the amia-
ble count de R . She had taken care to make

previous arrangements with her husband's family, and
consequently disposed of her dowry only. Catherine
bad confirmed the will : notwithstanding which, its
validity was contested in the reign of Paul I, and an-
nulled by an order of the cabinet.

M. , upon the strength of this case, was

desirous of attaining similar ends, for which pur-
pose he availed himself of the assistance of a Pied-
montese (an honest man, and knov/n as such) whose

RESIDEKCE AT PETERSEU RGH. 211

name I do not recollect, and commissioned him to
make application to M. Chevalier. A negociation was
entered upon accordingly, and a magnificent necklace
was promised to madam e Chevalier, and a sum of
money to her husband, which is said to be so great,
that, for fear of committing a mistake, T shall not
mention it. The necklace was deposited by way of
earnest, and likewise one half the stipulated sum. Tlie
atfair was proposed to the emperor, who, considering
it unjust, set his face against it, and refused his con-
sent. The ill success of the application was industri-
ously concealed from the Piedmontese ; however, he
at last obtained information of it, and having demanded
the restitution of the presents, he was answered with
sarcasms, and menaced with mischief.

Driven quite to desperation, he applied to madame
de Bonvel, a French lady, whose mysterious appear-
ance at Petersburgh was an enigma to every one, and
who, having gained the protection of several great
people, was tolerated by the emperor, not only in the
capital, but even at Gatschina. She was taken, with
probability enough, for an agent of the French
government.

This woman instantly espoused the cause of the
Piedmontese, and related his story to count Rostop-
schen, minister of state, who being at that time at
enmity with madame Chevalier's friend, laid the
whole transaction before the emperor. Some say his
majesty was informed of the affair by an intercepted
letter ; however, that may be, it is certain the emperor
received the information through count Rostopschen.
The monarch, who was naturally just, was thrown
into a violent passion, and threatened to make a
terrible example of the Chevaliers. The only step
they had now to take, was to deny the fact. " Is it
our fault," said they, " if offers of money are made
us ? It is enough that we never received any." At the
same time they loudly demanded that the columniator
should suffer 'exemplary punishment. The wTctched

212 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Piedmontese was arrested by order of the expeditious
court-advocate, and all of a sudden he was discovered
to be a violent jacobin, though he had been hitherto
well known as a zealous royalist. He received the
knout, had his nostrils slit, and was sent to the mines
of Siberia. This anecdote I have received from an im-
partial person of strict veracity, who had it from the
first source. All Petersburgh is well acquainted with
the atrocious arts with which the j ustice of the mo-
narch had been in so monstrous a manner surprised
and imposed upon. T may possibly be mistaken in
some trifling particulars, but the story itself is strictly
true. Let M. Chevalier explain, if he can, how he
has been able, since that time, to enjoy one hour of
undisturbed repose !

The luxury he displayed in his house was disgusting
in the highest degree. His rooms vied in splendour
with those of the palace of MicliailofF. One of them
was hung with rose-coloured silk, covered with fine
flowered muslin, and seemed to be the very temple of
voluptuousness. Tiie family had a salary of more than
thirteen thousand roubles, including monsieur Augus-
tus, the lady's brothe»^, a very indifferent dancer.
Besides this salary, th^ brother and sister had benefit
nights, which produced upwards of twenty thousand
roubles ; for ever)- one was eager to recommend them-
selves to this powerful family. I have known trades-
men who have sent twenty-five roubles for seats, the
usual price of which was one rouble and a half, and to
whom their money had been returned with the most
scornful disdain. Every person who was already well
received at court, every one who wished to continue
so, made sacrifices on these occasions frequently be-
yond their means, fully persuaded, that the idols to
whom they thus bowed might one day reimburse
them, and that a sum which did not answer thek"
expectations never escaped either their notice or their
vengeance.

Madame Chevalier, indeed, had no occasion to use

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 213

solicitations to fill the theatre on her benefit night.
Her house was beset for places in the first boxes, and
every one shewed his attachment by paying for them
in coin. But monsieur Augustus was often obliged to
take measures, of which no man of honour could
avail himself. He wrote notes, or rather (as he could
not write, a circumstance I learnt from ocular demon-
stration) had them written, to the rich and great, to
force tickets upon them.

By such, and a thousand other well-known prac-
tices, the family of the Chevaliers, it may be easily
supposed, amassed great wealth. Lest I should be
accused of exaggeration, 1 shall not venture to men-
tion the value of the lady's jewels, nor the sums which
her husband had, at different times, sent out of the
country. M. L**o, the banker, who transacted his
business, can give farther information on this head ;
and, in fact, the whole town expected to see him
compelled to make such declaration before the lady
could have obtained permission to quit the country.
The law obliges foreigners to pay the crown one-tenth
part of" the property they take out of the country,
whatever the amount may be; and, in the present
case, the defalcation might perhaps have amounted
to sorne hundred thousand roubles. The generosity
and clemency of the young monarch, however, over-
looked this circumstance. It is Hkewise well known
that he ordered count de Pahlen to inform madame
Chevalier, in a very polite letter, that she had leave
to depart ; and she took cai'e not to stay to hear the
intimation repeated.

The late emperor, a few weeks before this event,
had charged M. Chevalier with the honourable com-
mission of engaging a party of comedians at Paris.
For this purpose he had received upwards of twenty
thousand roubles in money, and bills of exchange for
as much more. During his whole journey, he ren-
dered himself remarkable by his insolence and rude-
ness ; and the post-masters at the different stages still

214 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

remember his insolent behaviour ; the newspapers also
recorded, that M. Chevalier, counsellor of the col-
lege, and knight of the order of Malta, passed through
such and such a town, &c. &c. I know not, indeed,
whether he had the effrontery to assume these titles,
but it would not have been at all unlike him.

It is owing to her husband, perhaps, that madame
Chevalier has acquired the reputation of being avari-
cious, which so ill accords with the softness and
amenity of her personal appearance. Of her avarice
many instances are nevertheless reported. The most
shocking of all of them is the manner in which she
has lately treated her aged mother, who lives at Lyons
in the greatest indigence. The poor helpless woman
wrote several letters to her, in order to solicit relief,
but she could never obtain any answer. At last, a
stranger arrived at Petersburgh, who, having been
eye-witness to her distress, had promised to represent
her situation to her daughter. He called several times
on madame Chevalier, but was never admitted to her
presence. Being, however, in no want of her interest,
he grew impatient, and at last sent the lady word that
he had a message to deliver from her mother, and
that, if she wished to be informed of it, she must
have the goodness to send some one to him. She
sent — but whom ? — A servant ! The stranger, pro-
voked and ashamed at this unworthy conduct, refused
to explain himself to a valet. Monsieur Augustus was
then dispatched as plenipotentiary from his sister.
The stranger drew the most affecting picture of his
mother's distress ; and madame Chevalier sent him
two hundred roubles, in bank notes, which he was,
at his discretion, to supply her parent with. Two
hundred roubles ! The fiftieth part of what she has
often received for a single box at her benefit ! Ma-
dame Chevalier, who with a word could have caused
her aged mother to have been brought in triumph to
Petersburgh, and supported there in ease and abun-
dance ; who reckoned her fortune by hundred thou-

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBUllGH. 215

sands of roubles, sent her indigent parent two hundred
roubles ! For the sake of this lady, I sincerely hojie
she may be able to refute this anecdote ; but hitherto,
I am sorry to say, I have not had the least reason to
doubt its truth.

Madame Chevalier has been handsome, and may
still be considered so, though she is more than thirty,
and is grown rather en bon point. She is a charming
singer, and as an actress, peculiarly happy in artless
and comic parts. Her smiling looks captivate the
audience the moment she appears on the stage, and
secure their approbation of her performance. Slie has
sometimes ventured to appear in tragedy ; but, in my
opinion, she is in that line below mediocrity. In the
part of Iphigenia, in which she so much delighted the
emperor, the actress was never, for one single mo-
ment, forgotten in the daughter of Agamemnon ; it
was still madame Chevalier that figured on the boards ;
though, according to a copy of verses that were handed
about Petersburgh, Racine was placed at her feet;
and the muses and the graces, in comparison with
her, were represented as mere barrow- women.

How superior to this lady is madame de Valville, the
first tragic actress on the Petersburgh stage ! Her
person is agreeable, her declamation and action per-
fect. Nor is she a great actress only : she is likewise
an amiable and virtuous woman ; and the dignity with
which she endured the many insults to which she was
continually exposed, entitles her to the highest vene-
ration. She is at the same time the most tender of
mothers, the best of wives, and the sincerest of
friends. I entreat her pardon for this eulogium, and
beg she will impute it to a zeal which at this moment
triumphs over the fear of raising a blush on her
cheek — on that cheek which has not yet forgotten to
blush !

Madame Chevalier was roused from her splendid
dream, in a manner not the most agreeable to her.
Two otiicers entered her house in the dead of the

216 LIFE OF KOTZEEUE.

night, and insisted on speaking with her immediately.
The saucy chambermaid, who had been long accus-
tomed to see her mistress treated Hke a goddess, and
to consider herself as a person of some importance,
would fain haA^e dismissed them with rudeness. The
officers, however, despising her threats and outcries,
rushed into madame Chevalier's room, and appeared
without any ceremony at her bedside. She started
from her slumbers, and assured them her husband
was at Paris ! " It is not for him, madam, we are
looking," was their reply. Having learnetl, in a few
words, the events which had taken place, she was
obliged to rise that very moment, and to listen to
some railleries not of the most delicate natme,

I shall not enlarge upon the business of these
officers : their visit was short ; nor was monsieur Au-
gustus at all disturbed by them. What the lady felt
during the rest of the night, and her alarming pros-
pect of the future, have, perhaps, in some degree,
avenged the multitude whom she had made unhappy,
and the innocent whom she had ruined. Yet, in fact,
she had nothing to dread. The delicacy of the young
monarch generously spared her. To considerations
of a respectable nature she was indebted for that,
which she could neither have ventured to hope nor to
solicit : she was allowed to leave Petersburgh without
any kind of molestation. I saw her at Koningsberg
and at Berlin, more brilliant and more lively than
ever ; and no sensations, except those of enmuy ap-
peared to give her the least uneasiness.

I doubt not that monsieur Chevalier, with his
accustomed impudence, will venture to deny the facts
I have stated, the greater part of which relate chiefly
to him.self. He may endeavour to bring my veracity
and impartiality into question ; but I here solemnly
declare, that I have personally no subject of complaint
either against him or his wife, and that I only partake
of the general indignation of the public. I farther
declare, that I could have brought forward four times

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 217

as man/' instances as I have given, had I been inclined
to give ear to common report ; and that I have de-
signedly made choice of such as have been communi-
cated to me by eye-witnesses of unexceptionable
veracity. I have dispassionately administered the
punishment of that notoriety which sooner or later
brands the forehead of the successful miscreant. But
enough has already been said on the subject of these,
people.

The death of the emperor again opened to me a
happy prospect of returning to my own country; and,
as soon as I could \'enture to call the attention of the
young monarch from the important concerns of the
empire to a subject of such small moment as my own
private affairs, I took an opportunity of soliciting my
discharge. On the 30th of March I presented a me-
morial to that effect to prince Suboff, the emperor's
adjutant-general. The 2d of April I received, through
his hands, the flattering answer, that his majesty
wished me to continue in his service. Such dis-
tinguished goodness must naturally have rendered
tlie resolution of persisting in my resignation ex-
• U emely painful to me. Impressed with 0ie warmest
gratitude, I therefore declared that I should be happy
to remain in the service of a prince so justly beloved,
but that I was no longer able to superintend the
German playhouse in its present situation ; that if it
pleased the emperor to allow some reforms to take
place, to render it really, and not nominally a court-
theatre, and place it in eveiy respect upon a level
with the French company, I would with pleasure exert
all my eflforts to render it worthy of his majesty's
approbation.

I received an order in consequence to draw up a
memorial, in which I was directed to point out the
means of reforming the German theatre. I instantly
obeyed ; and my plan, which it has pleased an igno-
jant and malevolent correspondent of the Hamburgh

218 LIFE Of KOTZEBUE.

Gazette to call *' gigantic," was nevertheless calculated
according to the rules of the strictest economy.

While the French theatre cost upwards of one hun-
dred thousand roubles a year in salaries only, I under-
took to support a company that should rival it in
every respect, for sixty thousand. It seems that the
author of this paragraph is no friend to the Germans,
or he would not have termed gigantic a sum I had
asked for the whole support of the playhouse, which
amounted but to little more than one-half of the mere
salaries of the other theatre.

The emperor commissioned the court marshal to
examine my plan, and the latter approved of it.

*' What will the German theatre cost according to
this estimate ?" said the emperor.
** Sixty thousand roubles a year."
** And what has it hitherto cost ?"
" Nothing "

This answer must naturally have astonished the
emperor. It was just, however, in one point of
view. By dint of zeal, intense application, and un-
remitting efforts, I had made tlie winter receipts
amount to thirty-two thousand roubles ; and with this
money I had been able to defray every contingent
expense : but the marshal did not recollect that during
seven weeks of Lent the house would produce nothing,
and during the summer months not much ; that the
theatre besides stood in need of great repairs and im-
provements. The monarch himself could not be
expected to enter into such particulars ; and the more
so, as the memorial did not specify any. It is there-
fore not at all surprising that he should have con-
sidered the sum too great.

I was too well acquainted with the disposition of
the court in general towards the German theatre, and
of course prepared (in case the emperor should dis-
approve my plan) to reiterate my former request. My
discharge at length was granted me in the most gra- ^

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURG II. 219

cious terms, and I obtained at the same time the rank
of counsellor of the college.

I am fully convinced, that the court cannot keep up
the German theatre, even in its present imperfect
establishment, without disbursing thirty-seven thou-
sand roubles annually.* Had it been observed to the
emperor at the time that the improvements alone
would have cost twenty-three thousand roubles, I liave
reason to believe that his answer would have been
different from what it was ; especially as the young
empress is a great admirer of the German drama :
but the word ' nothing' could not well have produced
any other effect.

Such are the circumstances of my discharge, re-
specting which the author of a paragraph in the
Hamburgh Gazette had the goodness to observe, that
it was not very clear whether it was asked for or
received. At Petersburgh the matter was clear
enough ; but unhappily there are men in the world
who are induced by envy to believe the contrary to
what every one knows.

In speaking of the pension that was granted me,
the same correspondent observes with equal malignity,
and with a design to render the distinction less ho-
nourable to me, that I solicited it. He knew not
that the emperor Paul had secured the salary on his
own privy-purse ; and that pensions of that nature
are frequently, and even commonly, continued after
the resignation of the receiver ; and that without
having assailed the young monarch with solicitations
and entreaties, the favour was granted me on my
mere request. I am too proud of this mark of kind-
ness and benevolence in the young emperor, and too
jealous of the reputation of an unassuming man, not
to have placed the matter in its true point of view

* I am not uninfonned that monsieur Mir^, and a person
of the name of Casazzi, have undertaken the business at a
iimcli lower rate; but finis coronal opus.

220 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

even at the risk of fatiguing the patience of my
readers.

On the 29th of April I left Petersburgh with m/
family, full of gratitude to the deceased monarch,
and to the reigning emperor. We passed some weeks
at Jesse, with M. Koch and his excellent family ;
from whence, accompanied by their best wishes, we
proceeded to Wolmarshof, the country seat of baron
de Lowenstern, who had sent us the most cordial
invitation.

My heart palpitated violently as I approached this
abode of sincerity and truth. At length I beheld the
accomplishment of the most ardent of my wishes : I
was on the point of meeting a lady again, who, in the
most terrible moment of my life, had sent me every
succour in her power. With what impatience did I
long to press her hand to my lips and to my heart ! 1
was also to meet the young man who had shed tears
on my account, and who had striven to assuage my
afflictions with the tenderness of a brother. The first
person I saw on getting out of the carriage was M.
de Beyer. What varied emotions seized me as ho
approached ! After him appeared madame de Lowen-
stern. I was unable to utter a single word ; my tears
eloquently interpreted the feelings of my heart. I
looked round for her worthy son, he flew to my
embrace, and I pressed him with fraternal affection.
How sweet is the remembrance of past evils in the
circle of sympathizing friendship !

I here obtained some explanations of that part of
my history in which these worthy persons were con-
cerned. The letters I had written at Stockmannshoff
had been all forwarded by M. de Beyer to the governor
of Riga, except that intended for count Cobenzel,
which could not but have proved prejudicial to me.
M. de Richter had dispatched them without the least
scruple to the emperor, who at first was much irritated
at my escape, and replied to the governor, that he
must instantly summon M. de Beyer to Riga, und

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGH. 221

severely reprimand him for having suflfered a state-
prisoner to write letters in his house. This repri-
mand, which imphed no small eulogium on M. de
Beyer's heart, was accordingly given ; but it may be
easily imagined how much the well-known humanity
of M, de Richter must have tended to soften the
severity of it.

I learnt besides, that my counsellor had communi-
cated his instructions to M. de Bej^r, and that
consequently he would have incurred great danger
if he had espoused my cause more warmly than he
did. M. de Beyer attempted to justify the cold and
prudent M. Prostenius ; and it is no fault of mine if
my own heart invalidated all his arguments.

The whole family had considered the counsellor as
a civil, kind-hearted man, and had placed great con-
fidence in him. This mistake was very excusable in
people of their excellent disposition ; for never had I
seen, in any instance whatever, %o much cruelty
united with so much dissimulation. He had waited
on my wife, on his arrival at Petersburgh, after hav-
ing beard of my approaching deliverance, to give her
joy. He told her that we were very intimate friends,
and had lived together like two brothers during the
whole journey. He even paid me a visit, when he
had heard in what a distinguished manner T had
been treated by the emperor, and meanly attempted
to insinuate himself into my favour. I could not,
however, bear the sight of him : he at length ob-
served this, and discontinued his visits.

After having spent a few days very agreeably at
Wolmarshof, we set off for Riga, where we were
expected by our faithful friends. I had not the
pleasure of finding the worthy governor there : he
was unfortunately ill in the- country; but I found
my kind friend Eckardt, and the learned doctor
Stoffregen, to whom I expressed all my gratitude.
We accompanied the latter to his villa, a terrestrial
paradise, at Graffenheyde, and we separated in a few

222 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

days, bestowing on each other reciprocal benedictions
and prayers.

Among other tilings, I learnt at Riga, that a letter
which my wife had written to the ducliess of Wei-
mar, had been sent to Petersburgh by the master ot
the post-office, and had been read by the emperor ;
that his majesty had immediately returned it, with
orders to have it sealed up again, and forwarded to
its destination. Our friends augured something
good from this incident ; it is indeed certain, that
the letter (a copy of which I possess) could not
have failed to make a salutary impression on the
kind heart of the monarch. I therefore, perhaps,
owe my deliverance, in some measure, to the very
person to whom of al> others 1 would most willingly
owe it — to my own wife.

At Mittau the governor of Courland was no longer
to be found : he had been dismissed from his post.
M. Sellen of Poknger had likewise been discharged :
I did not see him, but I found the lieutenant who
had accompanied us to Mittau, and whose name is
De Bogeslawski. He received me as an old friend,
and compelled us to breakfast v»^ith him. On this
tspot, how did I run over the early scene of my mis-
fortunes ! How beneficent is nature, in causing the
remembrance of past ills to produce an enjoyment
equal to, and perhaps greater than, that of past
pleasures ! I inquired after the honest Cossack, who
liad accompanied us on the coach-box. I wished to
make him a present, but he was not in the way.

When we felt the carriage drive off — when we
passed the guard-house — when the barrier was let
down behind us — and when, a little farther on, we
beheld the Prussian eagle ; — why should I blush to
confess that T burst into a flood of tears, that my
wife also wept, and that we sank into each othei''s
arms ? Not that we had waited till this moment to
give full scope to our feelings — No ; the name o^
Alexander is every honest man's sufficient guarant'

RESIDENCE AT PETERSBURGII. 223

for his personal freedom ; but it was a confused mix-
ture of emotions, as powerful as inexplicable, that
called forth these delicious tears. The view of the
theatre of my misfortunes ; the recapitulation of all
the scenes through which I had struggled ; the agony
which a year before I had suffered on the same road ;
the contrast of sensations ; the happy and unfore-
seen change of circumstances ; my gratitude to God,
who had restored all that was dear to me ; the de-
light at waking from my long and frightful dream ; —
all these considerations agitated every feeling of my
heart, and forced the tears into my eyes. Thus im-
pressed, I saluted the happy dominions of Frederick
William III. The moment I set my foot upon his
frontiers,, I considered myself as in my native
country.

A; Koningsberg I found count KutaissofF, the
favourite and confidential friend of the late emperor.
If any one could have given me information con-
cerning the cause of my arrest, it was certainly he.
I had long known him ; but our acquaintance was
during a period in which it would have been impro-
per to have asked him any questions relating imme-
diately to myself. But what I had not ventured to
do at Petersburgh could be done without any scruple
here. I therefore hinted to him my wishes to be ac-
quainted with the emperor's reasons for having treated
me with so much severity ; and he replied, with the
most unsuspicious frankness, '* that his majesty had
acted from no particular motive ; but that I had
given him umbrage as an author. However," added
he, *' you have seen with what readiness, and with
what pleasure, he corrected his error : he liked you ;
he has given you proofs of it ; and had he lived,
you would have received more."

Peace then to the ashes of a man, whose faults
may be ascribed, in a great measure, to the nature of
his education, to the extraordinary events that dis-
tinguislied the period of his reign, and to the charac-

224 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

ters of the people who surrounded him ! a man, who
might often have been mistaken with regard to the
means he employed to do good, but whose invariable
aim was to be good and just ; who scattered innu-
merable benefits around him, yet saw nothing but
noxious plants spring up, whose blossoms pleased his
eye, while their poisonous vapour tarnished and de-
stroyed him !

I shall conclude with the insertion of some French
verses, which were circulated in Petersburgh some
days after the emperor's death. I am unacquainted
with the author, but his picture bears the stamp of
truth.

On le conniit trop peu, lui ne connAt personne ;
Actif, toujours press<^', bouillant, imp^rieux,
Aimable, seduisant, ni^me satis la couronne,
Voulant gouverner scul, tout avoir, tout faire raieux,

II fit beaucoup d'ingrats — et mourut malheureux !

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

EXAMINATION OF A WORK ENTITLED " SECRET
MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF RUSSIA."

I HAVE read the * Memoirs of the Court of Russia.*
The book has made much noise in the world ; more
indeed than it merits. It has been, and is perhaps
still believed, that the author drew his materials from
authentic sources ; it is therefore worth while to
examine this work in detail. He has treated both the
great and insignificant with such rancour, and attacked
the honour and the virtue of the monarch and the
nation with so much audacity, that I conceive I shall
deserve the thanks of the public by stripping off his
mask, and openly contradicting him on several points,
respecting which I have better information than he
could ever have obtained.

If, in imitation of himself, I were to derive my
authorities from table-talk and the gossip of anti-
chambers, it would be an easy task to refute every
page of his book. Being, however, averse to assume
airs of importance, I repeat, that I shall only touch
upon what my own conviction enables me to refute.
If the * Secret Memoirs ' should ever find their way

^28 LIFE OF KOTZEEUE.

into Russia, there will be no want of persons, still
better informed than myself, to expose the falsehoods
which they contain.

The author pretends, in his Preface, to have held
heaven knows what important post at court ; and the
editor adds, that he had lived in the closest intimacy
with people of rank and influence at Petersburgh.
Now, as it is the duty of every historian or compiler
of memoirs, who makes any pretension to public con-
fidence, to shew how he has been able to come at the
truth of what he asserts, let us say a few words con-
cerning the author himself.

Monsieur de M*** the younger, is a native of
Switzerland.* The history of the early part of his
life is here out of the question. He was received at
the house of general Soltikoff, by whose interest he
obtained the office of inspector of the stables of the
grand duke Alexander, the present emperor. The
grand duke probably was familiar with him ; but I do
not see how his post could have procured him his
intimate connexions with the principal people of rank
and influence in the empire.

He had made verses, and in his own circle may
have been considered as a man acquainted with the
fashionable world ; but he may be assured, that there
are many great people and men of influence at Peters-
burgh, who are to this moment ignorant of his exist-
ence. Let the reader judge from hence, if he could
always have spoken the truth.

But, supposing we grant him this point, it is very
certain it has not always been his intention to speak
it. He himself, however, has been frank enough to
confess, that nothing less than the most justifiable
resentmeut forces him to speak out. What can be

* It is for the sake of his respectable brother that I do
not give his name complete. He has, however, saved the
reader the trouble of guessing it, for he has made himself
so well known everywhere, that it seems he is not at all
solicitous to remain in obscurity.

APPENDIX. 229

expected from a writer, whose resentment speaks for
him, and who is not ashamed to add, that it is the
proper husiness of indignation to reveal what criminal
gratitude might induce him to conceal ? It is his
indignation alone then that breaks out through the
whole book, and which is of so violent a nature, that
he is forced to consider gratitude as criminal when it
does not allow him to disburden himself of every-
thing that weighs upon his heart. What can be
expected from a writer who has faith in criminal
gratitude ?

And what is it, in fact, that has irritated him to
such a degree ? He has been ill-treated, I will allow ;
and I am inclined to believe that he was innocent.
Certain suspicions, some unmeaning words, some-
thing said in favour of the French troops, had induced
the too hasty emperor to banish M, de M*** and his
brother out of his dominions ; but his majesty did this
without any degradation of their honour : he did not
seize their fortunes, nor refuse to allow their families
to accompany them. They had fallen into disgrace,
and that was all ; the emperor had withdrawn his
confidence, and would have them no longer in his
service ;■ — nothing more. It will be said, that this
was enough, and that their case was very severe. I
allow it, but not sufficiently so to justify the trans-
formation of gratitude into a thing that depends on
circumstances. Had M. de M*** been satisfied with
asserting his innocence in a calm and satisfactory
manner, every impartial reader would have applauded
him. But this mass of scandalous anecdotes, his
evident solicitude to collect everything that could
render the Russian court either atrocious or ridicu-
lous, shew clearly that the emperor Paul did not act
imprudently in removing a petulant observer, who
examined everything that came in his way with a
jaundiced eye. M. de M***'s own book is, in my
opinion, the best justification of the emperor's con-
duct towards the author. Let him undertake, in the

"230 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

boasted French republic, to write the scandalous
chronicle of the French court of the present day, and
J am persuaded that he would think himself well off
if he escaped transportation to Cayenne

He says, " I have written only what I liave seen,
heard, or experienced myself." This is very singular.
I find nothing throughout the whole book but tilings
which were heard of, and of which I too with a
thousand others have heard, though in a different
manner. If it were sufficient merely to give ear to
things, to enable a man to write memoirs for poste-
rity, the historic muse may erect a temple in every
anti-chamber ! If M. de J\J*** would have us believe
what he has neither seen, nor felt, nor experienced,
but only heard, he ougbt to name his authorities ; in
default of which he will allow us to place no more
confidence in an inspector of the stables of the grand
duke, than in any other subaltern officer of the Rus-
sian court.

In the Preface (page 4) he calls the emperor a
revengeful tyrant. Paul was not in the least addicted
to revenge. In the first emotions of anger, he might
have often committed injuries ; but to rancour and
vengeance his heart was a stranger. I could name in-
stances of persons, by whom, whether right or Ma-ong,
he conceived himself to be offended, and whom he
punished at one moment, and at the next raised to tlie
first dignities in the state. It is, however, needless to
bring forward these examples, as they are already
generally known. Had the emperor been revengeful,
and consequently rancorous, (for these passions never
operate separately,) the annals of history would proba-
bly have held out one horrid attempt the less to
posterity. M. de M*** boasts of his courage and
frankness in uttering the words revengeful tyrant i
but where is the honest man who does not consider,
that he calls by too soft a name the wickedness he
allows himself to commit ?

One cannot help smiling at reading (page 5) that IM.

APPENDIX. 231

de M*** feels and experiences that he is followed
wherever he goes. The emperor, in fact, made no
farther mention of him after his departure, nor even
thought more about him. It is still more disgusting
to hear him soon after impudently assert that he has
exercised great moderation in drawing up his memoirs.
I should be glad to know how it were possible to
cram a greater quantity of horrid matter into the com-
pass of two volumes.

He confesses frankly enough that his bad memory
has been his only source, as he had committed all his
materials to the flames. It is indeed requiring a little
too much of the reader to expect him to confide in the
bad memory of an inspector of the grand duke's
stables, for an account of all kinds of state and family
secrets,

M. de M*** gives no quarter to the poor German
authors. He calls them all * pickthanks,* without sup-
porting the epithet by a single case in point. Ah !
M. de M***, were I to publish some of your poetry,
who would deserve the name of * pickthank' better than
yourself?

M. de M*** endeavours to represent every Russian
subject as an abject slave ; he even pretends that the
nation, by a kind of apotheosis, has changed the name
of Catherine to Jecatherine, which according to him
signifies Archcatherhie. A curious interpretation truly.
Jecatherine is merely a name, and as little signifies
Archcatherine as agurke (which in Livonia is used for
gurke, a cucumber) signifies archcucumber.

In page 48, M. de M*** has the assurance to
assert that the emperor is the tyrant both of the em-
pire and his family ; and that he proscribes the dearest
and most laudable feelings of nature. A more abom-
inable falsehood than this was never uttered. I should
fill a whole volume, were I to bring forward all the
domestic incidents in which the emperor Paul proved
himself to be a tender husband and a good father ; and
I am only acquainted with the smaller part of that

232 LIFE OF KOrZEBUE.

number. 1 do not pretend that he has not often fallen
into violent, though short, fits of anger with his
family, which liave sometimes been attended with very
serious consequences ; but he is not on that account
the less susceptible of the most tender feelings of
nature.

It is unusual, for instance, to consult the inclina-
tions of a princess in the disposal of her hand ; yet I
know from the best authority, that the emperor always
left to his daughters the free choice of their husbands ;
in such cases, consulting the paternal feelings of his
heart, rather than listening to motives of political in-
terest, he entered into no promises with regard to an
alliance, but on the express condition of its receiving
his daughter's full approbation. I should be glad to
be informed of many other courts in which a like cus-
tom prevails.

When the grand duchess Alexandrina took her leave
of him, with what inexpressible tenderness did he fold
her in his arms ! How many tears did she shed upon
the occasion ! She was seated in her coach, when he
again came down into the court, and opening the car-
riage door, bestowed his blessing, in a broken voice,
upon his darling child. Is this the conduct of a man
** who proscribes the common feelings of nature?"

I could add many other instances, but I do not think,
like M. de M***, that it is })roper to print everything
I have been told, I shall, however, bring forward a
case in direct contradiction to his senseless assertion,
since it affords at the same time an example of the love
and tenderness which the emperor bore his family to
the last moment of his life.

On the 11th of March, at five or six in the after-
noon, a few hours before his death, when M, V ,

an aulic counsellor, who had been sent for by the em-
press on business, was waiting her majesty's orders in
the anti-chamber, he observed, through a half-open
door, the emperor go to her. He appeared in very
good humour, and said to her on entering the room.

APPENDIX. 233

'* My angel, I have brought you something that will
give you pleasure." — ** As every favour does," replied
the empress, " which you confer." The emperor then
took a pair of stockings out of his pocket, which had
been embroidered by the noble young ladies belonging
to the institution under the immediate patronage of
her imperial majesty. After shewing this attention to
his consort, he turned to his youngest children, who
were playing about him, took them in his arms,
danced with them about the room, and, in a word,
acted in every respect as the most affectionate father

would have done. IVI. de V was deeply affected

at this scene ; it requires no comment, since it is to
persons of feeling hearts only that I address myself.

At page 79, M. de M*** makes a violent attack up-
on the principal nobility of the empire, during the last
years of the reign of Catherine II. He says " they
were without knowledge, without views, without ele-
vation of rahid, and utterly devoid of probity." He
will not allow them even that vain honour, which,
with resptct to fidelity, stands in the same stead as
hypocrisy does with regard to virtue. He charges
them with " being as imperious as bashaws, as oppres-
sive as tax-gatherers, as dishonest as lackeys, and as
mercenary as stage waiting -maids ;" in a word, he is
not ashamed to call them " the rabble of the empire."

Let such a picture (which the most virulent passion
alone could have been capable of sketching, and the
most unbridled extravagance have finished) he placed
beside the portrait of a Repnin, a man equally great
in the cabinet and the field, of incorruptible integrity,
and of the most generous liberality of sentiment ; of
a RomanzofF, a great general, who has bequeathed his
virtues to his children ; of a Besborodki, who, though
a man of pleasure, had the best of intellects and was
the most indefatigable of statesmen ; of a Wasiloff,
the treasurer of the empire, who without flattery
might be compared with the great Colbert himself for
talents and probity ; of a Soltikoff, a MarcofF, &c. ;

V 2

234 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

and the indignant reader would then be tempted to
bestow on what M. de M***is pleased to term courage
and frankness, epithets of a far diiferent signification.
And when he has the audacity to add, ** that the no-
bility have pensioned their servants, their buffoons,
their secretaries, and even the tutors of their children,
out of the pubhc treasure, of which they had the ma-
nagement," the assertion is of so dishonourable and so
calumnious a nature, that the man who has committed
it at random to paper, unsupported by any kind of
proof, deserves to be arraigned as a criminal at the bar
of juv**-ice.

I request the reader farther to remark how often
M. de M***, under the influence of passion, contra-
dicts his own assertions. He gives the name of rabble
to the great people in the reign of Catherine 11,^ and
yet makes it criminal in her successor to have dismissed
them on his accession to the crown : and after allowing
that those by whom the emperor Paul was surrounded
were people of less moral depravity than the discarded
courtiers, he is nevertheless continually turning them
into ridicule, and calling them upstarts.

At page 82, he repeats the hackneyed- assertion,
" that Russia cannot boast of having any laws, but
that it is merely governed by ukases or prescripts." It
must be confessed that the legislative commission esta-
bhslied by Catherine had not done all that might have
been expected from it; many more improvements,
however, were made in the reign of that immortal wo-
man than M. de JM*** seems to have been aware of. Her
incomparable instructions for the government of the
Russian empire ; " her" instructions for the towns, for
the nobihty, for the traders," &c. are not mere pre-
scripts, but form altogether a complete code of laws.
During the space of ten years, I was myself in the
habit of judging a multitude of suits by these laws,
and I was seldom driven to the necessity of having
recourse to a foreign code.

This is not the place to examine whether the plan

APPENDIX. 235

of the empress to introduce a uniform code of laws
into her vast empire, was not rather a pious wish, than
a measure at all possible. It would doubtless be a
desirable thing to abolish that confusion which cannot
fail to result from the great number of customs and
privileges which are continually at variance with each
other. The tribunal, for instance, where I had the
honour to preside, was a court of appeal from the in-
ferior provincial tribunals ; and all the litigious causes
of Revel, Hapsal, Weissenstein, and Baltischport,
were decided there. But I was obliged to judge a
Revel suit by the laws of Lubeck, a Hapsal suit by the
laws of Sweden, and a Baltischport one by those of Rus-
sia, &c. ; circumstances which rendered the administra-
tion of justice extremely complicated and troublesome.

M. de M*** (page 92) carries his love of paradox so
far, as to maintain that the empress Catherine, the
friend and favourite of the muses, did not patronise
the arts and sciences, but merely purchased libraries
and cohections of pictures from motives of ostentation,
and sent medals to German authors who dedicated
their works to her. Such silly assertions are not
worth refuting ; they ought to be treated with a smile
of contempt.

It is ridiculous enough to hear in what a self-suffi-
cient manner M. de M*** decides on all the literary
productions that appeared during the thirty-two years
of the reign of Catherine. *' Except a few works on
Natural History," says he, " no book worthy of being
known elsewhere has honoured the Russian press."
He v/as doubtless unacquainted with the greater num-
ber, and knew only the title-pages of sorne of the
others. Euler, for instance, has escaped his notice.
On the other hand, he relates wonderful things of
entire libraries that had been discovered among the
ruins on the banks of the Irtsch.

M. de M*** (page 110) says, " that the Germans
at Petersburgh are all artizans, principally tailors and
shoemakers." The inspector of the stables might

236 LIFE Oi" KOTZEBUE.

as well have added saddlers, who likewise are chiefly
of that country. In this view he would not have com-
prised one half of the Germans who inhahit the city,
the number of which exceeds thirty thousand. Almost
every merchant, and a great number of the people in
office, are Germans. M. de M*** also mistakes when
he pretends, ** that more victuals are consumed in the
German houses than in others, and that the guests are
overwhelmed with ceremonies and compliments." It
is true, indeed, that the plain Germans have no idea
of the " courage and frankness" in which M. de M*** so
eminently excels.

The circumstances which he states (page 117) of the
colonels being the despots of their respective regiments,
and of everything relating to the economy of them
passing through their hands, are not without founda-
tion ; but he should have added, " that these abuses
were reformed on the accession of the emperor Paul
to the throne."

M. de M*** (page 131) charges the author of the

* Description of Petersburgh ' with unpardonable neg-
ligence, in having confounded his important person,
as a man of letters, with that of his brother. " Can
any one, after this," says he, *' depend on descrip-
tions ?" And why not ? Is it of any consequence to
the reader to know the author of a few trifling verses ?
If the more interesting accounts are exact, he will
readily overlook matters of such small import. Besides,
M. de M*** ought to be happy whenever he is con-
founded with his worthy brother. That unassuming
respectable man lives on his estate near Erlangen, and
has not been a little alarmed at the publication of the

* Secret Memoirs.' Some people, not having known him
personally, have taken him for the author of the
book; but he has often explained himself to his friends
on the subject, in a very earnest and serious manner.

At page 132, M.de M*** unjustly upbraids the em-
peror with having left the most useful of his mother's
public undertakings in an unfinished state, and with

APPENDIX. 237

having erected nothing but barracks and exercise-
houses. M. de IM*** among these works mentions the
quays and canals, and forgets that the emperor had en-
tirely banked up the Moika with freestone. He has his
reasons, perhaps, for not mentioning the hospital for
the reception of military orphans, which owes its very
existence to that monarch ; and in which upwards of
eight hundred children of both sexes are boarded and
instructed, and placed in suitable conditions when they
have attained a certain age. This institution is di-
rected by the respectable colonel de Weismam, and his
lady, who, as I have several times observed with
great dehght, is beloved by the children as a mother.
The emperor frequently visited this asylum : it was
one of his most favourite walks. He took the ten-
derest interest in its welfare ; laid aside his crown on
entering the mansion, and appeared only as the father
of the children ; and never did he leave the spot un-
accompanied with the benedictions of the innocent
objects of his care. M. de M*** ought not to have
been silent on matters of this nature ; but perhaps his
correspondents gave him no account of them, having
enough to do to furnish him with the tattle of anti-
chambers.

If we were unacquainted with the reasons which in-
duced M. de M*** to spare the memory of prince
Potemkin, we should be surprised at the slight man-
ner in which he touches upon the subject of that
famous man. The insulting contempt he always enter-
tained for his fellow creatures, whom he only considered
as the instruments of his own grandeur, is but too
generally known. Never did the emperor Paul ven-
ture to go half the lengths in the indulgence of his
caprices as that favourite had gone. Few people can
be strangers to the anecdote respecting the honest
Muscovite merchant, whom he ordered to be taken up
by the police and sent to Petersburgh, for having suf-
fered a lady to see his long beard. Tlie unfortunate
man arrived at the capital, and Potemkin, having

238 LITE OF KOTZEBUE.

forgotten his beard, suffered him to languish six months
in confinement. At length the satrap deigned to pay
some attention to this famous beard : the merchant
was sent back to Moscow, in a ruined state of health,
and found that his wife had died with grief, and that
his affairs were ruined. The emperor Paul has com-
mitted acts of violence from mere hastiness of temper,
but never to gratify his caprice ; and, whatever he did,
he always imagined that he was doing an act of justice.

No one, except M. de I\I***, has felt that the death
of Potemkin had made an immense ** void" in the em-
pire. The story of the empress having fainted away
three times successively on hearing the news of his
death, seems very improbable : at least there are well-
informed people, who pretend that his power having
attained to a prodigious height, and grown superior to
all kind of controul, had become very troublesome to
Catherine, and that after his death she acknowledged
herself to be a much freer agent than before.

M. de Lanskoy, it seems, has found singular favour
with our author. He styles him the lover of the arts,
and the friend of talents. In truth, he was the most
ignorant man about the court, and the empress always
blushed for him whenever he began to speak.

M. de M*** (page 164) observes, that Paul was
more a Russian than his mother, and that he always
maintained that a count or prince of the holy Greek
empire was preferable to one of the holy Roman em-
pire. It is not my business to decide whether the
mother or the son was in the right : I am, however,
of opinion, that it becomes an emperor of Russia to
confer, with his own hands, the dignities with which
he wishes to see his subjects decorated

At page 157, the author speaks in a contemptuous
manner of general Pistor, one of the most worthy
Germans that ever served in the Russian army. He
calls him a Russian satellite. A little farther on he
sneers at the barbarous names of Kretschetnikoff and
('achowske. "Heavens! what names!" says he.

APPENDIX. 239

*' and the men who bear them are still more un-
couth !" He forgets, however, that the name of his
hero Kosciusko is not more harmonious.

At page 173, M. de M*^'* speaks of a statue that
the duke de Feuillade erected, at his own expense, to
his master Louis XIV : and he adds, " that Potemkin
had done nothing for Catherine that could be com-
pared with the Frenchman's gallantry." All the
actions of that favourite were, indeed, tainted with
hypacrisy and cruelty. When the empress travelled
to the Tauride, Potemkin (supposing she might ex-
pect to see, as she went along, the towns and flourish-
ing villages of which he had so often spoke to her)
had ordered representations, in painting, of the frontvS
of the houses composing such towns and villages, to
be erected on each side the road. To a cursory
observer the effect must have been very fine : and in
order to enliven the landscape, it was necessary to
summon all the peasants for twenty leagues round
the country with their flocks, and to post them near
these decorations. As the emj)ress went along, she
beheld the meadows covered with sheep and horned
cattle, attended by well-clothed shepherds. She was
struck with the showy painted houses, and imagined
she saw the towns which existed in the calendar,*
and which she found swarming with inhabitants.
This gallantry was not in fact so durable as that of
the duke de la Feuillade, but it was at least more
artfully fancied.

The author (page 224) endeavours to degrade one
of the best institutions of the emperor, or at least to
lessen its merit : I mean the permission which all his
subjects had to direct their letters and petitions imme-

* The Peteisburgh calendar, in the reign of Catherine,
contained a list of all the cities either existing or planned
in the Russian empire, with their respective situations and
distance from the capital.

240 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

diately to himself. M. de ]M*** tells us there was a
kind of office upon the palace staircase, where every
one might deliver letters ; but, he adds, ** that Paul
finding, contrary to his expectation, more petitions
than denunciations, grew tired of noticing them, and
that everything soon fell into its former chaos ; that
secretaries employed to examine letters became as
heretofore the arbitrators of the unfortunate people
who had had recourse to their master."

It is my duty to refute this accusation. From the
moment of the emperor's accession to the throne to
the last day of his life, every one of his subjects were
allowed to make application to him in writing, and
they were sure of receiving a categorical answer in the
course of a few days. The secretaries were in no res-
pect the arbitrators of the petitioner's fate. The man
who had dared to make a false extract would certainly
not have escaped punishment : the emperor frequently
demanded a sight of the original, and ordered it to be
read to him. An instance of this had taken place in
my own case, and it was nothing more than a mere letter
of thanks that I had written. The secretaries had always
the letters in their possession ; nor could they venture,
under the inspection of so severe a master, to make
unfair extracts, being never sure that the emperor
might not suddenly require a sight of the original, to
satisfy himself as to the faithfulness of the report.

It is true, that the reporter had considerable influ-
ence, and that the success of the petition often
depended on the manner in which it was represented.
But was the monarch to blame for this ? It is natural
that he should have confidence in the people he had
chosen, and he could not employ more efficacious
means to render them faithful, than by inspecting their
proceedings occasionally and unawares. The emperor
could not possibly have read every petition he re-
ceived ; and in support of this assertion, J am enabled
to relate an anecdote relative to the early part of the
present emperor's reign ; who, as well as his father.

APPENDIX. 241

allows every one to write to hira, and even to present
their letters, in person ; and may the choicest blessings
of heaven reward him for this indulgence !

Whenever he went from the palace to the parade,
he had to pass through a triple row of supplicants,
who held their petitions in their hands. The number
of petitioners increasing, and the emperor being un-
willing to abolish the privilege, he usually sent out his
adjutants some minutes before him to collect these
papers. I have been several times present at their re-
turn to the anti- chamber ; they were usually three in
number, and each of them had a handkerchief filled
with petitions in one hand, and his hat full in the
other. '* Oh, God 1" cried the emperor one day, with
a smile, when he saw them return thus loaded ; and
the exclamation was by no means impi oper, for there
were upwards of three hundred letters in the hats and
handkerchiefs. Every day produced as many ; and
supposing that the emperor had devoted two minutes
to the perusal of each letter, he must have read ten
hours a d^y ! Among these I do not include the num-
ber of letters which came by post, and which were
sent to the secretary of state. The emperor, thus
occupied, would have had no time for the most urgent
concerns of life, much less for the important business
of the empire. Everything must have given way to
the caprice of the petitioners, who often made the
most absurd requests. A v/oman one day wrote to in-
form him she had lost a cow, and to beg another in its
place.

The practice introduced by the emperor Paul of in-
serting the refusals in the public gazette was certainly
a very harsh measure ; but it might have always been
evaded by personal application to the secretary of state,
who had the answers ready for the perusal of the res-
pective petitioners. The minister was in fact prevented,
by the multiplicity of his avocations, from expediting
written answers to every letter that was received at
his office.

242 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

M. de M*** (page 223) tells us, that dishonesty is ii^
herent in the Russian government, and connected witn
the national character, which is deficient in morals,
probity, and public spirit. Happily, while he was
penning this horrid description, his conscience seems
to have stung him a little, and obliged him to add the
following note, which he precedes by an emphatical
exclamation. ** Alas !" says he, " I little thought
while I was writing these lines, to find the same infa-
mous practices triumph in a republican government,
and in a regenerated country." If therefore, he is
convinced that neither national character nor want of
public spirit is the real source of corruption and ra-
pine in populous cities, but that such disorders arise
merely from luxury and ambition, why did he not can-
cel his unjust assertion? His book would certainly
have contained sufficient invective against the Russian
nation without this charge.

At page 238, M. de M*** describes, simply from
report, the prison of the unhappy prince Iwan, at
Schlusselburgli. He calls it a dungeon, the windows of
which, he says, were stopped up with planks, and
scarcely afforded a glimpse of light. I mj'self visited
this prison in the year 1/82, when I accompanied
general Bawr down the canal of Schlusselburgh to its
outlet in the lake of Ladoga. I found it, indeed,
gloomy enough, but not to the degree JM. de M*** re-
presents it. I saw the chamber in which the prince
was confined : it was lofty and spacious, and sufficiently
light. The sky, however, could not be seen from the
chamber, on account of the great height of the walls
that inclosed the court in which it was situated ; but
the commander assured us that the prince had permis^
sion to walk out into the area.

I shall pass over several anecdotes which M. de
M*** scatters over his book, to shew his own importance
and the extent of his connexions. At one time it is
such a one, at another, this or that person, who had
patronised and provided for him. Supposing all this

APPENDIX. .243

to be true, of what use is the display of so much
vanity? What are those people to us, in whose favour
he condescends to act the part of a ' German pickthank?'
And what concern have we with the flattering letters
he had ^vritten to kept women, to obtain a few Imndred
roubles or a paltry place ? The author ought to feel,
that in relating such trifles, he weakens the impression
he would fain make on his readers by the display of
his grand principles of liberty.

With all possible self-love, the writer is ever laying
hold of opportunities of speaking of himself. At
page 248, we are obliged to hear him recite a ' pick-
thank' business in verse, in which the honour paid to
the memory of Catherine forms a singular contrast
with the horrid things he relates of her in his * Secret
Memoirs.' In these verses he speaks thus of that
princess : —

" The north's fierce eagle cowers on the ground ;
'' Its bright star beams no more," &c.

And at page &7, in the second volume, he calls this
very star an old fury.

At page 265, and" a little farther on, the reader is
allowed to recover himself a little from the effects of
the multitude of caricatures with which he had been
long pestered. We here find a description equally
beautiful and just of the person and character of the
empress-mother. But this pleasure is of short dura-
tion, and, as if M. de I\I*** were utterly averse to say
a handsome thing of any one, he adds, in a note,
*• that it must be acknowledged her good qualities are
not a little obscured by vanity."

Those who know that this princess has been the
great benefactress of the author, must shudder to observe
the * frankness and courage' with which he had been
able to stifle and suppress his * criminal gratitude.'

At page 271, he judges equally erroneously of the
reigning emperor ; and if there were no other proof
tliat the author was never in any situation about the

244 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

grand duke which could enable him to judge of the
worth of that prince, this alone would be sufficient.
He thus expresses himself : " Alexander is of a happy
but passive disposition ; he possesses neither resolution
nor confidence sufficient to look out for men of merit,
who are always modest and reserved."

One single day of his reign has been sufficient to re-
fute this silly assertion. The choice he has made of
the upright Beklescheff for court-advocate ; of count
Panin, prince Kourakin, of Troschinski, for ministers ;
of Wasilieft* for treasurer, &c. proves with what a
penetrating eye the youthful monarch can distinguish
real merit, and with what laudable eagerness he exer-
cised his judgment. I shall not copy the ridiculous
predictions of JNI. de M*** ; they do not merit re-
futation.

M. de M*** has done count Nicolas Soltikoflf the
honour to say nothing about him. He is satisfied with
having named him, and with putting four rows of
points after his titles. It is probable that his sublime
genius could not, in the present instance, entirely tri-
umph over the sentiments of * criminal gratitude.'

M. de M*** (page 308) accuses the emperor of
having treated the old regiment of guards with too
much contempt. " The severest thing," adds he,
** this prince could say to those officers with
whom he was dissatisfied, was, that they were only fit
to serve in the guards." Supposing this anecdote to
be true, the emperor was far from wrong. The officers
of the guards, during the reign of Catherine, were
eflfeminate in their manners and their dress ; they
drove about the streets in whiskeys and four, were
great men at the theatres, gamed deeply, and kept
opera girls. I speak from my observation. The guards
at this period were very favourable to the advance-
ment of young men of family and fortune. Any man
who had connections at court, could procure his son
to be enrolled in a regiment while he was an infant in
his cradle ; and his promotion took place as regularly

APPENDIX. 245

as in real service. My eldest son, though a child, was
appointed corporal of the guards, then fourier, and
afterwards ensign, without ever having been at Peters-
burgh, or seen the regiment to which he belonged.
On this footing he would have advanced with four
thousand of his little comrades, had not Paul, on his
accession to the throne, suddenly dismissed every
officer of the guards who was not capable of service.
This regulation gave me some pain at the time, yet I
could not but feel that it was perfectly just.

M. de M*** (page 312) relates the story of the
advancement of count de Rostopschin, who was a con-
siderable time minister of foreign affairs, and in high
favour at Court. I shall take this opportunity of adding
the history of his disgrace ; I have it from the best
authority, and it reflects great honour on the emperor.
It is well known that count de Panin, a man of
great integrity, had fallen a sacrifice to the dexterous
jealousy of that minister, and that the emperor had
exiled him tO one of his country seats near Moscow.
Some time afterwards, a gentleman belonging to the
office of foreign affairs, whose name I forget, made a
tour through that neighbourhood, and having written
a friendly letter to M. de Murawieff, of Petersburgh,
he mentioned among other things that he had visited
Cincinnatus at his farm. He hkewise added the
names of some relations he had been with, and
entered into some family particulars of a very harmless
nature. This letter fell into the hands of count de
Rostopschin, who considered or rather affected to
consider it, as having a suspicious tendency. He laid
it before the emperor, and endeavoured to persuade
liis majesty that count de Panin was the writer, and
had made use of another name to serve his own pur-
poses ; that Cincinnatus meant prince Repnin, and
the names of the pretended relations signified the
friends and partizans of that prince.

The emperor had a great opinion of the discern-
ment of his minister, and sent orders to count de

x2

246 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Soltikoff, the governor of IMoscow, to reprimand
count de Panin on the subject of this letter. The
count declared he had not M'ritten at all to Peters-
burgh. The emperor, blinded by prejudice, took his
denial for mere obstinacy, and became extremely
irritated against him. He sent the original letter to
Moscow, in order to convict the supposed writer of
falsehood, and at the same time commanded him to
remove to another of his estates two hundred verstes
fai'ther off.

During these transactions the real writer of the
letter, who happened to be still in the neighbourhood
of Moscow, was informed of the whole business. He
had the highest esteem for count de Panin, who had
formerly been his benefactor, and he was prompted
by honour and gratitude to do everything in his
power to exculpate him. He was much alarmed at
the mischief in which he had unconsciously inA^olved
him ; and he immediately set off for the capital, and
explained the whole affair to count Kutaissoff, referred
to his own hand- writing, and confessed he meant by
Cincinnatus, count de Panin ; that he had not called
him so to disguise his true name, but on account of
the striking similarity which he conceived to exist
between the character of the coimt and of that worthy
Roman. Report of this deposition was instantly made
the emperor, and at the same time an account arrived
from Moscow, stating that the letter was not the
hand- writing of count de Panin. His majesty seemed
much hurt on the occasion, and exclaimed with noble
warmth, " he is a monster, and would make me the
mstrument of his secret vengeance ! I must rid
myself of him." Count de Rostopschin was accord-
ingly dismissed from his service.

At page 315, the author pours out a torrent of
Jibuse and invective against baron de Nicolai, presi-
ilent of the academy and counsellor of state, a gentle-
man well known in Germany for his excellent poetical
productions, adored by his inferiors as a father.

APPENDIX. 247

esteemed by his friends for his integrity and humanity,
and respected by all who know him for his talents and
genius. He has dou])tless had the misfortune of
being blind to the great merit of our author, or per-
haps he may have considered some of his verses to
have been a little insipid ; otherwise the writer of the
* Memoirs' would not surely have said, that a man so
generally respected as M. de Nicolai is, had received
a few hundred souls (peasants belonging to an estate)
to finish the corruption of his own, and that he was
the tyrant of his village, &c. That IVI. de Nicolai had
complained that his boors in Finland produced him
scarcely any revenue, signified neither more nor less
than if the proprietor of an estate in Germany should
lament that it produced him but a trifle. A man must
be possessed of a very malignant ' frankness ' indeed to
attack the reputation of a person of M. de Nicolai's
worth, upon such vague grounds. But whose repu-
tation is sacred in the eyes of IM. de M*** ? What
he likewise hints respecting the haughty reserve of
M. de Nicolai, is equally false ; I never observed the
least symptom of it. It is possible, that he thought
it necessary to be on his guard with M. de M***, and
the event has proved that he was in the right.

M. de M*** adds, that the German scribblers
treated M. de Nicolai as a JMeecenas. I foresee he
will include me in the number, but this gives me no
concern. I shall only add, that I have not the hap-
piness to be particularly known to M. de Nicolai ; and
I consider that on the present occasion I am doing
honour to my pen in making it subservient, without
the least personal motive, to the eulogium of virtue
and talents.

At page 326, the author seems desirous of per-
suading his readers that he had succeeded the esti-
mable La Harpe. He is always solicitous to join his
name with that of some celebrated man, as the wren
«eats itself on the back of the eagle to approach nearer
to the sun. La Harpe and M***, says he, who were

248 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

about the young prince. The expression was artfully
chosen ; the reader may naturally conclude they had
filled the same post. He afterwards adds, that the
old tutor of Paul was likely to experience the fate of
Seneca and Burrhus. Of what use can such falsities
be ? It is -well known that old Aepiiuis is out of his
mhid, and that he receives a considerable pension.

M. de M*** (page 340) says, that the emperor,
through a refinement of vengeance, forbade madame
IIuss to accompany M, de MarkofFin his exile ; while
it is notorious that this lady left the stage, and imme-
diately joined the disgraced minister, with whom
she has remained ever since.

I now come to two passages which oblige me to go
back and copy a few periods from the author's pre-
face. *' I shall not imitate those writers," says he,
** who, under pretence of furnishing memoirs and
anecdotes of the countries through which they
have travelled, ransack the private concerns of indivi-
duals, and expose family secrets. To asperse the
characters of the inhabitants of a country, is but a bad
way of acknovdedging the hospitality we have received
from them."

Here M. de M*** has pronounced sentence against
himself. Not content with having slandered, in the
most shameful manner, the inhabitants of Russia and
their national character, he exposes family secrets ;
relates disgraceful anecdotes of count RomanzofF and
liis children ; and would have his benefactor, count
Soltikoff, send his wife ***. T am ashamed to copy
his indecent language. What judgment, therefore,
shall we form of a man who ostentatiously displays, in
his preface, principles of honour and delicacy, and
violates them in so flagrant a manner in every page of
his book ?

I now come to the end of his first volume, after
having experienced no small degree of trouble and
disgust during the perusal of it, and I am very averse
to go on with a task that must create me still more.

APPENDIX. 249

If I lived in Russia, I should remain silent, not only to
avoid all suspicion of being influenced by improper
motives, but because it would be absolutely superfluous
to refute calumnies in a country where they are gene-
rally known to be such. As I live, however, in a
distant nation, where I find, to my great astonish-
ment, the falsehoods and calumnies of M. de M***
have met with some belief, I therefore consider it as
a duty, which the love of truth and the feelings of
gratitude impose upon me, to continue my refutation.

I shall say nothing of his ridiculous predictions at
the beginning of the second volume, by which he
endeavours to excite the Russians to revolt, in imita-
tion of the French. Time has shewn that M. de
M***, though a great compiler of anecdotes, is but a
sorry politician. We see with indignation, what pains
he has taken to stir up the principal nobility against
their lawful sovereign. Fortunately for Russia, M.
de M*** is not a man whose machinations are likely
to do mischief ; and the great famihes whose names
he has so unwarrantably made use of, treat him with
deserved contempt

In a note at page 26, M. de M*** says, that in
Livonia children are sometimes taken from the
breasts of their mothers, to make way for puppies
which have lost theirs. A shocking accusation ! I
have been long and well acquainted with LiVonia and
Estonia, yet I never heard of any such practices ;
and bad must be the heart of a man, who could
advance such a charge without proof. Let M. de
M*** name the place where this has ever happened.
He who has seen, heard, experienced, and felt, every
thing which he has recorded, ought doubtless to
name the monstrous actors of such scenes, or the
reader will be apt to take the story for one of the
many fables that are crowded into his work.

M. de M*** (page 82) declares, "that theft is the
prevailing vice in Russia. I doubt," adds he, " if
any people upon earth are more naturally inclined to

250 LIFE OF K0T2EBUE.

pilfer the property of one another tlian the Russians .
from the first minister and general of an army, down
to the lackey, or common soldier, all steal, and pilfer,
and cheat. A stranger," continues he, '* who tra-
vels with a Russian, of whatever rank the latter
inay be, will learn to his cost not to leave anything
en his dressing-table or desk."* However atrocious
this accusation may be in itself, it becomes still more
so on account of the reason which the writer alleges
for this propensity. " Why are the Russians," says
he, " greater thieves than other half-civiUsed nations ?
It is owing to the immorality of the Greek religion."
This is arrant nonsense 1 Every one knovvs that the
French were never more notoriously guilty of rob-
bery and knavery of every kind, than at the very
time in which they were paying homage to the God-
dess of Reason, and overthrowing every other altar ;
consequently M. de M*** must maintain, according
to his way of arguing, that such enormities were
owing to the immorality of reason. He endeavours
to support his assertion by the examples of several
nations subject to the Russian empire, which are not
of the Greek communion. He is, however, much
mistaken : the Livonians and Estonians, whom he
names among others, are as much addicted to theft
and drunkenness as the Russians ; and the Tochera-
nists and the Tunguoes, among whom I myself have
been, have by no means a better reputation.

In general M. de M*** suffers himself to be drawn
into the strangest paradoxes and most palpable con-
tradictions. In support of this charge I shall men-
tion the singular motive to which he ascribes the
source of Russian hospitality. — " Their possessions,"

• The moment after I had written this, I rend the
following piece of intelligence in the Clef du Cabinet :
"Plunder and robbery are so common in France, that many
people consider themselves unfortunate merely for want of
opportunities of committing such crimes." Shall we form
from hence a general opinion of the French .'

APPENDIX. , :251

says he, " are so insecure, that they live, as it were,
but from day to day, and therefore wilUngly dispense
their precarious pittances." Never since Russia has
been a country have such motives of hospitahty
prevailed. To this I may add the disdainful and
ludicrous manner in which he speaks of the Russian
soldiers. ** They are brave," says he, " out of
cowardice." One would imagine M. de M*** had
belonged to M. Schleget's school, so ridiculous is his
extravagance, and so extravagant his ridicule.

At page 113, it is the Russian ladies' turn to be
ill-treated, in order that neither sex nor condition
may find quarter with him. M. de M*** names
three or four husbands, who, according to the family
anecdotes he has heard, are ruled by their wives ;
and he concludes from thence, that petticoat-govern-
ment prevails all over the empire. A man who on
every occasion names the French as models of per-
fection, should refrain from touching upon that
point, as there is no country in Europe in which
females have had, and still have, so much influence
as in France. His anecdotes besides are not authen-
tic. Where he asserts that count Puschkin, who
commanded in Finland, dared not make a movement
without having dispatched a courier to his lady for
advice, I should be inclined to consider it as mere
pleasantry, if he did not support it by the most
serious assertions. It is likewise not true, that ma-
dame de Merlin commanded the regiment of Tobolsk
at Narva, as no colonel of that name had ever been
at the head of it. It had been for some time com-
manded by a Russian of the name of Merlin : the
officers were chiefly Germans and French, and 1
never knew any of them mean enough to make their
reports to madame Merlin at her toilet.

At page 121, he observes, " I am not the first who
has remarked, that in Russia the women are in
general more barbarous and wicked than the men,
inasmuch as they are still more ignorant and supers

252 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

stitious. They seldom travel, learn scarcely any-
thing, and never use their needle. They rarely ever
read, and are still seldomer employed in domestic
concerns."

1 know not whether M. de M*** has seen more
good company in Russia than I have ; but I can with
great truth assert, I have everywhere found just the
contrary of what he is pleased to advance. The
ladies of Petersburg!! are not indeed free from the
failings which are in general ascribed to those of all
great cities, but they possess virtues for which we
may look in vain in many other capitals.

The horrid things M. de M*** relates of princess
K — ky, prove nothing. Let the author read * Klem's
Annals of the Government of Prussia,' and he will
find the story of a woman still more execrable, who
tortured her own daughter to death : it would, how-
ever, be silly to conclude from thence, that the
Prussian women are cruel. It is besides remarkable
enough, that M. de M*** should conceal the name
of his fury, and treat her in other respects with such
apparent favour. Throughout his book he does not
scruple to name at full length whatever worthy or
distinguished person he wishes to defame, and this
abominable woman is spared. His sympathy per-
haps suggested this indulgence. He is also equally
kind to another lady of the court, who had shut up
her hair-dresser for three years together in a dark
cage. Why does not the author, who names every
one else, tell the world who this monster is ? Why
has she escaped his indignation any more than the
worthy baron de Nicolai, and a hundred others, who
never shut up people in cages ?

I beg leave to doubt the existence of the horrible
Club Physique, said to have been discovered at Moscow.
The report indeed reached me, as it did M, de M***,
hut I have no better proofs of the truth of it than
he has. Besides, if such club did exist, it is not
more injurious to the reputation of the Russian

APPENDIX. 253

women than the associations of the same kind which
formerly administered their poison in Paris, and
perhaps still do, are to the French women in general.
At page 135, M. de M*** says, "It is not in
Russia we must look for women like the Julia of
Rousseau, as the land of slavery is not the scene of
the tender and elevated passions.'* Yet he discovers
in that very country much sensibility, and much
interesting melancholy. What contradictions !

At page 136, he says, "The Russian women rarely
possess any of the domestic virtues. Those virtues
are indeed uncommon in great cities." If M. de
M*** had seen more of Russia than what he could
have seen at Petersburg!!, he would perhaps have
held a diflferent language. I say perhaps, for it is
probable he would have surveyed everything with a
jaundiced eye.

While the author treats the Russian ladies with
such severity, he reserves all his panegyric for the
class of preceptors ; who, according to his account,
have emi'^ently contributed to civilize the country.
I recollect to have heard that JM. de M*** began his
career in that line, and this accounts for his par-
tiality. The Germans, as one might have foreseen,
are made to serve as shades to the picture, and he
takes care to ridicule their pedagogical ei-udition.

One of the most flagrant falsities in his book is
the assertion he has made, " that there are no public
schools in the provinces of Livonia, Estonia, and
Courland.'*' The academy of nobles at Revel, the
excellent public seminary of that town, the academy
of Riga, and many other establishments of this kind
in the same place, are so generally and so advantage-
ously known, that we cannot tax the writer with
ignorance, but must ascribe his assertions to more
odious motives. The schools of these provinces are,
in some respects, preferable to those in Germany ;
and it is well known, that the young Livonians,
Estonians, and Courlanders, who finish their educa-

VOL, II. Y

254 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

tion at German universities, are generally remarkable
for elegant erudition.

At page 211, the author relates his own history ;
and with singular modesty he declares, that he ren-
dered himself dear to his friends by the gentleness of
his manners, and gained their esteem by his wit and
good sense. He quotes, with much complacency, a
kind of apology, which appeared in the name of his
relations and friends in M. d'Archenholtz's * Miner-
va,' and which censured the too hasty conduct of the
emperor towards him. Of this piece he gives a lite-
ral translation in his memoirs. I am sorry, however,
to be forced to convince him of his error : the author
of this apology is no other person than myself.
Among all his boasted relations not a soul stood
forward in his behalf. I thought to have done him
some service by publishing the paper. M. d'Archen-
holtz himself can confirm this fact, to whom I sent
at the same time another piece, intitled, ' On the
Administration of Justice in Russia, in the German
Provinces,' but without affixing any name. At that
period, I believed M. de M*** to have been entirely
innocent. I should have been far from espousing
his cause, had I known what he has since given us
to understand (page 233), that he was concerned in
certain political plans. I conceived him to be inno-
cent of the charge, as his interest and hifluence were
very low, and the pretended Philadelphic Society
signified nothing at all. His pertness, however,
shews that the emperor Paul acted wisely in sending
him out of his dominions. It is not true that the
emperor sequestrated the fortunes of the two mes-
dames de JVl***. The elder brother conveyed his
fortune out of the country ; and if the younger did
not do so also, it was because he has a law-suit at
Petersburgh, which enabled his adversary to claim
and to obtain security.

At the close of these remarks I shall insert one of
the most ofl'ensive passages in the * Memoirs,* relative

APPENDIX. 255

to the slavery of the peasants, and to which 1 shall
freely add some observations of my own. Heaven
be praised ! the moment is now arrived in which it
is not dangerous to speak, and in which likewise a
hint properly applied may be attended with very
salutary effects.

*' The lower ranks of people in Russia," says
M. de M***, " are averse to industry, because they
never labour for themselves, and have in fact no idea
of property. They are without country, laws, reli-
gion, morality, or honour; addicted to theft, to
rapine, to knavery ; and, on the other hand, they
are hospitable, serviceable, lively, trusty, and cou-
rageous." (What contradictions, what incompatible
contradictions !) " hi order that a few thousand
men should have wheaten bread, thirty milhons of
slaves must eat grass and gnaw the bark of trees like
beavers ; which animals, in point of intelligence, are
much their superiors. Should these wretched peo-
ple have laid up a pittance, their masters take it from
them, and render their captivity still more abject.
Men with grey heads and patriarchal beards pros-
trate themselves on the ground, and suffer them-
selves to be flogged like children. There are some
masters who have even forced the son to scourge his
own father. If the peasant is taken for a soldier,
his lord has a right to give his wife to another ; and
if he have any children, they are so disposed of that
he is certain never to see them again."

It would be superfluous to refute all these horrid
assertions. Every atrocity which might perhaps have
been committed one single time, is carefully collected
by M. de M * * *, and transformed into a national
custom or a fundamental law. Exaggerations only
tend to make bad worse, and counteract the good
Avhich might result from cool and impartial dis-
cussion.

For my own part, I have always found in my
different joumies through Russia, that the peasants

256 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

are laborious and active, that they love their country,
have distinct notions of right and wrong, are iii
general in easy circumstances, and that their habita-
tions are clean and neat, their disposition gay, and
that contentment is marked upon their countenances.
They are not unacquainted with the nature of pro-
perty and possessions ; they are sensible that when
they have saved a little sum, they can offer it to their
master, and thereby obtain his leave to exercise
their industry from the extremities of the empire to
the metropolis. They know, and they have seen,
that a hundred thousand of their comrades have
obtained these benefits, and they themselves aspire
to the same advantages. Their principal traffic con-
sists in fish, wood, and vegetables ; and their labour
is employed in brick-making, tiling, masonry, car-
penters' work, &c. In a word, the gloomy picture
M. de M*** draws is, at most, applicable to the
peasantry of Livonia and Estonia, and not at all to
those of the empire at large.

I shall not deny that the author is in a great de-
gree right respecting these two provinces. I shall
confine my remarks to Estonia, being better ac-
quainted with it tlian with Livonia. There, I must
confess, the peasant has neither property nor the
prospect of possessing any. He is a slave in every
sense of the word, and a negro in Jamaica has no
cause to envy his lot.

Far be it from me to insinuate that all the nobles
of Estonia are tyrants : there are many among
them who respect the laws of humanity ; and the
following, I have the pleasure to observe from my
own knowledge, come under that description :
Messrs de Toll of Elz, d'Essen of Erras, Wilkinson
of Chudleigh, d'Ungern-Sternberg of Linden, de
Sckilling of Orsena, de Krusentern of Jerlap, de
Mayendorf of Sallentack, de Rosen of Rackamoii,
de Rebinder of Kurtena, de Klugen of Schwarzen,
de Klugen of Lodensee, de Rennekampf of Koch,

APPENDIX. 257

&c. &c. I could considerably augment the list, but
it would be useless while a part only of the rest are
unhke them. A peasant may have the good fortune
to live twenty or thirty years under a kind master :
twelve months after, perhaps, the estate is sold :
the new landlord, eager to make the most of his
purchase, may remove whole villages into the
marshes, and take possession himself of the culti-
vated ground. He will probably make contracts
with government for brandy, and by that means
ruin all his peasants. He may likewise grub up
new land, build houses ; in a word, destroy in the
space of two or three years the prosperity and hap-
piness that had been the growth of twenty.

I call upon the whole province to refute me, if they
are able. What I am asserting is unfortunately too
true ; I have seen it. 1 have been a sad witness to
such practices for the space of fifteen years. But
notwithstanding this, I am far from exclaiming, like
M. de M***, that the condition of the peasantry can
never be bettered, except by tedious and painful mea-
sures. I am of a different opinion. I agree with him
that such reform must be gradually brought about.
The best, and indeed the majority, of the Russian
nobility have made overtures in several diets, tending
to such purpose, which were equally wise and hu-
mane ; and the time, 1 trust, is not far distant, in
which the complaints of the peasants will be heard,
and their wrongs redressed.

I shall venture to propose four easy methods, which,
without doing any real injury to either party, would
secure a kind of property to the bondman, and restrain
the despotism of his lord ; and I must at the same
time declare, that more than what I have to offer
could not with safety be done for the peasant in the
present order of things.

First : — No peasant should be transported from one
habitation to another.

At present, as I have already observed, the bar-

258 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

barous custom of removing the boor from the spot
which he and his ancestors had cultivated, unhappily
prevails. He has occupied a house, and had a little
garden, perhaps, which he considered as his own
property. On a sudden he receives an order to demo-
lish his house, abandon his cultured ground, and to
remove with his family into a forest, or perhaps into
the middle of a moor, to grub up new land, which
the moment it becomes productive is again taken
from him. In the meanwhile, his lord sows and
reaps the field which the poor peasant had been com-
pelled to quit.

Hence the labourer, being never certain of enjoying
the fruits of his toil, is generally idle, and provides
only from day to day. The most floiuishing villages
that have been transplanted in this manner, have, in
a very short space of time, exhibited the most de-
plorable pictures of misery.

The Estonian nobles will reply to this, that a good
landlord will make no such changes. I allow this,
yet must add, that he ought not to have it in his
power to make them. But it will be said, that a good
master will not make a bad use of that right ; yet it
may be still observed, that he cannot answer for his
heirs and successors, and that there is no reason why
a duty, which every honest man considers as a law,
should not in fact become one.

Secondly : — Let the soccage -labour, which hitherto
has depended on the arbitrary will of the landlord, be
in future regulated by fixed rules.

There is indeed a book in every lordship, in which
the sum total of the soccage-work is inserted ; but
this labour is doubled during seed-time and ma-
nuring, and also during harvest, which, in other
words, is during the whole summer ; for a landlord
who prefers his own interest, knows how to regulate
the above-mentioned periods so that scarcely any
interval appears. The landlord has likewise another
expedient at command, which enables him to elude

APPENDIX. 269

the written ordinances. He has the right of imposing
certain days of labour, independent of the soccage-
days, on which tlie peasant, with his whole family,
male and female, must assist him. The peasant too
is obliged to repair in person at every call of his lord ;
to build for him, carry his produce to market, distil
brandy, and in short to perform offices not at all
comprised under the name of agriculture. The
number of these extra days is quite unlimited, and the
peasant's own labour in the meanwhile is interrupted,
his field remains untilled, his affairs are neglected,
and it often happens that the snow covers his little
crop before he is able to get it into his barn. In fine,
the book contains no certain rules for soccage-work of
any kind, as every new possessor is not obliged to
abide by the stipulations sanctioned by his predecessor :
he makes new regulations, which he forms agreeably
to his own will.

Thirdly : — There should be no pubHc-houses in the
villages.

All the Estonian nobles complain of the drunken-
ness of the peasantry, and of their total want of
morals. They universally agree that tbe principal
cause of this evil must be ascribed to the public-
houses, and that the villages in which there are none
are remarkable for the good order and easy circum-
stances of the inhabitants. Yet, in spite of this
conviction, the little profits they gain by the establish-
ment of such houses, prevent them from abolishing
so manifest an abuse. They have public-houses by
the hundred along the high-roads, yet they cannot
come to a resolution to give up those in the by-
villages, though they would eventually be gainers.

The inconvenience of public-houses in villages has
been so generally acknowledged, that at a late diet a
motion was made to abolish them ; but the result of
the discussion was, that it was found the article of
brandy must be raised a few copecks a gallon, in order
to indemnify the distillers for its diminished consump-

260 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

tion — a remedy which was thought worse than the
evil itself !

Fourthly : — The landlords should not be allowed to
make more brandy than they can distil from rye of
their own growth.

The speculations which are made in spirituous li-
quors, independently of the bad consequences which
fall on the peasant, often ruin his lord. He com-
monly makes a contract with government for six
years, in which he undertakes to furnish brandy at a
stipulated price, which, at tlie time the business
begins, seems to promise much gain. Should a year
of scarcity intervene, the markets rise, and he is
obliged to buy grain at any rate ; for the moment he
fails in his engagements the crown lays his estates
under sequestration, and purcbases brandy at his
cost to supply the necessary consumption. Thus is
the landholder Hable to sink in one single year the
gains of the other five ; nor does it always happen
that his profits are sufficient to make his losses good.
I know not a single noble who has grown rich, but
many who have been ruined, by such speculations.

The nobles of Estonia will observe in reply, that
they should have no manure for their grounds unless
they fattened oxen, and that they could not fatten
oxen without the assistance of their distilleries. Let
them be allowed then to distil, provided their own
crops supply the corn ; but let them give more atten-
tion to the breed of sheep, and less tp that of homed
cattle, and they will never be in want of manure.
They may still reply, that the cattle sent lean from
Petersburgh to be fattened, produced them ready
money (twenty roubles and upwards a-liead), whereas
in the other case, they would be incumbered with the
milk of their flocks. It appears to me, that if they
were to make butter and cheese, after the example of
the Dutch, the Swedes, the Holsteiners, &c, they
might find a quick sale at Petersburgh, where the
inhabitants are chiefly supplied from Holstein.

APPENDIX. 261

A second objection which these nobles may make
is, that the landholders at a great distance from
Petersburgh, being inconveniently situated for brandy
contracts, would not know what to do with their
grain if they did not sell it to such as hved nearer the
metropolis, who had contracts, and whose estates did
not produce grain sufficient to fulfil them. Were they
not to dispose of their com in this manner, the
markets, they will tell us, would be overstocked, and
agricultm-e in general much injured. This objection,
however, is more specious than solid ; for where grain
is scarce it bears a high price, and where it is had in
plenty, exportation is always allowed ; and Sweden,
England, Germany, and other countries, are eager
enough to purchase it.

These hints contain all that is necessary to be said
on the subject ; and I am fully convinced, that if the
nobles of Estonia would agree among themselves to
adopt the measures 1 have recommended, they would
soon feel the salutary effects of them. Two hundred
thousand slaves would obtain a species of property,
and transfer it to their children after them. They
would grow active and laborious ; moral sentiments
would begin to influence their minds as soon as they
should feel themselves no longer the victims to a more
arbitrary despotism than that which the emperor him-
self chuses to exert. They would no longer perish
for want, were their soccage-labour properly regu-
lated, as they would then have sufficient leisure for
the tillage of their own fields. They would learn to
love their lords, and their lords would have confidence
in them, and at length be no longer considered by all
Europe as a class of petty tyrants and oppressors.
After ten or twenty years adoption of such measures,
they may venture to proceed farther in favour of
their boors, and at last raise them to a degree of moral
improvement which would not only repay their care
in an interested point of view, but gratify the noblest
feeling the mind is capable of enjoying — a conscious-

262 LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

ness of having fulfilled the sacred duties of humanity,
and of deserving the multiplied benedictions that will
fall upon their heads !

The Estonian nobility are far from being insensible
to such elevated kind of recompense : they have
hitherto merely wanted resolution to adopt what they
felt it their duty to do ; but the reign of Alexander
will act as a powerful stimulus to such benevolent
propensities, and much happiness may be yet in store
for their peasantry !

I cannot better close my work than with the extract
of a letter which the present emperor lately wrote to
a nobleman who had solicited the hereditary possession
of an estate.

" The Russian peasants are in general no better
than slaves, and I need not enlarge upon the degra-
dation and wretchedness of such a condition. I have
made a vow not to augment the number of them, and
have therefore adopted the resolution of never trans-
ferring them away as property to any man. The
estate shall be granted to you and your heirs at a long
lease and quit-rent, which will prove equally advan-
tageous to you ; and the only difference will be, that
the peasants cannot be sold or alienated like brute
beasts. Such are ray reasons, and I am persuaded
they will meet with your approbation.*'

Glory and honour to this humane and compassionate
monarch ! He will want neither brass nor marble to
perpetuate his memory ! The sentiments which the
above short extract contains will secure immortality
to his name in the bosom of every worthy man !

SEQUEL

TO THE LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

Those who have been duly impressed with the Hght
and presumptuous character of Kotzebue, even as
dehneated by himself, will not be surprised to learn,
that (delighted as he was with his escape from Russia)
a few years only had elapsed before he was again in
the service of the emperor Alexander ; by whom, in
1813, he was appointed consul-general at Konings-
berg. The nature of the services which entitled
him to the attention of that active sovereign are not
set very fairly before the public ; but, looking to the
sequel, there is no small reason to beheve that his
pliancy and servility of character made him a useful
and active minor agent in the service of a government
like that of Russia, whose solicitude to acquire influ-
ence in Germany, and indeed all over the continent,
has been long so remarkable. Whether owing to ill-
health, unfitness for the office, or, what is still more
likely, the great change which soon after took place
in Europe, which produced a ditTerent employment
for him, he resigned his consulshij) after a while, and
suddenly made his appearance at Weimar, his native
place, as a private individual. Having announced
his intention of being regarded simply as an inde})en-
dent man of letters, he was cordially received in tliat
character ; and few were prepared to detect in a man,
who had endured so much from the caprice of des-

264 SEQUEL TO THE

potism, a hireling engaged to lend his aid to facilitate
the endeavours of the prince who had succeeded to it,
to interfere with and influence the domestic progress
of his own country. Having thus far made his ground
good, however, he suddenly surprised the public with
the display of an imperial Russian patent, creating him
the accredited diplomatic agent of that court at Weimar.
By subsequent information, it was discovered that he
received a yearly stipend of 15,000 roubles, for trans-
mitting extracts from the newspapers, and other pub-
lications connected with passing events in Germany ;
and particularly from writers whose views were
uncongenial with those of the Russian cabinet. He
was also entrusted with the duty of making reports
directly to the emperor Alexander himself, on the state
of literature and public opinion generally.

It is scarcely necessary to observe, that it would
have been impossible for Kotzebue, under any cir-
cumstances, to render so invidious an occupation
pleasing to his countrymen, against whom it amounted
to an assumption of the degrading office of foreign
overseer. In the then excited state of Germany,
heated with expectation of grateful concessions on
the part of its rulers, and by delusive anticipations of
representative systems, it became doubly odious. M.
Kotzebue not only established a weekly literary jour-
nal, in opposition to every species of political amelio-
ration, but exhibited a marked enmity to the liberty
of the press, which he thus unnationally prostituted.
The first glaring exposure of this venal and indefen-
sible conduct was occasioned either by the awkward-
ness or treachery of a transcriber, who consigned a
written paper, intended for the perusal of the emperor
Alexander, and in the hand-writing of Kotzebue, to
the opponent of the latter ; in which paper that oppo-
nent and his journal were described as " two of the
most detestable instruments of hell." Luden, the
journalist in question, immediately published this
tirade in his own paper, the * Nemesis ;* on which

LIFE OF KOTZEEUE. 265

Kotzebue boldly avowed it • but, at the same time,
not only availed himself of his Russian patent to stop
the sale of the * Nemesis,' but charged the editor
with theft, and a breach of the laws of diplomacy, for
publishing a private communication addressed to the
emperor of Russia.

The interdiction and proceedings ultimately, con-
sequent upon an appeal to justice, were however
totally ineffectual in the prevention of publicity. This
extraordinary bulletin having been instantly copied
into the other journals, an universal expression of
indignation was uttered throughout Germany. Re-
garded as a hireling and a traitor to his country, the
finger of scorn was pointed at Kotzebue in a thousand
directions ; and, powerfully protected as he was by
the influence of the great power who employed him,
he found it necessary to change his position. In the
summer of 1818 he accordingly quitted Weimar, and,
accompanied by his family, settled at Manheim, where
his literary and diplomatic labours were resumed with
increased activity; and, unfortunately for him, he
began to point 'his pen more directly against the
enthusiastic anticipations and theoretical notions of
liberty which (roused as German mind had been by
late events) had become the distinguishing character-
istic of the great mass of the students at the various
German universities. Had the labours of Kotzebue
only tended to repress the visionary excesses of a
spirit, which had not only been formally appealed to
for the dehverance of the country, but had materially
assisted to effect it, he might have been praised by
the reflective of every party. Had he even appeared
simply as a party writer in defence of absolute sway
and existing institutions, good or bad, he would have
shared the anger which he incurred with many jour-
nahsts, both in his own and other countries ; but the
wiiter who thus assailed the centre of youthful and
national enthusiasm, was a stipendiary in the service
of an encroaching power, whose interference with the

266 SEQUEL TO THE

internal progress of Germany was deemed a gross
and injurious usurpation, that every real German,
whatever his private opinion, was bound to resist.
Hence, on the occurrence of the celebrated tumult at
Gottingen, which originated in a fray between the
towns-people and students, and ended with the dis-
persion for a time of 1200 scholars, when Kotzebue
stepped forward to applaud the severity, and call for
an imitation of it in other places, the indignation
excited among the students was very great. It is
scarcely, therefore, a subject of wonder, under such
circumstances, tliat a spark of dangerous enthusiasm
should catch one heated and disordered mind, out of
so many thousands in a state of mental fusion, and
doom a versatile dramatist and venal party writer,
with some talent, but more levity and presumption,
-to the death of a Caessr.

A young student of theology, named Charles Louis
Sand, was destined to produce the melancholy catas-
trophe which terminated the motley career of Au-
gustus von Kotzebue. He was born of respectable
parents at Weinsedel, in the margraviate of Baireutb,
and was noted from his earliest years for modesty of
deportment, mildness of disposition, and exemplary
propriety of conduct. Of a grave and reflective tem-
perament, when he reached adolescence, he was deeply
impressed with the melancholy state of his country,
from foreign invasion, and what he deemed domestic
oppression, and in common with many thousands of
young men who were similarly excited, obeyed in
1815 the appeal made by Austria to their public spirit
and patriotism, by joining its standard against Napo-
leon, after his return from Elba. When the field of
Waterloo terminated that memorable warfare. Sand
returned home, carrying with him unqualified testi-
monials of approbation from his superiors, and the
warm regard of his comjianions in arms. He remained
only a short time with his family, and then hastened
to resume the course of his studies, which were pro-

LIFE OF KOTZEEUE. 267

secuted with unabated ardour at the universities of
Erlangen, Tubengen, and Jena. Every account com-
municated respecting this young man, ^vhile passing
throiigh the above seminaries, tends to estabUsh a
high opinion of his talents and diligence as a scholar,
and strict morality as a man. It was at Tubengen
that those men intimately acquainted with him, first
observed the sombre and meditative cast which his
character began to assume. At Jena, owing to his
increasing disappointment at the conduct of Austria
and Prussia in regard to domestic amelioration, this
melancholy assumed a still darker hue, and that
morbid feeling was engendered, which, receiving
aliment from the noblest views and sources, unhappily
turned to poison in the process, and destroyed the
mind which harboured it with so much intensity. It
would appear as if a due diversity of thought and
feeling was essential to mental health ; for seldom
can it rest upon one or two associations, whether
brilliant or darksome, without injury. Some strong
and useful particular results may, indeed, now and
then follow ; but, as in the case of Sand, even these
are often tainted and vitiated by the narrowness and
exclusiveness of the premises on which they are
founded.

While at Jena, Sand was not only a witness to, but
a participator in, the literary feud to which the violent
comments and other extraordinary conduct of Kotzebue
had given rise ; and whenever the subject was dis-
cussed in his presence, he warmly expressed the
abhorrence in which he held the foreign stipendiary
and political apostate — epithets now generally applied
to Kotzebue throughout Germany. To such a pitch
of impetuous energy was he occasionally carried, that
he would often terminate his vituperations with an
observation that it had become a duty to destroy him ;
adding, with an air of the utmost composure, that he
himself was prepared to strike the blow. Owing to
the characteristic mildness of his disposition, these

268 SEQUEL TO THE

indications of latent unsoundness of mind were regarded
merely as the offspring of momentary anger. The
delusive train of reasoning by which he was actuated
was, however, conclusive in his own estimation, and
he prepared to execute the office which he had
assigned to himself, with a degree of precision, and
composure, and self-devotion which, had his ratiocina-
tion been untainted, must have created universal
respect. It was otherwise ; and all that can be afforded
is, admiration of the native elevation of the mind thus
unhappily perverted.

The mental conflict which had for some time past
been labouring in the bosom of this extraordinary
young man, had at length assumed the form of resolve.
Having concluded his necessary course of study, he
left Jena early on the 9th March 1819, as it is sup-
posed on foot, and very scantily supplied with
money ; neither did he take leave of any one, or make
a single confidant of his intentions. He merely as-
sumed the old German costume, and passing one day
in the company of a friend at Frankfort, reached INIan-
heim on the 23d. Taking up his abode at an hotel,
under the name of Henricks, he immediately made
himself acquainted with the residence of Kotzebue, at
whose door he called twice the same morning, stating
that he had letters to deliver from Weimar. As the
latter was in the habit of devoting his mornings to
literary pursuits, and going out at twelve o'clock, the
stranger could not then gain admission, but was told
to return in the evening, the usual time of receiving
visitors. Sand accordingly withdrew to his inn, and
not only dhied heartily at the public table, but meet-
ing with a village curate among the company, passed
more than two hours with him in the most cheerful
and animated conversation.

Taking leave of his companion a little before five
o'clock, he again proceeded to the scene of action ;
and althougli he found several ladies who were going
to visit madame Kotzebue, it did not appear in the

LIFE OF KOTZEBUE. 269

least to disconcert him, or tend in any manner to
alter his design. Having rung the bell, the door was
immediately opened, upon which Sand bowing, suffered
the ladies to enter before him, and while they were
shewn into the drawing room, he remained in the hall,
until his name was sent up, when he. was ushered into
a room, and informed that J\I. Kotzebue would wait
upon him. When the company arrived, the latter was
seated with his family, and after the usual compliments
were exchanged, it has been confidently asserted, that
while holding his youngest son, scarcely two months
old in his arms, he observed to the ladies present, " I
was exactly the age of this child when my father
died !"

It is supposed that Sand employed the short interval
of being left alone, in preparing to strike the medi-
tated blow ; for scarcely had his unsuspecting victim
entered the apartment, when, with irresistible dex-
terity, he plunged a long poniard into his body ; the
blow being given with such force, that the weapon
penetrated the fourth rib on the left side, and inflicted
a mortal wound in the heart. The unfortunate suf-
ferer most probably attempted to disarm his assailant,
as both fell to the ground. Sand was, however, soon
enabled to disengage himself from the convulsive
grasp of the object of his vengeance, and, to prevent
the possibility of failure in his sanguinary purpose, he
inflicted three more wounds on the dying man, one of
which perforating the breast, entered the lungs.

Upon hearing the fall, followed by the groans of M.
Kotzebue, a servant hurried to the fatal spot, and
found his master extended on the floor and weltering
in his blood, while the unhappy perpetrator of the
deed knelt by with the dagger in his hand, and coolly
contemplated the victim of his fatal enthusiasm. The
latter had by this time lost much blood, and was
breathing his last, when the cries of the servant having
alarmed the ladies, they rushed into the room, and

270 SEQUEL TO TTIE

with frantic' screams beheld the horrid spectacle,
while Sand, still continued to grasp the weapon, and,
unmoved by all that was passing, to gaze on the
bleeding corpse. Some of the affrighted party now
called from the window for help and a surgeon, while
Emily, the eldest daughter of M. Kotzebue, aided by
a valet de chambre, removed the dead body of her
father into another apartment.

Whilst the family and visitors manifested all this
consternation and woe. Sand, after the removal of the
corpse, composed and collected, seemed quietly to
await his doom. Before the wished for succour
arrived, however, he rose and descended the stair-
case, exclaiming, " The traitor has fallen .'" On his
reaching the outer door, the street was already
thronged with a great concourse of people : rushing
violently through the crowd, he cast a hasty and in-
dignant glance at the windows, where several per-
sons were still crying murder ; and then raising the
poniard with one hand, while a written paper was ob-
served in the other, he exclaimed, " / am the mur-
derer; but it is thus that all traitors should die!"
Even at this avowal, so impressive were his gestures
and language, that no one attempted either to seize
or disarm him, and the enthusiast having knelt
down with an air of great solemnity, first looked to-
wards the house in wliich the dreadful act had been
perpetrated, then clasped his hands, which he raised
to heaven, and said, " / thank thee, oh God, for having-
permitted me successfully to fulfil this act of Justice."
From this exclamation and the tenor of a paper which
he held up, on which was inscribed, ^' Death-blow for
Augustus von Kotzebue, in the name of Virtue /" the
excited state of his mind was evident ; yet no one
attempted to seize the dagger. No sooner, therefore,
had he terminated the last exclamation, than tearing
open his ovm waistcoat, he repeatedly plunged the
weapon into his own bosom, and immediately fell to

LIFE OF KOTZEBUE. 271

the ground, where he remained until the- magistracy,
by this time apprised of the event, gave directions
for his removal to the public hospital.

It will readily be imagined that this shocking occur-
rence produced a considerable sensation at Manheim,
which was greatly heightened by the impossibility of
tracing it to any specific cause. An official intimation
of the fact was sent off to Carlsrhue, and a special
courier dispatched to Jena, charged with a request to
the proper authorities to seal up all Sand's papers.
Nothing was however found among them calculated
to throw the smallest light on the apparent mystery,
except the commencement of a letter which stated,
** I go to meet my fate — the scaffold." There was
not the least trace of any accomplice to be found in
his writhigs, so that everything remained to be ex-
plained by himself, or not at all; a circumstance
which induced the highest authority at Carlsrhue to
direct that every possible exertion should be made to
save his life. The resolution of the self-devoted en-
thusiast rendered this a difficult task. On recovery
from the fainting fits occasioned by excessive loss of
blood, the first effort of Sand was to tear off the ban-
dages and dressings from his wounds, which being
prevented by the confinement of his hands, a repeti-
tion of fainting fits followed. After an attentive ex-
amination, it was discovered that, although the lungs
were dangerously wounded, a hope might be indulged
that his life could be preserved long enough to enable
him to make uitelligible replies to any questions the
magistrates might be desirous to put to him. In fact,
he did recover his speech the next day ; but only em-
ployed it to ejaculate a few prayers. At the same time
he bore his sufferings, which were of a most agonizing
description, with a degree of patience and resignation,
that, in a cause more rationally grounded, would have
been truly elevated. His beautiful person, extreme
composure, and apparent self-satisfaction, and possibly
a latent involuntary sympathy with his motives, in-

272 SEQUEL TO THE

spired such general interest, that hundreds flocked to
see him ; and he was interrogated twice a day as long
as his strength and articulation permitted. It ap-
peared from his replies, that he had resolved on the
death of Kotzebue six months before ; but he added,
that it had cost him many a bitter pang and painful
struggle with his conscience, before a conviction of
its paramount necessity finally determined him to
become his executioner. " But Kotzebue must have
died," he would exclaim, as his mind heated on the
subject ; ** the general interests of Germany demanded
it, for his manifold offences against the country and
the people." Pursuing the same strain, he pitied
the family of the sufferer, although he deemed the
action meritorious, and himself another Brutus, who
had delivered his beloved country.*

* As it is not the story of Sand which is our subject, it
■will be sufficient to remark here, that he so far recovered as
to be made a public spectacle on the scaffold; nor can
justice be accused for subjecting' him to this rigid expia-
tion. Yet such was the mingled feeling that his fate
excited, it may be doubted if it did not prove more injurious
to the memory of Kotzebue than to his own. The clearest
deductions of reason will not always be followed by the
heart; and possibly, provided the tribunals of executive
justice keep clear of dangerous and equivocal sympathies, a
court of appeal in favour of virtuous motive may be safely
left to the common sense and common feelings of mankind.
The insanity of Sand was a bad effect from a noble cause ;
and leaping, like another Curtius, into a gulf, for the pre-
sumed benefit of his country, however deluded as to the
necessity, pity is more due to him than anger, after having
paid that political tribute to the prevention of crime, which,
for the good of society in such extraordinary circumstances,
must be strictly levied. Be this as it may, the fate of Sand
produced no small share of sympathy in his own country;
and that of Kotzebue very little, except am.ong the very few
who participated in his unpopular politics, or sought to
connect the wild and isolated proceeding of a " noble mind
overthrown," with regular plot and conspiracy. Nothing
of this, however, was or could be proved. When cooler

LIFE OF KOTZEBUE. 273

Thus, at the age of fifty-eight, terminated the ver-
satile career of Augustus von Kotzebue, whose cha-
racter may be collected with tolerable fairness from
his works, his biography, and the occupations and
engagements which preceded his melancholy decease.
It is said that the catastrophe in question was not
unapprehended by him ; and certainly any man who
renders himself very popularly obnoxious, in a season
of high excitement, may reasonably be apprehensive
of danger. Still it may be regarded as curious, that
a life like that of Kotzebue should be terminated so
utterly uncongenial with the entire tenor of it. No
man could less merit the glory of martyrdom, on a
political score, than this writer ; and, whatever use
might be made of it, by those whom it supplied with
a portion of serviceable alarm, it is obvious that his
Russian connexion was deemed unpatriotic and im-
proper, even by those who might otherwise agree
with him. As a dramatist, he of course stands
higher than as a politician ; but, even in that depart-
ment, he is more artificial than natural, and more
melo-dramatic and picturesque than profound in the
knowledge of the human heart, or happy in the con-
heads occasionally employ such agents as Sand, if for inde-
fensible, it is still for calculable purposes ; whereas che
death of Kotzebue, thus effected, could only please a few
personal enemies, while it would throw an odium upon
principles, and serve to excuse a stronger course of pro-
ceeding in the very direction that was deprecated. The
most rigid inqoiries produced many testimonies of the
singular operation of enthusiasm upon Sand's own iriind,
but none which shewed that it was influenced by the
reasoning of others. His ardent and melancholic tempera-
ment was, in fact, preyed upon by causes which throbbed
in the bosoms of nearly all the single-minded youth of the
country. It is not to be denied, that it is often necessary to
allay and temper the ardency of spirit which may occasion-
ally turn the heads of amiable young men like Sand ; but
woe to the country which has not something of that sort of
spirit to allay.

274 SEQUEL TO THE LIFE OF KOTZEBUE.

coction of incident or illustration of manners. For
the rest, his own autobiography very tolerably dis-
plays a man, who, with much adroitness, talent, and
facility, can sometimes be clever, and almost always
amusing, but who exhibits little which demands
decided respect, or elicits involuntary admiration.

THE END.

^^1

LONDON:

-. H. nCYNELL, BROAD STU K KT, G C L Dfi > SQT