ovely princess. Among them was a clock under a
glass case, consisting of a golden tree, with a peacock, an owl, a cock,
a mouse, a stream of running water, and many other things. At each hour
the peacock unfolds his tail, the cock crows, the owl rolls his goggle
eyes, and the mouse runs out of its hole. But far more interesting than
all the crowns of gold, the robes of silk, and the precious gems, are
numerous articles manufactured by the great Peter, and the tools with
which he worked. Among others is the chair on which he sat--a very
rough affair, spy-glasses of huge dimensions, and walking-sticks in
numerable--some thin-made switches, others thick enough to knock down a
giant, with every variety of handle, ending with the old man's crutch, a
complete epitome of human life.

It would be impossible in our journal to mention all the magnificent
pictures collected from every part of Europe, and the vast numbers of
interesting curiosities.

This beautiful palace, as has been remarked, was built by Catherine,
that she might retire to it after the cares of state, and endeavour to
forget them among its varieties and objects of interest. That she
attained the ease and happiness she sought, is more than doubtful.

"Depend on it, my lads," observed Cousin Giles, "that powerful but bad
woman was far from happy amid all the luxury which wealth could give
her. Nothing but a good conscience, void of offence towards God and
man, can bring happiness, and that she had not got."

The Winter Palace is next to the Hermitage. Though much larger, it is
far less interesting, as the interior was burnt down in 1837, when many
fine paintings and articles of value were destroyed. It is said that in
the old palace there resided not less than six thousand persons, some
living in huts constructed on the roof, whence no one thought of
disturbing them. Some thousands no doubt reside also in the present
building.

That moon-stricken monarch, Paul, built a palace for himself, in the
hope that within its fortified walls he might be safe from the attacks
of his enemies. So eager was he to have it finished, that five thousand
men were employed on it daily. To dry the walls, iron plates were made
hot and fastened against them; but what is done in a hurry is generally
ill done, and such was the case in this instance: the cost was three
times greater than it need have been.

Scarcely had the unhappy Emperor inhabited his new abode three mon