Descending from the palace to the seashore, the garden is laid out in
terraces, and adorned with fountains, waterfalls, and statuary. Here are
the oak and lime trees, planted by Peter himself, and at the end of one
of the walks is situated Monplaisir, a low Dutch-built summer house,
where the Great Peter breathed his last, and his bed remains untouched
since his death, but is now fast crumbling to decay.

Another day we set off by railway to Tzarskoe Selo, a very extensive
royal residence, and favourite resort of the Imperial family.

At the entrance to the grounds of the palace are two small towers,
covered with Egyptian figures.

The facade of the palace is 1,200 feet in length. Originally every
statue, pedestal and capital of the numerous columns, the vases, carving
and other ornaments in front were covered with gold leaf, costing more
than a million of ducats.

The rooms in this palace, like all others, are richly decorated with
simple white and gold, or hung with rich silks. One very elegant room,
called the lapis lazuli, has strips of this stone inlaid in the walls,
and the floor of this apartment is of ebony, inlaid with large flowers
of mother of pearl, forming one of the most splendid contrasts possible.
But the wonder of this palace is the famous amber room, the walls of
which are literally panelled with this material in various designs.

The state apartments are, as usual, lavishly covered with gold, one part
occupied by a collection of the most splendid China vases, and other
costly articles.

Here are pointed out the simple rooms occupied by the late Emperor
Alexander I, whom all seem to remember with great affection.

His apartments have been kept exactly as he left them when he departed
for Tagannag.

This account of the interior, I should observe, is taken from the guide
book, as we could not obtain admission, being unfortunately on the wrong
day, perhaps the only time we regretted not having with us the
all-important order from Prince Adlerberg. Not gaining admission left us
more time to spend in the grounds, which extend over eighteen miles in
circumference.

The gardens are certainly kept in the very highest order, the trees and
flowers are watched and inspected with the greatest minuteness. An old
invalid soldier commands his 500 or 600 men as gardeners and overseers.
Every leaf that falls in pond or canal is carefully fished up. They trim
and polish the trees and paths in the gardens to t