and dutiful. And, solaced by the company of these persons, enjoying the pleasure of travelling in an agreeable manner through some of the finest parts of Europe, and at Paris, and every other place, treated with the most profound respect and consideration by persons most distinguished for rank or talents, Mrs. Robinson passed those five years with a calm and rational happiness, that, perhaps, made them the most fortunate period of her life.

(To be concluded in our next. )

DESCRIPTION OF THE

TAURIQUE PALACE,

AND OF THE FETE WHICH PRINCE POTEMKIN GAVE THERE TO CATHARINE II.

THE

[From Storch's Picture of Petersburgh.]

HE Taurique palace was the place chosen by Prince Potemkin for the splendid entertainment which he gave his sovereign, and which was considered as a testimony of gratitude for the greatness to which she had raised him. After the death of this favourite, Catharine chose it for her autumnal residence.

The facade of this building is composed of an immense colonnade, supporting a cupola. The entrance is into a grand vestibule, communicating with the apartments on the right and left; and at the farther end is a portico, leading to a second vestibule of prodigious size, receiving light from the top, and surrounded at a great height by a gallery, intended for an orchestra, and containing an organ. From this a double row of pillars leads to the principal saloon, designed for grand entertainments. It is impossible to describe the im-. pression made by this gigantic temple: it is more,

than a hundred paces long, wide in proportion, and is surrounded by a double row of colossal pillars, between which, at mid-height, are boxes ornamented with festoons elegantly sculptured, and lined with silk. From the vaulted roof are suspended globes of glass, which serve as chandeliers, and from which the light is infinitely reflected by looking-glasses, placed at all the extremities of this vast hall. It has neither furniture, nor ornaments, except some vases of Carrara marble, astonishing for their size and the beauty of their workmanship, placed at both ends of the saloon, which are rounded into semicircles. Near this saloon is the winter garden, separated from it only by the colonnade. The vault of this vast edifice is supported by pilasters in the form of palm trees; within the walls are tubes, to conduct heat round the building; and canals of metal, filled with hot water, keep up an uniform temperature under this delightful par

terre.

The eye wanders with rapture over plants and shrubs of every clime, rests with admiration on an antique bust, or views with astonishment the various fishes of all hues in crystal vases. A transparent obelisk reproduces to the eye, under a thousand different tints, these wonders of art and nature; and a grotto, hung with looking-glasses, endlessly reflects them. The delicious temperature, the intoxicating odour of the flowers, and the voluptuous silence of this enchanting place, plunge the mind into pleasing reverie, and transport the imagination to the woods of Italy. The illusion continues, till destroyed by the aspect of all the rudeness and severity of winter, when the enchanted eye wanders out of the windows, and beholds the frost and snow surrounding this magnificent garden. In the midst of this elysium rises the majestic statue of Catharine II, in Persian marble.

Y

On this theatre of his grandeur, Potemkin arranged the preparations for the entertainment he gave his sovereign, before he departed for the southern provinces, where death awaited him. This favourite seemed to have a secret presage of his approaching end, and was desirous yet once more to enjoy all the plenitude of her favour.

The preparations for this entertainment were immense, like every thing to which his imagination gave birth. He employed artists of all kinds for several months: more than a hundred persons assembled daily, to prepare themselves for the parts he had destined them to act, and every rehearsal was a kind of feast.

At length the appointed day arrived to gratify the impatience of the whole capital. Besides the empress and imperial family, Prince Potemkin had invited all the court, the foreign ministers, the Russian nobility, and many individuals of the first ranks in society.

At six in the evening the entertainment was opened with a masked ball. When the carriage of the empress approached, meat, drink, and clothes, of all kinds were distributed in profusion among the assembled populace. The empress entered the vestibule to the sound of lively music, executed by upwards of three hundred performers. Thence she repaired to the principal saloon, whither she was followed by the crowd; and ascended a platform, raised for her in the centre of the saloon, and surrounded by transparent decorations, with appropriate inscriptions. The company arranged themselves under the colonnade, and in the boxes; and then com. menced the second act of this extraordinary spectacle.

The grand dukes, Alexander and Constantine, at the head of the flower of all the young persons about the court, performed a ballet. The dancers,

male and female, were forty-eight in number, all dressed in white, with magnificent scarves, and covered with jewels, estimated to be worth above ten millions of rubles (a million sterling). The ballet was performed to select airs, suitable to the occasion, and interspersed with songs. The celebrated Lepic concluded it with a pas of his own composing.

The company then removed to another saloon, adorned with the richest tapestry the Gobelins could produce. In the centre was an artificial ele phant, covered with rubies and emeralds; and in his cornac was a Persian richly clad. On his giving the signal, by striking on a bell, a curtain rose, and a magnificent stage appeared at the end of the apartment. On it were performed two ballets of a new kind, and a lively comedy, by which the company were much amused, concluded the spectacle. This was followed by chorus singing, va rious dances, and an Asiatic procession, remarkable for its diversity of dresses, all the people subject to the sceptre of the empress being represented in it.

Presently after, all the apartments, illuminated with the greatest care, were thrown open to the eager curiosity of the crowd. The whole palace seemed on fire: the garden was covered with sparkling stones; mirrors innumerable, pyramids, and globes of glass, reflected the magic spectacle in all directions. A table was spread with six hundred covers; and the rest of the guests were served standing. The table service was of gold and silver; the most exquisite dainties were served in vessels of the greatest richness; antique cups overflowed with the most costly liquors; and the most expensive chandeliers gave light to the table. Officers and domestics in great number, richly cloathed, were eager to anticipate the wishes of the guests.

Y z

The empress, contrary to custom, remained till midnight. She seemed to fear her departure would cheek the happiness of her favourite. When she withdrew, numerous bands of singers, and harmonious music, made the vaulted roofs of the palace resound with a hymn to her honour. At this she was so moved, that she turned towards Prince Potemkin to express her satisfaction: he, overpowered by the sentiment of what he owed his Sovereign, fell at her feet, took her hand, and watered it with tears. This was the last time it was in his power to testify his gratitude to the august author of his grandeur in this place.

TE

ANECDOTE OF

GARRICK AND JOHNSON,

ENDING to clear from the character of Garrick that extreme parsimony which many people were once inclined to attach to him-related by the late Albany Wallis, Esq. of Norfolk-street, who was the solicitor and intimate friend of Mr. Garrick.

The conversation happening to turn on the subject of playing, Mr. Garrick was of course brought on the tapis, and, after a discussion of his theatrical merits, his private character became also a matter of investigation; when, on the writer's bringing forward the charge of parsimony, it was immediately answered by Mr. Wallis, with a relation nearly in the following words :

"I can attest, sir, that your suggestion is unfounded; Mr. Garrick, 'tis true, was no more a fool in charity than in other matters, he knew where and how to bestow his liberality." Mr. Wallis then continued to relate as follows: