Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

believe, which exists; equalling the Louvre and the TuiIIcries put together.

In order to complete the work at the time appointed by the emperor, unheard-of efforts were necessary. The interior Avorks were continued during the great frosts; 6000 Avorkmen were continually employed; of these a considerable number died daily, but the victims were instantly replaced by other champions brought forward to perish, in their turn, in tliis inglorious breach. And the sole end of all these sacrifices was to gratify the caprice of one man !

Among people naturally, that is to say, anciently civilised, the life of men is only exposed when common interests, the urgency of which is universally admitted, demand it. But how many generations of monarchs has not the example of Peter the Great corrupted!

During frosts Avhen the thermometer Avas at 25 to 30 degrees below 0 of Reaumur, 6000 obscure martyrs — martyrs without merit, for their obedience was involuntary — Avere shut up in halls heated to 30 degrees of Reaumur, in order that the Avails might dry more quickly; in entering and leaving tliis abode of death, destined to beeome, by virtue of their sacrifice, the abode of vanity, magnificence, and pleasure. Thus these miserable beings Avould have to endure a difference of 50 to 60 degrees of temperature.

The Avorks in the mines of the Uralian mountains are less inimical to life; and yet the Avorkmen employed at Petersburg Avere not malefactors. I Avas told that those who had to paint the interior of the