Republican Herald

PETER THE GREAT'S COTTAGE AT PETERSBURGH.—The house or rather cottage in which Peter the Great resided during the foundation of Petersburgh, stands on the left of the Emperor's bridge, in the road to the fortress. This little building so sacred to the Russians, was covered with a brick building of arcades by the empress, to protect and support it against the ravages of time. The rooms are three, all upon the ground floor, and very low. It was in this cottage that a whimsical scene occurred whilst the fortress was constructing. A Dutch skipper, learning that Petersburgh was building, and that the emperor had a passion for ships and commerce, resolved to try his good fortune there, and accordingly arrived with the first merchant-vessel that ever sailed upon the Neva, and was the bearer of a letter of introduction to the captain of the port, from a friend of his in Holland, requesting him to use his interest in procuring a freight for him. Peter was working like a common laborer in the Admiralty, when the galliot passed and saluted with two or three small guns. The emperor was uncommonly delighted, and having been informed of the Dutchman's business, he resolved to have some frolic with him, and accordingly commanded the port-captain to see the skipper as soon as he landed, and direct him to the emperor, as a merchant just settled there, whom he intended to personate ; and the better to carry on the joke, Peter repaired to the cottage with his empress, who, to humor the plan, dressed herself in a plain bourgeois habit, such as suited the wife of a merchant.

The Dutchman was introduced to the emperor, who received him with great kindness, and they sat and eat bread and cheese, and smoked together for some time, during which the skipper examined the apartment, and he began to think that no one who lived in so mean a place could be of any service to him. When the empress entered, he addressed her by observing that he had brought her a cheese, a much better one than she had ever tasted, for which she cordially thanked him. Being much pleased with her appearance, he took from his coat a piece of linen, of which he begged her acceptance. "Oh! Kate," exclaimed the monarch, "you will be as fine and as proud as an empress; you are a lucky woman, you never had such linen as you now have in your life before!" At this moment Prince Menzikoff, the favorite and minister of Peter, who represented him upon matters of State, entered with all his orders, and stood before the emperor uncovered. The skipper began to stare with amazement whilst Peter by private signs induced the prince to retire. "Why, you appear to have great acquaintances here?" said the Dutchman. "Yes," replied Peter, "and so may you, if you stay here but ten days ; there are plenty of such needy noblemen as the one you saw; they are always in debt, and very glad to borrow money of any one, and they have even found out me; but, sir, beware of these fellows, resist their importunity however flattering, and do not be dazzled by their stars and such trumpery." This explanatory advice put the stranger a little more at ease, who drank and smoked on very cheerfully, and concluded a bargain with the imperial merchant for a cargo.

Just as he had settled this point to his satisfaction, the officer of the guard, who had been exchanged, entered with the report, and before the emperor could prevent him, addressed him by the title of "imperial majesty!" The Dutchman sprang from his chair, fell on his knees before the emperor, and implored forgiveness for the liberty he had taken.—Peter enjoyed the scene, and laughing heartily, raised the terrified suppliant, and made him kiss the empress' hand; presented him with 1500 roubles, gave him a freight, and ordered that his vessel, as long as her timbers remained together, should be permitted to enter all the Russian ports free of duty. This privilege made the rapid fortune of the owner.—Carr's Northern Summer.