4 THE FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 



an air of loyalty, said they could not unless personally 

 released from their previous oath by the Grand Duke to 

 whom they had sworn fealty. 



According to the accounts given to me, arrangements 

 were made for a general insurrection of all the troops in 

 the vicinity of St. Petersburg. The day was fixed for their 

 concentrating on St. Petersburg ; something occurred to 

 disturb that arrangement, and to render expedient a short 

 postponment of the insurrection ; but one regiment did not 

 receive notice of this in proper time, and began their march; 

 the others on hearing this were precipitately mustered 

 and marched from their cazernes, and mustered in the 

 Isaac's Plain. 



The Emperor Nicolas, it is said, came out from his palace 

 to the troops with his son, the late Emperor Alexander 

 II., then a child, in his arms; and addressing the soldiery 

 in a dignified tone, he demanded of them : ' What is it you 

 want ? Is it to take my life, and the life of my son ? If 

 so, we are here; but what will taking our lives benefit you, 

 or advance your purpose ? What better will be your 

 condition ; No, no, my children, stand by your Tsar/ 

 The effect was, as might be imagined, electric ; and en- 

 thusiasm found expression in shouts of loyal attachment 

 to the Tsar. But while some cried 'Long live the 

 Emperor/ by others were raised the cry, Consta.itine e 

 Constitutzio. 



My informant happened to be on the Isaac's Plain when 

 one regiment entered from one direction, and another from 

 another. From their bearing he concluded something un- 

 usual was going on, though what it might be he could not 

 imagine. Wishing to see what might be seen he took up his 

 station along with others between pillars in the wall of the 

 Senate House. When he saw what was occurring fain 

 would he have got to his home ; but this seemed 

 impracticable ; at length a gun was so planted as to sweep 

 the whole Galernoy the street at his feet ; and then he 

 made away with all speed and at all risk, glad enough 

 to get safely to his house. From him I learned not a 



