58 



HISTORY OF GARDENING. 



PART I. 



261. Petrowka contains both an ancient garden, already referred to, and a large extent of 

 ground, laid out in the modern style, and adorned with buildings, from designs by Signor 

 Camporezi. There is some variety of surface, abundance of birch and fir woods, with 

 some oaks and aspens interspersed, and a large piece of water. Among the ornamental 

 buildings is a cotton-manufactory, in actual use as such. The practice of introducing 

 manufactories as garden-buildings, is very general in Russia, and almost peculiar to that 

 country. 



262. Among other gardens near Moscow may be mentioned those of Count Alexy 

 Razumowsky, and of Paschow, in Moscow; of Zaritzina (fig. 24.), a singular Turkish 

 palace, built by Potemkin for Catherine ; of Astankina Count Cheremetow, Peckra, 

 Prince Galitzin, and various others,' which would well bear description. In general, ex- 

 tent, exotics, and magnificent artificial decorations are more the object of the modern style 



24 



in Russia, than scenes merely of picturesque beauty. We think this may be accounted 

 for, partly from the general want of refinement of taste in that country, and partly from 

 its inaptitude for that style. The nobles of Russia, suddenly rendered aware of being 

 distanced in point of civilisation by those of most other European countries, are resolved 

 not merely to imitate, but even to surpass them in the display of wealth. The most 

 obvious marks of distinction, in refined countries, are necessarily first singled out by 

 rude and ambitious minds, and large magnificent houses and gardens are desired, rather 

 than comfortable and elegant apartments, and beautiful or picturesque scenes ; since, as 

 every one knows, it is much more easy to display riches than to possess taste ; to strike 

 by what is grand, than to charm by what is beautiful. 



263. Around Petersburg and Moscow are several public gardens and various private ones, 

 which their owners, with great liberality, convert into places of public entertainment, to 

 which all the people of decent appearance are at liberty to come. The country-seats of 

 the two brothers Nariskin deserve our particular notice, as being frequented on Sundays 

 by great numbers of the higher classes. A friendly invitation, in four different lan- 

 guages, inscribed over the entrance to the grounds, authorises every one, of decent 

 appearance and behaviour, to amuse himself there in whatever way he pleases, without fear 

 of molestation. In several pavilions are musicians, for the benefit of those who choose 

 to dance ; in others are chairs and sofas, ready for the reception of any party who wish 

 to recreate themselves by sedate conversation, after roaming about with the great throng ; 

 some parties take to the swings, the bowling-green, and other diversions ; on the canals 

 and lakes are gondolas, some constructed for rowing, others for sailing ; and if this be 

 not enough, refreshments are spread on tables, in particular alcoves, and are handed 

 about by persons in livery. This noble hospitality is by no means unenjoyed ; the con- 

 course of persons of all descriptions, from the star and riband, to the plain well-dressed 

 burgher, forms such a party-colored collection, and sometimes groups so humorously 

 contrasted, that for this reason alone it is well worth the pains of partaking once in the 

 amusement. (Starch's Petersburgh, p. 441.) 



264. In the country parts of Russia, hundreds or even thousands of miles may be 

 gone over without meeting with any country-seat worth mentioning. The nearest to 

 Moscow, southwards, which we have seen, is that of Sophiowski, in Podob'a, 1000 wersts 

 distant. 



