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 fuom 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, Constantine 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 sumething 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 
