TSARSKOSELO. 
20 
chap, the Hermitage, at Petersburg, into an inclined 
. 11 j plane ; offering a more commodious and more 
easy descent. A similar alteration was intro- 
duced at Tsarskoselo. This conducted her from 
the apartments of the palace into the garden. 
It was in one of those walks, as Professor Pallas 
Anecdote afterwards informed me, that Commodore Billings 
line's Ex- obtained, by a stratagem, her final order for 
pcdition. kjg expedition to the North-west coast of 
America. Bezborodko, the Minister, although 
he had received the Empress’s order, put him 
off' from time to time, not choosing to advance 
the money requisite for the different prepara- 
tions; and Billings began to fear the plan would 
never be put in execution. In the midst of 
his despondency. Professor Pallas undertook to 
make the matter known to the Empress, and 
advised the Commodore to accompany him to 
Tsarskoselo. As soon as they arrived, Pallas 
conducted him to a part of the garden which 
he knew the Empress would frequent at her 
usual hour. Here they had not waited long, 
before she made her appearance. With her usual 
affability, she entered into conversation with 
Professor Pallas ; and, after inquiries respecting 
his health, asked the name of the young officer, 
his companion. The Professor informed her ; 
adding, “ he is the person whom your Majesty 
was pleased to appoint, in consequence of my 
