Czar and Czarina sat side by side; Korf and I had the honor to be placed opposite them.

Hardly were we seated when the Czar addressed me: 'You have had no Prussian news this long while.

I am glad to tell you that the King is well, though he has had such fighting to right and left;--but I hope there will soon be an end to all that.' Words which everybody listened to like prophecy! [Peter is nothing of a Politician.] 'How long have you been in prison ?' continued the Czar.

'Twenty-five months and three days, your Majesty.' 'Were you well treated ?' Hordt hesitated, knew not what to say; but, the Czar urging him, confessed, 'He had been always rather badly used; not even allowed to buy a few books to read.' At which the Czarina was evidently shocked: 'CELA EST BIEN BARBARE!' she exclaimed aloud .-- I wished much to return home at once; and petitioned the Czar on that subject, during coffee, in the withdrawing rooms; but he answered, 'No, you must not,--not till an express Prussian Envoy arrive!' I had to stay, therefore; and was thenceforth almost daily at Court",--but unluckily a little vague, and altogether DATELESS as to what I saw there! BIEREN AND MUNNICH, BOTH OF THEM JUST HOME FROM SIBERIA, ARE TO DRINK TOGETHER (No date: Palace of Petersburg, Spring, 1762) .-- Peter had begun in a great way: all for liberalism, enlightenment, abolition of abuses, general magnanimity on his own and everybody's part.

Rulhiere did not see the following scene; but it seems to be well enough vouched for, and Rulhiere heard it talked of in society.