Read Ebook: The Foundling of the Wreck by Anonymous Whymper Edward Engraver

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Ebook has 135 lines and 9071 words, and 3 pages

When Gerald had been about six months at his new employment, to his great surprise he was one morning told by an inspector of the works, that an order had just come from the Emperor signifying that he was to be sent immediately to Moscow.

This intelligence created a little alarm in the breast of the youth, for he could only suppose that he was suspected of having committed some offence. Conscious, however, of having discharged his appointed duties with faithfulness, he asked the officer whether he were sure that he was the person mentioned in the royal letter.

'The person signified is called by the name of Gerald Kopt. His person is described, and the description answers exactly to you.'

'I am called by the name of Gerald Kopt,' the youth replied, 'and if the Czar commands me to go of course I must obey. Indeed I have no objection to going. But should my mother come here and miss me, who will let her know whither I am gone?'

'I will engage that your mother shall be told all that we know concerning you,' replied the officer.

'Many thanks for that kindness,' cried Gerald, looking gratefully in the man's face, 'I am now ready to attend the Czar's orders.'

Could Gerald have divested himself of the idea that he might be going as a culprit to be tried for an unknown offence, he would have been delighted with the journey, for he had long had a strong desire to see more of the world.

The distance from St. Petersburg to Moscow, which is upwards of four hundred miles, was a formidable journey in a country where the roads were bad, and there were very few inns. At a subsequent period the Emperor Peter had good roads made between the large towns, and inns and posting-houses were built upon them. Canals were also dug to connect the great rivers, and there were many improvements of a similar kind; but these things were the work of considerable time. Some of them were only just commenced at the period of which we are speaking.

On their way to Moscow the party passed through the town of Novogorod, the seat of the earliest government, and afterwards so noted as a republic. Gerald was greatly pleased that he had an opportunity of visiting this place, for Michael and his father-in-law had told him something of its ancient history. How about the middle of the ninth century, Rusic, a Norman pirate chief, when cruising about the Baltic with his followers had sailed down rivers and through lakes till they came to this city, which was then a mere cluster of wooden huts inhabited by barbarians, and how the Norman had made himself master of the place, assumed the title of Grand Duke, and laid the foundation of the present powerful and extensive empire of Russia. Many legendary tales were told of the adventures of these wild Normans, and most of these adventures were associated with the city.

Igov, the son of Rusic, afterwards made Kirow the capital of the country; but Novogorod was for a considerable time a place of importance, and the chief city of a republican state.

On reaching Moscow our hero was so interested in the place as to forget the painful circumstances under which he was visiting it. The city was at that period enclosed with three walls; one built of brick, surrounded that portion called the Kremlin, where the Czar's palace and the residences of the chief of the nobility stood; another built of stone, took in a larger extent of the city; and a third formed of wood, enclosed the suburbs. On the banks of the river Moskwa, which runs through the city, were a number of wooden huts, the public baths. These baths were constantly frequented by the inhabitants, as bathing was at that time a religious ceremony amongst the Russian people. The poorest classes never failed to attend the baths at least once in the week.

It was Palm Sunday when Gerald and his companions arrived, the place was consequently in a state of universal excitement. The bells too were ringing merrily. Moscow was famous for the size and number of its bells. To present a large bell to a church was considered by some a very pious act, therefore almost every new sovereign had a bell cast larger than that which had been given to the city by his predecessor. Palm Sunday was a day on which a very grand festival was always held. The religion generally professed in Russia is according to the Greek Church, which is very similar to the Roman Catholic religion. At that time the church was governed by persons called Patriarchs, who were something like the Popes. The Patriarch lived in Moscow, in a palace adjoining that of the Emperor where he kept a court, and lived in as much state as the Czar himself.

The Empress Anne, the daughter of Ivan, who reigned soon after Peter's death, presented a bell to the city of Moscow which weighs 432,000 pounds, and is the largest bell in the world.

On the festival of Palm Sunday the emperor always walked to church, gorgeously arrayed in a dress made of cloth of gold, two princes holding up his train. He was followed by a grand foot procession consisting of the whole court splendidly attired. Behind the nobles were a number of the chief citizens and lawyers, each having a branch of willow, to represent palm, in his hand, and beyond these were the guards of the palace. In this procession the Patriarch always rode beside the Emperor, who held the bridle of his horse, and he was the only person mounted, excepting the guards.

Our hero and his companions met the procession as it was just leaving the palace, and they stood for a while to watch it pass. Gerald's associates were delighted at having arrived in time to witness it, and Gerald was himself pleased with the sight, for he had never seen anything of the kind before. But looking on it as a religious festival he could not help feeling pained. These men he knew were about to fall before images and offer up prayers to saints and angels, and they would afterwards spend the sacred hours of the Sabbath in feasting and drinking; for no religious festivals were at that time held in Russia without feasting and drinking to excess. Happily for our young hero he had been taught a purer faith. The Bible, Michael's best inheritance from his father, had not been made such poor use of, as to allow Gerald to imbibe the superstitions, and practice the foolish ceremonies of the Russians.

OUR HERO AT THE COURT OF PETER THE GREAT.

On entering the palace Gerald was at once taken to a comfortable apartment, and supplied with refreshment. 'Surely,' thought he, 'the Czar has some kind intentions respecting me, or he would not give orders that I should be treated in this manner;' and he was much relieved by this thought. Having finished his meal, he was conducted by a domestic or slave to one of the baths prepared for the household, and then to a wardrobe, from whence a handsome robe was given him to put on in the place of his sheepskin garments. He was further told that he would most likely be summoned to attend on the Emperor in the evening.

The robe in which Gerald was arrayed was of dark green cloth, trimmed with fur. It was loose and flowing, only confined round the waist by a leathern girdle, in the manner of the dresses of the east. This kind of dress was in fashion in Russia at that time, though Peter afterwards, with some difficulty induced the Russian nobles and citizens to give it up, and adopt the costumes of England and France.

The change was certainly a great improvement to our hero's appearance; and he began to wonder what all this would lead to.

With evening the expected summons came, and Gerald was conducted by a superior officer of the household to the royal presence. The Emperor was not now, as when our hero first saw him seated on a rude bench, but on a throne of state. He did not wear the gorgeous robe in which he had attended the church in the morning, for that was held sacred to the occasion, but he was dressed in one equally splendid. A number of nobles and ladies elegantly attired, stood on either side of the throne, and the blaze of light which was thrown upon the company by means of the brilliant chandeliers, gave the whole scene a dazzling aspect.

The Czar and his suite were greatly amused at observing the wonder and admiration which marked the expressive countenance of the youth, as he entered the grand saloon. Gerald's thoughts, were not however, long so occupied, he was too much interested in ascertaining the object of his summons there.

'Ha! my lad,' exclaimed the Czar, in a familiar tone, as Gerald bowed low before the throne, 'I've not forgotten you, you see. Well, how did you get on at your new work?'

'I hope, Sire,' Gerald replied with modest dignity, 'I hope, Sire, I did my duty, and to the satisfaction of your Majesty's officers.'

'I've heard nothing to the contrary, at all events,' said the Czar, 'but what say you to leaving off that sort of work, and taking to something else? Have you become so fond of it that you desire to end your days at it?'

Gerald could not help smiling at this question. 'Nay, Sire,' he replied, 'I did my work cheerfully, because I felt it to be my duty to do so, and I had moreover, an animating motive, but I should rejoice to be engaged in some employment better suited to my taste.'

'What employment would be suited to your taste?' the Emperor asked. 'Would you like to be a soldier?'

'A soldier's profession would not be quite suited to my taste, Sire,' Gerald replied.

'Why? it is thought to be the most honourable calling by many of my subjects. I am a soldier, myself, but I wish not to put a restraint on your inclination--nay, should you prefer following some useful art, I would give you all encouragement. My nobles here know that I patronise the useful arts, and have set them an example by working at some of them myself.'

'My inclination, Sire, has always been to pursue a studious life,' Gerald ventured to say.

'Ha!' exclaimed the Czar, 'I am now founding a university in Moscow, would you like to enter it?'

'That is what I desire above all things, Sire,' Gerald replied with great earnestness.

'Your desire shall be gratified then,' cried the Emperor, 'I wish to serve you, but I had another object in bringing you here. I took notice of the account you gave me at our former meeting of your singular deliverance from shipwreck, and I think I have some clue to the discovery of your family.'

Gerald looked up more earnestly than ever. 'To enable me to discover my kindred, would indeed, Sire, be conferring on me a favour beyond any other,' he exclaimed with great energy.

'Can you write?'

'Yes, Sire, I can write, though but indifferently. My good father, Michael Kopt, taught me to write to the best of his ability.'

'Good--make out a clear statement then of all you know concerning your earlier history, in writing--be very particular as to dates, and send the document to me. You may withdraw now. My servants will attend to your comfort and provide you with anything you ask for.'

'Oh! Sire,' exclaimed the youth, bursting into a flood of tears, 'I can find no words to express my gratitude. But my heart thanks you a thousandfold.'

Peter was naturally a stern man, and not easily moved, but he could not witness the youth's emotions without feeling something like a response.

Gerald still lingered at the foot of the throne. 'Will your Majesty pardon me if I ask the addition of one favour more,' he at length said, 'it is, that I may be permitted to send a messenger to my friends to let them know that I am here safe under your Majesty's gracious protection.'

'Aye, if that will afford you pleasure,' returned the emperor, smiling, and he waved his hand in token of an adieu.

A HAPPY DISCOVERY.

The slave who waited on Gerald, told him that he had orders from the Czar to take him to any part of the palace and grounds he might wish to see. He was told also, that if he would like to see the city, and the public buildings, he should have an escort from the Emperor's own guards.

Our hero gladly availed himself of these offers, and thus spent several days very pleasantly. He previously, however, complied with the Czar's request regarding the particulars of his early life.

It was but little that he knew of the matter; but that little he stated with great clearness, both as respected time and place. Nor did he fail to avail himself of the license given him by the Czar to send to his friends. He wrote a brief account of all that had passed since his removal, and cheered them with hopes of ere long seeing them again under happier circumstances than when they had parted last.

Gerald had been at the palace about a week, when he received a message from the Emperor, bidding him prepare himself for an interview with a lady who, he said, had taken a great interest in his story. The officer who delivered the message further informed him that the lady, whose name was Madame Koski, was the widow of a Polish noble who had been personally attached to the Czar; and that having lost her property in Poland, she was now living on a pension which was allowed her by the Emperor.

Our hero listened to these particulars with great eagerness; for he could not help thinking that this lady was in some way connected with his family, and that her interest for him was owing to that circumstance.

Gerald awaited the arrival of Madame Koski with intense anxiety. At length the door of the apartment was slowly opened, and a lady dressed in the Polish fashion appeared, leaning on the arm of a female domestic. She glanced hurriedly at Gerald, who immediately rose and bowed. She then motioned with her hand for the attendant to withdraw, and entered the room alone.

Madame Koski was still in the meridian of life; but ill-health and deep grief had whitened her hair and left such marks upon her countenance that she had the appearance of being rather advanced in years. She entered the room with a trembling step, and sunk into the seat which Gerald politely offered her.

'Your name,' she said with great effort, looking very earnestly in his face.

'My name, Madame, is Gerald,' he replied; 'but I am called Gerald Kopt, from one Michael Kopt, who has been to me as a father.'

As the youth spoke, the lady became still more agitated. 'It must be so--I cannot be deceived,' she murmured; 'that brow--those eyes--the voice--so like my own, own Gerald--you are--you must be my child.' Here she threw her arms round the boy's neck, and burst into a flood of tears.

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