i ï ,
U i
i i
HISTOEY OE GARDENING.
141
Potentina fruticósa, Syrínga vulgaris, Caragàna ai-borésccns, &c., Cratæ'gus coccínea,
Cotoneáster vulgaris, Í/ippóphao riiamuôïdcs, Lonicera tatárica, Cómus álba, and various
species of Npiræ'a.
456. ViUas in the neighbourhood o f St. Petersburgh. The Strclna road lies to tlio nortli
of the capital ; and an nnintcrrupted lino of sumptuous palaces, built in every variety of
chaste, fanciful, and imitative architecture, flanks the right side of it, whilo, on the
left, fields, with many clmnps of trees and brushwood, separate it from tho Gulf. Most
of the country residences hclongmg to the nobility and gentry of St. Petersburgh have
g.ardens and pleasure-grounds in front of and around them ; and some few have a piece
of artificial water, or a branch of the Neva, passing throngh the grounds. Many
are largo, consisting of two and three stories ; a few only have one story ; and afl'cct
tho form of tho Italian villa. Tho prevailing colour with which tho houses are
painted is yellow ; the columns, pilasters, and architraves being white, and tho roof of
a copperas gTcen. In front of the gardens, and immediately on tho border of the road,
a lofty post boars inscribed on a small square board the name and rank of the proprietor.
Tho magnificent house of Count Schorcmctow, with a church annexed to it,
containing a small bnt rich chapel, open all day to such as are devoutly inclined, much in
tho stylo of tho oratories or sanctuiulcs to be found in catholic countries ; the villa of the
late Mons. Narisclikin ; and tho palace of Prince Shorbatov, which lias, however, tho disadvantage
of being too near the road, Dr. Granville observes, were among those objects
which most attracted his attention. This line of villas aud châteaus, to which some ot
the most distinguished families resident in tho capital come to seek a retreat during the
heat of a short-lived summer, is here and there intcnuptcd by a small vUbige, having tlio
.appearance of greatness, in which country lodgings and temporary residences arc sought
by the less wealthy or more humble class of citizens during the fino season. On the
left, the distance at every verst is marked on very high marble obelisks, which serve, at the
same time, as an embellishment to the road. (Granville’s Travels in Iliissia, &c., a'oI. ii.
p. 412.)
Division ii. Gardening in the Neighbourhood o f Moscow, as an A r t o f Design and Taste.
457. A t Petrowka, near Moscow, is the princiijal private ancient giu'dcn in Russia.
The hedges and alleys are chiefly formed of spiaicc flr, Avhich arc shorn, and seem to
flourish under the shears. I t contains also a labyrinth, and a turf amphitlicatre, in wliicli
the proprietor. Count Raznmowsky, has had operas performed by his domestic slaves.
T h e most extensive seats laid out in th e modern sf fe, in the neighbourhood of Moscow, are those of
Gorenki, a seat of Count Alcxy Uazumowsky (Jig- Petrowka, a seat of Petrowsky Kazu-
142
mowskv. In the former, the house alone is 980 feet lo n g ; and tlio gardens are remarkable for their
botanical riches, and an immense quantity of glass. The grounds are of great extent b u t the surface is
flat and the soil a dry sand. A n.itural forest of birch and wild cherry trees clothes the park, and
harmonises the artificial scenes. T h e mansion, built by an English artisan, is .highly e le g a n t; and the
attached conservatories and stoves, and decorated lawn, form a splendid and delightful scene, unequalled
'"pcírotüirrt contains both an ancient garden, already referred to, and a large extent of ground laid out
in th e modern style, and adorned with buildings from designs by Signor Camporezi. Ih e rc is some
variety of surface abundance of birch and fir woods, with some oaks and aspens interspersed, and a large
niece of water. Among th e ornamental buildings is a cotton manufactory, m actual use as such. 1 he
practice of introducing manufactories as garden buildings is very general in Russia, and almost peculiar
to th a t country.
458. Petrovshoyé, the village and countiy scat of Prince Dolgoruky, is one of the
most magnificent villas, in respect to gardens, in the neighbourhood of Moscow. I t is
situated on a flat surface, somewhat diversified by natural woods and artificial lakes.
The mansion-house is not hirgc, and, though neat enough, and embellished ivith columns.
is not at all remarkable for its m-chitecturc. Its appearance is much disfig-ured_ by the
contiguity of a number of sombre wooden and brick houses, which, however, is quite
à la mode Russe; for close to almost every nobleman’s dAVclling in the countiy is found
a village of peasants. The ricw of tlie back façade is by far the most attractive, because
it is opposite the gai'dens. The interior is elegantly fitted np, and tho inner apartments
open into a finely arranged but small fioAvcr-gardcn, enclosed by a donble balustrade. It
may be remarked, en passant, that the llussians shoiv their wcll-knoivn taste for masses
of gaudy and splendid coloiii's, even in their gardens. Every where, abmit Moscow,_ as
well as in the city, and in the interior of Russia, are inmicnsc clusters ot roses, poeonics,
poppies, hollyhocks, swectwilliams, tulips, jonquils, lilies, pinks, carnations, larkspm-s,
columbines, Indian cresses, sunflowers, marigolds, hyacinths, bell-flowers, &c., intermixed
at times with other flowers of less vivid coloiu's, or arranged m parterres, and
frequently disposed Avith considerable efibct. The gravel walks at Pctrovskoyo arc maile
ill the English style ; they m-every broad, and arc kept in excellent order. _Ihcy wind,
to a great extent, by the banks of a large and beautiful lake ( fg. 143.), which encircles
a number of islands, and bears a small fleet of boats on its bosom, as well as througli
laAvns and woods of luxuriant foiiagc. Temples, summer-houses, statues, vases, and fine
orangeries, diversify the scenery. In another part of the gToimds cropped trees and
avenues of fantastic figm'cs display the complete triumph of art over nature, and aflPord
an example, the most complete in the ncighhoiirhood of Moscow, of the gconmtric style
of gardening. The Petrovskoyé gardens at times arc open to the public, particularly on
Sundays ; and the visiters there enjoy fine promenades, Avhich avc often cnlivcned_ hy
music. The estate has uoav most likely passed for ever from the Raznmowsky family
Prince Dolgoruky having paid 300,000 roubles for his purchase ; a very large sum of
money in the Nortliern Empire. (Blackwoods Magazine.)
459. Astanina, the seat of Count SchcrcractOAV, is situated three versts from the
exterior barrier of Moscow on the Smolcnsko road, Tiie grounds areloAv and flat, and
Avholly covered with natural forest, chiefly of birch, bird-cherry, and black p o p la r; and
the house and its scenery ( fg. 144.) may be described as situated on the margin of this
o 3