453. Paulowsky presents the best specimen of the English style, in the neighbourhood of the Russian capital, or indeed in the empire. It was begun during the reign of Catherine, in 1780, from a design said to have been furnished by the celebrated Brown, from a description sent him by Gould, an Englishman, the gardener of Potemkin; and finished afterwards, during the reign of Paul. This place possesses considerable variety of surface, and a varied clothing of wood; the Scotch pine and aspen being natural to these grounds as well as the birch. Near the palace there is a profusion of exotics of every description, including a numerous collection of standard roses, which, with some of the American shrubs, require to be protected with straw and mats during winter. The Chevalier Storch has given a very interesting description of these gardens, in his Briefe uber Paulowsky, &c., 1802. Paulowsky, says Alexander, in 1829, 'is quite an Elysian retreat. The grounds present an undulating surface, diversified with lakes, rich foliage, and ornamental buildings, containing statues and cenotaphs. The numismatic collection, in the library, is very curious; also a set of porcelain, presented by Marie Antoinette. The private apartments of Paul contain original drawings by Alexander and Nicholas, with specimens, in ivory, of the skilful turnings of the empress, before whose windows were most charming gardens and flower-beds, filling the apartments with an aromatic perfume.' (Travels in Russia, &c. p. 57.)
