On the 9th [June 1715] the Czar went to Cronstot [Kronstadt], whither we followed him in a Galley, in which open Vessel we lay at Anchor two Days and three Nights, by reason of a Storm, without Fire, Beds, or Provisions: Being at last arrived at Cronstot, we were invited to the Czar's Pleasure-house Peterhoff, situated on the Coast of Ingria, where we arrived with a good wind, and were entertained there as usual: For at dinner we were so plied with Tockay Wine, though his Czarist Majesty himself forbore drinking too much, that at our breaking up, we were hardly able to stand, nevertheless we were obliged to empty each a Bowl holding a full Quart which we received from the Czarina's own Hand, whereupon we quite lost our Senses, and were in that pickle carried off to sleep, some in the Garden, others in the Wood, and the rest here and there on the Ground. At four in the Afternoon we were waked, and brought again to the Pleasure- House, where the Czar gave to each of us an Hatchet, with Orders to follow him. He lead us into a Wood of young Trees, where he marked a Walk of about an hundred Paces in length to the Sea-shore, to be cut out among the Trees. He fell to work foremost, and though we (being seven in number besides his Majesty) found so unusual a Drudgery very hard for People, who had not yet recovered their Senses, yet we followed courageously, cutting down after him, so that in three Hours we got through, by which Time the Fumes of Wine were pretty well evaporated, nor did we receive any Harm, except a certain Minister, who hacked at the Tress with such Fury, that, by the fall of one, he was hit, and somewhat bruised. The Czar having thanked us for our Pains by Word of Mouth, the actual Reward followed at Supper, when we received such another Dose of Liquor, as sent us senseless to Bed; but having scarcely slept an Hour and half, a certain Favorite of the Czar's was sent about Midnight to rouse us, and carry us, willingly or unwillingly, to the Prince of Circassia, who was already a-bed with his Consort, where we were again by their Bedside pestered with Wine and Brandy till four in the Morning, that next day none of us remembered how he got home. About eight we were invited to Court to Breakfast, but instead of Coffee and Tea, as we expected, we were welcomed with large Cups of Brandy, after which we were sent to take the Air on a high Hill near the Palace, ... After having taken a Turn for an Hour in the Wood, and refreshed our selves with hearty Draughts of Water, we had the fourth Drinking-bout at Dinner, and a brisk Gale preventing, that was like to toss us well about, we were brought on Board the Czar's Torrenschute: The Czarina and her Ladies took the Cabin; but the Czar stayed with us in the open Air, positively assuring us, notwithstanding the violent contrary Wind, that we should be at Cronstot in four hours time. After we had continued tacking about near two Hours, a dreadful Storm arose, so that the Czar began to lay aside jesting, and to put his Hand to the Rudder, shewing in that imminent Danger, besides his great Skill in working a Ship, an uncommon Strength of Body, and Undauntedness of Mind. The Czarina was laid on high Benches in the Cabin, which was full of Water, the Waves beating over the Vessel, and violent Rains falling, in which dangerous Condition she shewed a great deal of Resolution; every one of us grew sober through the Thoughts of approaching Death, which made us think on Heaven, and prepare for all Events, having no other Comfort left on Earth, but that of dying in so noble Company. The four Boyars, in which were the Czar's Retinue and our Servants, were dispersed and driven ashore, and our Vessel, which was strong built, and provided with good Sailors, was at last, after being tossed about seven Hours, driven into the Port of Cronstot, where the Czar left us with these Words: Good Night t'ye, Gentlemen; this was carrying the Jest too far. Next Morning he was seized with an Ague. We on our Part being thoroughly soaked, as having for so many Hours sate in Water up to the middle, made haste to get a-shore on the Island; but not being able to get either Clothes or Beds, our own Baggage being gone another Way, we made a Fire, stript stark naked, and wrapt our Bodies up again in the coarse Covers of Sleds, which we had from the Peasants; in which Condition we passed the Night, moralizing and making grave Reflexions on the Miseries and Follies of humane Life.

From Friedrich Christian Weber. The Present State of Russia. vol. I (London: Frank Cass, 1968), 92-95.
From Mosaic

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