Page:Account of the dispute between Russia, Sweden & Denmark, and Great Britain.pdf/4

4 and prerogatives he ought to have enjoyed as a  ſhe reſolved to take from him likewiſe the rights  pleaſures of a father. His wife came almoſt year to lie in at Tzarſko-ſelo, and left her  there in the hands of ſtranger. They were up under Catherine; neither father nor mother  the leaſt concern in their education, or  over their conduct. Thus ſhe ſtrove to wean hearts of theſe children from parents they  knew.

It was generally ſupposed that Catherine to proclaim Alexander, the preſent emperor, heir to  crown, but death took her by ſurprise, and a  ſhriek which ſhe gave as ſhe expired, was the  ſound to proclaim Paul emperor of all the Ruſſias.

Some favourable regulations made by Paul on the throne tended to raiſe a confidence in  public, which was ſoon done away by the whimſical, and impolitic conduct he pursued. numerous anecdotes which his conduct has given to, ſhew him to have been impetuous and  It would be cruel now to enlarge on theſe, let the  ſuffice as a ſpecimen.

Paul had taken a ſingular averſion at round and iſſued an order to take them away, or tear  from the heads of those who wore them. This ſome ſcandalous ſcenes in the ſtreets, and  near the palace. The ſoldiers of the po ran up to the paſſengers ſnatched off their hats, beat thoſe who not knowing the reaſon attempted  defend themſelves. An Engliſh merchant go through the ſtreet in a ſledge, was thus ſtopped, his hat ſnatched off; ſupposing it a robbery, he  out of his ſledge, knocked down the ſoldier and  the guard. Inſtead of the guard, arrived an who overpowered and bound him, but as they  proceeding to the police he was fortunate enough  meet the coach of the Engliſh miniſter, who was ing to court, and claimed his protection.

Charles Whitworth, made his complaint to the