Prince de Ligne wrote to his friends in Paris: “I’m in Moscow. This city, in some respects, is understood, O Ispagan $, to be like 4 or 5 hundred castles of noble gentlemen, who come to them from the villages to live together... The most distinguished persons in the states, bored with the court, they come here to live and talk freely. The Empress hardly knows, and does not want to know, “What do you think about these gentlemen?” - she asked me. I answered her, looking at the three or four elderly chamberlains, general-in-chiefs, etc.: “Oh, yours, these are the most respectable ruins.” “They don’t like me very much,” said the empress; “they don’t like me, perhaps because I am guilty before some of them, or that they are wrong before me.”
In letters to Grimm, Catherine complained about “the holidays and bustle of Moscow feasts, which double the confusion and leave her neither a minute of time nor rest all day.” Indeed, lordly Moscow greeted the Empress in a festive manner. "One can imagine how magnificent the festivities were, organized for the queen by the numerous, noble and wealthy nobility. Particularly good was the holiday given in honor of the empress by Count Sheremetev, in one of his estates near Moscow (Kuskov).
"The road there was brilliantly illuminated. The huge count's garden, planted with great art, was illuminated with multi-colored lights. A great Russian opera ("Samnitsve Marriages") was performed at its beautiful theater; I was surprised by the grace of the melody, the richness of the outfits, the dexterity and lightness of the dancers. But what struck me most of all was that the author of the words and music of the opera, the architect who built the theater, the painter who painted it, the actors and actresses, the corps de ballet and the musicians of the orchestra themselves were all serfs of Count Sheremetev. This landowner, one of the richest people in Russia, took care to educate and educate them; they owed him their talents.
"The dinner was as luxurious as it was presented; I have never seen so many gold and silver vessels, so much porcelain, marble and porphyry. Finally (which will seem incredible to many), all the crystal on the table for 100 cutlery was decorated and strewn with expensive stones, of all kinds and colors and the highest prices.
“So the Russian nobles, as soon as they entered the path of enlightenment, began to imitate the patricians of Rome; at that time in Moscow one could meet more than one Lucullus.”
During the Court’s stay in Moscow, a great church celebration was held here; Catherine later wrote to Potemkin: “On Peter’s Day in Moscow, in the Assumption Cathedral, we proclaimed Plato Metropolitan, and sewed a cross on his white hood diamond, half a larshina in length and across; - and he was like a peacock Kremenchugsuy all the time, “- Voltaire’s student could not help but add...
XXY. IMPRESSIVE. Having returned to Tsarskoe Selo on June 11, Catherine could finally, like all her companions, take a break from travel.
processions and take stock of everything seen. She was very pleased with the trip, during which, according to her words, “The Tauride Mountains walked towards her with heavy steps, and bowed with a languid look,” and she is even more pleased with Potemkin, who may triumph in complete victory over your opponents. While on the road, the Empress wrote to him more than once: "We are proud of Fzda and Tavrida, and the local Governor General's orders, which are good without end and in all parts. I love you and your service, which comes from pure dedication, very, very much, and you yourself are worthless. That's what I say and think every day... By God, you're doing well." I preach with all my might.” From Tsarskoe Selo, Catherine wrote to Tsotemkin: “My dear friend, Prince Grigory Alexandrovich. On the third day we finished our 6000-mile journey, arriving at this station in perfect health, and from that hour we have been practicing stories about the wonderful things we are supposed to do!” regions, about works, successes, joy, diligence, care and order, by you arranged everywhere. And so, my friend, our almost incessant conversations involve either directly or sideways your name or your work.”
In memory of this journey, a medal was knocked out for distribution to all participants, with Catherine’s profile on one side, and a map of her travels on the other: around the card there is a Russian inscription: “The path to benefit” - chosen by Catherine from 38 projects, and marked: “in the 25th year of her reign, 1787.”
Medal in honor of Potemkin.