“My memories do not contain anything political or historical; these are just memories of the past. I am not telling it eloquently, but truly, the way I saw and understood things. It may easily be that the reader will not find anything interesting in my notes. Without seeking the glory of the author, I will be satisfied if these notes bring back memories of the past, or provide at least some entertainment, or even a minute of sweet sleep; and how many thick books are made of just that!..”Childhood. - Smallpox vaccination. – Studying at home – Entering the Corps of Pages. - Comrades. - Life in the building. – Teaching and teachers. - Pranks of the pages. – Form. Duty at court. – Catherine II at home. - Her stories. – Suvorov’s antics. – Large and small exits of Catherine II. – Life of the Empress in Tsarskoe Selo. - Game of banners. - Jokes of pages at court. The wedding of Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. – Fireworks on the Neva. – Folk festivals on the palace square. - Persian prince. - Funny theft in the palace. - Arrival of the Swedish king. - Omens. - Meteor. - Unreasonable smoke. – Illness and death of Catherine II. Accession to the throne of Paul I. – Transfer of the coffin of Peter III to the Winter Palace. – Burial of Catherine II. - Changes at court. – Service in Smolensk. - False alarm. – Retirement. Literary activity. - Theater. – Russian, French, Italian and German troupes. - Ballet. - Life in the village. – Training peasants in military techniques. - A curious look. – Service in the office of accepting petitions for the Highest name. - Curious projects. – Alexander I in Vologda.