It may not be uninteresting to give some idea of the ceremonies connected with the installation of Catherine's favourites. When her imperial majesty had fixed her choice on a new favourite, she created him her general aide-de-camp, in order that he might attend her everywhere, without creating scandal or attracting malicious observation. Thenceforward, the favourite occupied in the palace an apartment below that of the empress, to which it communicated by a private staircase. The first day of his installation, he received a present of £15,000, and every month he found £2500 on his dressing-table; the chief steward of the court being commissioned to provide him with a daily table of twenty-five covers. The favourite attended the empress to all places of amusement; was her constant companion at the opera, at balls, promenades, excursions of pleasure, and was not allowed to leave the palace without express permission. He was given to understand, that it would not be taken well if he conversed familiarly with other women; and if he went to dine with any of his friends, the mistress of the house was not to be- present.
Whenever the empress took a fancy to any one of her subjects, with the design of raising him to the post of favourite, she caused him to be invited to dinner by some lady of her confidence, on whom she dropped in as if by chance. Then she would enter into familiar conversation with the new comer, with a view to discover whether or not he was worthy of the favour she intended to bestow on him. When the judgment she formed was favourable, the confidant, who was informed of it by a significant look from the empress, did not fail, on the departure of her imperial visitor, to notify to the favourite the extent of his happiness. The day following, he received a visit from one of the principal physicians of the court, who came to inquire into the state of his health without ceremony; and the same evening he met the empress at the hermitage, and took possession of the apartment that had been prepared for him.
When the power of a favourite was on the wane, a hint of dismissal was given to him by ordering him to travel; and from that time he was debarred all access to her majesty. All his debts, however, were paid, his near relatives provided for, and he received a boon of an hereditary estate in recompense for his services.
The first of Catherine's acknowledged lovers, after she came to Russia, was Count Soltykof — second, Stanislaus Poniatowski (the late king of Poland) — third, Prince Gregory Orloff— fourth, Vissensky — fifth, Vassiltchikof — sixth. Prince Potemkin — eleventh, Yermolof— twelfth, Momonof — thirteenth, Prince Platto Zubof — fourteenth. Valerian Zubof.
It is to be remarked, that among all the above mentioned lovers (though to Prince Gregory Orloflf she was chiefly indebted for her throne), the ablest man was undoubtedly Potemkin, who governed the Empress Catherine, her lovers and the whole Russian empire, to the end of his days. He was of Polish origin.
Lonskoi (Lonski) was the only one for whom she entertained, when already past the meridian of life, the most tender and devoted attachment; which, it is said, was partly returned: he died in her arms, and left her his fortune, which she gave to his relatives. After his death, she was so completely absorbed in grief, that she wished to die of inanition, and for three months did not quit her apartment. During this time, she refused to see any one, excepting her servants; and erected him a superb mausoleum in the garden opposite the windows of her bed-room; bathing it for several years with her tears, and actually stating with sobs that she was unworthy of having such a lover. She often visited his grave at midnight. He was a native of the Polish province torn by Russia from Poland by the first partition; his original name was Lonski, which was changed by Catherine into Lontskoi.