Two stories connected to this place occurred during the reign of Nicholas I and add vivid strokes to his image, showing the emperor not only as a man of honor, nobility, and integrity but also as a ruler with a great sense of humor.

Cornet Pugovichnikov

This story was published in 1910 in the "Herald of the Russian Cavalry." The commander, presumably of the Podolsk Hussar Regiment, summoned Cornet Pugovichnikov to the regimental office and informed him: "In a year, there will be a High Inspection of our regiment. I will not provide you with a parade horse, Cornet." The cornet replied: "Colonel, I do not have the means to buy a horse. What shall I ride in the parade?" To which the commander responded: "On a cow, obviously." The cornet agreed: "I understand, Colonel."

A year later, the inspection took place. The regiment was lined up in an extended front. The Tsar approached in a carriage, and half a verst away from the regiment, his retinue awaited him. A horse was presented to him. At that moment, Cornet Pugovichnikov overtook the Tsar, sitting on a cow with a parade saddle and a saddlecloth. At a brisk trot, he galloped to his platoon and took his place in formation.

The Emperor greeted the regiment, asked the commander for the cornet's surname, and galloped towards the cow. "Cornet Pugovichnikov, to the guardhouse, gallop march," he ordered. Pugovichnikov left the formation, changed the cow's leg, and, overcoming a low fence, disappeared behind the buildings. A smile shone on the face of the formidable Tsar.

After the inspection, a breakfast was planned in the High Presence, but the regiment's commander hesitated to ask the Tsar after the "cow incident." "Gather all the officers and let them have breakfast in the assembly," he ordered. When everyone was seated, the Tsar asked the commander: "Where is Pugovichnikov?" "In the guardhouse, Your Imperial Majesty," replied the commander. "What came into his head?"

The regiment's commander admitted that he was partly to blame but never thought that riding a cow was possible, especially in such a short time. "I didn't know either," replied the Tsar, "with such officers, you won't go wrong. Call Pugovichnikov."

Cornet Pugovichnikov appeared. "You will take any horse from my stable, go to Paris, and they will make a statuette of you. The statuette is for me, and the copies will be sent by the Minister of the Court to the regiments so that my cavalrymen can see how to ride properly." "I understand, Your Imperial Majesty." "Take a chair and have breakfast with us." "I humbly thank you, Your Imperial Majesty."

One of these statuettes was kept in the White Palace in Lazienki Park in Warsaw.

Royal Panikhida

Emperor Nicholas I was inspecting Lazienki Park and stopped in front of the monument to Jan Sobieski, depicting the king on horseback, with a defeated Tatar under the horse's feet. "Whose monument is this?" asked the King of Poland, the All-Russian Autocrat. Count Benckendorff modestly replied: "To King of Poland Jan III." "Summon the diplomatic corps and representatives of the populace, and serve a panikhida for the King of Poland," ordered the Tsar.

The panikhida was served in the Lazienki Church. The Tsar fervently crossed himself, but no one understood anything. Count Benckendorff dared to ask: "Your Imperial Majesty, why did we serve a panikhida for the soul of King of Poland Jan III?" "You do not understand. My dear brother. There were two fools in the world, Jan III and I. He saved Vienna from the Tatars, and I saved Vienna from the Hungarians," replied the Tsar.