The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-03-02
THE LgrE EMPEROR .sLExlHDER.
From the last Number of the New Monthly
Magazine.

From the last Number of the New Monthly
Magazine.
Tho following memoir is understood to he
from the pen OF DR.. Lyalll
Under the reign of Alexander, Russia
has apparently reached the zenith OF her
glory, and seems TO have acquired such n
vast and unnatural magnitude as to be
incapable OF remaining much longer undlvl-
ded-i. c. as a single empire According
to the experience of ages, such an extern
slye realm, comprising so many tribes and
nations, mnst fall by its own weight. lr-
deed it is probable, that the overthrow OF
the Russian empire is ~ no great distance.
Under snch impressions, we have been III
duced TO compose few sketches of the
life and reign ofth Emperor Alexander, in
which we trust our readers may find a
musement and instruction. ...,
Alexander, when an infant, needed not
the appendages ofroyalty, which often lend
charms where they are deficient 10 render
him interesting. Nature had formed him
in a beautiful mould, and his features were
expressive Of beauty, gentleness, and inno-
cence. lIc was reared with the greatest
tenderness by Madame Gesler, Ga Scotch
lady, married to a Germany who acted as
his wet-nursc and his infant days were
eagerly watched by numerous attendants,
and more especially by his Imperial Moth
er, the present Dowager Empress. When
a very little boy, he was sometimes dressed
in uniform, and was the object of general
regard.
As soon as Alexander could walk, an En-
! clishman. Mr.. Parland, was appointed his
Djddkd, term which may be translated
| Run-aJfer, but which has by some been in
terpreted .Hm-.Narse.* This gentleman
is now living at Petersburg, after having
experienced the Imperial bounty in many
ways, and is placed not only in comiorta-
| BILE, but in atilueat circumstances.
! . At the age of fifteen Alexander WIS
very imposing youth, and had become IL
! nlversal favoriLe among all classes OF soci.
ETY.. lie was early placed under the guar
dianship of Count sSolrikof, On enlightened
man, who was well fitted for the duties of
| that high and important station: -nd the
future sovereign, no doubt, benefited much
! by his sage counscls and his exemplary
conduct: That the Emperor was highly
| pleased with his guardian, was proved by
the veneration in which he held the Count
during life, and by his condesccnsion in fol-
loving y 81 Rs GoSf S9rRsa rasa 6areGeaded, along With
| other chief mourners
These facts, as well asmany othcrs which
| need not be mentioned, showed that grnti
| tudc WIS no ST. niger to the breast Of the
| Autocrat Of all Che Russas. Under able
| tutors, appointed with the consent of Count
| Solrikof, the then Grad Duke was taught
! Russian. French. German, Italian, Latin,
! Greek. and also little English besides
the principles ofGreek religion geography,
history, POLITICAL economy, militOry tactics,
the duties Of a sovereign, and some ut the
/ scicnccs.--lIe was reared at the Russian
Court. under great awe Of, and subordina-
ton to, his talented grandmother, Catha-
rine IL. under much filial respect for. his
tender and careful mother; and In absolute
dread of his father, the late Emperor Paul.
In the days of youthful and impr.uous
rassion. in the mnst Of voluptuous Court,
surrounded by almost all the beauty and
fashion of Russia, uuawed by examples Of
chastity and private virtue III the highest
individuals Of the realm, scduccd by the
temptations and facilities of gratication-
: it is not to be wopdered that the young and
blooming Alexander should have bad nu-
merous love intriguos at an carly period OF
his life. On the contrary, II may seem sur
prising that the yOung prince, placed IN the
midst of so much evil example, so much de-
pravity, and so great deficiency Of moral
principle, should have wandered 50 little ~
he did from the path ofylrtue. go.
The above circumstances heing :okcn in-
10 view, it might naturally enough he sup
posed, that early marriage ewasrccommcnd
ed TO the heir presumptIve Of the Russian
Crown; and accordingly he WIZ married
when lG years of age, Oct. 9th, 1898, to the
prircess Louisa,of Baden Durlach, h,twoyeurs
Younger than himself, ard still the reIgning
Empress. The Princess, on becoming of the
Greek religion, assumed the name, Eliza
yeta Alexievna. The marriage wns n po-
Iltical scheme Of Catharne IL. and though
, tho vounr bv:de was handsome, beautiful,
! and interesting, there was co '-Icss III
q her manner. which vi accorded with the
: warmth Of Alcxander's passion, and which
rendered her not exactly the object Of his
choice By her Majesty the Autocrat had
Two children. both of whom died in infan-
cv Since their death, to the regret Of the
,rnnnrisl couple, and OF the Russian nation,
4" God has given" no additional offspring.
At his marriage, Alexander was n tall
handsome and imposing youth while his
! noble forehead and expressive eyes be-
, spoke intelligence, patience and detcrmi.
4 nation. he was the vcy picture of rosy
? health and good nature. Ills appearance
and department wcrc the more remarkable
: because they were constantly cvntrastec
with those OF bis brother, the Grand Duke
Constantine, whose short face, pug hos'