Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-22
The Emperor NichoIas.

; tior to look upon the Emperor with an in
partial eve, anxious to avoid the infuenc
of the Court, on the one hand, and the pre-
iudice felt in my own country on the othe
in forming an estimate Of his character
In our country we were disposed to judg
harshly of all governments not emanatin
from the people, and especially those hav
ing absolute power. Much prejudice, toe
was excited by the events in Poland AM
in the Caucasus. At the same time, SOM
partial;ty was felt for the brother of tn,
enlightened Emperor Alexahdrin, our friene
on several interesting occasions.
"The personal appearance of the Empe
ror and his manners so dignifed and yet So
graceful, struck me at once, and in all my
near approaches to his person and his so
ciety, these feelings acquired new force
| regard him as most extraordinary per
sonage. In stature six feet two inches, bu
with the symmetry of man of FIVE fee
nine inches with face uniting, what j:
rarely found in the same person, remarka'
BILE personal beauty and marked indications
of intellect. [ cannot better describe his
fascination of manner than to say that il
he were to sink all recollection of his posi-.
ton, his destiny and his associations, and
enter one of our political assemblages he
could make as many friends in an hour as
any stump orator in our country. Hers
distinguished for energy and high order
of talent. His plans for the amelioration
Of the condition Of his subjects are worthy
of his ancestors, Peter and Catharine. The
measures adopted as to the serfs as well as
to the ancient nobility, and his vast designs
as to railroads, will render his reign an era in
the Empire. Besides the road to Moscow
of 430 miles, he designs to make one te
Columna on the Okla, 100 miles ffom Mos.
cow, below which there is constant steam
navigation to the Caspian Sea. Another
is projected from this point to the head Of
steam navigation on the Don of the Black
Sea, and from this point on the Don east
to Saratof, near the mouth Of the Volga,th
Mississippi of Europe. The domestic re-
lations of the Emperor are the subject ol
constant commentator by his subjects,
exhibiting in this respect favorable con-
trast to the days Of Catharine. ~a
"When we refer to all of the members ol
the Imperial family, it ay-be justly sand
that in moral tone and domestic happiness
they well compare advantageously with a.
ny of the Royal families of Europe. The
Hereditary Grand Duke is amiable and in
teresting. The Grand Duke Constantine
has talent and energy to make him a dis
tinguished Admiral. The Nephew, Prince
OIdenburg, is both wise and indefatgable
in promoting the great plans of the Empe
ror; and the Grand Duchesses are as dis
tlnguished for their amiability as for thei
intelligence and personal attractions. Th'
intrepid character of the Emperor is thu
theme of every observer. He walks th'
streets alone, or is met often in single
sled or drosky experimenting in persoi
the condition ofthe city. He is the first
a fire, and I have been stftick BY the pow
er and distinctness of his voice in givins
orders to 80, 900 men under arms. He ex
ercises a supervision over vast details II
the affairs ofthe Empire. On one occa
sion he prepared memoir on the, advant
ages resulting from proper mode OF Kill
drying corn, which he caused 10 be submit
ted to the Imperial Agricultural Society
offering large premiums for the best mod
of efecting this object. He employs yer.
able ministers, especially IN the foreign an
internal affairs of the Empire. Count Mes
selrode was the compeer of Metternlch
Peel and Guizot; and has measured hi
strength with Talleyrand and Castlereagt
The Diplomatic papers of Russia compar
well even with those of the United States
t and all Europe bears testimony to the abi
ity with which that branch of our govern
ment has been administered. The Empe
ror employs able agents in foreign cour
tries, and when we regard the extent an
resources of his Empire, if he shall be spa
ed few years, Russia is destined to he
5 lust influence in the scale of European a
5 fairs. Towards the U. States the best fee
5 ing exists. We are regarded as gre:
r naval power, destined at the proper tim
] to contend for the freedom OF the seas.
t eve have no conflicting points OF cor
trast, and our friendship may be useful i
, some of the contingencies to which Europ
is exposed. In this respect the Emperc
manifests his usual sagacity.
Bah: .4merican. ..