Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-28
Nicholas in his own mouse.

Mich olas rises at an early hour and goes
soon To the business of the day, after taking
a short walk. The most scrupulous order
re;gns IN his study; the walls, are adorned
with pictures Of regimental costume. The
furniture is elegant, but not over rich
while there is no where to be seen trace
of useless ornament. The dinner meal
usually takes 5ut little time, for it is served
quickly. while the dishes are comparatively
few. The Gar eats heartily, but is very
moderate in his drink. He neither smokes
or takes snuff. In The evening he has two
or three cups Of very strong tea and spends
the interval between that and bedtime. at
some game. Despite his regularity of life,
which is necessarily much interrupted by
receptions, travels &C., the Gar is no slave
to habit. According to those who have
had the best opportunity of judging, his re-
lation to the Empress is simple, yet noble
an expression that undoubtedly admits OF
varied interpretations. Women are not
without their influence at bis court. In
1916 young Lieutenant of the guard dan.
ced polka with Lady Daskof so much to
her entire satisfaction, that he was soon
after installed as one Of the aid-de-camps
to the Gar. His friends composed new
polka, which they dedicated to him under
the ironcal title of the Promotion Polka"
Much has never been said of the exhibi.
tion OF parental feeling on the part of Mich
olas-at least he did not display it in any
lively degree while his children yet remain
ed young. The Grand Duchess Olga, the
Princess Alexandra, and the Grand Duke
Constantine were frequently indicated as
his pets, though, Judging outwardly, since
they have been grown up, a large amount of
form and ceremony has accompanied their
intercourse. Custine in his work Russia
in 1899, says: Nicholas forgets his majesty
only in domestic life, where he is remind
ed that man has his happiness independent
Of State duties. There is, however, de.
gree of coquetry in the domestic life of the
Winter Palace"
Persons well acquainted with the Impefi.
al family assert, that though Nicholas may
love his children dearly, yet it cannot be
denied that he assumes towards his sons a
serious and cold demeanor, while his be-
haviour to his daughters is chivalrous in
the extreme, but thus Is conduct which he
generally adopts towards ladies. The weak
and sickly Empress he treats with compass.
sionate affection: we can find no better
word. When from indisposllion she is
confined to her apartment, he frequently
visits there and the newspapers, which
are always loud i'll praise of his undimin-
ished affection, mentioned that, at the time
Of the Imperial stay at Naples, in lS47, he
used to carry her in his arms up the stair,
case to her chambers. During the burning
OF The WIntel Palace in 1886. (says Gratcsb.)
Count Orloff reported to the Emperor
that the fire was about reaching the impe-
rial private cabinet or study, and asked
him what he desired to be saved in it as no
time was TO be lost. "Only my portfolio, -
was the reply 'it contains the letters OF
the Empress which she wrote to me during
our engagement. ."-.Mchelsen's History.