Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-03-09

CHARACTER OF THE GEAR NICHOLAS.
The Emperor Nicholas, born July 9th,
1876, is now fifty seven years of age.
Tall in stature, imposing in mien, and
endowed with uncommon beauty of face,
he was what is called LIE Physique de
son role-the figure for his part. He is
truly the monarch in his appearance
His gait. which is heavy and rather
stiff, certainly is wanting in grace, but
denotes strength and power. His smile
is winning, his voice sonorous and pleas
ant. His features are regular, and COM
bine to form face model of beauty of
the German type. His eyes alone, which
are large and prominent, have some
thing sinister in their expression, and
when one looks full and steadily into
them, all the charms of his beauty dis
appears. Sober in his tastes, moderate
in his passions, and desirous of enfor-
cling military discipline by the power of
his own example, he sleeps upon damp
bed, eats moderately, with no regard to
choice of food, drinks but little wine,
and that mixed with water, rises early
and labors hard, though unfortunately
with little discernment. The minute
details of military custume, parades
and reviews absorb much more of his
time than the weighty affairs and ma
terial necessities of the Empire Upon
the former he bestows hours; moments
only be devotes to the calls of real duty
and to topics which might bring him
real glory. The longer one dwells up
on his character the more evident is it
how strangely a mistaken course can
mislead the finest qualities.
His private life is as full of contradic-
tions as his public-the natural conse-
quence of an utter want Of any solid
basis founded upon sound moral princi-
pie He is an affectionate father, yet
he tyranizes over his children, who fear
and shun him. He is good husband,
yet keeps mistresses and exhibits them
to his Court, as if defying any one to
attempt to oppose his fancies. At one
time he is kind and humane, at another
harsh, cruel and inhexible, as the it
takes him. He never excuses the slight
est difference of opinion, yet full of for
bearance for those guilty of vice and
crime, and for every kind of corrupt
baseness. He will forgive the highest
degree of moral turpitude in his favor
ties, yet Furnishes the smallest contra
diction of his preconceived notions with
implacable severity. Domestic affec-
ton, friendship, love of country, fdeli
ty to religious or political principle, are
all so many crimes in his eyes, when at
variance with his ideas, or when they
become proofs of independence of char
acter in those who cherish them. How
is it possible to govern a community,
whatever its nature, from which all
seeds of rigor and greatness are crush
ed out, and the only means employed
are such as tend to corrupt and destroy
it! Yet this idea is the key to the sys-
tenn of Methodist This system will yet
work oat the punishment of his pride
a fact to be regretted, for this man had
every advantage necessary to have en-
abled him to pursue an opposite course
Fate placed him upon aheight too lofty
for him-the principle Of despotic au-
therity has had its day; he could only
raise it again by evil means, and these
in the end must work out his destruc-
ton.