Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1855-04-12

The new Emperor OF Russia, Alexander the
Second, was born April 20, 1918, and be.
came Car of Russia, March ., 1855, at the
age of thirty-scven.
In his book on Russia, NJ. deCustine has
given a sketch of Alexander, as he appeared
in 1889; and though the years that have since
rolled by have modified some lineaments of the
picture, time can not have changed the main
features:
FINS, June 5, 1889.
Yesterday l began my journey into Russia.
The hereditary Grand Duke has arrived at
Elms, proceeded by ten or twelve carriages,
and followed by numerous court.
l found myself at the side of the Grand
Duke, among the curious crowd, as he aligh-
ted from his carriage. Before entering the
house he stood for long time at the door of
the baths in conversation with Russian lady,
so that had time to examine him. He looks
his exact age, which is twenty. His person
is TALL but little too stout for SO young man.
His features would be fine, were it not for a
puffincss that impairs their physiognomy.-
His face is round, but rather Grecian than
Russian, and suggests what the Emperor Al
cxander must have been at the same age,
without, however in any way recalling the
Kalmuck type.
The look has many phases to pass through
ere it will assume its definite character. The
habitual humor it now denotes is mild and be-
nevo.ent. Between the ready smiles of the
eyes and the constant contraction of the mouth,
there is, however, discrepancy that bespeaks
very moderate frankness, and perhaps some in
tcrnal grief. The chagrin of youth, the age
when happiness is mans natural due, is Sc
cret always the better kept, that it is myste-
ry incxplicablc even to the sufferer. The
Princes expression is one of kindness; his
step is light and gracefully noble-truly that
of prince. His air is modest, without timidi-
ty, which is great point for all about him,
since the embarrassment of the great is really
an annoyance to the rest of the world. If they
fancy themselves demigods, they are incommo-
ded by the opinion they have of themselves,
and which they despair Of making others par,
take
This silly disquietude never afflicts the
, Grand Duke. His whole bearing wears the
impress of perfect good breeding If he should
ever reign nc will make himself obcyed, not
by terror, but by the attraction of his inner,
ent grace, unless the necessities that cling to q
Russian Emperors's destiny should alter his
character as we'll as his position.
JUNE 6, 1889.
have again seen the hereditary Grand
Duke, and have had long and close examina-
tion of him. He was not dressed in uniform,
which gives him 4 stiff and swollen look. The
ordinary costume suits him much better His
manner is agreeable, his gait noble, and with
out the stiffness of the soldier; and the pecu-
liar grace that distinguishes him recalls the
singular charm belonging to the Sclave race.
There is not the vivacious passion of warm
countries, nor the imperturabe coldness Of the
north, but a mixture of southern simplicity
and adaptability with Scandinavian mclan-
choly. The Sclaves are white Arabs. The
Grand Duke is more than half German but
! these are Germans Sclavcs in Meckcnburg as
we'll as in some parts of Holstein and Prus-
sa
Notwithstanding his youth, the Prince S
face is not so agreeable as his figure. His COM
plexion has lost its freshness, it is visible that
he is a sufferer. The eyclid drops over the
outer corner of the eyes, with melancholy,
betraying already the cares of more advan-
ced age. His pleasing mouth is not without
sweetness, and his Greecian profile recalls the
medales of the antique, or the potraits of the
Empress Catherine; but beneath that air of
kindness almost always conferred by beauty,
youth and German blood, it is impossible not
to recognize force of dissimulation that ter
rifles one in so young a man. This trait is
doubtless the seal of destiny, and makes me
believe that the Prince is fated to ascend the
throne. His voice has melodious tone, a
thing rare in his family, and gift he has re-
ceived from his mother.
He stands out among the young men of his
suite without anything to stamp the distance
observable between them, unless it be the per-
feet grace ofhis whole person. Grace always
denotes an amiable turn of mind so much of
the physiognomy, and the attitude of the man.
The one under examination is at once impos-
ing and ageeable. Russian travellers had
spoken to me of his beauty as a phenomenon ;
and it would have struck me more but for this
exaggcration. Such as he is, the Grand Duke
of Russia still seemed to me to be one of the
finest models of a prince that I had ever met