The true Democrat., 1855-04-04
From the New York Comie The Dead Emperor Nicholas.

From the New York Comier.
 The Dead Emperor Nicholas.
 Nicholas Pauovitch, Emperor of Russia, now reported to be dead was the ninth child of the Emperor Paul, by his second marriage with Maria Feodorowna of Wurtemburg, and was born on the 25th of June, 1796, at Catshina. near St. Petersburg. Imperial historians call hlm the httleth sovereign of the House of Ro- manotf who has ruled in Russia Others call hlm the eight sovereign of the H0lfstein Co., trop dynasty, which is of German descent. At the time of his birth, and for years afterwards, there was little sign of the high destiny which awaited him. Two elder brothers, the Grand Duke Alexandria and the Grand Duke Con- stantlne, were immediately between him and the throne, and prospectively were their issue which might cut him off from it forever. He was four years old when his father, Paul, as- cended the throne. He, with his youngest bro- ther Michael, received his education under the immediate superntendence of his mother he first event of his youth which stamped it. self with terror on his memory, was the murder Of his father, Paul. On the fearful night when that tragedy occurred, his mother caught up the two young princes in her arms, and amid the clash of weapons and the confused voices of alarm1ln the palace, she ran through the corri- ders leading to the apartments of the Emperor, Where she was stopped and forced back by one ot the consplrators. In the meantime the En- peror was strangled with scarf by the hand of assassins, and Alexander l. was proclaimed En- peror the ensuing day. The first years of the reign of Alexandria were so full of stirring events, that the private history of his younger brothers Nicholas and Michael remains in a measure unrecorded. Their education was eventually intrusted to tutors, both native and foreign, who instructed them in the sciences and in the French and German languages. In the acquisition of modern languages Nicholas exhibits some adroitness, whilst he was passio- natey fond of music. and even composed; he is said, to have been cold and reserved in his youth to those around him, even to his mother when he had first passed the bounds of childhood and began to understand his real position in the imperial palace. He early manifested love Of martial studies, particularly the ordinary routines offeld- -musterdi discipline. The youth of Nicholas was what may be said to be moral. In the gallant court of his brother the Empe- TOT Alexander, he appears to have kept him. self marvellously free from intrgues, and to have concentrated all his pleasures on military exercises and amusements In 1914 Nicholas left the court of his brother for a tour abroad l1o visited France, Germany, England and va rlous other countries, and returned home early in 1877.
 On the 18th of July 1917, being then hardly twenty-one years of age, he married Maria Charlotte, eldest daughter of the late king of Prussia. The bride was about two years younger than the bridegroom. The marriage was solemnized at St. Petersburg, and the bride, in accordance with Russian law, although she came of Protestant family, adopted the Greek religion, and with it the Christian names of AL exander Feodotowna. The marriage is said to have been one of love on both sides, al- though there was, doubtless, political expedien- cy mingled with 1t. There was great simila- rlty between them not only in the majesty of figure, but also of mind and character At the time of his marriage Nicholas held the militia ry rank of Head Inspector of Engineers in the service of his brother, the Emperor but he was not admitted to the council-table when politi- cal and diplomatic questions were discussed, and his sphere of operations was confined to mere garrison service. Nicholas felt his subordinate position and lived with his wife retired from the court, a domestic man, deriving his happi. nessin performing the part of a husband and father in such manner that the example of himself and wife has been cited as a model of domestic bliss. His eldest son. Alexandria Mi colalwltch, was born one year after his marriage. In 1919, followed the birth of his second child. the Grand Duchess Maria; in 1872 that of the Grand Duchess Olga.
 Alexander died December 1st, 1925. The news arrived at the Winter Palace, where the Imperial family were assembled in the chapel to render thanks for the messages received the prevelous day, announcing the convalesence of the Czar. It was Nicholas who received the fatal news, he only of the three brothers then being resident in St. Petersburg. It was sup posed by the Russian people that the Grand Duke Constantine, the next brother in age to Alexandria, (the latter having died without any direct heir) would succeed to the throne. But Constantine had some years previously resign ed his claim in favor of Nicholas the fact be- ing only known to the Empress MotGer.
 Before the news of Alexanders death was bruited ill the streets of St. Petersburg, Nicho- las obtained brief interview with the Empress Mother. What passed at the interview isnot known; immediately afterwards, Nicholas re-