New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-07-09
military matters, reserved to himself the superin-

minuteness and pedantry which he exercised
towards the real soldiers, and which caused him
to be held in terror by the whole army. 1t APP
pears the boy did not like this sort Of exercise /;
he preferred playing and praying with his mother
to the severe lessons of his father, whom he re-
garded with more fear than love.
"in these days" reports Mr.. Leonzon le Duo, in
a volumnous but insignificant work. "Alexander
being of good and mild nature, was generally
the drudge of the impetuos Constantine. AT their
common games he played either the part of bug
bear or that of the victim, while Constantine
placed himself at the hight Of tyrant triumpha-
tor. One day playing with several comrades, in
their apartment of the Winter palace, they sud
denly made such a great noise that the Emperor
Nicholas hearing it from his cabinet ran impa-
tently towards the Grand Duke, Opening the door
he remained stupeied on the threshold at the sight
Of the scene which passed between them. Con.
stantine held Alexander violently ON his knee,
having passed round his neck scarf which he
feigned 10 pull very tight his comrades assisting
him with great eagerness in the act of strangaia-
ton, and poor Alexander screaming loud for
mercy mercyt "What signifies this game,n cried
Nicholas, whereupon some Of the assistants ex-
claimed that they intended to represent scene Of
the history of Russia, viz The scene of the death
Of Paul /. Nicholas, rather astonished at the dis
closure, addressed to them all severe admontion,
telling them that it was highly inconvenent to rep
resent such odious action, and ordered Constan-
tine and his comrades to be confined to their school
rooms for several days. Alexander himself was
eensured for having consented, he the heir of the
throne, to play the role of the victim and cry for
mercy. "a Russian sovereign" said Nicholas,
fsu,t,rf ,,oyar osl- Far ,,1,,fJa,,
CHAPTER II.
Hines Death of Alexander I-Exciiernen at ST. Peters
bnrgConsanne Formally Renounces the Crown--Acees-
sion Of NcoasMtary Observation-Disclosures
PetersbugYouug Alexander Coufded TO the Care of the
Russian Imperial CfuardsSuppre2sion of tile Insarreeo.
onthe lst of December, 1926, the anticipations
Of Nicholas were realized. Alexander " the Bless
ed, y worn out by the tumults in Poland by the
permanent conspraces of his own armies; by the
anamosity of the old Muscoyite party, which be-
trayed itself on every occasion; by Metternich
who at the conferences Of Aix-la- Chapelle, Lay
bach, Troppau and Verona succeeded in over.
throwing all the projects he had so carefully
organized for the general welfare of Europe; by
| the recent death of Madame de Kru u1ener; by the
shame brought on him by the conduct of his only
natural daughter; Alexander |. journeyed to the
Crfmea, TO seek in its climate the restora-
ton of his health He visited Sebastopel, Balak-
lava and other adjacent towns, and trayersing the
marshes of the Don, contrary to the urgent advice
of his English physician, in an open carriage, he
was mortally affected by the exhalations of this
damp, unhealthy SOIL and scarcely reached Tagau-
rog ere he breathed his last.
Eight days after the news arrived at st. Peters.
burg and produced a great amount of excitement.
Nicholas was well aware that the crown devoIyed
on himself, as he had been the motive power which
caused the abdieation of Constantine, but being
cognizant of his unpopularity, and of the dan
gerous state Of agitation throughout the army, he
resolved to try a grand coup d etat, in order to
obtain the affections of the soldiers and the people
He feigned to doubt the validity of his brothers
abdieation and caused Constantine to be proclaim
ed Emperor of all the Russias
He could risk it fearlessly. 1t is true Constan
tine was ambitious, and on more than one occasion
had expressed deep regret at his resignation, bu
the Princess of Lowiecz his wife, still exercised
her powerful influence over him.
Constantine, on hearing that he had been pro
claimed successor to Alexander l, again declined
the Crown, though not without violent mora
struggle; and on the 24th of December, after al
cended the throne. He Immediately published
manifesto, in which he ordered that throughout the
kingdom the oath of allegiance should be taken te
himself and heir, the Grand Duke Alexander. I'm
happily, this wellplayed comedy of generosity ant
sef-denial, which gained him the admiration o
| many weak-minded people abroad, did not NEE
with favorable reception on the part Of those fo
| whose sake it had been performed. At Paris
would perhaps have made an excellent :. effect
but the Russians are not sufficiently advanced il
civilization to appreciate such fine coup de theatre
| On the 26tl December conspiracy, the existenc,
| of which had been preserved from Alexander
| broke out; part of the garrison of ST. Peters
| burgh proclaimed Constantine the legitimate En-
peror, and Nicholas saw with terror that til,
sceptre he had scarcely obtained, and for the pos
session of which he had so many years labored
| was at the mercy of band of intoxicated soldiers
| The current stories respecting the persona
| daring he is said to have displayed during the in
! surrecton, are fictitious. According to the bes
authorities, Schnitzer, etc., the outbreak was no
| SO dangerous as is commonly believed The lead
/ ers composed principally of young mobiles who ha
| overloaded their stomachs with German philosophy
/ and who wanted to present the Russian serf wit
a democratic constitution in the English style
showed the greatest incapacity. The soldiers, mis-
led by ncomprehensible representations, lost thei
enthusiasm as the fumes of 70 schnappsn . (the com
mon beverage of the Russians) evaporated, an
the revolutionary spirit of the people. But no,
can we talk Of Russian people2 The truth il
Nicholas hearing that several regiments had de
clared against him. made great show in taking a
affectonate leave Of the Empress. Then eadin
by the hand his son, only eight years old, he too
him to the guards of the palace, commanded ther
to load their muskets, and presented them th
trembling prince with these words: g entrus
him to you; it is yonr duty to defend him. Th
soldiers diminish Chasseurs) to whom an extr
dose of brandy had just been given, We're extreme
ly touched by this mark of confidence. Sheddin
tears they swore to make rampartwith their ow
bodies for the Prince, took him in their arms an
retained him amongst them. After some fe
theatrical demonstrations on the part of Nichola
the great rebellion was suppressed, and st. Peter
burgh restored to order. He then triumphant
returned to the guards with whom he had left h
son, and relieved them of their charge. Thus tt
young Price Alexander played unntentionally h
first role on the political stage.
ITO he enntinued1
FERooIoUs FEMALE FIGHTER.--The Iron Valle
(0hie) Express contains the following adVertis
ment: