, 1876-12-06
RUssIA,s OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Tho Grand Duke Nicholas and His Chicf-ol
StAlf.

Stnlf.
Nan Fork Sun.
Tho Grand Duke Nicholas, who has been ap-
pointed by tho Cznr TO tho command Of tho
army OF the Danube, and who yesterday lcftst-
Petersburg for his headquarters ut Kischcncr,
Bessaraba, is one of the three living brothers Of
Alexander II. lie ia the third son Of Car ficlo~
las l., and used to bo that famous 1nonarclfs
great favor.c, on account Ut Ills being tho only
son who rcscmbled hin both III !aco mid stature.
The likeness hetwecn the two Ia moral as well
as physical. The son Is, as tho father was, q
staunch dsciplinartun, endowed with M obstl-
liberalism md progress, and a drill ser
gcant TO- tho backbone. The son's in
tellcct. however, seems .,,. to 10 ~ far IN.
always reputel throughout Russia to bc tho
most stupid aud dull Of a!l the Princes Of tho
Imperlnl house. His brotllcr5, tno Grund Duke
Constantine and Michael, always made fun of
HIN at court, and spread tho most uncomp!t-
himself, before llo bcrano Emperor could not
resist tic impulse to play Jokes on bis brother.
But the worst Of all tho Jokes Is said TO
have been TINT which Ills father played on
to marry his second cousin, thu Princess Of Old
cnburg, daughter Of Prince Pctar Of Ollcnburg.
Tho Princess Alexandra W!lhe1nltna WINS, the
least beautiful young laly that could i'avo becu
1OUuu III uOY E4uCppEAu SOu%k khEHlJ 1Ch4o N.Y..
It is said that tho Grand Duks cre.l lko cl!tld
when ho had to go TO Ills wedding; but the
match was not TO be broken Of.
lie was then handsome six-footer Of rs years
rcd.iaeed, piaIn.looking woman by lts side did
certainly 'not contribute Is increase Ills prestige.
For lew years the Graud Duke tried, however,
to nuke tile best of this match. llo had two
tie tic vicinity of tho tapltaa, an.i gave ali Ills
spare time to cattle and poultry, the breed:
Ing Of which WINS always iavoEltu pursuit. Of
his wife and OF lll the members OK the Oldeti-
burg family. These domestic occupations re!,,
the Idle apd fast Russian arlstocracy. Mcafl-
while Ills official position was constantly grow.
Ing In Importance. From mere honorary clicf
Of the Engineer Corps he rose to the position OF
tic Inspector General Of Cavalry, to fiat Of the
Coln.nauder-in-Chef Of tho 1mprrlal Guards
and of tle military district Of 81. Petersburg.
To nearly all Of these postfons he arrived by
right Of seniority, after his eldest brother had
thcm up. nls brother Constantine would faye
had priority over him II he hatl not been brought
up as sl!lor and q statesman, and placed
at tho head Of tho Marine and Of the Council Ut
State.
With the growth In Importance Of his posi-.
tto,,, which took him away from hts tnr,ns and
tied him moro closely to tho Court and tie Capt.
tai, the personal lablts Of thu Grand Duke seem
also to I,ave changed. Poultry una cattle gave
tIclllar weakness. Things went SO far that ono
ot Ills favorlto dancers had house built for
her directly opposite the palace u the drantl
Duke.
llls appointment TO the post Of Commander
| in-Chlef Of the ARMY now hGinY concentrated on
| the Danube must be attributed to the Sanlo
cause which brought him to all the other posts
the senior military Prince Of the Empire. A good
dlsetplnartan, aud now proba6lyR experienced