The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-28
THE cZAR.


New York Graphic.l
We have received from a w,urce Of
which the authenticity is beyond ques-
tion, the following curiously interesting
information respecting the present per-
sonal condition of His Majesty, the Gar
of Russia. Our information is hot second
hand. 1t comes directly from one thor
oughly informed in his own person of
the facts which he has communicated to
us. The Czar for some time past has
been prey not only to constant appre-
hensioRs for his life, but to feelings Of re-
morse for what he has done, ard of fear
for the punishment which awaits him af-
ter death. He has endeavered in vain,
by the study of modern philosophy, to
free himself from belief in the immor-
tality of the soul and in the punishment
which awaits the wicked in the world to
come. His mind has refused to accept
the negative conclusions OF the modern
skeptics whose works he has read or with
whom he has personally conversed, and
he is to-day, even more than he was in
his earlier days, a thorough believer in
the orthodox doctrines of Christianity
held in common by the Greek and Roman
Church. He believes that he has led a
bad life, an extremely bad life; and he
ldespairs Of finding means for the atone.
ment of his evil deeds, even had he the
moral strength to accept these means,
which he does not possess. The thought
of abdication often possesses him, and at
times he seems to have made up his mind
to cut the fatal knots which surround
him, and to make his escape to England
or France, leaving Russia to such fate
as might bcfall it after his departure; but
the irresolute elements in his character
always counteract this impulse, and he
remains drifting on from bad to worse.
| Within a recent period he has sought
relief from his anxetes and fears by ex-
cessive indulgence in strong wines and in
spirits. Not unfequently has His Mai
esty beeu SO intoxicated at an early hour
of the day that he W - incapable of trans
acting any business, and could only be
taken re of and induced to slumber.
Upon awakening from one of these un-
natural sleeps, the Gar presents pitia-
bic appearance; his cheeks are sunken
and haggard, his eyes are bloodshot; his
expression is that of one who anticipates
terrible calamity which may fall upon
him at any moment
The precautions taken for his safety,
not only when he goes outside the. walls
of one CT his palaces, but even while in
the supposed 'nctity of his own apart
ments, are curiouly minute and counter
checking. There appears TO be no abso-
Lutte trust repossd in any one. Every ore
about His Majestys person is watched by
some one else, and even his most conf
dental attendants feel that they are Ut
der The most vigilant, unceasing, and sus-
picious espionage. When the Gar
chooses to drive through the streets of his
Capital, when he makes railway Jour
ney. and even when, as now, he is sup
posed to be enjoying himself Mt Livadia,
he knows that he issurnunded by corps
Of persons specially detailed to watch
over his safety: and yet he fears that in
amy one of these he may find an assassin
thirsting for his blood.
When the Gar visited London i'm
mediaie]y after the marriage of his
daughter to the Duke Of Edinburg, it
was remarked by those who came closely
in contact with him that more sorrow
tul and anxious person had rarely been
seen. In the midst Of all the festivities
which were arranged for his delight and
honor, he sat like ghost at the banquet,
or appeared AS criminal who was await
ing the moment when the executioner
would appear to lead him to the scafold
Every subsequent month has deepened
the anxieties, griefs. and remorse which
produce upon His Majesty's countenance
these signs Of a restless and fearful soul.
There are SOME reasons for believing that
his mind has given away under the ter
rible pressure which it has been com
PEELED to undergo, and that at times he
is scarcely responsible for his actions.
He takes the most extraordinary likes
and dislikes fer persons and for animals.
His favorite for the time being, be it
man, woman, dog or bird, is petted to an
extent that is at once ludicrous and mel
ancholy to observe. When he was last
in Paris he heard a young pianist whose
execution delighted him. lie at once
took measures to have the young man re-
turn with him to his capital, ard there,
for long time, nothing charmed the
Car ST. much as to listen to the playing
of this youth, to converse with him, to
caress him and to load him with every
imaginable mark of favor and distinc-
ton.
Again, he concentrated his affection
upon spaniel-dog, fer which he con-
c,ived violent and uncomfortable pas
sion. The Gar and his pet dog were for
awhile inseparable, and His Majesty, at
the most inconvenient moments, would
demand that the animal be brought to
him. 1t was at this time that dispatch
was received announcing that son of
the Car was on his death-bed, and that
if the father wished to SEQ him, the great
est haste WAS necessary. A special train
Tor the Emperor was Immediately Or
dered everything was arranged; but as
His Majesty was about to enter the cars,
he discovered that the dog was absent.
The animal had taken an exceptional