Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-10-15
The CZar of Russia.

The very winter palace which is the
cars ordinary residence at st. Petersburg
is but a splendid prison of state where
5000 titled jailers stand between him and
the outside world. If had time should
like to describe that palace, at the risk OF
travelling over ground already covered by
the guide books. 1t is q town within a
town. Its inmates are veritable popula-
ton, duly graded in the minutest subdl-
visions Of official rank. The czar, TO do
him Justice, often breaks bounds, and in
deed up to a late date, he continued the
habit of all his predecessors of going out
on foot every day. But the recent attempt
on his life has changed all that and made
him more lonely than ever. He has now
fallen completely into the hands of his ad-
visers, and their advice, in default OF bet
ter. is that he shall increase the distance
between him and human nature. Before
that unlucky pistol-shot he went out atoot
TO pay mis- regular morning visit to per-
son in whom he took particular interests ,and
two or three laughing children who were
perbaps the only "subjects" " who could
venture to treat him with the familiarity
for which his heart must sometimes yearn,
He was returning to the palace from such
a visit, when that mailman, with tne
method of nihlism in his madness, meet
ing him face to face, began to make MN
target for ball prctice with q revolver
1t has been mystery to melt WAS
mystery 10 every one-how the czar es
caped with his life. The nihlist meant tt
kin him; he fired point-blank and sho
after shot 1t was given out that Alexan
der was not once hit--no doubt to max
his preservation appear something IN TN
nature of a miracle. This was only tru
in the sense that he was hit more thai
once, although not wounded. lie wore
shirt of very fine strong mail chain unde
his coat. 1t was made for him by Lablanc
of the Boulevard Magenta, Il we'll know
Paris armorer, who supplies the theatre
for their mimic wars, but who also Know
how to turn out work that would bear tn
brunt of real one.
Leblanc's first imperial customer wa
the Emperor Napoleon ILL.,, and 1t wa
probably through the recommendation o
some friend of the emperor that AleXan
der, ut the beginning of the present trouo
les. was led to apply 10 Lablanc for on
of his safety suits. Tho armorer's ow
story is that a gentleman sought him ou
and with some mystery asked If he coul
make a coat of mail that would turn
revolver bullet. He was doubtful OF h
own powers in this respect, though he ha
already provided Napoleon with an undel
shirt, warranted to turn the edge OF
knife. But an experiment was made wit
one of his best suits and it was found tina
even a Colts revolver made no impres
ion on its serred rings of steel. This 81
plains the miracle of the emperor's prese
Walton. Leblanc has other iliustrlot
customers, among them Prince Bismsrc
and the confidential distribution OF nj
business cards seems to be commo
courtesy among the potentates. oil EIrop
But the wearing of coat OF mail Ca ca
hardly be conducive to unalloyed cheeriu
ness Of disposition. The Emperor has
troubled look; there is unrest IN the vel
fixitv of his gaze. He stares at you wh,
lie meets you in the street, as though
we're wondering with what weapon J,
were going for him with this tlmeL'l
one.shooter, the six shooter the bomn D.
the knife. Richard Whiting, m me I'VE
Yorb World.