The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-01-23

seemly while their countrymen were
bleeding III Bulgaria.
Alexander II. rises early, and wa ks
ont at eight o'clock in the morning
after cup of coffee and biscuit. He
used to drink tea, but now takes coffee
instead, on account of his nerves, which
are shattered, neither by drinking or
dissipation, but by long hours in the
council chamber, interrupted nights,
and other real hard work which tho
business Of a sovereign and prime min
lister mbined--as is tho case with II
despot -necessarily entails. Few can
wish more that a house parliament and
responsible ministry could be safely i'm
planted in Russia than her weary auto
cfat but he cannot see his way to it with
out running the risk of revolution like
that of France in 1899. After his early
morning walk he works till IL with his
secretary. and tllen comes the dejenner
Ia fouchetts or luncheon. He is en-
tremely moderate in eating and drink
ing; SO that former cook in the WIN
ter palace. now settled in Paris, de-
clares it was most disheartenIng to catey
for him, rs he was Sndifferens to the
choicest viands. The truth is. his
health obliges him to hive very strictly,
and in all things by rale. After lunch
con he walks or rides with one of his
two youngest sons, Sergius and Paul,
who are wish him at Ltyadia. or drives
ont with the empress if she is well
enough for the exercise From j. till )
he retires again into hi, study, when
lie possibly takes the sieSsa which most
Russians in i;rege in to enable them to
extend the day at both ersls. At Iva
dia the court dimes ut ) or $50. Il is
the last meal which the emperor takes
during the da.y, and is seldom pro.
longed beyond an hour. III St. Peters
barS. in defiance Of medical rules. he
often goes to work directly afterward
till . o'clock. here. however, he gen
orally sits or walks in the garden. or re-
mains with the enpress, till ) o'clock
He then returns 10 his work. till mid
night, and sometimes inishes ny with
one round Of whist.
Liyaiia. like hcGerman Babelsberg,
IS surrounded by the mansions of other
members OF the imperial family: and.
IN spite Of the Tar,Ax emigratioA 10 Tur-
key. after the Crinean war. there are
many Mohommedan vinegrowers and
shepherds IN the neighborhood who are
remarkable for their loyalty. 70 catch
a sight Of a tall. spare man. in white
hat and light summer suit, witt scanty
gray hair. and ~orn, haggarl face
ve-y much out Of harmony with his
conparatiyely yorshful and, except
when bent with asthma, still upright
sg1re. IS considered by these peasants
IS FL ample compensation for walk If
sevsra, miles and the loss Of days
WORK spent in bovsripg about the es-
tate. Mike lis uncle of Germany.
the ear, Who Is a good linguiss, care
fully studies the principal European
newspapers: and his rare smiles are
usually caused by seeing himself de-
scrlbel IS a Sardaaapalus. an ;nveter-
are drunaarl, or az abiect coward hid
ing himself from the public gaze for
fear Of assassination, as, although nerv-
Gus, he /, in truth by no means too
careful Of his life; and anyone who
takes L walk AZ 5 4. i. in St. Peters
burg when the emperor is at the win
ter palace may see him, entirely unat-
tended, taking exercise ia the summer
garden, sometimes receiving petition
or giving tritie 30 an old soldier.
Though the air Of Livadia nay BE-
somewhat sombse, vet the absence Of
stiff etiquette and the good nature Of
the sovereign. who wishes every body
around him to he comfortable and hap
Ply. makes 1t very pleasant abode
His attendants certainly have an easy
time Of il for Ire is considerable 80 them to
excess, but has great objection to any
change IL his entOuroge: so that the
length Of time which many OF the min
listers ami court officials have remained
in their posts is favorite popular
grievance in Russia. where for man to
have been a playfellow OF FELLOWSHIP
dent Of the emperor in their boyhood
Is a surer claim TO- promotion than CON
spicuous talent. He will obstinately
refuse to believe anything to their dis
credit; bnt, perhaps. incredibly is not
bad fault with a Russian sovereign,
considering the groundless scandals
which are iioated in St. Petersburg Of
ten for the mere purpose of putting the
inventor Of them into the DETAINED
mans place. If the emperor is once
convinced Of moral delinquency on
the part Of courtier or public ser
want lie hardly ever restores him TO
favor. The names of several noted
military men might be cited in proof
OF this fact 1t is hardly necessary to
observe that Livadia is provided with a
chapel, priest, and choir, by whom a
service Is conducted every day, and