The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-03-13
THE UNHAPPY GEAR.
A Pen-and-Ink sketch of Alexander Of
Russia.
Trrou the London TRUTH

A Pen-and-Ink Sketch of Alexander of
Russia.
From the London TRUTH
The feeling which comes uppermost
in the mind of any one who sees the
Gear for the first time is one of sincere
pity. He is large, ox-eyed man, evil
IDENTIFY of good intentions, but with
look of sadness and perplexity in him.
His voice is harsh as the grinding OF a
coffee mill out of order, for an affection
of the throat, under which he has long
suffered, renders speech painful to him.
He would have made very amiable
private gentleman, and could have got
far more ease and amusement out OF
life if he had handed all the botheration
of government over to his brother Con-
stantine, who has taste for that sort
of nonsense. He himself could hardly
have wanted to reign. Hers subject to
melancholy periods of hypochondriasis,
during which existence seems but a
dreary blank to him. He is haunted by
fears of sudden death and by the dread
of assassination. At these times he
moens about on apparently solitary
walks with large dog, but there Is
always policeman handy to keep the
sacrilegious from approaching him.
When well he devotes much of his time
to tailoring, changing his costume with
much stolid perseverance, and he likes
to be attended by hump-backed privy
councillor, who acts as foil to his fine
figure and sets it off, for he is we'll
built man, tall and straight, though
rather too German in the rotundity of
certain of his curves.
When his Majesty is in the humor he
plays a good deal at cards with his own
chums, and it is rather good thing for
these gentlemen, for whenever any one
of them is in want the Car will lose to
him the sum of which he stands in need,
rs delicate way of giving it, and this
method of bestowing substantial favor is
perfectly understood among them.
The Gear is a good shot, and has done
some grand things on bears. He some
times wears a pelisse which once COW
cred fine bear he brought low with his
own hands, and it has been SO exquis-
itely dressed that it is valued at about
$4,000, which is even more than is ever
paid either for the sable or the black
fox. He can ride, too, though not in the
English fashion, and he would be puz-
zled by a sharp burst across the country.
Lately his physicians have recommend
ed him to walk.
His personal appearance is excellent.
He stands and marches well. He shows
to advantage in uniform, though for sew
eral years he has willingly clothed him.
colf -, I;S vv,onrov, IN those of
gentleman, and there is something
extremely sympathetic about him. He
produces the impression that one would
like to know him better, if only he were
not an Emperor. 1t is this unfortunate
circumstance which takes the amiability
out of him, sets him upon his dignity,
and gives certain funnine s to his as
pect. His father really could be digni-
fed, but he can't. There is chubbi-
ness and nervousness in his proceedings
upon great occasions which reminds one
more of drum-major or fugleman of
landwehr than an autocrat.
Formerly the Emperor, as might be
expected from one of his lethargic
temperament, was averse to moving
about; latterly he has been troubled by
a perpetual restlessnsss. He lives very
plainly and his table is sparsely served.
A beefsteak for breakfast, roast
gelinotte and salad for his dinner form
the staple of his fare. His appetite is
not robust, and he sleeps badly.
There was caricature published in
st. Petersburg shortly after his accession
which represented him as a droschky
driver in the state that droschky drivers
usually are after dinner. His hat was
pulled over his eyes and his horses were
galloping wildly on the road to Re-
FORM" Behind him was the Grand
Duke Constantine, saying, "Gently,
brother. l am the fare.'' Still the
Emperor laughed; he laughed, too,
when piece was played in the Court
theater exposing the corruption of his
officials, and very fine piece it was.
Then somebody shot at him and shat
tered his nerves forever. He fell into
sort of panic, trying hastily to undo
all he had done. He had new
gives put on writer's: he ordered some
awful cruelties in Poland. He tried to
win back his sulky mobiles. 1t was all
in vain, and now he is thoroughly fius-
tered and frightened right out of his
senses. His only chance of peace and
happiness would be abdicating and a
years yachting without newspapers. At
present he is worried into fever every
morning by summary of all the un-
pleasant things which have been printed
about him for the last twenty-four hours
throughout Europe. 1t is prepared by
special precis writer appointed for the
purpose, and his Majesty takes care that
it shall spare him no pang of this self
inflicted torture, for he win not trust a
professional diplomatist to do it lest he
should gloss over the truth and endeavor
to make things pleasant for promotions
sake. A Baron Herder, connection OF
Steiglitz, the banker, not long ago per.
formed this delicate service, and perhaps
does SO still. The King of Yvetot was a
happy monarch; the Emperor of Rus
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