Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-09
Romance Of Marriage of Empress
Of Russia,

There is quite pretty little bourgeois-like
romance connected with the late Empress OF
Russia's first meeting with her future nus
band and the following engagement In
1871. when the Czarevitch was twenty-three
wears old, and the question of finding suit
able consort for him was first discussed, II
was decided to send him on round of visits
10 those German courts where Processes,
qualified by age and position to be empresses
could be found. The young princess Maria
had not vet completed her SEVENTEEN year.
and her name did not appear on the list OF
eligible ladies furnished to the Czare'itch be-
fore his departure. After visit 10 some OF
the courts of North Germany, Alexander.
who was accompanied BY Prince Orloif and
Count Tolstoy, came to Frankfort on his
way to Carlsruhe, the residence OF the Grand
Duke of Baden. who had two charming mar
riageable daughters. When the Duke OF
Hesse heard of so ilustrious a traveller being
near his little CAPITAL. he sent his first aide
de-camp to invite the prince to dinner in
the ducal palace At this state dinner the
Young princess, on account of her age, was
not present. On his way from the dining
hall to the drawing room, where tea was to
be taken. the Czarevitch, followed by his
travelling companions and some gentlemen
of the court, lotered little way behind the
party to look at some pictures. which had at
tracted his attention. In coming near the
drawing room door he met young girl
simply dressed in white and accompanied by
an elderly lady. Modestly and with admira-
able grace, the yonng girl stepped back TO
make room for the distinguished guest, but
the gallant young cavalier would not pass be-
fore the two ladies, and insisted upon their
entering first With a charming blush and
smile the young Maria walked in before him.
The Czarevitch, on making inquiries of the
Hessian gentleman, heard for the first time
in his life, that there was such person IN
existence as the Princess Mary of Hesse, and
that the pretty delicate girl whom he had
lust met in the gallery was the very person III
question.
On being introduced to her, he found THAT.
although displaying bashtul reserve this
girl was not only most highly educated, but
had her own thoroughly Independent and
original views on every subject about which
they conversed. These opinions were utter
ed 80 modesty, vet with such thorough sim
cerity that the prince stood facinated.
When Prince Orloff called the following
morning on his young master, TO receive his
orders about the journey to Carlsruhe, he
was astonished to find the Prince decided not
to 90 to the Baden Court. but to return to
Darmstadt 81 have made my choice. My
Journey is at an end. | don't want to go
any further" said Alexander. The old
courtier was perfectly COMPOUNDED by this
revolutionary spirit and utter disregard of all
etiquette. and when he learned that the
Princes choice had fallen upon Princess
Mary a lady whose name did not even APP
pear an the list sanctioned by his imperial
master in st. Petersburg, he sought in vain
for words to express the utter impossibility OF
such scheme After long entreaties: the
Czarevitch at last consented to pay formal
visit to Carsruhe, but he did not even want
to see the Baden Princess. II have made
up nv mind to marry nobody but the Prin-
cess Mary, if she will have me" was the
final resolution fthe future Emperor, against
which all arguments and persuasion on the
part of the diplomatist proved futile.
After prolonged correspondence with his
son and with Orloff, Nicholas l, so stern
and unyielding in most respects, gave way to
his favorite child, whom he loved with all
the ardor of his heart, and Prince Orloff was
instructed formally to demand the hand of
the Princess Mary for the Grand Duke Alex
ander, heir apparent to the throne Of Russia.
The Prinfiess who had conceived warm af
lection for the Young Prince, was not dazzled
by the brilliant prospect of sharing the throne
of the largest empire in the world. The
marriage, which took place a few weeks af-
terward, was in the best old-fashioned mean
ing of the term a love match.