Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-27
THE Cz.R,s noRGaNArIC WIFE
AntcccSents of the Princess DoIgO-
reuki-Hg0yy She Became Acquaia-
ted with 4 n. xantler-gnCidents Of
Her lisC-FfeP Influence at Court
Rapid Military Promotions
New York Sun


Rapid Military Promotions
New York SUM-
Late cable dispatches announce the marriage
OF the CzaT Alexander TO the Princess Dolgo-
rcuki. Some years ago the writer saw a young
lady, accom- panied By two children under five
Years OF age, pTCmeUadiDg on the Q1a1 AnglaiS
at st. Peters burg. She was graceful and ele-
CANT. He took her for an English goyerness
Walking oui with her young charges one day
he heard that she was no other tnan the Prtn-
cess Catherine Dclgorouki, the real Empress OF
The young Princess Catherine loss her mother
at an early age. Her father was d man OF doubt
ful Character without fortune, and without
even that consideration which honest poverty
commands. He died few years ago, far from
ST. Petersburg c1fy which he had good reason
to avoid. His two daughters were educated in
ore OF the Institutions Tor noble ladies under the
patronage OF the crown. On leaving college the
elder sister became Nine. AlbeGinSki, marrying
the gentleman or that name who Is Governor
General OF the western provinces Catherine was
appointed, as is frequently the case with ladies
OF noble IAN liz when they enter society," maid
Of honor TO the CZarina a title which does
not involve any active duties, bit confer5 the
right or admission to The court and Of wearing
On the shoulder badge OF blue ribbon, with the
monogram OF the Empress Surmounted oy a
crown set IN diamonds. The young Princess
made her debut In society under the chaperon-
age or her SisteT-fn-law, the charming Princess
Dolgorouki- Fuicano, a Neapolitan lady of great
worth, VITO lives retired at Naples sick and
authenticated after having been Shamefully
abandoned 0y Ter Russian husband bar still
surrounded by the respect OF all that know her
ABOUT twelve years ago here was no lady at
st. Petersburg, whose society was more enjoyed
by the Emperor Alexander that that OF Prin-
cess DolgoTouktVulcaDo. He was a frequent
VISITOR at her house, and 1t was there that he
net the Princess Catherine. Fair-hatred siea-
Ger, with dlaphanOus complexion, simple, as
sensitive as sensitive plant, IL took the Car
ioDg time TO persuade her 10 witness any of thu,
court receptions. When she did make her ap-
pearance, It was like the rising OF a new star
IN her presence the Emperor seemed TO forget
every one else His attentions became warmer
he cast aside TIE reserve he ONed to his posi-
tiOn- Her social success at court and the con-
slant homage paid 20 her BY the sovereign could
not fail honest as she was at heart to finally
intoxicate her. Imperceptibiy the y0unr riTI
fell In love, Tot with the power or splendor of
the Emperor, but with the beauty and chlyalry
OF the man. She became the La yaliiere OF the
North, but the world, so say those who know
her 1ell-iI it could know the long struggle
with her feelings. would express & more lenfenJ
Judgment regarding her. She resorted to all
eXpedfents TO break OIL an intimacy which she
foresaw could only end in dishonor. For
months she refused to receive the visits OF her
sovereign She lived in tears. Her sister,
in-lag, lot wishing to cover with her good
name the fail OF the girl who had been intristed
10 her care In a stormy interview forbade him
the house The Gar answered not a word, and
Withdrew. ON the morrow he forwarded her
bis portrait with the autograph legend ..To
the woman respect the most" Time fled on.
out one day Catherine left the roof OF her
Brother and took up her residence In small
house OF very modest appearance, which had been
prepared for her on the quail AngIais. Ia thai
spot for many years the Russian monarch has
almost daily sought oblivion from the almost
constant prf occupations CT state affairs
The Princess has been accused OF being tool
III the hands OF the Prusstan court employed to
direct the counsels and actions of the Car She
has even been charged by ignorant ana preir-
diced newspaper correspondents With eXercts-
Ing undue political influence over her Imperial
measures taken against the regolutionists
Nothing can be more groundleSs. she has kept
herself so entirely aloof from politics that she
Is quite incapable of determining between two
different forms OF government. on two or three
occasions, however, she has expressed an opin-
ion on matters OF state. One OF these was
the dismissal OF Count Peter Schouyalon from
the Ministry OF Police. a measure which she
strongly advocated from the best OF motives.
The role she has played has simply been that OF
giving children tC the Emperor. A secret
ukaSe has authorized them to call themselves
Counts and CounteSses Of Gowrine, the name of
an extinct branch OF the Romanoff family. Her
children are four In Number, two o. each sex.
Maternity has diminished the slender grace of
her nguTe and given her matrolly style Of
beauty, While her acquaintance with the En-
peror has given her manner OF marked dis
simple Justice to the Princess Dolgorouki that.
so FAR as her false position Will allow, she has
always maintained the dignity OF woman
nood, that she has never sought to use her
influence for selfish Or unworthy ends, and
comparatively poor as she IS to-day. has never
attempted TO make the most OF her relation
WIN the Gar OF all Ile RUSS1eaS- Her very
apartments are furnished 10 the most modest |
way and are hardly large enough TO receive al |
Emperor. Since the nthtliSts have made q |
target OF her lovers person, she has removed |
nearer TO the Winter Palace, through a fear |
That his daily visits 70 the Quai Anglais would |
AFFORD too great opportunities for the attempts
OF assassins. In the very difficult situation in
which she is placed With reference to the impe-
rial family she has always been most unobtru-
sive. Although the Czarewltch has occasionally
oveTStepped the line which should be observed
In speaking TO any woman. she has never be-
trayed any resentment at his expressions of
i'll Will.
Despite ali this she Is not liked at court. Per
hapS The contempt for her sometimes displayed
is aimed at the Car but il is none the less true
that this dissatisfaction at her presence really
does exist, at the court balls no one, not even
cares ask the Princess 10 dance with hun. To
be seen a. her partner would b. social o5tra-
ciSm To such an extent had this feeling eX-
tended among the great ladies OF ST. Petersburg |
tnat the Emperor was compelled to issue an
orier to the effect that certain number OF the
officers present at balls should be detailed for
duty as her partners. Many officers resorted to !
all kinds OF expedients 10 avoid complying with |
this order. Many sent in their designations, |
while those who did obey did so In formal |
perfunctory manner, not addressing a word TO
her and almost turning their backs II they were
compelled 10 sit by her side.
A young officer from the provinces, ignorant
OF the state OF reelng at court, was introduced,
and made himself most agreeable during the
dance. Next morning his brother officers COM
PEELED him 10 tender his resignation. AT the
ball given by the assembly or the nobility to
the Emperor. an officer engaged for a square
dance the wife or a master OF the ceremo-
MES, whose past contained more than one
history. The couple took their place Ia one Of
The sets. where some OF the Grand DucheSseS
were to dance. One Of them, after glancing at
her nelghbors, fastened TO complain 20 the En-
peror. The latter, approaching the officer and
addressing him In the familiar tone which he
always assuM eS except toward the old favorites
of his father, whispered, ''Cho5e as partner
whomSoeYer on Ike, but for the future refrain
from bringing certain persons In contact with
the Grand Due heSSeS-" The officer bowed, and
Offering his arm TO the lady, at once quilted the
ball room. A few days later, state ball took
place at court Princess Dolgoroukl. IN her Ca
pacity or maid OF honor, could not avoid being
present. The same young officer sought an in
production TO her, and invited her to dance the
t'LancierS-" The invitation was readily ac-
Cepted, and her cavalier boldly escorted her 70
the Grand Ducal set. The Indignation felt by
the imperial ladies was as great as On the pre-
vious occasion, but this time no one dared to
complain aloud. AS the Emperor was passing,
the officer caught his eye. The Car stopped
and smiled.
81 see you are not wanting IN courage and
esprit de repaTtee.' he said. We'll done, To
morrow you will be major"
major he became, but his brother officers
refused TO associate with man who owed his
elevation TO being gracious 20 the Princess, aud
he was forced to ask for his exchange into
another regiment stationed In thp Droyfnces q