The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-06-29
Ronini.cicnces of the C.an

Alexander was well-meaning and common
place. To originate bold and novel policy
lay not in him. When he came to the throne
he did not feel equal to the task Of composing
an address 10 his own people, though be had
but to speak from his own heart (which was
good one) and they would have been perfectly
satisfied. So he let it he knowa that he
wanted written speech, and forthwith
number Of Excellencies set their wits to work
GoTtsckakuffs production pleased the Emperor
hest, and he rewarded the Prince in Oriental
style, raising him at once to the pest of Chan
cellor, or second ruler in tile Empire. What
was better be kept him there, partly for his
worth, partly because he hated disnissinC
anybody. Ii was so unpleasant to see an old
friend locking solky, and altogether too dread
fu3 10 meet his eve.
Such man was sure to fall under the do
minion Of fsvorites: and it speaks well for
the worth Of character which underay his
feebleness Of will that Alexander chose his
confidential acquaintance we'll. Among tie
most intimate was Count Schouvaloif. whose
patriotism and abilities il would be folly in
Englishmen TO deny. Schouvaloff was one If
two or three who were allowed to dip into 4 e
Cars purse pretty much at their pleasure,
which means that they were moderate in the
exercise Of their privilege. Melikof the Gar
vas not particularly fond of: the General vas
rather forced on him by drawing-room
opinion. to which az Emperor of Russia natu-
rally pays much more attention than TO that
Of the press, about which the less said the
better.
Alexander softened, and generally improved
with age, excepting that in one notable parti-
eular he remained SardanspNlus to the last.
Like the wisest of kings he was the slave Of
women. But IN his youth ne was somewhat
harsh, or, It would be jusier to say, at tines
The times in question were those following up
on a too gay breakfast The Gar liked
champagne, and was apt 10 be suiky when the
effects OF that tTeacherous wine were passing
on Once he must needs go and inspect !.
school rather too soon after breakfast The
children and their parents were mustered TO
recei him, but the Gar refused to be pleas
ant. He found fault with everything and
acted altogether rather queerly. A terrible
urchin whispered in an audible undertoue TO
his mother: THE Cars drunk" Aiexan-
der heard and was sobered in an instant by
the shock. But he could not control b
anger " That child's SICK he said alond,
pointing to the boy, let him be taken to a
hospital, and after that to 5 madh0use." The
young sc2pegrace was hurried out of the
room, but nothing was done TO him and natu-
rally the Gar was careful to make no in |
quiries after him. He was not the man to in |
Jure any enc in cold blood. In old age-for /
he was old at ffty-he foreswore sack and /
lived nationally, il not ideally. His greatest /
pleasure was then to take long rambIes on /
foot unattended except by single friend. /
bis health was not good and he tried all sorts /
Of cures, especially the graz e-cure, which /
almost anticipated the work OF the assassin 4
Z. c. GTaEriE- Murray ia The Sseiss Tunes. /