New-York tribune., 1881-03-30
mEuogTES or THE DEAD CAR.


TRAvRILERs-A ROYAL BALL AT THE WINrhH
PALACE.
TO fAe EditOr Of The TTfbHhe'
SIR. When ! took up the paper on Monday
March Il aud read OF what had happened the day be-
fore on the banks the frozen Neva was as greatly
shocked aud panied as II had lest near and dear
friend To me- familiar with the surroundings OF the
horrible tragedy the shocking details stood out In opiu
mental perspective. could see the CAV Sunday scene
nc have seen It bcfore the streets full Of people the
single sIeghs and The great ToiGas gLng toward the
cebound river and speeding across IT. the crnWus nhe
the sidewalks and he bank TO look at the pageant ana
then could fancy the Cars cqupaRe appearing win
s inmate bowing in return 20 tho sautes from II sides
then the quick explosions and the maugng to death Of
the knJest and best sovereign that has on the throne
OF Russia. The reason why felt all this more keenly
than other Americans Of sensbili.y is rs follows;
In the WINTER OF 1875 just before the Lent OF the
Greek Church had begun visited Russia wiz Dy wl'e
We took up quarters In St. Petersburg ana entered
into the pleasant life OF the "selson' Americans
who visit this great northern county, far too many
Of them do In summer know nothing OF the distinctive
social customs OF Moscow and 81. Petersburg Al lh"t
time the late Emperor and Empress entertained tie
yees sentiments OF regard aud gratitude owIrd tie
American people There had been some ammo ance ana
shade Of d,appointment in official minds. ca ised by
Misunderstanding regarding the visit OF tha Grand
Duke Alexis to Washington. but the popular recepon oi
thor son had ,1ade deep impression the Imperial
couple At reception. indeed. on New-feaTs Day the
Emperor and Empress had come mp to tie United states
Consul General and taxing him by tho hand, requested
him. in the most manner TO convey tDer thanks
TO the great American people for the kpd reception OF
their SON Il was 20 this simple fac: that owe one o.
the ratesi and plcasancst experiences or my ufe
An acauaiutance with one OF the Grand Dukes ana
slight service rendered another member OF the Imperial
family had brought our names TO tho notice OF tue In
peror and upon being Informed from the Foresn once
of or presence In the city and bat We we're Ony tran
silent visitors having no connection with oiica hie he
ert word that we should at be nvited 10 PR vate
hall AT the Winter Palace. The invitations were sent
not TO the Legation usual but 10 our bolel ther
receipt raising us could easily see many degrees
m the estimation Of tine iunctionarios Of that establish
mont On the night appointed We drove, with the
United States Charge a. Anares. 20 the Palace The IN
vtat,ons had not only prescribed attire or my wife,
fu evening Dress without train Tor myself black dress
sut AM crush ha but requested TO ascend by The
Emperors private staircase. This we did. passing
veried officials at every landing We were ushered Into
"A handsome reception room. and various officials Wera
present Then the Grand Master OF Ceremonies Prince
Leyen said that he should be compelled e. trouble ms 10
move on 70 other rooms IN succession There less
frnaIv about the whole affair than have often
at q party this country. Finally the company were
ranged In a curyinZ line In the ballroom extending ffon
a closed door communicating with the Imperial apart
mepts In o few moments this door was thrown open.
Tine orchestra once struck up waltz. ana while lis
merry notes were sounding the Gar Alexander, clad IN
the uniform OF cavarymdn. walked slowly H. followed
by the CzaI1Da then ihe Grand Dntchess Dagmar'
now The Emprossl and other members 81 hi. family.
Accompanied by Prince Lieven he walled along the
being presented 20 him and addressed
peasanily by him. He spoke TO is for minutes
a gracious and friendly When he had passed, the
Grand Duke Alexis came up. seeing MN lnlklhg WIN
us, the Emperor turned back and asked " We knew
that young man. making some JOcular remark about
him. Then the bCautifni DaH proceened ana tine sght
was one 10 be long romem bered But II 10 notion tie
brilliant assembly Of nOablties the gorgeous costumes.
the fine music. and the graceful Russian maIourka that
my memory dwes to-day. can but thirk ol tue gentle.
This great sovereign in his brief with two
Americans with claim 10 official rank or distinction.
larger official balls. On das the table for the
Imperial family the AmbHs sadoIs etc. while the other
guests sat al tables the Emperor, In accordance
with old Russian custom, dld not SIT down. hut
walked about among his guests; asking II they we're
properly served. can see him In my minds eye At
this moment his grave faeo. his all iorm In the wte
cavalry uniform, boots and aceoutrements, aud find
the most vivid impression OF all 10 be that OF the
gentIcness 20 which have Just alluded. may freely
Saw taa see nothing grandeur and pOmp OF I'M
perial government 10 greatly impress intelligent Re-
publican but from the Imperial point or view the ruler
OF the sayonc domain Is loy exalted and gracious
familiarity his part was particularly noteworthy.
Soon approached the table where my Wiie sat She
hands on the back dGain her, aud tailed
with her for few minutes. expressing his pleasure AT
having her In Russia, and hoping that her stay
would be pleasant. Then with bow and almost
sme be passed on nha we never o saw an n ard
lands thousands OF mile removed from the kingdom OF
the MuscOytes nave never lost the clear remrlnbrance
OF late years have called Russia 1.-The Empire OF the
burg How can 1--we city where tie streets
wet ana the hearts are dry" but safely say that
found went, ana as generous bearts
inside the Wnter Palace behind any " brOwnstone
front" In New-YOrk.
Alexander H. was a prey 70 the hereditary melancholy
OF ROmauUns ana IL II pitiaDle To think what pc
must have suffered OF late years from this and nom
the constant OF assassination. As has been
clearly proved, CONSCIENTIOUS ana according To
his lights a beneficent and kindly ruler, and lie n
warm friend OF the United States. Uo had friend
shin and welfare heart than any other ruler
great or small Europe, and nation, have suf
fered bereavement. Ia the glare of the fierce gbC
that beats upon a throne" his faults and hs cardinal
virtues have clearly and distinctly Hundreds
OF writer's emphasizing them to-day, and Illuminating
praise or blame Among tue myrlads OF words gong
broadcast over world there may be ths
brief person "Reminiscences, this mourning
OF one who called MN 'rieud. TRAVELLER
Nep- York; March ls. 1881.
REAPPORTIONBfEhT IN CONNECTICUT