Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-14

HUNG kIlhe Oh the SZ0Is
notwithstanding the commencement of the
winter season and the reassembly Of the no.
oiiity In st. Petersburg" says the London Tele-
grdph 1.-The Car remains concealed in the Sc
ciusion OF Gatchina- The ordinary sitting room
Oh the Car in which he transacts business is
situated on the first floor Of the block inhabited
by the imperial family. It is a comfortably but
simply furnished apartment. The style some
what betokens the character OF its occupant.
A number of heavy German fashioned and capa-
clous arm-chairs give it an air of ponderous
solemnity. Little elegance or ornament is
noticeable. but large writing table
and other unmistakable signs denote
that many OF the Emperor's hours are here
passed in close application to the endless bust
ness that devolves on the autocratic head of "A
system OF bureaucratic Capitalization. The Gar
is an early riser. and the labors of his day COM
mence at nine in the morning. Till one O'Clock
he is occupied in his study receiving the minis
tiers. who present their weekly or daily reports
and consulting with them over affairs of
state. The reception Of ministers is followed
by the presentation of officials who have
recently received important appointments
or with whom the Emperor. for some particular
reason desires to converse. Occasionally a
newly appointed ambassador or diplomatic agent
Is introduced to present his credentials. and
rarey day passes without one or more Russian
Occupations obtaining an audience. 1t is spe-
cially significant of the policy of the present
Gar that while high officials have often a diff
Guilty in obtaining an interview. His Majesty
is always accessible to provincial Populations.
which are sometimes composed of wild
khirgiZ, sometimes of swarthy Kalmuks or
skIn-clad SamOyedes and sometimes of illiterate
Russian peasants who desire to present holy
picture to their great father and to express their
loyalty and devotion to his person. The Empe-
rOr receives one and all with stern dignity.
which, though accompanied in most cases by
certain kindness of manner. always leaves the
conviction that Alexander Ill feels himself an
autocrat and is determined TO yield none of his
prerogatives. but to impress upon all who APP
prOach him that they are in the presence OF an
absolute. though kindly master. This species Of
sef-assertion was trait in the character of the
Emperor in his very earliest DAYS. He is de-
voted to music. and when a boy it was suggest
ed that he might derive pleasure from taking a
part in the musical performances of the palace
orchestra The then heir apparent was delight
ed at the idea. and it remained to be settled on
what instrument he should learn to perform.
Enthusiastically this imperous prince selected
the trombone as being the instrument with
which he could produce the greatest effect and
lover of music though he was. his performance
appeared chiefly to consist in a we-sustained
and fairly successful effort to drown the remain
der of the orchestra.
THE EMPRESS.
During the daytime the Empress occupies a
room on the ground floor exactly below the
Cars study. with which it communicates
directly by small private staircase. The
Czarina's boudoir is elegantly furnished. but in
simple style. and with no appearance OF lux
ury except such as is given by the presence of
certain handsome pieces OF furniture and Otjets
q art. which remain to testify to the more
trayagant tastes of former occupants. The look
out from the windows over the park Is charm
lngly picturesque, but the attention
is somewhat distracted from the beauties
OF the scenery by the continual n9oinp immp1i-
ately in front of the windows OF the many SEN
tries who closely surround the house. The EN-
press is an admirable manager both Of her time
and of everything that pertains to the household
duties. Her great intelligence and sweetness of
manner have given her an extraordinary infiu-
ence over her husband and all other persons
who are brought into contact with her. The
Anltchkine Palace which she occupied as CZarev-
ma, was model of household management. and
to her Initiative are due the commencement of
sweeping reforms in the administration of the
other overgrOWn palaces. She is patfOness and
takes as far as possible an active share in the
management of half the charitable institutions
in Russia and particularly those which are con-
nected with the protection OF women and chill
dren. Every morning. while the Emperor is
busy up stairs with his ministers. the Empress
| receives the reports of NJ. DelianOtf. General
Baumgarten and others. whom she intrusts
with the supervision Of the various societies
in which she is interested. 1t is rare also
| that any deputatiOn or individual of import
| ance is presented to the Emperor without
being subsequently introduced to the En-
press. But it is not affairs pertaining to her
imperial position alone that occupy the atten-
ton of this excellent wife and mother The En-
press socitude for the safety of her husband is
we'll known. and it has been observed that she
is never at ease when he is called away from
home. The education and care of her children
also engross much of her thoughts. The eldest
son. the CZarevitch. is in his fourteenth year
and resembles his mother in features. He is of
an active and lively disposition and. for his
years is far advanced in his studies. Russian is
always the language employed by the imperial
family when they are together. but when the
boys are with their teachers they speak French
| and English on alternate days. Six hours day
are devoted to study by the young princes. but
their education not limited to sedentary studies
alone They are also practiced in riding and
shooting. and the Czarevtch is. it is said
already good shot and rides WE'LL
The Race is Always to the Swift.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Night in great city. The wind surged and
moaned with mournful cadence through the
leafless trees that stood like gaunt spectres of
the night, ever and anon bending low their
withered trunks and great black branches as if
in mute appeal to the storm king to not pros
trate them forever with his cold, merciless