The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-03-01

The general arrangement of the
buildings, besides offering the adj
vantages of accommodation to be
found in large mansion, affords
special security for the personal
safety of the emperor, whose apart
ments are completely isolated and
unapproachable except by narrow
passages that are strictly guarded.
The gal cries at Gatchina have long
been fai.,ed as containing magnifi-
cent artistic collections. One which
leads to the emperor's private rooms
is called the japanese gallery, and
here are assembled a number of Gu
riosities of the highest value, which
have from time to time been pre-
sented to the great white car by
rulers of China and Japan. The
Japanese minister, who was lately
presented at Gatchina, and who is a
great collector of both European
and Asiatic bric-a-brac, stated that
there was nothing in the east to com
pare with this Russian collection,
and thatit would be impossible to
replace many of the ancient and ex-
tremely valuable artistic objects
that adorn the imperial gallery.
The ordinary sitting-room of the
czar is comfortably, but simply
furnished apartment. Little ele-
gance 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 business that devolves
on the autocratic head of a system
of bureaucratic Capitalization. The
car is an early riser, and the labors
of his day commence at nine in the
morning. Till one o'clock he is oc-
cupied in his study receiving the
ministers whe present their daily or
weekly reports, and consulting with
them over affairs Of the state. 1t
is especially significant OF the policy
of the present Car that, while high
officials have often a difficulty in
obtaining an interview. His majes-
ty is always accessible to provincial
deputations, which are sometimes
composed of wild Khirgiz, sometimes
of swarthy kalmucks or skin-clad
Samoyedes, and sometimes of illit-
crate Russian peasants who desire
to present a holy picture to their
great father, and to express their
loyalty and devotion to his person.
The emperor receives one and all
with a stern dignity, which, though
accompanied in most cases by
certain kindness Of manner always
leaves theconviction that Alexander
III. feels himself an autocrat, and
is determined to yield none of his
prerogatives, but to impress on all
that approach him that they are in
the presence of an absolute, kindly
master. This species of self-asser-
ton was trait in the character
of the emperor in his very earliest
days. He is devoted to music, and
when boy it was suggested that he
might derive pleasure from taking
a part in the musical performances
of the palace orchestra. the then
heir-apparent was delighted at the
idea, and it remained to be settled
on whatinstrument he should learn
TO perform. Characteristically this
imperious princeselected the from
bone 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 well-sustained and
fairly successful effort to drown
the remainder of the orchestra
Although stern and even overbear-
ing to the majority of those who
surround him, Alexander III, has
always been a smpathizing and af-
fectionate husband and father. At
one o'clock daily he lunches with
his wife and children, and to this meal
none but the closest intimates of bis
family are ever admitted. After
luncheon If there are no further
deputations to receive, or important
business to attend to, the Gar goes
out walking or driving, in company
with the empress or his sons. In
the evening there is often a little
music. of which the empress is as
fond as the emperor, and her majes-
ty is a good pianist. The Gar re-
tires to bed early, and By eleven
o'clock all is silence in the imperial
apartment.
During the daytime the empress
occupies a room on the ground
floor, exactly below the czar's study,
with which it communicates direct
ly by a small private staircase. The
czarina's boudoir is elegantly fur
nished, but in a simple style, and
with no appearance OF luxury, ex-
cept-such as is given by the pres
ence of certain handsome pieces
Of furniture and objects dart, which
remain to testify to the more extrav-
agant tastes of former occupants.
The empress is an admirable mana
ger, both of her time and of every
thing that pertains to the house
hold duties. Her great intelligence
and sweetness of manner haze given
her an extraordinary influence over
her husband, and all other persons