Middletown transcript., 1882-01-13
HOME LIFE OF THE CzAR.
HOW THE RUSSIAN RULER LIvEs-HIs
CUSTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS

: tages of accommodation to be found i
a large mansion, affords special securit
4 for the personal safety of the Emperor
g whose apartments are completely iso
lated and unapproachable except b
narrow passages that are strictl
{ guarded. The galleries at Gatchin
have long been famed as containing
magnificent artistic collections. On
: which leads to the Emperor's privat
rooms is called the Japanese gallery
and here are assembled a number O
: curiosities of the highest value, whicl
have from time to time been presented
to the great white Gar by the rulers O.
China and Japan. The japanese min
lister, who was lately presented a
Gatchina, and who is great collector
of both European and Asiatic bric-a
brac, stated that there was nothing il
the East to compare with this Russian
collection, and that it would be i'm
possible to replace many of the ancient
and extremely valuable artistic objects
that adorn the imperial gallery.
The ordinary sitting-room of the
Gar is a comfortably, but simply, fur
nished apartment. Little elegance OF
ornament is noticeable, but large
writing table and other unmistakable
signs denote that many of the Emper-
or's hours are here passed in close ap-
plication to the endless business that
devolves on the autocratic head of a
system of bureaucratic Capitalization.
The Gar is an early riser, and the
labors of his day commence at nine in
the morning. Till one O'Clock he is
occupied in his study receiving the
ministers who present their daily or
weekly reports, and consulting with
them over affairs of state. 1t is es-
pecially significant of the present Car
that, while high officials have often a
difficulty in obtaining an interview,
his majesty is always accessible to
provincial deputations, which are
sometimes composed of wild Khirgiz,
sometimes of swarthy Kalmunks OF
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 Emperor
receives one and all with a stern
dignity, which, though accompanied in
most cases by a certain kindness of
manner, always leaves the conviction
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-assertion |
was trait in the character Of the EN-
peror in his very earliest days. He is
devoted to music, and when a boy it |
was suggested that he might derive
pleasure from taking a part in the
musical performances of the palace or
chestra. The then heir-apparent was
delighted at the idea, and it remained
to be settled on what instrument he
should learn to perform. Character
istically this imperious 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 ap-
peared chiefly to consist in a well-sus-
tanned and fairly successful effort to
drown the remainder of the orchestra.
Although stern and even overbearing
to the majority of those who surround
him, Alexander III has always been
a sympathizing and affectionate hus-
band and father. At 1 O'Clock daily he
lunches with his wife and children,
and to this meal none but the closest
intimates of his family are ever adj
mitted. After the luncheon, if there
are no further deputations to receive,
OF 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
of which the Empress is as fond
as the Emperor, and her majesty is
good pianist. The Gar retires to bed
early, and by II O'Clock all is silence in
the imperial apartment.
During the daytime the Empress oc-
cupies a room ON the ground floor,
exactly below the Cars study, with
which it communicates directly by a
small private staircase. The Czarina's
boudoir is elegantly furnished, but in
a simple style, and with no appearance
of luxury, except such as is given by
the presence of certain handsome
pieces of furniture and objects dart,
Which remain to testify to the more
taste of former occupants.
The Empress is an admirable manager,
DOIIl VI nCI GlLllC cl1u OAOH Lh4AAS Dhbb
pertains 10 the household duties. Her
great intelligence and sweetness of
manner have given her an extraor-
linary influence over her husband, and
Ill other persons who are brought into
contact with her. The Antchkina
Palace, which she occupied as Gar t.
,vna, was a model of household man.
agement, and to her initiative is due
he commencement of sweeping reforms /
N the administration of the other
,vergrown palaces. She is patroness, I
md takes as far as possible an active
j, are in the management of half the Z
charitable institutions in Russia, and
those that are connected
With the protection of women and !
children. Every morning, while the
Emperor is busy upstairs with his
minister's, the Empress receives the e
eports of Mons. Delainoff and others, Z
whom she intrusts with the supervision q