The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-21
THE cxAR,s EVERYDAY LIFE
TIE Autserat ChsppIne Weed II the Back
Yard OF bis Palace and wrestling with
the Head or the Russian Navy 60 Win
the Piaadits or the Court Laanes.


androvitch RomanofY. generally known as the
Gar Of All the Russias. is by no means happy
man. His courtiers. counscors. and the host
Of State dignitaries every minute toll him that
he 10 tho sole legislator. the only supreme
judge. the irresponsible executive OF the laws
where nobody makes laws but himself the
head OF the Church. tho true master Of the life
and death OF his subjects. hundred million
strong; in fine. that he is the earthly god OF his
people and Of his country. Yethe feels himself
miserable. Is utterly disguised with his own
position. and often envies the freedom enjoyed
by the meanest Of his subjects. Every man who
could not BIO imposed upon by such outward and
often meaningless accessories as the throne.
the sceptre. and the crown. on being informed
OF the every-d day life OF Alexander Romanofr.
would say: Poor fellow pity him."
Alexander was born in 1915. Being the second
son OF tho late Gar. he was left alone for TWEEN
ty years. His education was utterly neglected
as IL usually the case with Grand Dukes not in
tended for the throne. Alexander was permit
ted to follow his own incinations and tastes.
HO disliked gorgeous uniforms. and usually
wore civilian dress. His favorite pastimes
wero hunting and muscular exercise. He was
a true sportsman. When his coat was of and
shirt sleeves rolled up. his tall. large figure ac-
Iuired considerable energy and agility. and his
rather coarse features looked animated. II not
handsome Then there WAS n certain manli-
ness and even bravery about him. He was
happy when he surpassed his brothers. who
were also good athletes, in gymnnstic exercises.
Suddenly he was called from his sports to oc-
cupy tho responsible post Of Czarevitch. his
senior brother, Nicholas. having died. This
happened in 1865.
Czarevtch Alexander was forced to abandon
his sports A dozen walking cyclopRdias were
invited to instruct him in different sciences.
Prof Constantine Petrovitch Pobedonostzeff
the little man with u long name" as the
Czarevtch used to call him. was his chief in
structor. 1t was q gloomy time for the young
Czarevtch. He longcd for muscular exercise
and for free movement in the open air. and
they kept him constantly in the classroom.
They also made him participate in all the pom
pous court audiences and receptions. Having
become Czarevitch. no was to accept the bride Of
his late brother. This keonly hurt the feelings
Of tho young man. though afterward no be-
came better reconciled to 1t than to any
thing else in his new position. He fell
in love with his bride. the Princess Dag
mar. In 1866. tho year OF tho first ate mpt
on the lie of his father that gloomy year when
hundred conspirators we're sent to Siberia. tho
Clarovitch married Dagmar During the NJ
teen years in which Alexander Alexandroyltch
that period OF time there were about a dozen
explosion In the Winter Palace. his own life
was put in peril; About ilfty political crimi
mails were hanged and several thousands were
Alexander became Car under the most hor-
rble ausntrIes The throne ne, he lag to ascend
nocent victims: For him the resplendent win.
him his splendid and proud capital is but,a
dark den of boodthirsty conspirators; He
Is Gar. and he must disregard his own feelings.
Under these circumstances alexander has So
Is miles from this city; and there. in an old
fashioned little palace he tries to enjoy life rs
tho Gar Paul who used to seclude himself
there from Tear OF his courters. who at length
Tie further details Of the Cars life are
furnished to me by person who daily sees
him, but cannot give even the least hint as to
THE Sun is seen in the Cars library
Alexander usually rises at 7. and hurrledly
amse with the aSsf"nce v. Of his
officials Of all news OF importance. 1t is in
bencvoience. III. Ministers are fully aware cot Of
# not as their sapero oT' ter he e"e Is dressad
the Car enters the reception room and receives
the report OF Gen; Tchcrovin. the commandment
of Gatchina and the chief Of the Cars body
palace garden. When in good hpmor he en-.
scizes huge axe. and chops wood. Thick logs
OF oak and pine are one after another eagerly
az s SG P se ha
it down upon the thick logs! II he Welded his
shade Of Peter the Great would rest perfectly
satisfied in the tomb. But, alas! Alexander ilI.
So b sssF
stead of the picture Of the Gar dressed in Gor-
cutting wood Tho good; nat ,d Ivans would
ss rh Sn haGy Or ss yrn ms
viii! have good time. When Czarevtch. Alex
ander usually oyerpowered his brothers vlad
Juggling. But since he has become Car he has
begun to lose in weight as we'll as in strength
Haa San ns WsG is tMS
This Worries the Autocrat OF An the Russins a
q his coronation, Wien Vladimir. Who is the
Chief Of the Guards and Of the st. Petersburg
master about some business. the latter impa-
-, An; yoo;dla9 leave that to our officials. and
Then they retire to the Cars own rooms
take off their glittcring uniforms, and begin to
toss each other and to wrestle and tug. When
h bis Majesty finds himself lying underneath
he gets mad. shakes his fist, and eyclaims:.
D the Nihilists and tho Ministers! They
Nonsense, sasha answers Vladimir; e tho
trouble is that nowadays you don't exercise as
But Sasha is not to be Gained by such nm
argument and Is determined more than ever
before to crush the Nihists and to pay no at
tention to the silly, projects" of the Minister'S
The Gar is satisfied. however. that at least
Alexis as yet cannot floor him. When Alexan-
der and Alexis retire to test their muscles. the
court ladies find the best opportunity to offer
their incense TO the Russian Jupiter. They
Gar wreste. and under her protection they
enter. Just accidentally Of course. the Cars
room. They behold the Car and 1.-THE chief OF
the navy with their uniforms of. wrestling.
Methinks see Achilles and Hector on the
battle field" ,exclams a court lady,
There Is Hercules arisen. excnms another.
The very gods Of Olympus could not have
more strength and agility, remarks third.