Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-06

reason that no one can repro1ch ner VIII
the Vaccinations OF certain sovcrclgls
She never dcsceDds to the intrigues OF the
ante-chamber, and Is content to be tho an
gel OF her home. the protectress OF nune-
rous benevolent establishments In which
she Is interested 10 her capacity as a COM
passionate woman. She visits these cstab-
lisbments. delights her proft5fs By her
presence, and produces wherever she APP
pears the effect OF sunbeam In the dark
sky"
WOMAN or QUITE ANOTHER STAMP,
and one which might form the principal
figure IN any tales o. the secrets OF court
life, Is the Grand-Duchess Marie Paulovna,
the wife Of the Emperor's brother, Grand.
Duke Vladimir. The Grand Duke would
be an entirely inoffenslye being were II not
for the Grand Duchess. Born q German
princess. she hates the land Of her adoption
and remains German 10 The core OF her
heart:
"She docs an enormous deal Of harm 10
Russia by her reports OF things which pass
in that country. Given up to Bismarck,
who insolently reioices at this, she has
taken and still takes advantage OF her posi-
ton 10 make him acquainted with the Sc
cret designs OF Russian policy, she will not
or can not see the odiousness u the part
she plays, and which consists in betrayng
her country to the foreigner. The
The Grand. Duchess Vladimir is restless
soul, q tortured spirit, consumed with q
craving for n0t0riety; after having Oh.
tanned all she aspired TO she is detected be-
cause she has everything she can desIre."
As contrast to the striking figure OF the
intriguing woman may stand the yocng
Grand-Duchess Elizabeth Feodroyna, lately
married 10 another brother OF the Emperor,
The Grand-Duke Sergins:
"she Is u pretty. graceful. amia6le wo-
man, with q kind word for everybody.
smile for all the world. Little used TO soei-
ETY. as she Is as yet, Ii Is difficult O. Judge
OF her mental powers, but she attacts by
her beauty, by the sweet expression OF Der
eyes and her whole face. She recalls to
mind The fair, delicate English women who
are adorned with keepsakes, and her melln.
choly air adds TO the resemblance"
The sister OF the celebrated General Sko.
belief, the Countess BelnharnaiS. Is another
Of the stars Of the Russian court:
"She belongs TO that class OF women who
are predcstined from all eternity 10 become
notorious. Extremely ambitious and de-
void Of preiudices and scrupics. OF quasi
royal indifference 10 anything that may be
said. she publishes abroad what others
would try TO hide, and in her splendid
arrogance ste seems 10 DEFY cillmny
and bid il be silent. She Is an intoXi'
eating being. and [ myself have always
felt my heart palpitate whenever ap-
preached her. She appeals to every one OF
the senses Of the men who come in contact
with her, fascinating, seducing. aud mad
- h4nr oh arff
derS. She viii have her ups ana
downs. and may even have to submit to
disgrace; but she viii triumph over all, for
she has a head OF iron and heart OF dil-
mond.'
RARE COMBINATION OF QUALITIES
these bitter, but OF the sister OF the dashing
General something more than the average
allowance Of fire and firmness may be eX-
pected The woman who, after the I'M
perial princesses, holds the most important
position ut court, Is the Princes Helene
KotSchOubey, the mistress OF ceremonies
and the motherlv friend Of the Empress,
whom. we are told, "shc protects by her
mere presence. She has often made me
think" continues Count Vasili, "when
have seen her in her court costume, Of
those holy images which in our country
are suspended in the corner OF every
room. She is the IGOR OF the imperial
court" The Princess kotschoub'y
has seen n great deal OF life in Russia and
at the Russian court; she knows mankind
and Us ioibeS, has looked through the
heads and hearts OF men. has noticed every
thing. thought about everything, and never
forgotten ANYTHING. To-day the dignity OF
the largest European court rests on her
shoulders, and with great tact and insi Iht
she fuias everything pertaining To tha
ceremonial, apparently eilacing herself. hut
knowing how to attain her ends. With
keen intelligence she has avoided all poilti'
cal or court intrigue, deyotng her ambition
TO other sphere, more adapted TO her
talents. This is how Count Nasili de-
scribes her:
81 know not q more original figure than
that OF the Princess hOtschOubey, and
have hardly ever met a woman Of Der intel
ligence and mental superiority. She realizes
one OF the most difficult problems Of life
namely, that OF having always had her own
way, OF having bridged the deepest abys'e'
where human reputation can be darkcned
OF having even descended into these depths
without, however, leaving behind her the
smallest part Of the cloak OF social considc.
ration In which she is constantly enyelop-
ed. A woman OF the world 10 the very
tips OF her fingers, she has not only made
the world forgive her, but, what IS far more
difficult, she has forced il TO be silent on
the adventures Of her youth, which she
has ALWAYS treated so much from above, and
with such supreme diSdain that even those
who have witnessed them have almost be-
gun b doubt the fact OF having seen them.
BY the mere force Of hauehtlnesS the Pm
cess had made herself respected and honor
ed like few other persons. This haughti-
ness. which is said to border on in,o-
lcnce, and with which she is often re-
preached, i only manifestation Of the SUI
perioriiy which this extraordinary nature
recognizes in herself. Women like Nine.
KotSChOubey are becoming very rare. She
represents type which has at present dis
appeared. that Of the great lady who has
her sympathics, her aycr.iOns, and her
preferences, who does not hide them, and
who, while being equally polite to every
body, has nevertheless the courage TO keep
every one in his place, making those who
rejoice In having her good grlceS feel that
she does not confound them with the null
titude."
In this clever sketch Of a clever woman
the Count shows once more that, besides
being a diplomatist and gossip, be il !!
psychologist OF no mean standing, who.
however. after having exhausted the sub
loot of Milne EotSchoIbpV hurriCs Ia thp