Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-06
LADIES AT THE CzAR's COURT.
Women whOFigure I'm NJ. Peters
burg society.

A writer in the London Pail Mall Gdzette
saws: The yoluble diplomatist who has for
some time past been endeavoring 10 throw,
by the aid OF the AOuUeHe Reuue, some
light on the ne intime Of the great
EurOrean courts. has now added 10 his
sketches one on the society Of st. Peters.
burg. This ought 10 be the most in
trrestng OF the series Of letters. for Count
YaSill claims TO be Russian although bis
rendering OF the Russian name NaSSill
would lead one TO believe that he had
not often heard il pronounced in
his native tongue, aud ~ such he
may naturally be supposed TO be well
acquainted with the society Of his country.
Judging, however, from the first part OF
his letter, which has Just been published,
and which deals only with Russian court
life, this is not the case. Count Nasili has
friends at court, no doubt, but the court is
not sphere OF which, collectively, he can
speak with authority. A few OF the great
number Of men and women who make the
brilliancy OF that court are singled out for
ANALYSIS; the names OF the minority OF
courtiers are conspicuous by their
absence. beginning with description
OF the Emperor, we get meaTe
sketch OF Alexander Ill, who, after
being pictured rs Woodworking, reserved,
and awkward, not above the average IN
telligence OF mankind, trying to appear
amiable, although IN monde PennLie, an
excellent husband and father. but occa-
soDally brusque and violent, Is dismissed
with the following remark: "With all his
faults be is a man endowed with very
sound judgment, OF firm and sincere pa
triotism, who will never compromise the
country over the fate OF which he pre-
sides. He Is dignided, knows how to guard
the national honor, will not hesitate 10 face
our enemies, aud will give In TO no
ore" About the Grand Dukes Of Rus
sia any member OF st. Petersburg society
has probably far more 10 tell than Count
Vasill. The heir-apparent and the Empe.
ror's Younger children inhabit As yet the
schoOl-room and nursery, and are treated
on the principle that children should be
seen and not heard. The real interest Of
the letter centres in the sketches OF few
ladies' OF the Russian Court, first among
whom is the Empress Marie, sister 10 the
Princess OF Wales. One point about the En-
press Is at once made clear-namely, that
she Is no political woman and has not the
slightest desire 10 appear such. Concern
ing the sfIairs Of State and Government
there is complete silence between her and
the Emperor-intriguing at court where
intrigue has ever played formidable part
Is As far from her as prying into political
affairs, and she enjoys life with the love OF
girl Of fifteen for dress, and dancing. aud
all things amusing. That she Is inciplble
OF court intrigue no one will doubt who
accepts the Counts summary OF the charic-
ter OF the Empress
"The Empress exercises the same fasei-
nation on one and all who approach her.
Adore her, as an exceptionally gracetui
creature, and do not look 20 her Tor grave
intellectual faculties. Say 20 yourself that
she has realized all that could be expected
OF her; that, with marvellous Intuition,
feeling that she had not the necessary re-
sources TO play great part, she has aostain-
ed from prying iuto anything OUT
side her circle. Marie Feodroyai
has correctly judge herself aai All