Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-24
CAR ALExANpeR,s CHARACTER


One Of the Most Agreeable Of Csmpan.
ions-How He Considers Criminala
The car is not approachable for obvious
reasons. He is the most difficult man in
the world TO see for any purpose, because
he Is 80 completely surrounded by police
and soldiers; but when access is once
gained to bis presence he is represented as
one Of the most agreeable Of companions
mot a good talker," as one expressed
it, .-but splendid listener" He seems
TO be interested in anything you are of
mind 70 discuss, and often suggests topics
to his callers in pleasant, of hand way
to draw them out. He says little himself,
but remembers all he hears and from
whom he heard it. I would rather tell
good story to the car than any man
know, but never heard him tell one. He
IL particularly interested on all scientific
and political topics. He will listen as in
rently 10 discussion Of the political
situation I'm America as that in Europe, and
the description Of any new discovery will
delight him. He will inquire infinitely
for the details, and will then ask where
he can find further Information. Small
talk and gossip never interests him. He
will change the subject at once and
abruptly as soon as 1t is begun. He cares
nothing for newspapers and seldom reads
them, but has secretary who reads every
journal OF Europe Of any Importance, and
Is able to tell the car what he wants TO
know Of current events
Looking at his photograph does not give
one more than a suggestion OF the amount
Of character In the czar's face. He Is
large, splendIdly built man, and moves
Ike an athlete There Ia strength In
III ella
Of his eye There is no face among all
the great men Of Europe with more char
acter In its lines than mis-, and the chief
characteristic IN determination. He is a
man Of the most intense convictions. He
hates and he loves very strongly; meyer
forgets an injury or Kindness, but has
sympathetic disposition, and Is inclined to
look upon crime as disease.
This point was alluded TO recently in
conversation with an official Of the gov
eminent who has to do with philanthropic
institutions. He told me that the czar had
always shown the greatest interest in the
humane treatment Of the insane, and
had several times expressed the opinion
that most criminals were partially or
wholly out of their minds. He is much
more lenient toward the Nihilists than his
police, and ID was through him that the
last batch arrested were sent to Siberia
instead Of being executed He considers
the young men, the students who engage
in conspiracics against him, as fanatics,
and Is inclined TO treat them generously;
but III officer Of the army who Is guilty Of
conspiracy or treason he will never for
give. In the czar $ mind hanging Is too
good for him.
The religious element in the character OF
the emperor is exceedingly strong He
has always had serious temperament
even when a boy, and has taken a greater
interest in religious matters than his
father did, or in feet amy Of his predeces-
sors. He Is scrupulously exact in the per-
Torrance OF all his religious duties,
attends mass every morning or his life,
and always goes 10 the icon Of the Lady
of Kazan before attempting any great
work or deciding upon any great question,
William Eleroy Curtis in Chicago News.