The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-03

to do much towards lettering the position
of the orthodox priesthood.
His thoughtful disposition has nourished
in him a strong love of art, and he has
earned a place in the foremost ranks of
amateurs and connoisseurs. His apart
ments in each of his palaces, particularly
his private sanetum at Gatchina, are filled
with pictures and works of art. AT Cat
china special favor has been shown to De
Newville's works. The paintings of artists
of every degree of ability, of Henner,
Chaplin, Trayon, Dagnan, Bouveret, Rous-
seau. Daubgny and others, hang side by
side with specimens of the modern Rus
sian school. Among these are works by
Alwazowsky, Makowsky, Bogolionboff,
Pochilonof, Potenotf, Soutrowsky and
Mestchersky. In art matters the tzar
keeps pace with the times and welcomes
each newcomer. The BaZilewsky collec-
ton, that of Prince Galitzine of Sabourow,
of Gregorowitch, were one and all pur-
chased by him. He has quite recently de-
termined to establish an imperial museum
of Russian art, in which will be united the
various paintings, sculptures and works of
art disseminated through the royal pal
aces In short, the Russian nation is in
debted to the tar for the renovation of its
art, person, pictorial, sculptural and mu-
steal.
Throughout the winter, fetes and balls
are given at the Anitackotf palace, where
the imperial family resides for several
months. At each new year the tar and
tzarina present a magnificent Christmas
tree to the regiment of Cuirassiers sta
toned at Gatchina, the tzarina distrib-
uting with her own hands the costly gifts,
each one accompanied by a kindly word.
Simimilar trees are furnished to the chill
dren of the poor, the most touching cere-
mony being the tzarina's visit among the
little inmates of the hospital for incur
ables.
At the winter palace, ball to which
5000 invitations are issued, is no uncom-
mon event The ballroom in which these
are held has no equal in the world. The
hall of Saint George is used at the new
year for the sortie OF the court, and the
ceremony of kissing hands" The royal
procession, consisting OF the tar and
empress at the head of the family, traverses
the length of the vast, glittering room, on
either side line of great danes and dig
ntaries of the court. The palace known
as the palais de PErmitage adjoinS the
winter palace; apart from its pic
ture gallery, it consists of a small
suit of salons. The gallery which is called
after Peter the Great, and which contains
an automaton inquire representing him
upon his throne, gives access to winter
garden; then comes the Moorish hall, di-
yided by arcardes into two parts. At balls,
to which the guests are limited TO some
the one side of this hall; on the floor
of the other side surperb carpets are
stretched. and il is here that the empress
presides over her immediate circle. Sup
per is served IN the winter garden under
groves of palms and orange trees, of Glacs
and African jasmine.
During the summer the grand functions
take place at the palace of Peterhof, but it
is at Alexandria, whose park adjoins that
of Peterhof, that the imperial family re-
side. This palace, comparatively small
one, is situated on the borders of the gulf
and is practically inaccessible.
The waters of Peterhof are known to
surpass even those of Versailles itself. In
the splendor of arrangement of this resi-
dence the Tar Nicolas outriyalled Louis
XIV, The pavilion called Monpaisir.
with its terrace facing the gulf, is marvel
lousy situated, while the gardens are
simply like fairyland. The Gar Alexan-
der III. had special preference for Tsar-
koe-Selo, with its salons IN amber and
Chinese lace, its memories of the great
Catherine IL. its well laid-out park, and
its little village formed of Chinese pair
lious where the court dignitaries were
lodged. Like his ancestor, the present
Alexander loves Peterhof, nor could there
be hitter summer residence for car
than this magnificent palace on the border
of the Gulf of Finland.
The luxury of the Russian court sur
passes ali that one can dream OF, and can
only be compared with the pomp and
pageantry which surrounded the Great
Moguls, richly colored velvet and gold
lace, materials of won IN, gold and silver,
marvellous embroideries, and uniforms
sparkling with diamonds meet the eye at
every turn. Masters of ceremony, and
masters of the hunt chamberlains and
lords in waiting, pages, uniformed generals
and officers of the guard pass by in glitter
ing array. Nor is the gorgeousness of
honor confined 10 the one sex; ladies of
the palace, maids of honor, grand-mis-
tresses of the court in court costume, con-
tribute their full share TO the spiendor of
the spectacle.
Among the servants the most striking
figures are those of the Wallets in green
and gold livery, imperial huntsmen and
Ethiopians in full oriental costume.
Taken as q whole. the fetes of the Russian
court are incompatible. combining as they
do the highest civilization of Europe with
the extreme of Asiatic pomp.
The active interest taken by the car,
in court balls and similar functions
is well known. During supper. at
tended by the court WoronZow Dack-
kow. he makes the round of every table.
Speaking gracious word to everyone, and,