New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-27
A PRINCE AND A MISER.
FRUGALITY OF THE LATE PRINCE JUSSU-
POFF-THE CZAREvTTCH AND
THE CHURCH.

D''N' icS"iu lOI IL Dc edhd iiA'
death has caused great sorrow. Although the
possessor of numerous palaces and estates his
niggardliness was proverbial and absurd There
is no record that he gave a single roube of his
vast fortune to charitable institutions during his
long, eventful life, or that any person, save his
son-in-law, is much happier because he had lived
lie was the last male representative Of an ancient
family OF the district of the Don. His grand
father, Russian Ambassador at many courts. was
an art enthusiast well, and established a museum
In 1T. Petersburg, filed with copies Of the works
Of Raphael and other masters Of famous schools
He was a man of culture and intimate friend
of Votaire Diderot and D'Aembert. Many of
his talents indeed as well as his wealth, descended
to his eccentric grandson
The tall, bent figure Of the late Prince, clad in
shabby clothes, daily to he seen in the streets
of the capital. He preferred TO walk, the main
tcnance of carriages and coachmen was expensive.
He complained continually of the lack Of money.
Despite his peculiarities, however, the Car APP
pointed him Master of Ceremonies and treated
him with great distinction Only when members
of the Imperial family visited him in his numerous
houses, was he wont to forget his love of money
and to display luxury commensurate with his
own wealth and the lofty station Of his guests.
As soon as his visitors departed, however he
restored the economic regime which made life so
unpleasant for his daughter and household,
Jussupoffs appearance and clothing made him
the hero of many unpleasant adventures. few
years ago while walking in the park of Baden
Baden, the late Empress Augusta met an old man
with melancholy features and dirty clothes. She
approached the bench upon which the unfortunate
creature sat, with bowed head, and placed gold
piece in the long, bony hand The touch of the
coin induced the man to raise his head, and the
Empress of Germany, to her surprise and chagrin.
discovered that she had given aims to Russias
richest son.
Owing to the popularity of the Princes daugh-
ter a clever, kind and beautiful woman society
in St Petersburg always treated Jussupoff with
consideration. Few women in Russia more
popular than She Among her numerous suitors
was Prince Alexander of Battenberg. the eX-
ruler of Bulgaria. Arrangements had been made,
in fact for their marriage, and the old Prince
Jussupoff delighted with his prospective SON.
in-law Before the publication of the engagement.
however, he consulted one of the grand-dukes
regarding the proposed union and the effect it
might have upon the Gar. To the old mans
surprise, he was told that the Emperor did not
favor the project Of numbering the young Princess
among his relations. Negotiations with the
handsome and chivalrous Bulgarian were broken
off at once and few months later the young
woman was betrothed to Count Sumarokoff- Elston
That fortunate nobeman has now succeeded TO
the title of his wealthy father-in-law. As the
new Prince is as prodigal as his predecessor was
parsimonious, the Jussupoff wealth will be used
to better advantage.
The rimor is again current in wcI-informed
circles that the engagement Of the Czarevitch to
Princess Marie of Greece will he announced dur
tha 1yicit of no immortal family m Denmark
The close relationship of the young people formerly
led Russians and foreigners to believe that the
marriage would never take place, as the laws Of
the Orthodox Church strictly prohibit the union
of relatives. Orthodox Princesses, however, con-
nected in no way with the Russian family,
few in number, and choice for the future Car is
thing of difficulty Friends of the project say
that the Emperor, as head OF the Church, has the
power also to change its laws at WILL and can
easily remove all objections TO the match. They
recall also the ingenuity Of the servants Of the
Gar in overcoming apparent difficulties, and be-
leve that the union will be brought about with
ease
moro serious question: in fact, once con-
fronted the advisers of Alexander ii. The law
required that his marriage TO the Princess Dolgo-
rouki be made public, but for various reasons
easily surmised, he wished to avoid the promul-
CATION of the announcement through the usual
channels of the pulpit and the press. The hoary-
headed Senators reflected upon the problem for
days. They wished to keep the letter of the law
and crafty the wishes of their chief
Eureka" at last cried of the wise men
after a protracted session. THE laws of Russia
require that the ukase announcing the Imperial
marriage be made public, but no paragraph pre-
scribes the manner in which it is to be commune
Gated to the people Is it not possible to hang
the manifest in an obscure corner of this room,
and let those who search for IL read its contents
The difficulty is solved"
And so it was. The Senators hailed the sug-
gestion with joy. Few men ever saw the myster-
ious proclamation; but the Gar was pleased, and
the fortunate and ingenious jurist was advanced
in dignity and power
The yacht in which the Imperial family made
the Journey to Copenhagen is a floating palace in
every sense Of that word. The Empress herself
christened il the Polar Star. The greatest care
was taken in building the vessel, used this month
by the Gar for the first time. The yacht built
several years ago, at an enormous expense, for
the Imperial family was complete failure. 1t
was TOO small and too slow, and the machinery
md woodwork were found to be defective. These
acts gave rise to ugly rumors of conspiracy. No
defects. however, were found in the Polar Star. |
since its completion last November 1t has travelled
more than 5000 miles Everything done to
insure the safety and comfort of the Gar. The
var ships in Russian waters were ordered to ac- |
,ompany the yacht 10 the Danish capital, and 10 !
cave il at no time out OF sight. AS the yacht |
ravels sixteen knots hour in the day time and |
welve knots at night, the commanders of the |
hips could have little opportunity for rest
1t is the intention of the family 10 spend much |
ime on board the vessel during their soiourn in |
orcian waters. Dinners, balls and receptions
will be given on board while the yacht lies in the
iarbor Of Copenhagen His Majesty dislikes 10
leep in the city and will spend his nights, when
lot al Frcdensborg, in the luxurious cabins of
he Polar Star
The glowing tributes TO the courage and fidelity
f the Grand Duke Alexis Alexandra, TO be found
{ the present time in foreign papers, seem hardly
deserved There is little doubt that he has en-
. 10 100 ff,I, unff Ntifa at