The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-24
THE CZARLNA THE BELOVED
BY SOPHIE FRIEDLANDeR

young grand duchesses. who. not having
the resonsbillt es of the monarch's wife,
lead lifr of continued pleasure.
Maria Pa,lovns, the wife of Grand
DUKE Vladimir, the cars uncle, we'll
known at every European court. il. in
spite OF her grown-up sons. handsome,
gay wnman. she hates formslity, and l
am told her little card Iartics are dell ght-
full Her high sririts ard disr Gari OF
convsn ;ioRalities have caused her to be a
great deal talked about and the stories
which are constantly aHost In regard to
her character shock societv In general.
but dc not seem TO trouble her imperial
hisnnsss at all.
bnae years ago n gentleman, wealthy,
but not Of what in Russia is called la
grand noblesse. visited the grand duchfss
on business: When he was ready to
leave shs suddenly said:
"Apropo,, Mr.. S.. hear your son
- Eoisg TO give = ball in his winter gar.
dsas. will yen kindly ask him to send
ne an inv tatisrr'
Mr.. 8. Jf., a nadesp Of 70 years, was
v'ry little qualified 70 be the host of a
married grand duchess, and he felt ex-
ceedinGly Battered at the M. ssags, which
his father delivered with reluctance.
TINS grand duchess went 10 his ball
aud enjoyed herself, as she afterwards
told her friends. '''mperialiy."
The great court balls at The Winter pal.
ace are brilliant spectacle, but a,great
nuisance to those vt o are unlucky enough
to be invited. Unless it re their first tx
peri nee they actally hate It; but as
neariv all of tn m occupy hiR b positions
and are personally ncqua nted with their
maJesties they have 10 tie ere when the
Cur and ozafina take tnejr round throu b
the mayn ficentIy decorated ball rooms.
Tnyl arrive at 80 precisely and leave at
midnight. During these hours the v.si
tors may be com arad to dummies, as
they har ly dare 10 move.
Woe to tue dame whose mndiste has
be, n la dy, for If her carriage siots b.
fore tue Pc lace at one n mute aft she
may as well, or Fable. tie nors may "s
we'll. turn their G"ads homeward. or st
0 o'clock The gates of the palace are CT sed.
Etiquette must BE- observed by the zAr-
ina as well as by those whosnr ound her.
and have heard that the dowa er en-
press. when much younger, used to trem-
bic under the scrutintzing regards of tue
old Princess kotcL ubey, the great mis-
tres OF the ceremoni-s.
On great national occasions like the
we ID ng of the car or the coronation
festivities, all tina ladies invited have to
appear in the national! costume, the
kokuscnn! (diadem) and vel; nut at the
ordinary balls the len4 tn of the train a d
decollete of the waist are only subject to
court etiquette.
SOM time a o the Baroness nj. had re
ceived amond cross from the czarina
az ward Tor her services 10 the work
OF the Red Cross. Of which her majesy 10
the pretident. The baroness. whose nus
band is the governor of W.. had to nurry
to ST. Petersburg to thank the empt-ss
personally for the distinction.
To thank her or his majesty for a
favor r we'd is duty whion invoives
not only time, trouble and expense, but
alsl danger; for once expected of their
majesties, one has to go-dead or alive.
So at least l was told by the baroness,
who. in poor health always, looked the
picture of misery an hour before size took
the tram for Peterhoft. A week oefore
she had sent her request to be presented
tn the secretary of the minister of the
mpsrial court. who had to put it before
the minister him self, TIL at last, through
the great mistress OF ceremonies it reach.
cd her majesty, who gracicusly liked the
day and hour. As the given hour was
neon the baroness wore a plain, short,
black velvet dress, without ornaments OF
jsw-lry. crea NJ -colored bonnet anu gloves
to match.
Az the station she was met by q court
carriage, and after an interview with
the mistr. IS OF ceremonies she at last
found herself in the presence of Der ma
jaEty, who. saying a few pleasant woi ds
in regard to the Red Cross, hoped
would take lunch at the palace. Three
out of the impet al retei ton room,
thankiul that it was over.
Their ma ESTES have srent the summer
in beautiful, his ORIG Pet rolf, but have
now gone to TaTskoe Selo fir m where
the cahnons shall announce the birth OF a
new heir to tie crown OF the Romaneffs.
St. PETERSBURG, Octo er 18th.