The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-01

One would say that Catherine was full of real
affection and devotion to her husband did not
the somewhat theatrical manifestation Of her
grief after the great mans death cast some
doubt on her sincerity. A French contempora-
ry, Nillevois. relates that two Englishmen used
to go every day for six weeks to watch the Carl
ma in the chapel whore tho corpse Of tho Car
lay In state, and no declares that the sight
touched his own feelings like a performance OF
Racine's "~Andromachc." Her phenomenal sor-
row did not prevent the CZarina from asserting
her right to inherit the empire from tho Gear
with tho utmost vigor and perfect presence Of
mind. Peters affection 10 less opon to doubt.
1t may have been coarse in fibre. but Its strength
lie beyond dispute. His letters to Catherine ON
tho rare occasions when they wero separated,
express the deep attachment OF tho old fellow"
as he was pleased to call himself. for his
Kntierinoushka. for tho friend OF his heart,
for tho mother OF his dear Shishenka tho little
Peter) with unm!stakable sincerity. Their
usual tone ia cheery and even jocose. There arc
no fine sentences, nothing but heartfelt words,
no passion. much tenderness; no blazing heat. a
gentle. equal warmth; never a discordant note.
and always n longing TO return. on the first OPP
portunity, TO the beloved wife, nay. more, to the
friend and companion In whose society he feels
80 happy. He lie longing to get back to her, he
writes In 1908, because he is dull without her,
and there Is nobody 10 take care OF his shirts"
Her answer Expresses tho conviction that his
hair must DO very il.Combed in her absence. Ho
replies that she has guessed Alright, but that,
II she will only como no will find some old
comb or other with which to put things In
order, and, meanwhile. no sends her u
lock OF his hair. Frequently his letters were
accompanied by gifts. In l7l1 it is a watch
bought ut Dresden; in l7l7 it is lace from
Marhlin. nm nnnthAr nrnaatNn a fo~ AHl tn.1
pairs of doves from the Gulf of Finland. Writ
ing from Cronstadt in 1928 no apologies, with
the plea that he has no money. for sending her
nothing. In l7l9 ono OF Peters letters closes
with tho expression Of a hope that this summer
will be the last they will have to spent apart.
Some time afterward he sends hor a bunch of
dried flowers and a newspaper cutting contain
who had reached the age Of l26 years and a
wlfs o.!T q year younger. In l724. before he
had discovered GATHERINGS unfaithfulness, the
Car arrived in st. Petersburg In the summer
season. and. finding that Catherine had gone
to ono OF his many country housos. forthwith
sent q yacht to bring her back and wrote:
"When i went into my rooms and found them
deserted. i felt as II / must rush away at once.
1t Is all so empty without thee!" 1t is a matter
OF regret TO learn that this correspondence
some parts Of which arc pleasing and even
touching, can never be published in its integrity.
Certain portions OF 1t are far too coarse. Peter
unscrupulously INDUCED in obScenities OF
thought and language which would be quite
impossible to print, and Catherine followed his
example with an air OF tho most perfect uncon-
! Germ. IL you wero with me here" she writes