Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-27
HOME LIFE OF THE CZAH.
Tastes and Ambitions Of Nicholas H.,
of Russia.
Mew York SUM


Herr Bresnitz Won Sydacoff has Just
published n little volume on the Court
of ST. Petersburg, which is full Of sur
prjses for most people. 1t gives an in
side view Of the imperial household and
an unexpected picture Of II. He begins
by saving that when Nicholas ii. ascend
cd the throne on November /. 1894, no
bodv knew what TO think Of him. Up
10 that time he had lived in almost COM
nlete retirement. Consequently, people
waited with anxiety for some act that
would enable them to form an opinion
Of him.
one of the first acts Of the young Car
was to dismiss the police guards OF all
sorts charged with the duty of attending
10 his personal protection. Nicholas H.
&c bevond doubt, man of courage. He
inherited this virtue from his grand
father. He is a fatalist, and believes
tbot the hour Of a mans death Is fixed
in the designs of God. Il want TO live
and 10 die for Russia" said he one day
NJ the beginning Of his reign. 1T mat
ters little to me where or how l may
meet my death" Nevertheless. the pos
sibility of a Nihilist outrage is always
present in his mind. In spite of his
courage. Nicholas II. cannot help some
times casting an anxious glance about
him. Do what he will, the recol-
lection of the members Of his family
who have died violent death comes 20
his mind. The crown of Russia is a
heavy burden for young head
The dismissal Of the police guard
created an excellent impression upon the
subjects Of the Car. Moreover, they
have nothing but the highest praise for
the changes which he introduced In the
imperial household. Nicholas III. de-
tests luxury. especially at the table. The
breakfasts at the court are made up of
the simplest courses, and few guests are
invited. Like all men accustomed TO
work a great deal, the Car eats In
hurry. When he attends official feasts
he cannot help giving evidence of weari-
ness; but when among his intimates he
likes TO joke and to laugh. Contempt
for etiquette is remarkable in all his
habits. Alexander III, for example,
went through the streets of St. Peters
burg with a brilliant escort. Nicholas
III. goes out in an open carriage. His
father had the streets through which he
passed guarded by cavalry. Nicholas III.
abolished that custom and most OF TIE
time the ponce are utterly ignorant or
the course the imperial carriage will take.
me etiquette OF the court is also less
severe under the present Gar than under
MS predecessor. Everybody can ap-
proach the sovereign. Mou1lks often
travel hundreds OF versts 10 bring In per-
son their petitions to st. Petersburg
They know that their cases will be ex-
amined and that justice will be done TO
them. Nicholas III. reads himself all
the letters that come to him. On the
margin of each he marks with a red
pencil the reply TO be made, but he never
pardons those who have tried to deceive
him. or who have insufficiently informed
him Of the matter 10 be dealt with. The
energy with which he established the re-
sponsibility for the catastrophe OF Ko-
dinsky is well remembered The prompt
ness with which he dismissed the guilty
parties on that memorable occasion con-
tributed not a little TO render him popu-
lar.
One detail gives striking proof of the
simplicity of the tastes of Nicholas II.
When he was about 10 visit Paris in the
summer OF 1896 he did not have a dress
coat In his wardrobe. Nicholas III. detests
=; black coat: he prefers To wear the uni
sm Of one Of his regiments He always