New-York tribune., 1900-08-25

These memoirs. Of which the volume In hand
Is an adequate translation. were first published
in Paris IN 1923 Their author wRs q Pole and
the daughter OF q patriot svho had hoped to see
in Napoleon the emancipation OF his country,
The little Comtesse de Tisenhaus was appRr-
entity ardent rebel as her papa; but when
Ia 1912 the splendid Crar brought his troops to
the border and the young lady met him at
headquarters her distrust vanished. She saw
IN him everything that was noble frank and
sincere. He, on his side, felt paternsl liking
for the pretty, truthful and very clever girl.
some OF whose relatives had long been among
his friends. Thus. between hero worship and
fatherIy kindness, there grew up loyal friend
ship which continued to the end OF AlexandeTs
life, surviving many changes and long absences
When after the Emperors death, his friend,
then become Madame de Cholseul set down
these "reminiscences Of her gtrlhood her pen
was moved by unabated enthusiasm and ad-
rniration Historians OF graver pretensions have
found material in her pages for there are many
interesting pictures Of noted characters and
OF an exciting period which serve to diversity
her chant of alteration.
In truth this is an amusingly feminine book.
The lofty wisdom the gracious kindness, the
beautiful manners. the prodigious good looks OF
Alexander are the themes round which the
lady's pen is never tired Of playing She was
that angel Of angels" are phrases often quoted
concerning the son Of the barbarous Paul
G1,sh aside Madame de Choiseul has given
graphic sketch Of a just enlightened and thor
ougfly well meaning the wisest ano most
unselash ruler that Russia has known We see
him here as the restorer of peace, the farseelng
head OF the State establishing her finances on
a sound basis promoting her industries and her
arts working as indefatigably as the poorest
lRborer. He would rise at o'clock in the morn
ing. work all day, dance until past midnight at
a ball spend the rest Of the night in writing,
sending of eouriers, reading and signing mem
orandR and then start upon a long, hard jour
ney st dawn with unimpaired vivacity. AS for
Alexanders personal appearance in 1SlZ, al
the age Of thirty-hve, fl is thus painted by the
fair Pole:
Notwithstanding the regularity and delicacy
OF his features the brightness and freshness OF
his complexion, his beauty was less striking at
first sight than that air of benevolence ana
kindness which oaptvated all hearts ana IN
etantIy inspired confidence. His tall, noble ana
majestic form, which often stopped little win
grace like the pose Of an antique statue al
ready threatened TO become stout but he was
perfectly formed. His eyes were blue, bright
and aggressive; he a little short-Slghted
His nose was straight and well shaped, his
mouth small and agreeable. His forehead was
somewhat bald, but this gave to his whole
countenance an open and serene expression, and
his hair, OF a golden blond, carefully arranged
as in the heads on antique canoes or meoalhons.
seemed made TO receive the triple crown OF
laurel myrtle and olive. He had an inhnity OF
shades Of tone and manner When he ad-
dressed men of distinguished rank II with
dignity and affability at the same time; to per-
sons OF his retinue with an air OF kindness al
most familiar; to women Of certain age with
Difference and TO young people with an in
finite grace, a refined and attractive manner
and a countenance full Of expression
There is no really adequate portrait Of the
Car in existence for he disliked 10 be painted,
and artists who made the attempt generally
worked by stealth. Concerning the kindly nat
ure of this handsome monarch the author tells
many anecdotes. One OF these describes him as
stopping unattended, to hear mass in little
rustic church, and, when It was over, offering
10 convey in his carriage to the next town a
lady who had been waiting in vain for her own
vehicle Thinking that he was a simple Rus
sian officer. she consented gladly, and explained
TO the Emperor that she was obliged to go to
Vilkomir to attend a lawsuit which she feared
she would lose, though her cause was just;
for added she, what justice poor widow
without protection expectT She had been ad-
vised. she said, 10 apply to the Governor-Gen-
eral Of Iithuania but she had not the honor Of
his acquaintance. and had no means Of at
tracing the interest of the Secretary Of the
Government The conversation amused the EN-
peror extremely, and he hastened to offer his
influence for the lady with NJ. Korsakoff The
poor widow thanked him for his kindness. but
did not seem TO attach much Importance to the
offers OF the services Of officer Of low rank.
Finally they arrived at vilkomir. What was
the surprise Of the followers Of the Emperor to
see him arrive seated ar the side of a woman
who was neither young, pretty. in any way
distinguished in her appearance But nothing
could equal the confusion and establishment Of
the poor woman when she saw by the signs Of
tO har frav
companion that she had been so long with the
Emperor. her sovereign. The most fortunate
part Of this meeting for her was that she gained
her suit. thanks to the influence in which at first
she had had 60 little confidence" The Emperor
had taste for playing Haroun Alraschid. He
often went about incognito and by dint Of kindly
manner and ingenious questions discovered many
hidden abuses OF power. and thus redressed
many grievances. There was real affection be-
tween the ruler and his soldiers. When he went
20 parade every morning at wilma, he would
ask. How are you, my childrenT"' and regiment
after regiment would answer III unison, I'VE
are ell well. sire; and Your Majesty
The terrible sufferings of the remnant Of Ma
polson's army It struggled back from Mos
deeply touched Alexander's kind heart
While staying at Wilma he constantly visited
the hospitals and gave aid to the wretcbed
prisoners. Finding there a number of Spanish
prisoners he sent them back to their country
by at his own expense. HeartrendinR Is
the Countess's description of the scene at Wilma
For weeks she saw. without becoming Injured to
them. the agonies Of that terrible retreat for
Wilma lay in the path to France Napoleon
passed first. very Wen and very cheerful"
travelling under the name Of Count Caulincourt
Colin qui court" Colin running away"
said his soldiers in ruefu Jest Then followed
day after day the starving freezing bleeding