The Holly chieftain., 1900-01-05
PRIVATEL LIVE OFCZAR
RARELY SMILES AND HAS NO
DREAD OF ASSASSINATION
q VIII Live and Die for Russia; How
Die Care Sot"-His Home Life
Is Very simple and He IL Very
Democratic

So little IS known about tine private
life and personal habits OF Gar Nicho-
las OF Russia, that volume on this
subject which has just been published
IN Germany. is bound TO prove of un-
usual interest. The volume is entitled
Gear Nicholas H. and His Court, "
and the author is Bresnltz Won Syda-
COW. Nicholas. We are told is one OF
the most reserved monuEchs that ever
sat on a throne. He speaks seldom
and briefly, and while he is talking his
eyes are generally fixed on the ground.
He rarely laughs, and does not often
even smile. OF danger he has no
dread, resembling his fearless grand
father in this respect, Il will live and
die for Russia; how ! die, care not"
he said a few days after his accession.
The czar's home life is simple. He
likes plain food at dinner. and he sell
dom has many guests at his table. He
eats quickly, like all men who are
accustomed to work good deal" and
he drinks very little wine. He drives
about in a small twO-hOrse carriage,
ways, for he does not like civilians
attire. Indeed, it is said that he had
no frock coat until he visited Paris
few years ago. and that the court
tailor. who was accustomed TO making
his uniforms, was in despair. because
he knew that his imperial master
would be obliged TO wear civilians at
Iva b. 10
ing 4 man Of resources. however, he
went hastily 10 PlTis TO study the lat
est fashion IN mems dress. and he I'm
ally purchased a suit for 700 rubles.
This suit the car wore during the fes-
tiyities in Paris and the story goes
that he felt very uncomfortable in il
Nicholas is an unwcaried reader. All
documents submitted to him he reads
carefully, and he frequently makes
notes on them with d red pencil. His
memory is wonderful, and II often
happens that months after he has Civ
en- an unimpOrtaut order he will ask
as to the manner In which 1t was car
ried out Summer and winter he is
the first to arise in the morning. and
he is working hard while the others
are still sleeping. During the day the
czarina sits beside his desk, sewing or
embroiderinE Whenever a court oiIic-
er enters she prepares TO leave the
room, but the czar invariably says:
mo. my dear, you won't disturb u.s."
and with gentle insIstence he lays his
hand on her arm aud draws her back
to her seat OF his little daughters the
car Is wonderfully fond. When the
first one was born instead OF the ex-
pected heir, the czarina, it is said,
went to her husband with tears in her
eyes, and begged him to forgive her
for not presenting him with an heir
The car in reply kissed her tenderly.
and said that he was very glad to have
daughter. When the car wants to
shake on all cares he plays with his
children and it is on these occasions
that he seems most happy. A firm be-
lieYer in popular education is Nicho-
las. While he was heir apparent he
once said. Russia has had a czar
who was a liberator; 1t also needs a
car who will be an educator" and the
people have not forgotten these words.
or the cars interest in popular edu-
cation there are many evidences.
Hardly a day passes that the Russian
papers do not contain articles about
new schools new libraries, and new
aid.