The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-02
Cars Pleasant Life.

''If, as johnson says. Ito be happy at
home should be the ultimate result OF
all ambition" then Nicholas III, emperor
OF all the Russias, czar OF Poland and
grand duke of Finland. must have been
very ambitious man; for his home is
certainly an exceedingly happy one,
writes John Hulme In Pearsons Maga-
zine.
To gain access TO the monarch's family
circle is I'm Russia not so easy as
In England. yet, this once effected, the
surprise In store for the favored one
is as pronounced as unexpected for the
exceeding formality which characterizes
Nicholas Alexandrovitch manner in pub
lie, gives way I'm private to a demeanor
that can only be classed as affablity it
self
Indeed. IL might seem that the car
does not really care TO be a potentate:
his tastes are much more academic than
monarchic and he appears 10 avoid all
kinds OF public display.
His majesty has no great fondness for
wars alarms or military glory,
I have already remarked upon the
warmth of the cars welcome toward
guests. His sociability extends TO his
servants. and he initiates the late queen
I'm having colored attendants. one OF
these, James Hercules halls from the
West Indies. and is very anxious that
no one should forget-not even his i'm
perial master and mistress-that he is
a British subject" The faithful black
fellow Is a great favorte with the czar's
children. who frequently commander
Jimmy" as they call him, for partici-
patton in their nursery sports.
You are not looking SO well today"
his majesty will say to one OF his body
servants. 1T pains me 10 see you like
that. You had better take rest" And.
forthwith, the attendant IN question is
given an extra money grant and an entire
change of scene.
The festival of Christmas affords one
an opportunity OF seeing very favora-
BILE side OF the imperial character. At
Czarskoe Selo large tree is arranged at
the top OF the grand staircase, and beau
tifully decked with lights and ornaments.
Or each side of the steps leading up To
the tree are draped stands. containing
presents for all the officers and men on
duty at the palace and grounds; Co.'S
sacks on sentry I'm the various corridors;
sailors who act as Keepers OF the lakes.
and soldiers who, from different parts
OF the country. are drafted TO form the
palace guard, for IL is feature OF this
branch OF the army service that not more
than two men shall come from the same
regiment.
But no matter who they are, or whence
they come. every one on duty in the
palace is given a Christmas present of a
silver article. such as "A matchbox. a
snuffbox. besides other gifts of a different
ma ture.
Each lady OF the household receives
from the empress three presents-one of
linen. second of silver. while the third
is usually n iewelled gold brooch Special
messengers are dispatched few days be-
fore the great festival, bearing presents
from the czar and czarina 20 their rela-
tives in Europe.
II requires only a glance at these
Christmas trees 10 realize how exceeding
ly affectionate the Russian imperial FAM
lily are toward those members OF their
household with whom they have been
brought into close contact.
special table for Instance placed next
10 the czarina's. contains the multitude
OF presents FOR Miss Orchard. the English
lady who after having acted as nurse
to the Hesse Darmstadt children I'm their
German home, ON Princess AliN mar
riage accompanied her To Russia. Every
thing that love and care can do H. now
done 10y the czsrina To- make happy the
declining years of her former foster
mother
one cannot remain long iu the palace
without noticing the English atmosphere
that pervades IL. and Christmas Is not
allowed 10 20 by without indulgence I'm
those essentially English dishes-roast
beef. plum pudding and mince pies
which are specially prepared by an Eng
lish member OF the household
The czarina Is expert with both brush
and pencil this latter accomplishment.
backed by taste for caricature. Is often
used for the purpose Of amusing her
friends. who. I'm addition. az times re
ceive from her deftly painted cards as
silent reminders that she has not forgot
| ten them.
| what the czarina's ideas are regarding
| propriety IN dress can be explained by
those ladies who. not long ago. received a
| reproof from her for having worn toe
decollctte costumes AZ state function.
There T. no doubt that her majesty
total abstinense from tobacco leads 10 y
good deal ~ chatting among the ladies ol