The Virginia enterprise., 1902-06-13
PAINTING AN EMPRESS.
Amalla Condert, the Miniaturist,
Describes Sittings in
Russian Palace

"Amalia Kuessner Coudert. the minia-
turist. thus describes her visit to the
Czarina.
'''As was driven to the Winter
Palace l noticed that a policeman stood
IN the center of every street crossing,
and that all of them saluted me as |
passed. did not understand this at the
time. but later 1 learned that these
wonderful men knew every citizen and
every stranger in St. Petersburg, that
all Of them were fully informed as to
who l was. exactly why l was going
to the. palace. at what hour I was ex-
pected, and when I would leave, and
that If | had not left at the time an
nounced inquiries would have been made.
TEN is so perfect throughout the empire
that there is not a night when the Gar
could not learn at & moments notice,
if he wished. where any one of his mil
lions of subjects is sleeping. Thus the
police know also, when the Car drives
actly what minute he will pass a given
corner. While at work on his miniature
| one day expressed my regret that [
had never seen him taking his drive.
He said that he would pass my hotel
at ten minutes past the next after
at that time my attention was distract
ed for an instant, and when l went to
the window he had just passed like Il
'whirlwind. On the following day, after
he had again named the hour. I was
more successful, and as he disappeared
fraction of minute past the time,
sufficient, indeed, only for him to have
driven by. When next we met l ex-
pressed my surprise at the possibility of
such exact scheduling of ones move
ments: THAT" !b he Re; E!;eplissd' e with 1s;: a
we are taught
"I found the Winter Palace huge
You can imagine it's immensity from the
fact that 5000 people. live there
when the Car makes it his residence.
clad in a gorgeous uniform. the. detail
chiefly impressing me being the absolute
magnifcence of the great plumes in his
hat. He led me through vast hall
filled night and day with armed soldiers
that form the Cars favorite regiment,
colonel. AS I entered all rose and
stood at salute, the clatter of their scab-
bards always alarming me until after
"'AIy first portrait was that Of the EN-
press, but in proceeding to her apart
ments we passed those of the Gar,
guarding hose door I noticed three
teeth. At last we reached the private
door of the Czarina. and against it
leaned giant turbaned Nubian in native
costuine: & dangerous-looking poniard
thrust behind his sash. l afterward
learned that he never merely stands in
against it. and that he or fellow Nu-
bian maintains this position night and
day. He was the most gigantic human
being l ever saw. Despite all this for
nality, found no sign Of it once inside
the private apartments of the royal FAM
ly. The Empress received me in the
simplest, sweetest manner. with the ut
most kindness and cordiality.'
Il mentioned to Miss Kuessner a we'll
Known portrait Of the Czarina. in which
some splendid furs, falling away, reveal
her graceful neck ornamented with one
Of her famous pearl necklaces, the head
bearing demi-crown, but in which what
most impresses one is the sadness of the
bwncast eyes.
Eyes, that is her natural expression
she replied, but really she is not sad.
She is very, very beautiful, with the
most youthful appearance-and of course
she is young, being even now only 20;
but actually she has all the manner of a
charming, shy girl of 16. Whenever I
spoke TO ner Sne dropped uer eyes anu
hushed exquisitely. So I, too, painted
her with her eyes cast down-it was so
characteristic. and also feared should
never catch them for a sufficient length
OF time in any position. She gave
me twelve or fifteen sittings, and I found
her most difficult. Not because she was
irritable or hard to pose, but simply be-
use her expression is so constantly
changing: The slightest thoughtfulness,
an entrance, the sound of voice in the.
distance, almost, I might say, the pass
ing of breath Of air, caused an instant
alteration, her face showing happiness,
expectancy, uncertainty merriment or
sorrow, in the most wonderful manner
have ever known on a human coun-
tenance. The charm of her face is inde-
Enable. She is strikingly tall, even for a
woman, but that does not affect the i'm
preston she gives one Of graceful girl
hood. And she can be merry, despite
the misleading sadness of her face, and
frequently she is witty. There, is she
not charming Queen? "-Frank S.
Arnett in Ainslee's Magazine.
Honesty Rewarded.
Earl FitZwilliam father of the earl of