The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-05

heard of the Czar have been from mem Ders of his court here at St. Petersburg, men who know him intimately and who are closely associated with him day after day. The best expression of his char acter seems to be that he is a Russian gentleman. He is without ostentation. He has none of the airs and busters of the kaiser. He is a hard worker. but he lacks the spectacular strenuousness of our President. He is noted for his kindness to his servants, his retiring disposition and his love for his people
 The Czar avoids crowds and pomp of all kind and prefers to live in the coun- try. He has three palaces near St Petersburg, where he spends most of his time with his family. There are Tzar- skoe Selo. Gatischina and Peterhof He has also a country home in the Crimea and other places near here in addition to great palaces at the capital and in Moscow. Wherever he is his work is brought to him. He receives his minis ters at his residence and with them goes oyer matters of state He keeps close watch of the empire and in a geenral way has a large part in its direc- tion.
 A Family Man.
 Nicholas II is a good husband and a loving father. He would be called a SOOu ldLilly lildIl dIlyWHeT6. HIS WIG IS with him the greater part of the day and evening. She sits in his room while he works, and at his request often stays there when he has important callers.
 When her majesty was quite III some years ago the Czar spent the most of his time at her bedside. and as she got better he transacted much of his busi- ness there. He had his desk and papers brought into a window recess of her majestys chamber, and there he worked until she was up and out again.
 His majesty usually rises at 6 o'clock. and at 9 takes tea with the empress A half hour later he goes to his study to read the newspapers. and at II is ready to receive his ministers and attend to his correspondence. He has luncheon a lit tie after noon, and at its close usually takes a drive with the empress Upon his return he goes to work. and sticks at it for the most of the day. He dimes at 8. and spends the evening with his family.
 Four Children, All Girls.
 The Czar has four children, and much to the regret of his subjects they are all girls. According to the law which now prevails as to the Russian succession, the ruler of the empire must be a man, and If the emperor should die without a son. his eldest brother. the Grand Duke Michael who is now 21. would be his successor.
 It is said that the Czarina feels ter iribly because she has no boy. and all sorts of stories are given as a cause of this calamity. One of the strangest is that 1t comes from a curse which Greek priest uttered against her shortly after she ascended the throne. According to she Russian law the royal family must worship after the religion of the Greek C hurch. The Czar is really the head of the church, and after her marriage tn empress began the study of this re- liz bon with the intent to adopt 1t. This priest was her instructor. and he seems to have been an egotistical fellow. At any rate he became very angry one day whela her majesty. who had grown tired of his instruction, told him that he might leave, as she knew as much about the Greek religion as he did, He went, but. as he did so. he prophesed. saying that her majesty would have seven daugf rers, but never son. This pro- phecy has gotten about over Russia. and as the masses believe what the priests say tn ey fear 1t may come true. At any ra hn her majesty has had four girls and never son.
 The f1lr daughters of the Czar range in yearsI from eight to two. Olga was born in 1895. Tatiana in 1897, Marie in 1898 and Anastasia in 1901
 TlSs Empress of Russia.
 One hei S-s a great deal of gossip here about the Empress of Russia. Some of the people like her very much, and some the contra Uy. As far as 1 can judge she is a c. aarming woman. She IS. you know. the granddaughter of Queen Vic toria, her bother having been the Prin- cess Alice. who was the most attrac- five of Vi,.toria's daughters. She is the daughter of the Grand Duke of