The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-06

heard of the Czar have been from mem bers 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 blusters of the kaiser. He is a hard worker, but he lacks the spectacular strenuousness of our President. He is noted for his klndness 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 fin Moscow Wherever he is his work is brought to him. He receives his minis ters at his residence and with them goes over matters of state He keeps geenral way has large part In it's direc- ton
 A Family Man.
 Nicholas IT is a good husband and a loving father. He would be called a good family man anywhere. His wife 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 i'll 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 majesty's chamber, and there he worked until she was up and out again. | His majesty usually rises at 8 o'clock, and at takes tea with the empress A half hour later he goes to his study to read the newspapers. and at Il 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 drive with the empress. Upon his return he goes to work and sticks at 1t 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 q, would be his swceessor.-
 It is said@that the czarina feels ter. ribly because she has no boy, and ali sorts of stories are given as a cause of this calamity. One of the strangest is that it comes from a curse which Greek priest uttered against her shortly after she ascended the throne. According to ! the Russian law the royal family must worship after the religion of the Greek Church. The Czar is really the head of the church, and after her marriage the empress began the study of this re- ligion with the intent to adopt 1t. This priest was her instructor, and he seems to have been an egotisticaI fellow. At ] any rate he became very angry one day when her majesty. who had grown tired l 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 prophesied saying that her majesty would have seven daughters. but never a son. This pro- phecy has gotten about over Russia, and as the masses believe what the priests say they fear it may come true. At any rate her majesty has had four girls and never a son.
 The four daughters of the Czar range in years from eight to two. Olga was born in 1895. Tatiana in 1897. Marie in 1899 and Anastasia in 1901.
 The Empress of Russia.
 One hears a great deal of gossip here about the Empress of Russia. Some of the people like her very much. and some the contrary. As far as I can judge she is a charming woman. She is, you know, the granddaughter of Queen Vic toria, her mother having been the Prin- cess Alice. who was the most attrac- tive of VIetorias daughters. She is the daughter of the Grand Duke of