New-York tribune., 1910-04-22

Alexander I survived his alleged death IN
1875 Tor many years. in the garb OF a
monk. as a Voluntary inmate OF the Alex
ie-ski Nonast~ry. near Tomsk. in Siberia,
where he IS alleged 20 have actually sue
cumbed in 1854. at the age OF more than
ninety -ears. after having been visited
more OF less secretly by nearly every
prince OF the imperial family OF Romanoff.
the last one 10 make the pilgrimage dur
ing his lifetime having been Czarevitch
Nicholas Alexandrovitch. tie gifted elder
brother OF Alexander III. II is certainly
true that since the old hermit was laid to
rest within the precincts OF the monastery.
under the name of Feodor Kosmitch, no
member OF sh- rolGning house Of Russia
ever passes through Siberia without
kneeling IN PRAYER at his tomb.
Alexander's motive in thus Withdrawing
from the world and abandoning his throne
is said 10 have been the profound re-
morse which overlook him In his later
years FOR his share n she responsibility
for the shocking murder OF his crazy
father. Emperor Paul IN IslL Since feel
ings ol an analogous chara cter are known
20 have caused his next brother, the Gar
opitch Constantine Paulovitch, 20 wave
his rights OF succession 20 the throne, in
Favor Of a stin younger brother, Nicholas
Pauloy1tch, who having been only FIVE
years old at the time OF his fathers as
SasSinatioD was entirely innocent OF any
connection With the tragedy. il was
thought only natural that Emperor Alex
ander should have considered il necessary
10 make atonement. by sUrrendering his
sceptrt 10 this younger brother Nicholas
and by becoming dead 10 the world. so as
20 spend the remainder of his DAYS in
penance and in prayer.
All this popular and widely believed ira
diuon has now been shattered by the new
book OF Grand Duke Nicholas Michael
siovitch. who publishes in fac-simile the
letters which Empress Elizabeth wrote 10
her mother in November, 1875. day by day,
regarding her husbands illness at TaEan-
rog. during which she nursed him from
it's commencement until its close. She de-
scribes the various phases and the prog
ress OF his malady. and relates how he
finally expired, with his head resting on
her shoulder, and clsxped in her arms.
The letters, ment only for her mother.
are so grief stricken in their tone and
convey such an impression Of profound
incerity as 20 leave no possible doubt as
70 the truth Of the story which they con-
tain. What made his death more difficult
for his widow 20 bear was that some
months previously. after having treated
her with neglect during a part OF their
married life, he had returned 70 her be
sought and obtained her pardon, and be
come so entirely reconciled that her hap
piness was complete and all her sorrows
forgotten II was during this species of
second honeymoon that he was snatched
from her by death, after a sudden illness.
lasting not more than ten DAYS. The En-
press. who was completely broken hearted.
was so prostrated BY sorrow that she was
not able 70 leave Taganrog until three
months later. when. while endeavorinE 70
reach s.. Petersburg by easy stages. she
vas ove-tsken by death on the way, al
kslougs- Her letters TO her mother. the
Margarine of Baden. which are rerro-
duced IN the book Of Grand Duke Nicholas
continue I'D 10 within 2 week OF her
death.
The compiler of this valuable addition 70
the history OF the sovereign House Of Ro-
manor is the eldest son Of old Grand Duke
Michael Nicholaiovitch. who died the other
DAY. is unmarried, is president OF the I'm
perial Geographical Society Of Russia. and
tho only member OF any reigning house be
sides the Prince OF Monaco. 70 belong 10
The Institute q France. Tic Prince or
Monaco vas elected 10 the latter By reason
OF his services 10 the science of oceanoe-
-sphy, and Grand Duke Nicholas IN recoE-
milton OF his immensely valuable historical
researches.
NARQUISE DE FOHTENoN.