New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-25
ROYAL RIP VAN Wrinkle
Grand Duke RevisitS St. Peters
buru After 35 Years Exile.

tCouyrignt. 1911. by the Brentwood Company
The funeral of Grand Duchess Alexandra
Josefowna of Russia last week at 81
Petersburg was noteworthy owing to tne
temperance In the metropolis OF her eiu-
est son. Grand Duke Nicholas Constantine
witch. for the first time since his disgrace
md Punishment TO Transcaucasa In B'c-
that Is TO say, thirty-hve years ago-toI-
lowing the scandal IN which he had be-
come involved with an American advent
uress. whose European nom de guerre was
Fanny Lear. but whose real name, as
ehown by the police records OF Philadel-
mia. was Hattie Blackburn. Of that CITY,
The grand duke is now a man Of con-
siderably over sixty. much broken IN
health. and although prepared for many
changes az St. Petersburg by the illus
trated newspapers and by photographs
also by moving picture shows, which are
very popular throughout the length and
breadth of Russia. yet he seems TO have
been dumfounded by the altered aspect OF
the metropolis and by the innovations OF
tie last three decades
The scandal which brought about the
grand dukes long Imprisonment and ban
ishment was one which also led 70 a de-
mand by the Russian government for the
recall OF the American Charge d'Aifaires'
Eugene Schuyler. one Of the cleverest men
In the diplomatic service of the United
states. but who in this particular instance
made the mistake OF his lifetime by at
tempting 10 shield with the American flag
the unsavory adventures in question and
10 protect her from the punishment which
she 80 richly deserved for running the
grand duke in money and in morality, 70
the extent OF inducing him to steal not
only his mothers jewels but even some
OF the iewelled ornaments OF the imperial
chapel. In order 70 present them to his
inamorata.
Thanks 10 this Intervention Of Schuyler
and prompted also by desire 10 avoid
emphasizing the scandal that would have
teen caused by a public trial Of the wom-
an, the Russian authorities ccntented
themselves with recovering from her the
stolen jewels and all the grand duke s
papers which they could find, and with
expelling her from the empire. she be-
took herself TO Paris. where she quickly
spent her I'D gotten gains, attracting al
tentiCn by her Russian equipages When
driving in the Bots; published in London
a book OF her Russian experiences. con-
tanning the facsimile OF some letters OF
The grand dukes which she had managed
30 retain. and in which he spoke disparag-
inEly Of the members Of his family, and
ultimately returned to this country 10 die
IN the utmost penury.
Emperor Alexander II, instead OF treat
ing his nephew. Nicholas Constantinovitch'
as afflicted with mental alteration, deaI'
with him as II he had been In full posses
sion Of his senses, and. Mortified beyond all
measure by the sacrilegious character on
the theft consigned him 10 close imprison-
ment in one Of the most remote OF the
fortresses of southern Asiauc Russia
Alexander III declined 70 pardon him. out
relieved the strfctness Of his captivity by
permitting him 10 live under surveillance
az Oxenburg. where. however, he got into
fresh trouble by marrying, without the
Emperor's consent the daughter Of the po-
lice Official intrusted with the duty OF keep
ing watch upon him and was. in conse-
cueUre. relocated 20 Tashkend, the capital
OF Russian Turkestan. This woman bore
him two children. she is now divorced from
him. and, having been created Countess
Eskender lives with her children on an an
nuity of $1,000 a year. which she receives
from the Russian Crown.
The present Car less severe than his
father and grandfather. yielded TO the en-
treaties Of the banished Grand Dukes IA
vorite sister. Queen Olga Of Greece. and
brother. Grand Duke Constantine Con-
stantinov,tch Obeing on terms Of great init
macy and close friendship with the latter,
and pardoned Grand Duke Nicholas to the
extent Of permitting him 70 take up MS
residence in the Crimea, on the estates
there OF the late Grand Duchess Alexandra
Josefowna. and 70 divide his time between
her country seat there and the city Of SIM
fsropol. which is the capital Of the province
81 Taurida. The Emperor also restored 70
Grand Duke Nicholas his Order Of St. An
drew. though not his military digniues. and
81 was wearing the insignia Of that order,
distinctive OF his rank as a prince Of the
blood. that he appeared among the other
members OF the reigning family at the
funeral OF his mother last week the only
one Of them 20 be in plain evening dress
instead OF IN uniform.