PRINCES.—No. XV.

THE GRAND DUKE MICHAEL MICHALOVITCH
OF RUSSIA.

THE second son of the Grand Duke Michael Nicholaïevitch (who is beloved in the Caucasus, being the only uncle of the Czar who is above reproach) and of the Princess Cécile of Baden, and grandson of the Emperor Nicholas I., he was born at Peterhof two-and-thirty years ago. Being a first cousin to the Czar, he was naturally brought up in all the odour of Royalty, and war being the only profession fit for Princes, he was presently made a Captain of the Chasseurs of the Guard, a Personal Aide-de-Camp of the Czar, and, later, the Captain of the Fourth Battery of the Grand Field Artillery. But nearly three years ago he fell so much in love with Sophie, Countess Merenberg, that he was found ready to give up a Princely career for her sake, and married her at San Remo—morganatically; for she, though as daughter of Prince Nicholas of Nassau she has Royal blood in her veins, has it diluted by that of her mother, Countess Merenberg; yet is she a charming and very beautiful lady. Forced to resign his position in the Russian Army, he now inhabits Europe generally with his wife (to whom he is devoted and upon whom the Grand Duke of Luxembourg has conferred the style of Countess Torby), and his one little daughter, the Countess Anastasie Torby; spending the summer at Schwalbach and Wiesbaden and the winter at Cannes, and varying the monotony of life by frequent shooting expeditions.

He is a good fellow who is generally liked, and stands six feet one inch in his stockings. He is a sportsman who likes golf, and founded the Golf Club at Cannes; where he enjoys much popularity. He is a good shot, and like his only sister, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, he is a great lover of lawn tennis, who always plays up at the net. He also plays the piano—in a military manner. He is not unknown in England, and he enjoys the friendship of the Prince of Wales. He speaks French, German, English, and Russian; and he is very nearly as good-looking as he is popular.

He smokes cigarettes, and he is hedged about with a Royal manner which enables him to be friendly without breeding familiarity. Yet he is fond of a practical joke.

JEHU JUNIOR.