The Romanov Dynasty

The Czarina is a beautiful woman, looking more matronly now than she appears in the pictures usually published of her. She is tall and very fair, and apparently as unconscious of any danger to herself or to her consort as a child. The Czar, In walking, inclines his head slightly to one side; the Czarina holds her head high, overtopping her husband by several inches. Her self-possession or self-control is in marked contrast to his manner in public. She bows to left and right and smiles upon those she greets, although the smile Is clearly forced and betokens a sad heart.

The private life of this family, almost prisoners in their palaces, surrounded by servants and guards whose fidelity, in the light of past events, must always be distrusted, is not that which either Nicholas or his wife would live from choice. Both are intellectual and fond of literature, art, and music; and both have ideas of advanced Christian socialism, which would never be listened to by their advisers, and to try would precipitate the empire into anarchy. In his early years Nicholas was fond of sports and simple pleasures, He has no time or inclination for these now. His throne is one whose appalling responsibilities and sleepless dangers broke the heart of his iron father and drove several of his ancestors out of their minds.

An American laborer, with his eight hour day, leads a life of comparative indolence in comparison, with that of the Czar, who is supposed to be not only the most powerful but the richest man in the world. He maintains in the most lavish European style more than one hundred palaces, castles, and country houses, and the total army of servants maintained for these is about 80,000 people. The cost of these households is far in excess of the salary which is paid out of the government's coffers. He maintains stables with at least 5,000 horses and the total estimate of all his expenses each year is six times that of his salary, or $30,000,000. Out of all this expenditure of wealth the Czar gets little in the way of pleasure, not to speak of the constant fear of violent death. He is a great smoker of black, strong, and big Havana cigars. When the court physician protested against the great number of these which the Czar consumed, the monarch turned upon him with a pettish snarl: "Do you want to deprive me of the one solitary pleasure of my life?"

One day in the life of Emperor and his family is the same as all others. His dally duties constitute a profitless routine of heavy drudgery. The Czar rises every morning, the year round, at 6 o'clock, takes a cold bath, dresses, and is at the breakfast table at 8:30. Half an hour later he is at his desk. His habits of work resemble those of Former President Cleveland. The ministers, knowing conscientious habits of studying every document sent to him for his signature, ply him with many more than are strictly necessary in order to leave him as little time as possible for brooding over peace conferences and similar ideas, which they regard with anything but favorable eyes. One thousand documents digested and signed is an average week's work.

And in this work there is no specialization. He deals with every imaginable question: Appointments, legal problems, church rituals, the grievance of a prince, the appeal of a criminal for clemency, the increase of the army and navy, diplomatic relations with foreign countries, internal finance; all these receive an answer, 'yes" or "no," from the "Little Father,' After four hours of this work, audience is given to ministers, generals, and all who have business entitling them to see the Czar. From 11 a, m. to 1 p.m. this imperial court, is held daily. From 2 until 4 p.' m. the Czar is supposed to take rest and recreation. In these days he usually gets neither.

In earlier years of his reign, it was his custom to devote these hours to walking, cycling, shooting, skating, riding, or lawn tennis, according to the season of the year or the wishes of the Czarina, who often accompanied him. Of all outdoor pleasures the Czar loves picnicking the most, and in this he used to find with his wife much pleasure. When they were in Livadia their beautiful country home in the Crimea, surrounded by forests, the whole family greatly enjoyed these outings. The Czarina is in charge of these excursions.

She and her children go in a carriage, her husband and friends ride on horseback. At 5 o'clock p. m. the desk duties are resumed for two hours more, and at 7 o'clock any minister with particularly urgent business is given a brief audience. Dinner is served at 7 30, usually a formal affair, with a dozen or more guests.