THE RUSSIAN COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2929, 15 November 1916, Page 2

THE RUSSIAN COURT

Two theatrical artists who have played- before tho Tsar of Russia, Nicholas 11, aro at present appearing in Auckland, and their impressions of the Russian Court are both'interesting and instructive (saj's tho "Star"). To gain access to the Tsar's family circle is more difficult than in the case of almost any other reigning monarch. Once a person is accepted into the circle, tho impression is not what one would expect. Tho general idea of tho Russian ruler is that ho lives in an atmosphere of grandeur, ceremony, and mys-tery, and that ho never forsakes the mask of monarchic superiority. This is entirely -wrong, said one of the artists interviewed. Simplicity is the keynote of Court life.

Madame Lorraine appeared before the Tsar somo time ago with several other artists, who gave an evening's entertainment. The theatre, which is part of the Petrograd palace, is the scene of many sucli entertainments, as the ruler takes great interest in music and tho arts. He is credited to hayo once said that if monarrhs and thrones were no more ho would earn his living by joining an orchestra. No less marked is tho Tsarina's lovo of intellectual people than her husband's appreciation of music. At intervals during the year tho leading .students and professors aro entertained at the Court, and it is said that one of. Her Majesty's happiest moments is when she' is conversing with tho great minds among her subjects. Like the once great Maria Christina of Sweden, she entertains all visiters to tho city who are considered to bo men of letters in their own countries, and many English and French students and authors have pleasant recollections of conversation with this loading woman of Russia. There aro many English women connected with tho Court, and for many years tho leading governess for the young Princesses was an English lady who was in charge of the studies of Russia's Royal babes. An idea, perhaps borrowed from our late Queen Victoria, is the introduction of numerous coloured servants to the Court. When at table the Tsar is attended by an elaboratelv-clad Hindoo, who wears his native clothes as did the Hindoo attendants of Victoria the Good. The Tsarina, who was trained in the use of pencil and brush in her Danish home, still passes hours before her work illuminating and designing, mostly for tho cause of charity.

A noticeable thing in tho libraries and such chambers of the Court is the number of English books and newspapers which arc lined on the walls. Tho late Tsarina took great pleasure in presenting English works to her and many of these take a conspicuous position in the Court libraries.

Mons. Lamponis, at present in Auckland, was in, Petrograd some time ago, when ho was summoned to appear before the Tsar at thc_ palace, the occasion being an evening entertainment and supper. Mons. Lamponis entertained the people of (he Court with many illusions which drew from the Tsar an expressive "Marvellous!" The ruler displays a keen interest in mystery and tricks, and gives every encouragement to .this popular form of amusement. After tho entertainment Mons. Lampenis was instructed to sit at table with the Royal gathering, when ho continued to amuse the Tsar. A roast chicken was .brough* to the table, and the illusionist startled all by causing it to "walk" around tho table. This and other tricks aro appreciated by the Russian ruler, and be rewards his entertainers generally with a. gift in gold, or an illuminated acknowledgment. Mons. Lampenis has with him a gift from the Pope of Rome, and from other crowned persons before who he has appeared.

A woman applied to a London Magistrate for a summons against a neighbour who railed her "a church hypocrite." "We have something else tn do," remarked the Magistrate, "stand down." Great Britain and the United States have signed a treaty providing for the protection of insect-destroying birds on both sido3 of the Canadian boundary.