LESSONS IN A PALACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 241, 31 December 1927, Page 16

LESSONS IN A PALACE

When a college is no real college, but a palace, life there is apt to touch the borderland, of things magic. Such was the Xenia Nobility College in Petrograd. once a grand-ducal mansion. Some 30 years ago it was handed over to the late Emperor’s sister, Grand Duchess Xenia, and she founded her school. “Xenia” stood in one of the most beautiful spots in Petrograd, its windows commanding a view of the splendid river. As to the interior, meals were taken in a huge vaulted hall which was so long that people standing at the farthest end of it could not be recognised. Lessons were learned in wainscotted, frescoed rooms; sometimes con-

science rebelled against carelessly spilt ink, because the parquet was really exquisite. And when the last bell had rung, the student mounted a wide marble staircase and went to sleep, with demurely smiling, sculptured cherubim hovering over the bed. All of which was so tremendously enchanting that it was impossible to appreciate it fully. The day began with prayers in the White Hall, severe in its scanty, but beautiful, furnishings; low settees, upholstered in scarlet leather, ran along the panelled walls, which were bare except for the few Imperial portraits. On a sunny day the enormous crystal chandelier, suspended from the famous frescoed ceiling, quivered with colour, and the students forgot to listen to the monotonously droned prayers. Fancy roved far and wide. And the hall became crowded with dancing silhouettes of vanished ladies and gentlemen, while strains of a polka swept down from the high, gallery.

On one day in the year “Xenia” shed its discipline and recaptured something of its bygone splendours. Music did <»ome from the gallery and the White Hall was indeed crowded with dancing couples. It was the yearly ball of the college.

Dancing partners were young men “approved” by the authorities: Naval College boys, cadets, boys from military schools and the Law College, and finally young men whose feet were on the first rung of the Court ladder, resplendent in their white and gold dress. The students danced with them, and although rules forbade “all unnecessary talking” there were countless ways of evading watchful eyes. On that day, more than at any other time, the girls entered into the land of all things magic.