THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE CZAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 187, 11 September 1909, Page 4

THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE CZAR.

(By One Who Has Often Met Him.) The first impression of the Emperor of Russia is of the gentleness and simplicity of liis character. lie is very kind and very slight, and his eyes, face, and voice express a disposition that is unusually winning. In his delicate appearance, and his quiet dignity of his bearing,*hewevor, there is o suggestion of any lack of physical or moral strength. Perhaps there could hardly be a question of physical bravery in any Royal case, since personal fearlessness is a part of Royal training, if not inherent in Royal blood. But no one could see the Emperor of Russia without realising the spiritual force in his gaze and detecting a note of moral courage ■n his voice. To all who come near him he appears fully aware o'f the weight of his destiny, and to be bearing the awful burden with cheerful serenity, always looking at his great danger, and without wavering. | THE IMPERIAL HOME LIFE. In meeting with strangers the Czar is wherever and whenever possible, kindly and solicitous and entirely free from affectation in the consciousness of his position. In this the Czarina re scmbles him. and also in a preference for the English language. Indeed, English is spoken exclusively liy the Imperial Family in its home circle, flu's would not lie singular whore the Empress herself was concerned, sjnee she is virtually an Englishwoman, and has spent years in England; but the Grand Duchess Helene, the daughter of the Crand Duke Vladimir, and since become the Princess Nicholas of Greece, has frequently said that she could not remember ever speaking anj'thing but English to her father. This exclusive use of English in their private life may account for the fact that among themselves they always 6ay "Emperor" and "Empress" instead of "Czar" and "Czarina.' At all events, no member of the Royal Family uses the Russian titles.

A MUSICAL PAIR. Music is the Czar's ifavorite recreation, and he is himself a composer of no mean merit. He plays the vio'.in well, and is very fond of an instrument called the balalaika, which is a kind of guitar 'with only three strings. He often sings to this instrument, for ,-t possesses a tenor voice of exeolKit quality. He is'more than a little proud of his vocal powers, and once, after entertaining his domestic circle with some folk-songs, he laughing exclaimed: 'Well, my children, nvy enemies say many harsh things of me, and accuse me of being destitute of many capacities, but I defy them to say that I cannot sing as well as the best of them!"

THE IMPERIAL NURSERY. I The Empress is a careful, lov-ng mother, and personally supervises the education of her four little girls and the sturdy, romping Czarevitch, who were brought up by English nurses, with an abundance of exercise and openair life. The Czarevitch Alexis Niclnlaievitch, born at Petcrhof on the 30th July, 1004, is the pet of the Imperial household and the joy of his parents' hearts. The bonnie boy, destined ruler of a mighty Empire, is already Iletman of the Cossacks, Knight of St. Andrew, Colonel of Hie famous corps of Guards and many oilier regiments. At present his responsibilities weigh lightly on him, but, although not subjected to the inn discipline meted out to his great-great-grandfather. Nicholas 1., he is expected to rise with his f co"'.rades, Velgoruski and Pateul, every morning at six o'clo?!;, and to commence his studies at seven. THE CZARINA'S POSITION.

There is ever a strong aristocratic Slavophile party at the Russian Court which deplores the "English influence" of the Czarina, and it is rumored that she has incurred unpopularity in very high quarter-; by endeavoring to suppress gambling and smoking among Russian ladies. Keeping the high ideals of her noble mother ever before her, the Empress strives to srive a hish nio'al lone to a brilliant Court, which, under the Czar Alexander IT.'(her husband's grandfather), was the most luxurious and extravagant in Euronc. Among other social reforms, the Empress has made great efforts to establish hospitals On Western lines, with adequate and efficient medical attendants, in the chief towns of Russia. GOLF AND FARMING.

The Czar is quite up-to-date in hi* liking for golf, though he docs not devote much time to (lie "rovnl and ancient same." In the pari; of Hi" Winter Palace there k a links, and Nicholas n., is sometimes to he sen there eninvrair himself immensely. The "Autocrat of All the Russias" has always taken an interest in agricultural matters, and another linliuy o.f his is farming. Some photographs were take,, some time ago showinoi an entrinner giving (lie ("Var instructions in the use of a newly-im'OTit-■rd nlough. In one of these pictures Xicliolas 11. was himself guiding (ho ,nlou<rh as it turned up the furrows Tit-Bits,