THE WINDSOR OF RUSSIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2665, 10 August 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE WINDSOR OF RUSSIA.

Here is Lady Randolph Churchill's description of Gatchina—the " Windsor of iliissia" :—" It is a curious mixture of splendour and unpretentioHsness. The approach from the station, through a series of small parks, must be lovely in summer. I was surprised to sec so few sentries about, aud indeed, to all appearances, the Kmperor is not, more guarded tluiii the Queen at Windsor. The entrance to Gatcliiua, on the publie_ road, i had but one sentry. Without architectural merits, its 700 rooms and endless corridors are iillcd with priceless Oriental china (cleverly arranged on walls), tapestries, and art treasures. Coareurs in black and orango liveries, their caps adorned with tossing bluek, white, and orange feathers, give a slightly barbaric appearance to the scene, which is added to hy the mass of bowing attendants, anil by the two Nubians dressed in white, with turbans and scimitars, standing outside the Empress's audience room. While waiting to be received one is shown into an apartment fitted up in the style of 40 years ago, with paintipgs of mediocre value. Further on there is a large hall worthy of an old Knglish country house, full of comfortable arm chairs and waiting times, games and toys—l oven spied';i swing. In this hall their Majesties often dine, when they have guesU, and after dinner the table is removed, and they pass the remainder of the evening there. This seems strange when one thinks of the enormous building. l'>ut the Emperor aud Empress elect to live with the greaest simplicity in tiio tiniest of rooms, which arc rather at variance with the Kmperor's towering friune aud majestic bearing. His Majivsty's manner ia as simple as are his Instrs, and, if rather sliy, impresses one Willi a conviction of hia honesty and earnestness. There are some curious cimtoms at the Kiissian Court which do not harmonise with the idea of a dospelic aud autocratic sovereign. To see the Tzar standing while supper U going on, Ulkiuc, porlnp-', to a. young i;iilivr, who remains s._',u--d all the time, i.- .startling. ;!'>:ii i■ruditiiin is everything in this country, and a.s it was a "habit" of I'eter the i ; .i'j:it, who (iislilicd ceremony of any kind, it i.-i reii-inu-ly kept. The etiquette of Hi ■ ilu-.i-ui Court is much less rigid in .'.j'.nu re-:peet3 than it ia in England or in <;./]•, nany. ll is not the custom thereto treat l!io members oE the Imperial family with so much deference as in oilier Europeru Courts ; no lady would think of eoui trying Lo a young Dul<e, and would only rise when the En:press did, or when the Emperor first entered a room.