Russian Court Memoirs, 1914-16, with some account of court, social and political life in Petrograd before and since the war . between the two Courts is correct, but doesnot err on the side of cordiality. During the life of Alexander III the EmpressMaries name-day (July 22nd, old style) was habitu-ally celebrated in grand style. The Court wasgenerally at Peterhof on that day. The whole townwas gorgeously decorated with flags, and in theevening there were magnificent illuminations. ThePalace, the fountains, the parks, in fact all the waydown to the sea, was a mass of scintillating colouredlights
Russian Court Memoirs, 1914-16, with some account of court, social and political life in Petrograd before and since the war . between the two Courts is correct, but doesnot err on the side of cordiality. During the life of Alexander III the EmpressMaries name-day (July 22nd, old style) was habitu-ally celebrated in grand style. The Court wasgenerally at Peterhof on that day. The whole townwas gorgeously decorated with flags, and in theevening there were magnificent illuminations. ThePalace, the fountains, the parks, in fact all the waydown to the sea, was a mass of scintillating colouredlights. It was like a scene from fairyland. Peoplecame to Peterhof specially to see this sight, andforeign royalties arranged their visits with a viewto taking part in the celebration. When Alexander IIIdied all this was changed, and the Dowager EmpressMarie now tries to be absent on this day, which isfor her naturally full of sad memories. It so happened that one summer the DowagerEmpress remained in Russia later than usual. Shewas at Peterhof on her name-day. As a rule anni-versaries in the Imperial Family commence with a ^. THE DOWAGER COUNTESS MARIE SCHOUVALOFF THE TZAR AND HIS FAMILY 35 Church service held in the Palace chapel. The Em-peror motored over to his mothers summer palace,and all the members of the Imperial Family arrivedto be present at the religious service, after which theDowager Empress received the congratulations of allpresent and invited them to luncheon. The Empresspleaded ill-health, and was absent from this familygathering ; but in spite of her indisposition she tooka long drive with her children all through the mostfrequented roads of Peterhof, showing herself every-where, as she never does on other occasions. Atthe time this occurrence gave rise to much may, of course, have been pure chance, but itcertainly was most unfortunate. Since her widowhood the Dowager Empress hasgiven up all social entertainments. She seldominvites anybody, except to dinn
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidrussiancourt, bookyear1917
