. My life here and there. t was made to go tocourt by provincials, and, doubtless, patriots who trav-elled so far, after many years of service, to gaze on theirLittle Father and his beautiful consort, put an almostreligious spirit into their pilgrimages. But I think theymust have felt repaid for their effort and expense, as theylooked on the most magnificent party in Europe. Theycarried memories back to Caucasian mountainside orSiberian plains, which were akin probably to had walked through kilometres of great halls, filledwith art treasures; they had seen three thousand people
. My life here and there. t was made to go tocourt by provincials, and, doubtless, patriots who trav-elled so far, after many years of service, to gaze on theirLittle Father and his beautiful consort, put an almostreligious spirit into their pilgrimages. But I think theymust have felt repaid for their effort and expense, as theylooked on the most magnificent party in Europe. Theycarried memories back to Caucasian mountainside orSiberian plains, which were akin probably to had walked through kilometres of great halls, filledwith art treasures; they had seen three thousand peopleassembled, the womens gowns and jewels or mens uni-forms of gold and furs of such richness as no other em-pire could boast. The frame was worthy of the pic-ture and the picture of its frame. Surely Solomon in allhis glory could not have equalled this great sight. Nicolas II, alone of all European sovereigns, couldgive his three thousand guests dancing space enough ina single ballroom; he alone had room to seat them all at. CO < O au o wu CO QW CO Q fa QP<p < Pi < < a i—i THE COURT AND SOCIETY 251 a well-served hot supper, with plate and rare china,napery and food from his own kitchens and these feasts and in all his gorgeous surroundings theEmperor always seemed most simple. His uniform wasgenerally that of a colonel in one of the infantry regi-ments of which he was fond, or that of his own of stature, with a painfully shy manner, His Maj-esty showed constantly how difficult was his role as thecentre of these celebrations. I always thought as I sawhim watch longingly some gay guardsman pass with apretty partner hanging on his arm, how the Ruler of allthe Russias must envy an ordinary young chaps dressed for these parties with feelings of elation,donning my best clothes and knowing it was all pleasurefor me. We drove through the freezing night, toward amagnificent feast for eyes and ears, as well as a joy tolight and frivolo
Size: 1237px × 2020px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1921
