Petrograd, past and present (1916) (14769420985)

Identifier: petrogradpastpre00stev (find matches)
Title: Petrograd, past and present
Year: 1916 (1910s)
Authors: Steveni, W. Barnes
Subjects: Saint Petersburg (Russia) -- History
Publisher: Philadelphia : Lippincott
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN



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ense have always been an enigma to historians.Walizeffsky is so interested in this strange mortal thathe has written a large volume on the life and characterof Paul. If there are any doubts, he says, as towho was his father, there can be little doubt thatCatherine was the author of this curious creaturesexistence. But in his ideals and character Paul wasso opposed to his mother that she did her utmostto prevent him from succeeding to the throne. Helooked on the life and policy of his mother with thestrongest aversion, and for this reason, with hisextravagant temper, has been considered mad. Ifhe was, then many Russians who are usually thoughtsane have the same failing, for I have met those in theinterior who were as violently opposed to the notionsof Catherine as was her unfortunate son. Paulspeculiar conduct with regard to the burial of hisfather has been cited as evidence of his insanity. Thebody of the dead Tsar was opened, and Catherine,his dear spouse, remarked that his heart was
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2 ^ TWO TSARS 245 exceedingly small 1 The Archbishop of Pctrograd(Benjamin ?) states that the corpse was brought tothe Alexander Nevsky Monastery in the early morningfrom Ropcha, and for three days lay in state, so thatthe nobles and simple folk could pay it their lastrespects, according to the ancient custom. It was ina white coffin, round which four candelabra constantlyburned. The body was in the uniform of his HolsteinRegiment, and on the hands, folded across his breast,were white gloves—spotted with blood from the effectsof the careless autopsy. The Senators, fearing that thenerves of the Empress, wliich must have been greatlyupset by the sudden change in her fortunes, due to the colic from which he was supposed to have died,would suffer, requested her not to take any part in theburial service. Paul, who had method in his madness,on his accession had the body removed from the graveand brought to the Winter Palace, there to be placedin a catafalque by the body of the wife. After

Petrograd Past and Present

Petrograd, Russia

A view of the Neva River and surrounding buildings in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), Russia, circa 1916.