FOOTNOTES:[1]Happily many of these photographs were later recovered and appear among illustrations of this volume.[2]So little did any of the Allied rulers and statesmen anticipate the World War that in July, 1914, President Poincaré accompanied the French fleet on its cruise to the Baltic. Many festivities were arranged for him, and he was regally entertained by the Emperor. When receiving the ambassadors President Poincaré spoke gravely of the troubled political situation, but he said nothing to indicate that he expected war.[3]Previous to the War and the impending revolution the Empress had had very little to do with politics, but it is true that when affairs became desperate she did what she rightly could to advise her husband.[4]This is the same Cyril Vladimirovitch who has recently proclaimed himself “Head of the Romanoff Family and Guardian of the Throne.”[5]See Appendix B.[6]Finland had not then separated from the old Russian Empire.[7]The snapshot taken of me by Mr. Gibbs soon after I was released from the fortress.[8]Rasputine.[9]This was the house and the room I occupied in my stay in Tobolsk on my second visit to Siberia.[10]Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.[11]The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was always a strict vegetarian.[12]Groten and Linevitch were the two aides-de-camp who were so devoted to the family during the trying period before the Revolution. Afterwards they were denied entrance to the palace.[13]Brest-Litovsk.[14]Anniversary of Rasputine’s assassination.[15]A wounded officer and friend.[16]A well-known marine officer.[17]Presumably the Soviet Government.[18]Isa, Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.[19]Miss Schneider.[20]Sister of the Emperor.[21]Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna.[22]Princess Galatzine.[23]Rasputine foresaw this correctly and the Grand Duke of Hesse retains his old home in peace.[24]Western readers perhaps do not know how indispensable is vocal music in Russian church services where no organ is permitted. All priests are trained musicians, and there is much congregational singing.[25]By this the Empress meant that the secret messenger would give me particulars she dared not write in her letter.[26]To a convent as they desired.[27]All purely personal letters were burned in the palace at Tsarskoe Selo as soon as the news of the Emperor’s abdication reached us, the Empress being determined that her most sacred possessions should not be made public by the Provisional Government. She never recovered from the grief of destroying her youthful love letters, which were more to her than the most costly jewels she possessed, the richest of any sovereign in Europe. To me this is a singular revelation of the real character of the Empress.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]Happily many of these photographs were later recovered and appear among illustrations of this volume.
[1]Happily many of these photographs were later recovered and appear among illustrations of this volume.
[2]So little did any of the Allied rulers and statesmen anticipate the World War that in July, 1914, President Poincaré accompanied the French fleet on its cruise to the Baltic. Many festivities were arranged for him, and he was regally entertained by the Emperor. When receiving the ambassadors President Poincaré spoke gravely of the troubled political situation, but he said nothing to indicate that he expected war.
[2]So little did any of the Allied rulers and statesmen anticipate the World War that in July, 1914, President Poincaré accompanied the French fleet on its cruise to the Baltic. Many festivities were arranged for him, and he was regally entertained by the Emperor. When receiving the ambassadors President Poincaré spoke gravely of the troubled political situation, but he said nothing to indicate that he expected war.
[3]Previous to the War and the impending revolution the Empress had had very little to do with politics, but it is true that when affairs became desperate she did what she rightly could to advise her husband.
[3]Previous to the War and the impending revolution the Empress had had very little to do with politics, but it is true that when affairs became desperate she did what she rightly could to advise her husband.
[4]This is the same Cyril Vladimirovitch who has recently proclaimed himself “Head of the Romanoff Family and Guardian of the Throne.”
[4]This is the same Cyril Vladimirovitch who has recently proclaimed himself “Head of the Romanoff Family and Guardian of the Throne.”
[5]See Appendix B.
[5]See Appendix B.
[6]Finland had not then separated from the old Russian Empire.
[6]Finland had not then separated from the old Russian Empire.
[7]The snapshot taken of me by Mr. Gibbs soon after I was released from the fortress.
[7]The snapshot taken of me by Mr. Gibbs soon after I was released from the fortress.
[8]Rasputine.
[8]Rasputine.
[9]This was the house and the room I occupied in my stay in Tobolsk on my second visit to Siberia.
[9]This was the house and the room I occupied in my stay in Tobolsk on my second visit to Siberia.
[10]Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.
[10]Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.
[11]The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was always a strict vegetarian.
[11]The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was always a strict vegetarian.
[12]Groten and Linevitch were the two aides-de-camp who were so devoted to the family during the trying period before the Revolution. Afterwards they were denied entrance to the palace.
[12]Groten and Linevitch were the two aides-de-camp who were so devoted to the family during the trying period before the Revolution. Afterwards they were denied entrance to the palace.
[13]Brest-Litovsk.
[13]Brest-Litovsk.
[14]Anniversary of Rasputine’s assassination.
[14]Anniversary of Rasputine’s assassination.
[15]A wounded officer and friend.
[15]A wounded officer and friend.
[16]A well-known marine officer.
[16]A well-known marine officer.
[17]Presumably the Soviet Government.
[17]Presumably the Soviet Government.
[18]Isa, Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.
[18]Isa, Baroness Buxhoevden, lady in waiting.
[19]Miss Schneider.
[19]Miss Schneider.
[20]Sister of the Emperor.
[20]Sister of the Emperor.
[21]Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna.
[21]Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna.
[22]Princess Galatzine.
[22]Princess Galatzine.
[23]Rasputine foresaw this correctly and the Grand Duke of Hesse retains his old home in peace.
[23]Rasputine foresaw this correctly and the Grand Duke of Hesse retains his old home in peace.
[24]Western readers perhaps do not know how indispensable is vocal music in Russian church services where no organ is permitted. All priests are trained musicians, and there is much congregational singing.
[24]Western readers perhaps do not know how indispensable is vocal music in Russian church services where no organ is permitted. All priests are trained musicians, and there is much congregational singing.
[25]By this the Empress meant that the secret messenger would give me particulars she dared not write in her letter.
[25]By this the Empress meant that the secret messenger would give me particulars she dared not write in her letter.
[26]To a convent as they desired.
[26]To a convent as they desired.
[27]All purely personal letters were burned in the palace at Tsarskoe Selo as soon as the news of the Emperor’s abdication reached us, the Empress being determined that her most sacred possessions should not be made public by the Provisional Government. She never recovered from the grief of destroying her youthful love letters, which were more to her than the most costly jewels she possessed, the richest of any sovereign in Europe. To me this is a singular revelation of the real character of the Empress.
[27]All purely personal letters were burned in the palace at Tsarskoe Selo as soon as the news of the Emperor’s abdication reached us, the Empress being determined that her most sacred possessions should not be made public by the Provisional Government. She never recovered from the grief of destroying her youthful love letters, which were more to her than the most costly jewels she possessed, the richest of any sovereign in Europe. To me this is a singular revelation of the real character of the Empress.