The Czar's Morganatic Wife

Kb« HUt«; y of a Hiuias State •caadtkl

By a tragedy in the family circle of one of the ruling houses of Europe there has been laii bare a hitherto hidden chapter in the life of the man who is now the ruler of "All the Russias."

A beautiful woman, young, fair, and graceful, blonde and with big brown eyes, died recently in Odessa, all but destitute, and of a broken heart.

She was Mdlle Ksezinska, once widely known as " the beautiful Labouskaia," the wife of the present White Czar, wedded morganatically to to him eprly in September of last year, but his mistress ever since 1888, when Nicholas 11., then Czarevitch and heir apparent, was a gay lad of twenty and the flower of the noble youth of St. Petersburg and Warsaw. ,

Only the master mind of the late Czar kept the liaison from becoming one of the gravest scandals that modern Europe has known. Proud of the Romanoffs and proud of the dynasty of which he was a part, mindful, too, of the traditional virtue of his wife, the example of which had raised Russian morality to its highest point, Alex ander 111 used all his efforts to sup press the affair.;,/ The bitterness of the blow #ill probably never be fully | understood.

When, late in 1890, the story came to bis ears by the merest chance —the careless dropping of a word in the home circle—he fell in an apoplectic fit, and was revived with difficulty. In this is to be found the explanation of his long and painful illness, which culminated in the end of October in his death,

Had the facts relating to Mdlle. Ksezinska been known to the world three years ago, a letter that Alexander 111 wrote to his father inlaw, the King of Denmark, would have been understood. Reference was made in it to the reprimanding of Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, a cousin of the Kaiser, for insubordination and stupidity. " Poor William ! It makes him unhappy to have one relative un endowed with strategic qualities ! He ought to be in my shoes, with thieves, malcontents, Keels, and husbands of lewd Women in his family < ircle."

For many months the Czarina Marie Fedorovna had kept the secret of the liaison of Nicholas, her first-born, locked safe in her breast. When, however, the Czar insisted upon the young man's marriage, nnming the Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadfc as his first choice, the whole story came put literally at the mother's knee. When the Czar heard, however, and bo soon as he had recovered from the illness and the nervous shock, he realised at once that something must quickly be done. Deportation to Siberia or the solitary and lifelong im prisonment of Marie Ksezinska and her family in the battlemented and moated fortress of Schlusselburg were not to be thought of, for the reason that despite the secrecy of the Russian police, rumours would undoubtedly spring up. "It is better to let sleep ing dogs lie," communed the Czar. But one other course remained open to get the Czarevitch away amid new scenes.

The famous tour around the world of the Czarevitch and the noisy Grand Duke George of Greece was planned. And the party set forth early in 1891. By the time they returned the infatua tion had cooled, and had it not been for the pushing forward of the old matrimonial project it would probably never have been renewed. But in the same way that *'■ Love laughs at lock smiths," it laughed with Prince Nicho las at the idea of a State marriage to a haughty princess while his heart really belonged to a pretty woman in a villa just outside of St Petersburg. With defiance in his heart be wedded his inamorata, only two months and a half later to be forced into a political marriage and a State betrothal at the bedside of hia dying father and master.

Only seventeen when she went upon ] the stage, Maritza at once danced her- , self into popular favour, and her ] fvinkling feet were the admiration of ' all Polish Russia. She was but nine teen when in 1888 Nicholas joaet her. His rank gained him that very evening admission behind the scenes, and thence forward he let his mad passion take full possession of him. There is nq question but tha,t the foeauiiful Lfs-bquskaia Iqved aa deeply as he did. for his sake she gave up the stage, its manifold attractions and the admiration that was hers through oat all Poland. And there is good reason to believe that it was not Nicholas the Czarevitch she loved, but Nicholas the man. During the years they lived together she bore him two handsome sons, who are said to have the physical traits of the Rornanofls. The coincidences of history are as tounding. Almost at the very hour, certainly during the very month that the present Czar caught sight of the woman who has influenced his whole jife twirling on her, pink toes on the gbrgpous stage of the Warsaw Opera House, with the plaudits of Russian Poland deadening the music, he was introduced to the Princess Alix who bow bears the title of Czarina, "Little Mother," of the Russian Empire. The courtiers of the royal p&Uce wottdered that the proud and dainty Prinows of Hesse-Darmstadt did no* impress the young Nicholas more. It was an open secret that this girl of sixteen was intended to become the next Czarina, and the Court fre&tef) her an such. T|ie young people caw each other every day, But, on the part of the Czarevitch at least, the friendship was purely a platonic one. Tt could not well be else with the image of the tabouskafa in his heart and his first great passion then at its flood. The Czar, ignorant of the tragedy then building up and soon to be played, asked his son twice if be would" marry Princess Alixr Twicethe answer came in the negative. Yet so anxious was the Czar, that Nicholas felt some ex cuse was necessary. Craftily he feigned a liking for the Princess Marie of Greece. It was an admirable subter fuge to gain t|m,e, and one not in volving liaueh risk, lor the relationship between the two dynasties was very close. On iust these grounds the Queen of Greece objected, and em phatically refused her consent. y»til bii dying lather's fiat came iv

the early days oi last fall that he must marry with all speed the Princess Alix and close this chapter of illicit love, Nicholas had seßu little of his inamorata

since hia return from his long tour

Once the imperative ordere for marriage came, however, he went post-haste to Warsaw and married his Maritza quietly in the little town of Kalisch, Kussian Poland. Immediately after this the Labouskaia went to St. Peters burg, and was secretly placed by her husband in a small but beautifully fittedup palace in the suburbs, pur chased in her maiden name by an officer in the Chevalier Guard Regiment acting under the instructions of the Czarevitch.

The public betrothal of Nicholas and the Princess A lix came shortly after. The death of the Czar Alexander and the royal wedding of the new Czar followed in rapid succession. Heart broken though she was then, the true wife of Nicholas 11. gave no sign. But the story had gone beyond the family ears, though the new Czarina was kept in ignorance of it. Possibly through the influence of Marie Fedorovna, pos sibly by the order of the Czar Nicholas himself, his feelings changed because of his accession and new responsibili ties, and this cruel and final blow was dealt:

Pobedonosteff, Procurator of the Holy Synod, delivered the following message;—•"Mademoiselle can never hope for recognition ; the Kaliach cere mony was idle mockery." As plainly as anything can be inferred, this meant that if for one moment the Labouskaia claimed to be more than Nicholas' mistress she, her whole family, and the man who performed the Kalisch mar riage ceremony would at once be transported to Siberia, beyond a possi bility of return. It is no wonder, with all the forces of the Russian Governmental ma chinery against her, harsh and im placable as they are, that she returned in her loneliness to the scene of her girlish triumph six years ago at War saw, and from there found her way into Odessa to die. Alone and among strangers, she ended a life full of sad ness that but adds to the romance of her royal Jove. No Russian law could help her to gain her marital rights, for i kings and princes have their own peculiar marriage code. And so one more great wrong done by a Ramanoff has to be added to the black list that stains the history of that family.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS

Sydney, March 12 Ml* Schey, in moving the second reading of the Eight Hours Bill, moved, as a matter of urgency, that the debate be continued without interruption by Government business. The motion was carried against the opposition of the Government by 46 to 21. The Premier regretted the action taken by Mr Schey. He had no personal feeling in the matter, and hoped it would not occur often. The Bill is now being considered in Committee. Sydney, March 18

Mr ftchey, after upsetting the order of Government business, carried his victory further by secruing the suspen sion of the Standing Orders to permit the Bill to be passed through all its J stages. The Bill provides for a uni form eight hours with certain excep tions, and imposes fines and imprison- ! ment on employers and employees ex ceeding eight hours' work. It also ap plies to railways, water supply, and marine boards. From the indolent manner in which rn.emb.ers of the Legis lative Assembly viewed the measure, the opinion is favored that its fate in the Council is certain. In Committee, members merely contented themselves by pruning the penalties. The third reading is fixed for to-night. The Daily Telegraph referring to the matter says the proceedings were humiliating to Government, and not the slightest pretence is made to justify the serious interruption of the work Government has in hand. The Herald says so high-handed interference with Minis terial responsibility was hardly ever attempted before, and certainly was never acquiesced in by the Ministry. Government, it says, appeared in sensible to humiliation and it is im possible to doubt that they have irre vocably lost the status of power by their inability to make th.eir will respected,, and tha meekness with which they accepted defeat. The Bill, says the Herald, has not the slightest chance o,f becoming law, Sydney, March 14 Jt is freely rumored in the lobbies that Sir Henry Parkes is sounding certain members as to whether they will support him in the formation of a ministry plaoing federation in the forefront of his policy s and leaving the fiscal question to be decided by the federal Parliament.

F. FERRIMA.N

THE ASHBURTON GUAKDIAN t TSOksdAY, MARCH U, titi.



Futolic NotiOes TIHWALD TOWN BOARD. GENERAL RATE. T3UBLIC Notice is hereby given thai [ L it it the intention of the Tiuws d Town Board, at a Special MeetiDK to lw held on Friday, March 29. 1895, to make and levy a Geneial Rate of | of a penny in the £ on the rateable value of the rate able property in the Tinwald Town District for the year commencing on the Is day of April, 1894, and ending on the ilstd»yof March, 1895, payable in one infifalrnent on the 20 h day of APRIL 1895. The R%te Book is open for inspec tion at the Office of Meters C. E. Fooku and Son, Bullock's Arcude. 0. E. FOOKS & SON, Cleiks to the Tinwald Town Board. March 14, 1895. 3 91



NOTIFICATION OF VALUATION LIST. mAKE KOTICE.—The Valuation Li<t JL for South Rakaia, Ashbnrton, Wakanui and Rangi ata Ridings of the County of Ashburton for the three years commencing 1894, is now open for inspection at the Ashburton County Council Offices, Ashburton. All objections thereto must be leit at the Magistrate's Court, Ashburton, on or before the 15th day of March, addressed to the Assessment Court, and a copy of every such objection must be left At the Offices of th« Ashburton County Council, Ashbur'on, not less than seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. F. MAINWARING, 2 120 Clerk Ashburton County Council.



ASHBURTON FURNITUEE WAREHOUSE, ■ J Tancred Street. fp IT TIN DRILL O_ f\ 0 !• 11. UndrillK 1/o.j PICTURE FRAMERS. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED, direct from the Makers, A CHOICE ASSORTMENT OP Picture MouJdings, Which we intend Selling at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. Those having Pictures Framed would do well in inspecting oar Stock. We have also just Imported one of the latest Patents for Picture Frame making, which enables us to make Frames at a very low price, and ensures peifecfc Corners, etc.



—Please Note the Address— T. H.U»"'LL&C*. CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, AND PICTURE FRAMERS. Tancred Street, (Next to Building Society's Office Andrew Orr, WHOLESALE & RETAIL DRAPER. HEW SEASON'S GOODS. MARVELLOUS A SSORTMENT In Every Department, THE DRESS DEPARTMENT shows up Splendidly in all that is New , and Fashionable.



THE MILLINERY DEPARTMENT Is Stocked with all the Newest shapes in Hats, Flowers, Feathers, Ribbons, Jet Bonnets, etc. Ladles' Corsets in j»raafc variety ; V and N, Featherbone, Cestus, Durable Corded Zone and the P.D. ALSO,— -I CASE LADIES' UMBRELLAS, A. splendid value. MEN'S CLOTHING. Grapd Show of Kaiapol and Roslyn Suits Larabs-wool Pants, Shirts and Socks in great variety. IAH PAIRS OF MOSGIEL JLUU BLANKETS Will be Opened in a few days, manufactured to my own ord«i in th.c A3HBURTON MILL. BEAUTIFUL GOODS. FLOOR CLOTHS, LINOLEUMS, CARPETS, WINDOW HOLLANDS, Ere Inspection Invited. PRICES TO SUIT THE TIMES. ANDREW ORR.



AS9BURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. EXTRAORDINARY VACANCY. 1 HEREBY^ give native that the fol lowing persona have heen duly nomi nated as candidates for election to the office of Councillor, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Cjr. Tweed, via— JOHN HBNRY, CHARLES REID, ERNEST EDWARD TASKER. And I further give notice that a poll for the election of ONE of the above named candidates, will be held at the Borough Council Chambers, Baring Square West, on WEDNESDAY, che 20ch day of March in»t., commencing at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. CHA.S. B. fOOKS, Returning Offic«r. Borough Council Office, Ashburton, March 8,1895. 3 61



'.'fob sale. IMPROVED Farms, Rural Land and other properties as follows :— 203 Acres, Wskinui Plains 100 Acrea, unimproved Westerbeld Survey Diutrict 298 > cres not far from Maronan 200 Acres Mitcham Road 348 Acres Near VMnchmqre 110 Acres Wakanui Plains 1462 Acres Near Mount Somers £593 Acres Small Sheep Run '126' Acres Close to Tinwald 20 Acres Alford F©reßt 24i Acres Close to Wiuslow, and other properties. Also, Four Sections in Aehburton, Tinwald, Waterton, Chertpey, Rakaia and Wviblow.



!____ Public Notioaa j ASHBURTON RIFLE VOLUNTEERS ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE Company will parade in Review Order at the Drill Shed for inspec tion by Colonel Fox. Military Aavw^r and Inapector of the New Zealand For: a ON FjBIDAY, MAKCH 15, 1895, TALLIN AT 730 P.M. Anyone absent from this parade except; under medical certificate, will bo fined ia accordance with paragraph 52, Defence Act, 1892, ANNUAL MEETING. THE Annual General Meeting of the Company, will be held on TUESDAY, MARCH 19, At the Orderly Boom. W. E. DOLMAN, 3 84 Captain Commanding. HENRY ZANDER. T BEG to intimate that I have just *- landed a Large and Varied Stock of <»IIMS. C3ui»g. fauna.



HOLLTS' BEST MAKE. Single and Double Barrel, Breach and Muzzle Loading, well worthy of inspection. REVOLVERS. , REVOLVERS. AMMUNITION. AMMUNITION. Cartridges and Cartridge Cases, Caps, Shot, Gunpowder, Powder and Shot Flasks, Cartridge Belts, Recap pers, Loaders, Wads, Punches, etc. SCOTT'S WELL KNOWN RANGES AT GPEATLY REDUCED PRICES. I HAVE IN STOCK AND to LAND— 100.Drums Linseed Oil 2(,0 Casea Valvoline 200 Cases Castor Oil 100 Bales best o-ply Seaming Twine China and Glassware Hornsby'B & Ransome's Plough Shares Barbed and Fencing Wire Mauritius and Queensland Sugars China, India, and Ceyxon Tea Best English Leather Belling —now in stock- Two Hundred Galvanised Steel Elastic Horse Collars (in all sizes). Early application necessary



Thej£ are giving Universal Satisfaction WINES and Spirits, Ales "and Stout, Liqueurs and Habana Cigars, Cigarettes, in view of approaching holidays, at SPECIALLY LOW RATES. GROCERIES AND ALL OTHER GOODS SOLD FOR CASH At Ghristchuroh Prices} Henry- Zander, AGENT FOR— Sun Fire Insurance Office Australian Mutual and Provident Society J T Ford and Co



E. W. Hsnmer. TO THE FARMERS IN THE ASHBURTON COUNTY. T HAVE DECIDED TO GO INTO BUSINESS here on my own account, and I am a CASH BUYER OF Wheat, Oats, Barley, AND ANY OTHEU PRODUCE AT NIARKETJATES- I shall be Regularly Represented at the TINWALD AND ASHBURTON, SALES, and have arranged with MR D. THOMAS TO SELL FOR ME until 1 am able to get about without crutches. I have been appointed AGENT for LITTLE'S SHEEP DIP. TJ*e best in the World. E.WHANMER. n.b, AT THE OLD PLAGE.



T¥7ANTED, f^T OR TALLOW 1 FOR BROORE'i X)ERFEOT QHEEP TVP JTERFECT UHEEP JL/IP PRICES AT FACTORY-Ud per pound for kidney fat, Ifd for good tallow—not dripping WHY PAY 755, for Cooper's Dip, when Brooke's Perfect Dip.was proved better at the Christ church trial. And the price is 55s for the same quantity DO NOT be misled with Little's Powder Dip, combined wivh glycerim. Owing to the permanent liquid nature of glycerine, all there is of i it in this powder dp is not worth mentioning DO NOT be fooled with any nen poiaonous dip, unless you are prepared to dip twice, or run the risk of lousy sheep In these hard times, why not KEEP YOUR MONEY IN THE COUNTRY to be spent here by C. M. BROOKE, Dip Manufacturer, Ashburton, and his Employees. DIP AGENTS—Messbs. D. Thomas, H. Zanuer, ani J. O»r & Co. JDellar Cigaretteß~~%s. per packet



JOHN WILSON. AKTISI'B 'iATEEIALS, I have Received a in a position to Supply chers, Foreign Canvas, Select Stock of Winsor the Artists of Ashbur- Academy Boards, Oils, and Newton's Artist's ton with Oil Tubes, Easels, Etc., Etc., at a Materials, and am now j Brushes, Canvas Stret- Very Cheap Rate. house pointing and papeohanging. I have Especially hanging Dwellings dur- Very Best of Cils and Reduced the Prices ing the summer months Lead used in the work, of Painting and Paper- N.B.—None but the A Large Stock of Paperhangiugs, Window Glass, and Picture Frame Mouldings on the Premises. J, Wi Iso n, CORNER OF AKCADE AND BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON.



..: iV, H. COLLISS & GxK TO THRESHING MACHINE PROPRIETORS, FARMERS AND OTHERS. D" AY ING made special arrangements for this season's supply of COALS, we are *-*■* prepared to execute all orders entrusted to us with despatch, dir9ct from ship or ex yard. HOUSEHOLD COAL A SPECIALTY. NEWCASTLE COAL BLACK BALL COAL WRSTPORT COAL And the Celebrated WESTPORT GREIf VALLEY COAL r - CARDIFF COAL TIMBER. TIMBER. TIMBER Building Materials of every description In Stock, Dry Flooring and Match-lining in any quantities. ■' Call and obtain quotations, which will be to your advantage W. H. COLLINS and GO/



A A ■'■:  '... . • ;;;■;' ' ' A 'A ' .-.,. i;} .J'r ;., MMMMAIMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 1 M<ST 1 A '■ A A A A A ** A ; A , A ■ ■ ■ ■ . TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTITTTTXTTTTTT A i A A ;, A I 18 Bales ex Ruapehu. FIKST AUTUMN SHIPMENT. New Patterns in Oilcloths, New Patterns in Cretonnes, New Patterns in Table Baize T A D I E S' JACKETS AND FURS. NEW SERGES , NEW TWEEDS KEW MfiLTONS A FEW CaOICE PRESSES. MITCHELL & TIMER, Most Extraordinary Revolution IN THE Tailoring 1 Trade. NO MORE NEKD'FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO CHRISTCHURCH OR ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR TAILORING; W- SPARROW EX AS proved from'past experience that the credit tystem is unsatisfactory. "^*" both to buyer and seller, the good marks have to pay for the bad ones, ETe has therefore decided to CLOSE HIS BOOKS and go in for the CASH SYSTEM entirely, and will sell at prices which; are bound to command a larije turnover. The following quotations will give some idea of the REDUC* TIONS:— First Class Tweed Sac Suit ... .„ 555, former price 703 First Class „ ... .. 60s, former price 75s First Class „ ... .. 655, former price 80s . First Class „ ... .... 70s, former prise 85a Best Quality Twee 1 money can procure ... 755, former pries 90* No 4 Foxes Serge Suit .. ... .. £3 12« 6djj Best black or blue Worsted Coat and Vest, bound, with best quality Trousering .. £4 0a Od Remember these Prices are for First Glass Workmanship, FIT aND STYLE GUARANTEED. WILLIAM "sPAHBOW, BAST STREET. NB—As theae'prices may be copied by other Firais, please call'or send for samples and compare qualities.



FOR SALE-A BARGAIN. "YTERS Desirable Villa Residence of V five rooms, with Scullery, Ac. Half-acre of land, corner section. Garden well stocked with fruit trees. Three m inn tea walk from Post Office. Apply " House," box 82. 2 167 SMOKE THE NEW VENUS Dark Aromatic Pli-g Tfobacco. THE CELEBRATED & BESt BRAND MANUFACTURED FROM CHOICEST VIRGINIA LEAF. 3 29 COAL | MOUNT SOMERS | COAL COAL | HOUSEHOLD p COAL COAL. THIS well-known and favorite Hoose hcld Coal is now delivered at the following rates per 4-ton track: — Westerfield Railway Station, 15a per ton, freight paid. Aehburton Railway Station, 16s per ton, freight paid. All order* must be accompanied by cheque or P.O-order. : , •„ GEORGE P RK, 383 Mount Sonus. ,



LO t OUT! LOOK OUT! LOJK OUTf 1? O R T H X f Afew CAea/? Drapery, Clothing and Millinsry t ESTABLISHMENT. ■ - "* '■■ ~pj~EXT TO THE ARCADE, TANCRED STREET. THE BLUE HOUSE- THE BLUE HOUSE- THE BLUE HOUSE ■~-TMBI.» #Q*MI 111 I CASH. CASH/ CASH. NO GOOD CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR BAD ONES. ■H. M M ( || | 111 I THE LATEST AUTUMN AND WINTER DRESSES, JACKETS, AND MILLINERY. THE GOODS ARE OF THE BEST AND DON'T YOU VQROET ITi OPENING DA Yy Saturday, March 16. DONT FOBGET "THE BLUE HOUSE," WHICH WfLL HELP YOU IN THESE BAD TIMES. Don't look for Prioes in a pape*. L«ok for " THE BLUE HOUSE," where you can see the PRICE AND THE ARTICLE, Which will prove "THE BLUE HOUSE " gives the BEST V A L V E IN THE TRADE. WE WANT YOUR MONEY; TO GET IT " THE ELUE HOUSE " will Keep the Superior Article at (he Bed Rock price. .. ' :o:— — SATDBDAY, IiECH Id, "THE BLUE HOUSE" WILL OPEN AT THE Corner of the Arciulc, TANCRED STREfcT.



FOE SALE. DTRONG SHEEP NETTING, WITH CENTRE STRAND. 0 F. FERRIMA.N The Portable Water Barrow. The latest number of the Nineteenth Century has an interesting article upon the dread scourge of DIPHTHERIA, and, in introducing the subject, the writer remarks, that the latest epidemics in Russia swept away nearly all the children in some villages; and, in Prussia, no less than one-sixth to one-fourth part of all children dying in the age of from one to five years succumbed to Diphtheria, and the game proportion prevailed in Western Europe as well. Keen interest is beinj? taken in the experiments of the French Doctors, Roux and Tebsen ; but Diphtheria, like Anthrax, Cholera.Typhoid,Malaria and other kindred complaints is due to an infection of the body by special bacteria, catMed by the effluvia rising from drains, back yards and premises generally into «&d upon which dairy and kitchen slopshave been thrown. Without an infection by Bacteria or the poison* which they secrete, there is nodiphtheria. The Portabl* Wash Barrow is just the one thing indispensable in the direction of perfect sanitary arrangements. By its use, a twofold benefit is derived. The fever and diphtheria breeding agencies are removed, and what is otherwise a source of terror becomes an absolute gain, by conveying the wash to the pig trough or to the garden. The Portable Barrows can be put to various kinds of use, and they are so admirably constructed that, with them, a child chh do work which otherwise requires the strength of mature years. The cost is comparatively small Possession of one becomes an absolute means of sweetness, comfort and profit. ——o—» IMPROVED COPPER BOILERS. I have just received direct from the manufacturers a supply of Portable Copper Boilers, with Patent Smoke Srack Joint, and Semi-double Sheeted Frame—Galvanised. This Useful Household Requisite should be inspected, when its various excellencies of construction, strength and serviceableneas, will speak for themselves. Sizes—Hgals,, 16gals , and 18g»ls , at prices within the reach of all. F. FERRIMAN, LAND AND ESTATE AGENT, ASHBDRTON. ' f North British Fire Insurance Company AGENCIES Union Steam Shipping Company, Limited. Parcels and. Goods sent to all parts of the cplony . * Remington Type Writer—Specimeu on view