THE PALACE OF THE CZAR

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13330, 20 March 1911, Page 7

THE PALACE OF THE CZAR

There are various stories of the death of the Czar Nicholas I. Here is one which the great singer Mario heard from a doctor of the Court:

“When the Russian Array_ was meeting with reverse after reverse in the Crimean War, the Czar sent for his doctor and demanded to know’ which was the quickest and most painless poison that he know of, bluntly telling the startled physician that he had resolved to commit suicide. He further warned the doctar, in the stern manner which was his characteristic, that if he were not obeyed the doctor’s life would be worthless. He sharply , silenced the man’s nervous remonstrances, and commanded him to bring the poison. The doctor did not dare to refuse, and a few minutes later brought a ■ small phial containing poison, which he assured the Czar would deprive anyone of existence in a few minutes. To be sure that he had been obeyed, and that the doctor was speaking the truth, the Czar obliged him to remain in the room, warning him that if the poison galled, his life should answer for it. The Czar took the poison .without the least tremor or the movement of a muscle, and, although twice told by the doctor, who held his watch in his hand, that there was. time to save him by an antidote should he alter his mind, the Czar refused, answering the second entreaty by simply waving the man away, he by that time being unable to speak. It was given out that the Czar had died from the' effects of a, severe chill, but those who knew the facts also knew that he had committed suicide rather than face the defeat of his army.” The story is told in “The Romance of a Great ’Singer.” It was this same Czar whom Mario defied on a memorable occasion. The singer was in St. Petersburg in 1853, when he received a commandfrom the Czar to sing in a little play, -which, would have lasted about 20 minutes: He was to take the part of a young officer of the time of Louis XY., and Mario, who was very proud of his moustache and short curly beard, demurred. Finally he was sent for by the Empress Marie Feodorowna, who was always very friendly to him. He obeyed the. command at once. The -.impress greeted him the moment he entered her boudoir with, “Dear Monsieur Mario, do, for may sake, shave, and sing in this play.” “Your Majesty,” said Mario, kneeling and kissing the uotstretched hand, “I would give you my life, hut my beard—impossible," Finally, the Czar ordered Mario either to shave or to go: Mario instantly returned his salary and left Russia.—From “Good Stories from Xcw Books” in the Graphic.