eror's favourite residence which he himself had
formerly disliked, he has taken to all the military pursuits of
his father, and is said to have shown undignified haste in issuing
regulations about, and in appearing in, new uniforms. He is liked by
those who surround him, but is blamed for not having those habits of
punctuality and of quick decision in business which characterised the
late Emperor.

There is still much talk of stimulants to be applied by His Imperial
Majesty to commerce and to the development of the resources of the
country.... There are persons, however, here well qualified to judge,
who doubt whether much more will be performed than has formerly
been done, after brilliant promises at the beginning of a reign. His
Imperial Majesty is not supposed to have that power of will which will
enable him to deal with the mass of corruption which pervades every
class in this country. The Empress,[41] a woman of sense and ability,
is believed to have great influence with her husband when he is with
her, but he is generally guided by the person who speaks last to
him before he acts--and His Imperial Majesty has not the talent of
surrounding himself with able men. His Ministers certainly do not
appear to be men of that remarkable intellect as have been usually
supposed to be employed by the Court of St Petersburg. Count Orloff
is stated to have but little influence, and to have lost his
former activity. Prince Gortschakoff is clever in society, of easy
conversation and some smartness in repartee. He is vain, a great
talker, and indiscreet. It is difficult to keep him to the point. He
flies about from one thing to another, and he is so loose in his talk,
that the repetition of isolated phrases might lead to impressions of
his meaning, which would not be correct....

The Serf Question is admitted by all to be of a very difficult
character, and will become more so as the wealth of the country
increases. Indeed when that state of things occurs, it is more than
likely that popular movements will take place, and it is frightful to
consider the immediate results of a revolution in a country organised
as this is at present. No country in Europe will furnish so fair a
chance of success to Socialism. The reins of Government were held so
tight during the last reign, that even the relaxation which now exists
is not altogether without danger.

The preparations for the Coronation are on an immense scale. The
present estimate o