a share of the supreme power, to the
detriment of the nation.

The mental and moral impotency of this well-intentioned
marplot, who cannot be said to have had even experience,
unless ten years of uniform failure could impart it, is one
of the commonplaces of conversation in town and country.
Even the rough and ready drosky drivers say of him that he
has been thrust among rulers like a pestle among spoons.

Yet apprised of his impotence by the "boudoir council," he
wishes to will, and he takes the volition for the deed. No
occurrence, no event makes a lasting impression on his mind.
Abroad, our armies may be scattered, our ships sunk, our
credit ruined; he is serene in spite of all. At home the
whole framework of society may be going to pieces; Nicholas
sits still and fondly annotates state papers, a very
Narcissus of the inkpot.

Only a short time before this article appeared the _Times_ had published
an interview, obtained by its Paris correspondent with "a prominent
European diplomat just arrived from St. Petersburg," who described the
Czar as "a little, commonplace, family man, never happier than when
playing with his children in their nursery, and quite unequal to the task
of government."

The diplomat added that the autocrat of all the Russias was so afraid of
the present Count Witte (who was then plain monsieur) that he trembled
when the minister came into his presence.

In endeavoring to arrive at a conclusion as to the real character of the
Czar from the mass of conflicting evidence cited, it is essential to
consider the relation of the witnesses to the subject of our inquiry, in
order to ascertain if their testimony is likely to be prejudiced,
consciously or otherwise, for or against him.

It should be borne in mind, in the first place, that so effective are the
artificial adjuncts that lend grandeur to the occupant of a throne it
sometimes occurs that a visitor unaccustomed to such environments is
unable to retain the complete use of his ordinary faculties.

The Majesty That Hedges a King.

That is to say that it is often difficult for one who has hitherto pursued
the commonplace routine of life, on accomplishing the protracted and
arduous negotiations essential to obtain access to a palace, then being
introduced with pomp and ceremony into the royal precincts and attended
through one stately apartment after another by court functionaries