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THE talented American woman writer, Rheta Childe Dorr, in her amusing book on Russia, relates a conversation which took place between her and the intimate friend of the unfortunate Czarina Alexandra, Anna Wyrubowa. The former-asked what a Court was like, and the question drew forth the characteristic reply that the only word to describe it was rotten. The expression was certainly not elegant and the person who uttered it was perhaps the last one who ought to have done so, considering that she, more than anyone else, was responsible for the corruption of the one Court at which she had been received, and which she had ruled, in fact if not in name, for many years. But the expression was, in a certain sense, justified, because there is no doubt that the haunts and abodes of royalty in Europe were the centres of so many intrigues that the only wonder is they existed as long as they did. Royalty, in the three great countries where it is now abolished, certainly did not set any good example to the world. All, or nearly all, the scions of these royal houses, brought up as they were in the conviction that, thanks to their high position, everything was allowable for them, so abused their privileges that when the wave of revolution which overturned the Romanoffs, Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns swept over Europe, hardly one soul could be found to defend them, or even to take their part and try to shield them from the indignation of the mobs clamouring for their downfall. Most of these princes and princesses had had a story, and in the majority of cases it was not one calculated to do them honour or to raise them in the opinion of their contemporaries.Royal love affairs and, if the truth be told, royal financial affairs could fill a volume of greater bulk than I intend to write; but I think it may amuse the public to read certain little stories connected with Russian, Austrian and German royal personages and Court life, which up to now have been known only to a small and select number of people. They may open the eyes of those who have heard nothing about the conditions under which these exalted personages spent their lives, and do away with the halo which surrounded them-no one knows why. They may also serve to ameliorate the pangs of future American travellers through Europe at missing the opportunity of being presented to the rulers of these different countries. All these kings and queens, emperors and empresses, whose favours were sought with such eagerness, and whose smiles made so many human creatures happy, have had their day-and a very good day it was for them while it lasted. Now the story is at an end and the curtain has fallen on the comedies and tragedies which gave rise to so much gossip and caused so many heart-burnings in the select society circles of two continents. Let me give you a peep behind the scenes before the drama has quite faded from my memory and recall for you certain anecdotes and events-both amusing and serious-which appeared so supremely important to all who were connected, either directly or indirectly, with them. This may procure for my readers a few pleasant hours, and more than that I do not aspire or pretend to do in this present volume.

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