36 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



On New Year's Day, 1893, the Czar, Czarina, 

 and the Czarevitch held a grand New Year's 

 reception at Gat chin. After it was over, the 

 Czar, with his head bared, and in the presence of 

 a thousand of the populace, blessed the Neva. 



At a later discussion on the matter of a dis- 

 tinctive title for the Emperor, a courtier pro- 

 posed that, "as the father was known as the 

 Liberator, the Czar should be named Alexander 

 the Just." 



"Oh, no!' ;> the Czar exclaimed, 'I am and shall 

 remain the Peasant Emperor. Some of my 

 nobility style me so in derision, scoffing at my 

 affection for the Moujick, but I accept the title 

 as an honour. I have tried to procure for the 

 humble a means of livelihood, and this I think is 

 the best and only means of keeping the world 

 going. " 



Ode to the Emperor Alexander III. 



For the great good heart that holds thee 

 Firm and strong in love's straight road; 



For the wonders of thy purpose 

 To help bear the peasant's load; 



For thy brainy power that governs 

 Thy vast empire's wide domain, 



