'Last Days of the Court at Tsarskoe Selo' by Alexander. I. Spiridovitch
Translated from Spirodovitchs' Original Memoirs 'Les dernières années de la cour de Tzarskoié-Sélo'
Chapter Summaries 1-19
Chapter 1
Summary. — Year 1906. — Tsarskoe-Selo. With General Trepov. I am offered the position of chief of the secret service for the Tsar’s personal safety, - Terrorism from the socialist-revolutionary party. – The information which the police department and the Okhrana Section had on the terrorists. – The reasons for creating a security agency, on the orders of the Palace Commander. – My nomination for this new position. – Structure of the Emperor’s personal guard service. – Baron Fredericks, Minister of the Imperial Court. – General Mosolov. – The Palace Commander, Trepov. – His Majesty’s escort, and his commander, Prince Trubetskoy. – The battalion comprising the guard and its Commander, Komarov. – The Palace police and its Commander, Gerardi. – The first railway battalion and its commander, Vassilevski. – The new security service.
Chapter 2
Summary. — Year 1906. — Tsarskoe-Selo. — Catherine Palace — Alexander Palace. — Their Majesties’ special apartments . — Their Majesties’ children. — The Grand Duchesses’ private tutors: Messrs. Gillard and Pétrov. Mrs Geringer. E. A. Schneider. Princess Orbeliani, maid of honour. — Mrs Zanotti. — The Emperor’s schedule. — Receiving the top persons. — Their Majesties’ evening walk at Tsarskoie-Selo. — The night guard. — Agent Yurkov’s wedding. — Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna.
Chapter 3
Summary. — Year 1906. — Departure for Peterhof, — Reception of Their Majesties at Peterhof. — His Majesty’s Uhlans,— The Emperor chairs the opening session of the first Imperial Duma, —Alexandria, the imperial villa. — The new palace and its history, — The area surrounding Peterhof. — Life at Peterhof. — Tea with the Uhlans of Her Majesty the Empress. — The Empress Chief and her regiment. — Mutiny in the Preobrazhenski regiment, — General Trepov and the Constitution. — Dissolution of the first Duma. — Trepov as a political man, — Awaiting a terrorist incursion at Peterhof. — Grigorovitch the revolutionary. —Abraham Gotz’s arrest, — Terrorism intensifies.
Chapter 4
Summary. — Year 1906. — Departure for Krasnoye-Selo. — At the Krasnoye-Selo theatre. — End of the camp. — Return to Peterhof. — Trepov’s illness. — The Empress’ fondness for Grand Duchesses Militza and Anastasia Nikolayevna. — Marriage plans between Grand Duchess Anastasia and Grand Duke Nicolas Nikolayevitch. — Philippe, Papus and Rasputin. — Explosion at minister Stolypin’s villa. — Trusevitch, head of the police department. — The work of the maximalists. — Murder of General Minn. — Funeral of the general, and arrest of the terrorist. — Plans to create a surveillance office for persons staying in the imperial residences. — Rumours of another terrorist incursion. — Departure for the fjords. — Sudden death of Trepov. — His autopsy.
Chapter 5
Summary. —Year 1906. — Rasputin’s appearance on the St. Petersburg scene in 1904. — Who is he? — Rasputin’s youth and his morals— His marriage. — His piety. — His first major pilgrimage. — Return to Pokrovskoye. — His chapel. — Missions. — Bad rumours. — Denunciation and investigation to establish whether Rasputin is part of the “khlistovschiva.” — Second major pilgrimage. — Kazan and Father Michael. — Rasputin meets Bishop Theophane, who grants him protection. — First steps. — First contact with high society — Presentation to Their Majesties. — Letter from Yaroslav Medved. — Rasputin’s first reception at the Court,
Chapter 6
Summary. — Year 1906. — Departure for Tsarskoie-Selo. — Dediulin, the new Palace Commander. – Awaiting a maximalist incursion. – Educating the detachment. – Recruitment system. – Formation of a regiment of guard Cossacks. – The Tsar attends a soiree organised by the hussar regiment. – Murders of prefect Launitz and military public prosecutor Pavlov.
Chapter 7
Summary. — Years 1906-1907. — Plot to kill the Tsar. Azef destroys the combat organisation. — Silberberg forms a new combat detachment with the Central Committee of the socialist-revolutionary party. — Composition of this detachment, —Naumov’s capture and questioning. — Naumov and the Ratimov the Cossack. — Ratimov’s report. — The detachment’s activities in January 1907. — Silberberg’s combat organisation in Imatra. — The “Tourist” hotel. — Silberberg’s arrest. — Nikitenko, head of the combat detachment. — Attack on Grand Duke Nicolas Nikolayevitch. – Conspirers arrested. — Opinions of the Imperial Council and Imperial Duma regarding the. — Declaration by Deputy Shirsky. — Lie by the Central Committee of the socialist-revolutionary party. — The conspirers’ trial. — Naumov, Nikitenko and Purkin. — Lawyer Muraviov, — Questioning of Spiridovitch and Gerassimov. — The sentence, — Its legality. — The matter is later recognised as being organised by the party, — After the revolution, Muraviov makes an unsuccessful attempt to have the matter reviewed.
Chapter 8
Summary. — Year 1907. — The maid of honour A. A. Taneyeva. — Her friendship with the Empress. — Her relations with Rasputin. — Her marriage to Vyrubov. — The wedding of Grand Duke Nicolas Nikolayevitch. — Summer at Peterhof. — A time of trouble and worry — Dissolution of the first Imperial Duma. — General Dediulin and the right-wing organisations. — Dukes Johann and Gabriel Constantinovitch are promoted as officers. — Emperor’s speech —Byelotserkovets’s arrest and discovery of plans for serious attacks. —25th anniversary of General Skobelev’s death. — Telegram from the Emperor to the general’s sister. — Krasnoye-Selo. — Inauguration of the church of the Resurrection. — Departure for the fjords.
Chapter 9
Summary. – Trip to the fjords, — Standard, the imperial yacht. — Its commander Chagin. — Nilov, captain of His Majesty’s ensign. — Departure for the fjords. — In Cronstadt harbour. — At Bjorke. — Excursion to the Abos fjords. — The catastrophe of 29 August, —Schemann’s clumsy report. — Their Majesties on the Asia. — Transfer onto the Alexandria. — Refloating work on the Standard. — Assessment of the damage. — The Standard is taken to the harbour, — Living arrangements on the Polar Star, — Life in the fjords. — Hunts. — Baron Osten-Sachen. — A. A. Vyrubova and her family drama. — Birilev and Frederiks. — Small boat incident. — A clever remark from Birilev. — My conversation with the Emperor. — My photographs. — Return to Peterhof. — Thanks for the service. — Gossip and talk, — Transformation into a regiment of the guard battalion.
Chapter 10
Summar., — Years 1907-1908. — Concerns at the end of 1907. —S.-R. terrorist plans — Our precautionary measures. — The matter surrounding Lossiny Ostrov and Maquery the cornet. - Christmas. — Their Majesties’ Christmas tree at Tsarskoe-Selo - Gatchina. — The imperial hunt. — The Emperor hunting. – Shooting expedition by the members of the imperial house. — Leaving for the hunt at Ropsha. — Ropsha Palace. — Spring hunting for grouses.
Chapter 11
Summary. — Year 1908, — Plot against Grand Duke Nicolas Nicolayevitch. — Investigation into my detachment. — Arrival of the Grand Duke of Hesse. — Wedding of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. — Ceremony for handing over the flag to His Majesty’s special regiment. — Arrival of other distinguished guests. — Preparations for the reception for the King of England and the President of the French Republic. — Azef prepares an attack on the Emperor in Reval; the authorities are warned of it. Double game. — Reval. — Arrival of His Majesty. — The children. — Korostovetz and Iretski. — Arrival of the King of England. — The newspaper correspondents. — Evening event. — Reception of the delegation. — The Emperor is promoted to Admiral of the English fleet, — The English familiarise themselves with the organisation of our security service. — I receive the Order of Victoria. — Departure from Reval. — The significance of the Reval discussion. — Guchkov adopts a contrary attitude towards the Grand Dukes.
Chapter 12
Summary. — Year 1908. — Back in the fjords. — E. S. Botkin. — The painter Tkatchenko. — Timetable during the stay in the fjords. — The morning. — The Emperor – in a “baidarka” (little boat). — The children’s outings and games. — The Tsarevitch’s games:“cheharda”. — Lunch on the yacht. — Landing at the coast. — Outings. — The game of tag. — Tea. — Dinner. — The soiree aboard the Standard. — Arrival of an ill Orlov. — The second-rank captain, Vinogradski. — Visit from President Fallières. — Presents for Their Majesties’ children. — At Krasnoye-Selo, — Autumn in the fjords. — Outings. — The Tsarevitch’s new games. — 2nd rank captain Kolomeytzev. — S. S. Poguliayev. — Trusevitch receives disturbing information. — At Björkjö, — S.-R, plot against the Tsar. — S.-R. congress in London. — Plot against the Rurik in Glasgow. — The Rurik is inspected. — Azef’s betrayal. — Failed attack — Return to Peterhof. — Return to Tsarskoye-Selo.
Chapter 13
Summary. — Year 1908. — At Tsarskoie-Selo. — Death of General Orlov. — Death of Father John of Cronstadt. — Influence of his death over the situation with Rasputin. — The role of A. A. Vyrubova. — The divorce of the Vyrubovs. — A. A. Vyrubova becomes closer to Rasputin. — The Empress’ first encounters with religious mysticism. — The role of her confessor, Father Theophane, — Hostility towards Rasputin by the Tsar’s entourage.
Chapter 14
Summary. — Year 1909. — Death of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovitch. — His family history. — Wedding of Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovitch. — Its consequences. — Attacks on the government because of the investigation system. — V. L. Burtsev, head of red investigations. — Espionage. — Attacks on the government because of Azef. — What people thought of Azef at Tsarskoe-Selo. — Stolypin defends Azef. — The Imperial Duma sanctions the introduction of secret collaborators. — The matter concerning A. A. Lopukhin. — New appointments in the political police force. — P. G. Kurlov and his reforms. — I am offered to run the political agency abroad. I refuse. — A. A. Krasnyannikov. — N. P. Zuyev. — A. T. Vassilyev. —Lieutenant-Colonel Karpov. — S. P. Byeletsky. — Inauguration of the monument of Emperor Alexander III. — Trip to the fjords. — Prince V. N. Orlov. — The police dogs. — Prince A. P. of Oldenburg. — Police dog training centre at Tsarskoe-Selo. – Tests to which the dogs were subject. — Return from the fjords.
Chapter 15
Summary. — Poltava. — Preparations for the formalities in Poltava. — Governor Count Muraviov. — The Emperor’s arrival in Poltava. — Prince V. S. Kochubey. — Count A. D. Sheremetiev. — P. Skoropadski. — The formalities. — Evening in the Preobrazhensky regiment. — The parade. — Dinner at the Corps of Cadets. — The Emperor’s political speech. — Visit to Kiev. —Stolypin’s opinion on the first revolution. The Emperor’s point of view. — Kurlov’s concern. — Return to Peterhof. — Arrival of the King of Denmark.
Chapter 16
Summary. — Year 1909. — Preparations for the trip abroad. — The necessary security measures worry Emperor William. — Captain Hintze. — Going abroad. — In the Kiel Canal. — In Cherbourg. — On the way to England. — Reception at Spithead harbour. — Inspection of the English fleet. — In Cowes. — Onboard the Polar Star. — The diplomats Isvolsky and Savinsky. — Generals Beloselsky-Belozersky and Mossolov. — Disembarkation on the coast. — The sovereigns’ toasts and memories of the journey of 1894. — The second day in Cowes. — Their Majesties visit Empress Eugenie. — The Grand Duchesses on the coast. — Conflagration of the fleet. — Departure from Cowes. — The fog along the way. — In the Kiel Canal. — The surprise prepared by Emperor William fails. — In Kiel. — Return to Russia. — Empress Alexandra Feodorovna’s illness. — Setting of the first stone of St Theodore’s Cathedral. — Departure for the Crimea.
Chapter 17
Summary. — Year 1909. – The southern coast of the Crimea. — Its past. — The beginnings and growth of Livadia. — Trip made by Princess Alice of Hesse to the Crimea in 1893. — Her love for the Crimea. — Yalta. — General Dombadze. — Police Prefect Gvozdevich. — How Dombadze administrated Yalta. — Dombadze and the guides, — Awaiting Their Majesties’ arrival, — In Sebastopol, — Admiral Bostrem, — Arrival in Sebastopol, — The Imperial family arrives in Yalta. — Life in Livadia. The Imperial family’s outings, Oreanda and its mysterious past. — Oreanda’s role in the Empress’ life. Ai-Todor and its excavations. — Dulber, Grand Duke Peter Nikolayevitch’s property. — Koreize, Prince Yusupov’s property. — A legend.
Chapter 18
Summary. — Year 1909. — The ministers in Yalta. — General Sukhomlinov. — Sukhomlinov and Kokovtsev. — Reception of a zemstvo delegation. — Dombadze and the regicides. — Trip to Racconigi. — In Italy, awaiting the Emperor. — The Bolsheviks. — Arrival and reception of the Tsar. — Secret treaty. — The Tsarina without the Emperor. — The memorable day of 10 October. — The Crimean regiment. — The Emperor tests the soldiers’ equipment. — In Chayr, with Grand Duke Nicolas Nikolayevitch. -- In Yalta, during Their Majesties’ stay, — Yalta’s salons. — General Bogdanovitch and his salon. — The brief romances within the retinue. — The Hereditary Grand Duke’s illness. — The attention shown by the Empress to my family. — The last weeks in Yalta. — Departure from the Crimea. — The Tsarina meets the Crimean regiment along the way. —. Return to Petersburg. — Funeral for Grand Duke Michael Nikolayevitch. — His children: the Grand Dukes Nicolas Mikhailovitch and Sergey Mikhailovitch.
Chapter 19
Summary. — Year 1910, — Bad year. — Resurgence of terrorism. — Assassination of gendarmerie colonel, Karpov. — The cowardice of the assassination. — The Savinkov group, and attempts to prepare an attack on the Emperor. — The Emperor’s outings in Petersburg. — Security system — Incident with a former collaborator. — Disappearance of the Savinkov group. — General Kurlov and his work. — I am appointed as assistant for the gendarmerie classes — Theory of the political investigations — Visit from the King of Serbia and Bulgaria. — Aron Simanovitch and the King of Bulgaria. — Libellers.
