CHAPTER XI

Petrograd through middle-aged eyes--Russians very constant friends--Russia an Empire of shams--Over-centralisation in administration--The system hopeless--A complete change of scene--The West Indies--Trinidad--Personal character of Nicholas II--The weak point in an Autocracy--The Empress--An opportunity missed--The Great Collapse--Terrible stories--Love of human beings for ceremonial--Some personal apologies--Conclusion

Index

THE VANISHED POMPS OF YESTERDAY

"Lo, all our Pomp of Yesterday Is one with Ninevah and Tyre!" --RUDYARD KIPLING

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THE VANISHED POMPS OF YESTERDAY