Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1895 — ROYAL BABY IN RUSSIA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ROYAL BABY IN RUSSIA.

Prince** Born to the Czar’* Family*— ■t Her Name la Olgu. A daughter wag born to the Czar and Czarina Friday. Both mother and child are doing well. Services connected with the birth of the infant were held in accordance with the rites of the orthodox Greek church. The baby has been named Olga. The Czarina was born at Darmstadt, Hesse, .Tune 6, 1872. She was the Princess Alix Victoria Louise Beatrice of Hesse, and was married to Czar Nicholas 11. Nor. 2t>, 1894. In accordance with the laws of Russia, and by manifesto issued by Czar Nicholas on the 21st day of October (old style), 1894, she was renamed Alexandre Feodorovna and received the title of grand duchess and imperial highness. Princess Alix was tjie daughter of Grand Duke Louise IV. of Hesse, and of Alice, princess of Great Britain and Ireland, third child and second daughter of Queen Victoria. When Princess Alix

was but 12 years of age and while in' attendance at the wedding of her sister Elizabeth she met Nicholas, then the duke, who was in his sixteenth year. The children became attached to each other, bat the Czarowitz's affection for the Princess was diverted for some time. Six years later her father made a visit to the Russian court, accompanied by Princess Alix, and her presence in the Russian capital was the means of renewing their liking for each other, but as the Princess wag then an ardent Lutheran, the question of having to become a member of the orthodox Greek church had to be considered. Owing to the ill health and subsequent death of the Czar, Alexander 111., the marriage of Princess Alix and Nicholas was hastened. Concessions, such as never before secured in embracing the orthodox faith, were obtained from the holy synod. The Princess was not required to declare her former religion to be accursed, nor that her conversion was due to the conviction that the truth lies not with her own. but with the Russian church. The holy synod was satisfied with the simple declaration that the Princess joined the Greek church in order to be of the same religion as her husband.

THE CZARINA OF RUSSIA.