Nicholas I and Nicholas II in historical anecdotes. Stories about autocrats in anecdotes and funny situations. Nicholas I Jokes about Nicholas 2

When visiting shipyards, Nicholas II inspected various workshops in great detail, and spoke easily not only with engineers, but also with ordinary workers. By this he caused considerable alarm among the Sovereign's retinue. There were sometimes funny incidents in such conversations. So in 1915, the Emperor visited shipbuilding factories in Nikolaev. Here, in one of the hot workshops, as always, it was a complete nightmare: clanging, knocking, sparks of hot steel... The Emperor watched the skillful work of the craftsmen. Finally, having said something to one of the people in the retinue and going up to one of the masters, he personally gave him a gold watch. The Master, who did not expect such Royal mercy, was completely taken aback - tears appeared in his eyes, and he nervously muttered: “Your Excellency... Your Excellency...”.

The Emperor, deeply touched by the excitement of the old worker, was also embarrassed and, going up to him, fatherly patted him on the shoulder, on his dirty work blouse and said in a heartfelt manner: “Well, what are you talking about... I’m only a colonel...”

N.V. Sablin, in describing his service on the Shtandart, recalls an incident that he witnessed. Sailing in the Finnish skerries with his family on the Shtandart, the Tsar was in an excellent mood, pleased with a successful hunt and a wonderful day. When the minister of the court reported on Witte’s arrival, the Emperor’s eyes immediately went dark. Witte himself soon arrived on board the yacht, whom the Emperor received nicely and kindly, listened to the report, but after that, apparently, waited for the departure of his dear guest. One must think that Count Witte understood this and quickly took his leave after dinner. Sablin was entrusted with conducting it. When the captain returned, he saw Nicholas II standing not far from the entrance ladder. Having learned that the count had left, the Tsar cheerfully said: “Well, thank God, now there’s no harm in playing a game of dominoes,” and invited his partners to the royal wheelhouse. When everyone sat down, the Emperor, taking a drag from a thick cigarette, remarked: “It’s good to be at home, in your own company, and when the guests leave... Who starts?”

One day the Emperor came to the infirmary where the Grand Duchesses worked. Sitting down at the bedside of one of the soldiers, the Emperor began to question him in detail whether he was happy with everything and whether he was being well looked after.
“That’s right, Your Majesty, I’m happy with everything, even if you don’t get better,” the wounded man answered, but then, remembering something, he added.
- But, Your Majesty, the sisters are a little forgetful... The other day I gave it to this little sister, that’s what’s standing there, she’s so cheerful, I gave her a dime for cigarettes, but she doesn’t carry either cigarettes or money...
“Olga,” the Emperor called his sister, “why aren’t you fulfilling the instructions?” She promised to bring cigarettes and forgot."
The Grand Duchess looked down.
“For this, buy him a ruble.”
After that, the soldier groaned all day long.
- Who did you complain about? For the king's daughter.
Lord, what a sin!"

Beginning of the war, autumn 1914. The Emperor arrived in Dvinsk and walked around the vast military hospital, talking with many officers about the soldiers. I remember one conversation that everyone around me paid attention to at the time.

These words of a simple private peasant from the Vladimir province, Melenkovsky district, Talonov village, a village shepherd by occupation, sank deeply into the soul of everyone who heard this conversation.
The Emperor handed over the St. George Cross to Kuznetsov. He crossed himself and said to His Majesty: “Thank you, thank you. I’ll get better and let’s go fight the Germans again.”
Kuznetsov was so moved by his meeting with the Tsar that he spoke not like a soldier, but like a simple Russian man, shocked by his meeting with the Tsar. The words of the wounded soldier made a strong impression on the Emperor. His Majesty sat down on Kuznetsov’s bed and affectionately said to him:
""Get well soon; I need people like that." Kuznetsov crossed himself, took the Tsar's hand, kissed it, even stroked it and said again: "Don't be timid, we'll beat him!"

More than once, His Majesty recalled his conversation with Kuznetsov and said that he especially remembered these simple, full of love words to him and to Russia.

“He consoled me so much,” said the Emperor

//from the memoirs of V. Kamensky "About the Sovereign Emperor"

One evening, when returning from Tarnopol, the Tsar's car, which, as always, was moving very fast, separated from our car in the fog and ended up at the junction station, where by that time the entire hall of the station was full of wounded who had been taken out for evacuation. They were lying on the floor. Among the staff, nurses and wounded, the unexpected appearance of the Emperor made a stunning impression. Nobody expected to see him here. The Emperor walked around all the wounded, graciously talking and asking questions, and during this walk he approached one wounded, dying officer who was lying on the floor. The Emperor knelt down next to him and put his hand under his head.
The officer recognized the Emperor.
The Emperor said to him, “Thank you for your service. Do you have a family?”
He answered in a quiet voice: “A wife and two children.”
The Emperor told him, “Be calm, I will not leave them.” The officer crossed himself, said: “Thank you Veli...” and died. (from the memoirs of the gaff D.S. Sheremetev)

From the memoirs of N.D. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky: “The Emperor swam very well and loved to swim. After a long rowing on a double in the Finnish skerries, we moored to some island and swam. When we were in the water, the Tsarevich, who was frolicking on the shore (he was not swimming), knocked my things, neatly folded on the bench, into the sand. I started to get out of the water, wanting to pick up things, since there was wind and they were scattered; His Majesty, turning to me, said: “Leave your things, Alexei dropped them, he must collect them,” and, turning to the heir, forced him to pick up my things.”
in the photo Nicholas II with his younger sister Olga Alexandrovna

“I remember... one completely exceptional case, which speaks of the extraordinary delicacy of the Sovereign. The day before, I stood “dog,” that is, watch, from twelve to four o’clock at night, and His Majesty, coming out on deck at one o’clock in the morning, wished me a calm watch.

In the morning, he turned to the watchman, asking him to call me for a walk in a two-wheeler, but then, remembering that I was standing like a dog, he said that there was no need to wake me up. Upon returning from the walk, everyone accompanying the Emperor was invited to tea - wonderful curdled milk, milk and fruit were served. The Emperor himself paid attention to who was eating what, and ordered the Grand Duchesses to treat us, and he himself often told with great humor memories of his visits, when he was still the Heir, to foreign states. In the treatment of the sailors and lower ranks, one felt genuine, sincere love for the ordinary Russian person. He was truly the father of his people."

(From the memoirs of N.D. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky).

O. Ofrosimova recalls: “One day they brought a new batch of wounded. They, as always, were met at the station by the Grand Duchesses. They did everything that the doctors ordered them, and even washed the feet of the wounded, so that right there at the station, they could clean the wounds from dirt and protect them from blood poisoning. After long and hard work, the Princesses and other sisters placed the wounded in the wards.

The tired Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna sat down on the bed of one of the newly brought soldiers. The soldier immediately started talking. Olga Nikolaevna, as always, did not say a word that she was the Grand Duchess.
- Are you tired of your heart? - asked the soldier.
- Yes, I’m a little tired. It's good when you're tired.
- What's good here?
- So, it worked.
- This is not where you should sit. I would go to the front.
- Yes, my dream is to go to the front.
- Why? Go.
“I would go, but my father won’t let me, he says that my health is too weak for this.”
- And you spit on your father and go.
The princess laughed.
- No, I really can’t spit. We love each other very much.

Here is another case described in the memoirs of Baroness Buchshoeveden.
“During one walk along the banks of the Dnieper, while visiting the Imperial Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Tsarevich, in a playful mood, pulled out my umbrella and threw it into the river. Grand Duchess Olga and I tried to hook it with sticks and branches, but since it was open , then the current and the wind picked him up, and there was neither a boat nor a raft at hand from which to catch him.

The smile disappeared from the Emperor's face. He turned to his son.
“They don’t do that to a lady,” he said dryly. “I’m ashamed of you, Alexey. I apologize for him,” he added, turning to me, “and I’ll try to fix the matter and save this ill-fated umbrella.”

To my great embarrassment, the Emperor entered the water. When he reached the umbrella, the water was above his knees...
He handed it to me with a smile: “I didn’t have to swim for it after all! Now I’ll sit down and dry in the sun.”
The poor little prince, red from his father’s harsh remark, came up to me upset. He apologized like an adult.
Probably the Emperor later talked to him, since after this incident he adopted his father’s manner, sometimes amusing us with unexpected, old-fashioned signs of attention towards women. It was charming."

Historical anecdotes or interesting facts about Nicholas I

Interesting surname

One of the officers of the Riga garrison named Zass, when marrying off his daughter, wanted her and her husband to have a double surname, in which Zass would come first. It seems that there was nothing strange in this desire... However, Mr. Colonel was a German and did not know Russian well... After all, the groom’s last name was Rantsev.
Tsar Nicholas the First learned of this incident and decided that his officers should not be the object of ridicule. By his highest decree, the Tsar ordered the newlyweds to bear the surname Rantsev-Zass.

It's high time

In Peterhof, retired naval non-commissioned officer Ivanov served as caretaker of the park. For his representative appearance, he was nicknamed Neptune, and he responded to this nickname. One day a cow climbed into a flower bed in front of the royal palace. Nikolai noticed this and shouted to a servant who happened to be nearby:
- Neptune, the cow is trampling my flowers. Look, I'll put you under arrest!
The answer came immediately:
- Cow, this is not my job! - My wife didn’t notice!
Tsar.
- Well, I’ll put her away!
Neptune.
- It's high time!
How this dialogue ended is unknown.

Hell machines

In the field of physics (electricity), Nikolai was poorly erudite. He, in particular, considered the electromagnetic telegraph a means suitable for creating “infernal machines”, and, in order to avoid the criminal acts of attackers, he ordered that domestic and foreign information on this matter be classified.

During Crimean War In order to demonstrate to his subjects the participation of representatives of the reigning house in hostilities, Nicholas sent his sons Nicholas and Mikhail to Crimea. The most august youths got in the way of the defenders of Sevastopol and created a lot of trouble. Everyone understood that without awards one could not get rid of the royal children, i.e. an episode was needed that would allow them to show “heroism.” They found a reason, the young princes received "George" and drove off to St. Petersburg. Subsequently, Sevastopol wits claimed that the reason for rewarding the august persons was the injury of Prince Menshikov's adjutant, which took place in their presence.

There's nothing to talk about with a pig

Having met a drunken officer, Nikolai scolded him for appearing in public in an undignified manner, and ended his reprimand with the question:
- Well, what would you do if you met a subordinate in such a state?
This was answered:
“I wouldn’t even talk to that pig!”
Nikolai burst out laughing and summed it up: “Get a cab, go home and sleep it off!”

Long-term construction

There were two large "unfinished construction" projects during the reign of Nicholas I: St. Isaac's Cathedral and the St. Petersburg-Moscow railway. There was also a “fast construction” - a bridge across the Neva, but there were rumors around the city that the rush and numerous “savings” in construction would lead to the fact that this bridge would not last long.
Prince Menshikov said the following on this occasion: “We will not see the completed cathedral, but our children will see it; we will see the bridge across the Neva, but our children will not see it; railway neither we nor our children will see."
When this road was finally completed, it turned out that no one knew how to properly operate it. It was decided to rent it out. American businessmen did their best (they gave it to the right people) and developed a business that was very profitable for them, which could not be said about the Russians. It was then that a Persian delegation arrived in St. Petersburg to get acquainted with Russian sights. The Persians were shown educational institutions, the army, the navy, and finally the railway.

I'm taking you to the guardhouse

Noticing a drunken dragoon officer in a cab, Nikolai stopped him and sternly asked where he was going.
The drinker was found:
- I’m taking a drunken dragoon to the guardhouse!
The highest laughter and order followed:
- Go home, get some sleep.

300,000 spectators

And one more story connected with the same Nicholas I. In Paris they decided to stage a play from the life of Catherine II, where the Russian empress was presented in a somewhat frivolous light. Having learned about this, Nicholas I, through our ambassador, expressed his displeasure to the French government. To which the answer followed in the spirit that, they say, in France there is freedom of speech and no one is going to cancel the performance. To this, Nicholas I asked to convey that in this case he would send 300 thousand spectators in gray overcoats to the premiere. As soon as the royal response reached the capital of France, the scandalous performance was canceled there without unnecessary delay.

The stars are out of place

Nikolai unexpectedly visited the Pulkovo Observatory. Its director, Vasily Yakovlevich Struve, was so embarrassed that he hid behind the telescope. Nikolai noticed the timidity of his subject and asked Menshikov what caused this behavior.
“Obviously, Mr. Struve was scared when he saw so many stars out of place,” answered the prince.

If necessary, I will become an obstetrician

Nikolai believed that the “correct” way of thinking allows any subject to be placed in any position. Thus, a certain Nazimov, an illiterate soldier, according to people who knew him, was appointed trustee of the Moscow educational district. About the Minister of Finance Russian Empire F. Vronchenko had persistent rumors that out of all mathematics he had mastered only arithmetic, and even that only up to fractions. A riotous reveler, hussar Protasov headed the Holy Synod, etc.
Some loyal subjects found justification for this arrangement of personnel. So, Nestor the Puppeteer said publicly:
- If the Emperor orders me to be an obstetrician, I will become an obstetrician right now!
To some extent, Mr. Puppeteer’s enthusiasm is understandable - he then received a diamond ring from the Tsar for his play “The Hand of the Almighty Saved the Fatherland” and he was bursting with gratitude to the adored monarch.

Give two hours notice of fire

Nikolai said on April 1 to the police chief of St. Petersburg Buturlin:
- Statue of Peter I ( bronze horseman) was stolen. I order to find her within 24 hours, put her in her place, and put the thief in prison.
It must be said that Buturlin had an abundance of zeal, which could not be said about his intelligence. He urgently went on a search, and while driving along Senate Square, he discovered that he was “lost.” But even then it didn’t dawn on him. The owner of the Winter Palace was personally informed that there had been a false report (about the theft of the monument).
Nikolai laughed:
- Today is the first of April, Buturlin. Did you think that this colossus is impossible to steal?
What was going on in the head of the zealous police official is unknown to history. However, it is reliably known that the following year on April 1, he also played a prank on the emperor.
While visiting the theater, the latter reported that the Winter Palace was on fire. Nikolai urgently went to the place of the fire and, making sure that there was no fire, demanded an explanation. At the same time, the joker had to see how true the Latin proverb is: “What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull.”
The enraged emperor said:
- You are a fool, Buturlin. But don't think this is an April Fool's joke. Tomorrow I'll tell you the same thing.
After this, the unsuccessful joker was appointed governor-general of Nizhny Novgorod. Some time later, the king visited this city and heard negative reviews about the activities of the governor, in particular, that he was not taking proper measures to combat fires. The corresponding august censure was expressed and measures were taken on it: the Governor General obliged all homeowners to warn the police about a fire two hours before the start of it.
When information on this matter reached Nikolai, he decided that Buturlin’s best place was in the Senate.

Humanity, no, no!

Nikolai's educational level was below average. In particular, he had vague (sometimes simply anecdotal) ideas about the countries of the world. Thus, authorizing a scientific trip to the United States of America for a professor at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, he demanded that the scientific subject sign a receipt stating that he would not take human flesh into his mouth overseas.
It is noteworthy that the professor was not heading to the “Wild West,” but to the university cities of “New England.” There's nothing to say" good opinion"the Russian monarch had about" best houses Philadelphia".

The first wave has passed

Walking through the streets of St. Petersburg, Nikolai met a tipsy naval officer.
The following dialogue followed:
Emperor: What are you doing here?
Officer: I'm maneuvering, Your Majesty!
Emperor: Where are you heading from?
Officer: From near Nevsky, Your Majesty.
Emperor: Where is your harbor?
Officer: At the Admiralty, Your Majesty!
Emperor: Be careful not to run aground.
Officer: The first big wave has passed, but I hope I won’t meet the second.
With that, we parted ways, each going their own course.
Note: The “second wave” undoubtedly meant Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, the menace of the capital’s officers.

Nikolai Alekseevich Zuev, being during Russo-Japanese War As a 14-year-old child, he made his way to Port Arthur and back three times with reports. IN last time was captured by the Japanese, from where he escaped using a Japanese horse, and during the pursuit he was wounded in the shoulder. For these feats he was awarded the insignia of the Military Order (Cross of St. George) 4th, 3rd and 2nd degree.

In 1905, the brochure " Great hero, 14-year-old Knight of St. George Kolya Zuev, who risked his life, made a number of bold forays and was awarded the highest awards three times - the Cross of St. George II, III and IV degrees"

Previously, each ruler of Russia had his own serial number, for example: Alexander I, Alexander II, Nicholas I, Nicholas II, and everything was clear, everything was predictable. And only in the last hundred years has the tradition been broken: then there was Vladimir Ilyich, now here is Vladimir Vladimirovich. Once again I became somehow worried about our future.

Oleg
Please suggest something to listen to when you have time
19:31:01

Nikolai
who are you anyway
19:32:19

Oleg
Well, if you just can’t do that, then I’ll introduce myself.
I'm a 20 year old guy. Right-wing radical, Goth by subculture, Virgo by zodiac sign.
I play keyboards, fight with throwing knives, and program.
19:38:16

Nikolai
you're a normal guy
19:38:39
what else can I say

Fedor
have you come?

Nikolai
who came?

Fedor
leprechauns

Nikolai
I haven't seen leprechauns

Fedor
they are small, I might not have noticed
they just suddenly brought what?

Nikolai
so what are you talking about?))

Fedor
did the dangs arrive on the account?

Nikolai
they're here now
for what?

Fedor
on bread with caviar
just don't take the black one

Nikolai
did Petrosyan bite you?

"Nikolai Valuev donated blood at Donor Day." As many as 10 liters. Questions poured in:
- Nikolai, how can this be?! Everyone knows that a person has only five liters of blood!
“There were two big guys trying to snatch my phone.” And I squeezed them myself - to the last drop.

Call the school director:
- Hello, Nikolai Petrovich?
- Yes, I'm listening to you. Who am I talking to?
- Nikolai Petrovich, I’m calling to warn you that Vasya Ivanov will not come to school today: he is sick, he has a very high temperature.
- I’m very sorry that Vasya got sick. But who am I talking to anyway?
- With my dad, Nikolai Petrovich.

from correspondence with Asa:

Nikolay (18:55):
yuck! I want to be a cat... I got drunk
climbed onto the bed and sleeps on his belly for half a day, the bastard.
that's it, I went to meet my wife

Andreich (18:57):
but he doesn’t have a wife) and maybe he wants to too)

Nikolay (18:58):
Not. I don’t want to be this particular cat, he’s neutered

Andreich (18:58):
maybe that's why he lays around all day

Nikolay (19:00):
exactly. you revealed the essence of Kotof
hosh fuckazzo - run to earn money
you are a genius!
ran away))

Nikolai
Do you know that 5 km of cross-country is equivalent to one hour of sex?
Rogue
Rather, sex replaces cross-country)))
Rogue
In addition, a standard man can only replace 800 meters with sex)))))))))
Nikolai
When how((

Once, when Nicholas I was passing along Nevsky Prospekt, his road
a man ran across the carriage. The royal coachman was confused, and did not
would have avoided troubles if the physically strong king had not snatched it from him
the reins and did not hold back the horses. With a movement of his hand, Nikolai beckoned to him
woefully unmoved, but he, not attaching importance to the royal gesture, rushed to run
further.
Having learned about the man who served, Chief Police Chief Kokoshkin brought the whole
The police found the culprit and brought him to the emperor.
- Didn’t you recognize me on Nevsky when you poked your head under my stroller? -
Nikolai asked the daring man, who turned out to be a minor official.
- How could I not recognize my sovereign? - he answered.
- Did you see that I called you?
- Yes, sir.
- Then why did you dare to run away?
- I'm sorry, sir, but my wife was suffering in difficult labor, and I hurried to
midwife.
- Well, if so, it’s not your fault. Follow me!
Nicholas brought the taken aback official to the empress’s chambers and told her:
- I recommend you an exemplary husband. He loves his wife so much and cares about her
health, that he was not afraid to violate the royal will in caring for her.
And a few days later, the empress sent the newborn “for teething”
one thousand rubles. The salary of that official was four hundred rubles per
year.
At a happy hour for his family, he ran across the royal road.
stroller!

Dialogue in contact:
Nikolay: Good night, Charming Stranger!;)
Jessika: good, if you're not joking)
Nikolay: I joke all the time, but now I want to be serious and about love)
Jessika: wow))) why is it so drawn to lyrics?)
Nikolay: yes so...circumstances...Gorgeous miss showing off her gorgeous back - You?;)
Jessika: what kind of questions?) no, I’m actually an old fat pensioner who can’t sleep at night from heartburn))))))
Nikolay: Hello, colleague)))
Jessika: fireworks)))
Nikolai: I’m suffering from flatulence...let’s talk)
Jessika: no questions asked)))

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov threatened to fire the head
Hydrometeorological center Nikolai Kudbidu, if in the near future in Kyiv
it won't rain in the area

According to the head of government, the future of crops directly depends on
weather. The prime minister publicly appointed the head of the government responsible for the desired climate
Hydrometeorological Center, reports TSN.

“Last year there was a normal drought. This year in the Kyiv region complaints
- There has been no rain for a month. Well, we'll hear from the leader here.
hydrometeorological service, if it doesn’t rain, we’ll fire you and hire a new one,”
- said Azarov.

The country's chief meteorologist was quick to react. Hearing threats
Nikolai Kulbida promised rain and occasional downpours this weekend
thunderstorms and squalls.

Let us recall that last year during the abnormal heat in August on
Forecasters were shouted down by President Viktor Yanukovych. He asked
head of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, what his department is doing to
the heat in Ukraine has subsided.
http://www.bagnet.org/news/summaries/ukraine/2011-06-11/135451

Nikolay:
No!Are you still angry at me?

Xenia:
No

Nikolay:
Ufff! The apology was accepted! I adore you

Xenia:
No, they were not accepted. I just never stay angry for a long time

Hatred for you, like a cunning snake, lurks in the recesses of my soul.

Nikolay:
I will launch into your soul a mongoose of boundless love for me

In 2006, Groshev, who taught the subject “Professional ethics of police officers” at the Youth Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, conducted a survey among his students. As its results showed, only three percent of students never paid bribes during their studies at the university, and a third admitted that they entered the Youth Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for money, paying from 50 to 150 thousand rubles.

After Groshev presented the results of the survey to the head of the institute, Police Major General Alexander Chislov, he became the subject of an internal investigation and was subsequently fired. In addition, after this the university banned conducting sociological research.

Thinking is useful. Your Silent Spectator

Great, formidable, bloody and even damned - whatever they called the man who single-handedly ruled Russia. We invite you to discard stereotypes and take a fresh look at the rulers of the empire: historical anecdotes and funny situations.

Nicholas the First firmly established the reputation of a despot and martinet, who turned all of Russia into a large barracks. However, the memories of contemporaries testify that at times Nikolai Pavlovich’s sense of humor was not at all barracks-like.

Nicholas I Pavlovich (June 25, 1796, Tsarskoe Selo - February 18, 1855, St. Petersburg) - Emperor of All Russia from December 14, 1825 to February 18, 1855, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. The third son of Emperor Paul I and Maria Feodorovna, brother of Emperor Alexander I, father of Emperor Alexander II.

1. One day the pages played out in the huge Great Throne Hall of the Winter Palace. The majority jumped and fooled around, and one of the pages ran into the velvet pulpit under the canopy and sat on the imperial throne. There he began to grimace and give orders, when suddenly he felt that someone was taking him by the ear and leading him down the steps. The page froze. Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich himself silently and menacingly escorted him out. When everything was in proper order, the sovereign suddenly smiled and said:

Trust me, it's not as fun sitting here as you think.

Another time, Nikolai Pavlovich reduced even the decision in the case of the most important anti-state crime, which was considered an insult to the sovereign emperor, to a joke. His circumstances were as follows.

Once in a tavern, having walked almost to the point of wearing a robe, one of the smaller brethren, Ivan Petrov, cursed so much that even the kisser, who was accustomed to everything, could not stand it. Wanting to calm down the angry brawler, he pointed to the royal bust:

Stop using foul language, if only for the sake of the sovereign’s face.

But the stunned Petrov replied:

What do I care about your face, I spit on it! - after which he collapsed and began snoring. And I woke up already in the jail of the Rozhdestvenskaya unit. Chief of Police Kokoshkin, during his morning report to the sovereign, submitted a note about this, immediately explaining the punishment determined by law for such guilt. Nikolai Pavlovich imposed the following resolution: “Declare to Ivan Petrov that I don’t give a damn about him - and let him go.” When the verdict was announced to the attacker and he was released from arrest, he became sad, almost went crazy, started drinking, and disappeared.

2. Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich called the nobility his main support and treated noble undergrowth strictly, but in a fatherly way.

Walking along Nevsky Prospekt one day, he somehow met a student dressed inappropriately: his overcoat was thrown over his shoulders, his hat was pushed jauntily to the back of his head; sloppiness was noticeable in himself.

The Emperor stopped him and asked sternly:

Who do you look like?

The student was embarrassed, sobbed and timidly said:

For mommy...

And he was released by the laughing sovereign.

Another time, Nikolai Pavlovich came to the Noble Regiment, where young noblemen were trained for officer service. On the flank stood a cadet a head taller than the sovereign, who was distinguished by his tall stature. Nikolai Pavlovich drew attention to him.

What's your last name?

Romanov, Your Majesty,” he answered.

Are you related to me? - the sovereign joked.

“Exactly so, Your Majesty,” the cadet suddenly answered.

And to what extent? - asked the sovereign, angry at the impudent answer.

“Your Majesty is the father of Russia, and I am her son,” the cadet answered without blinking an eye.

And the sovereign deigned to graciously kiss the resourceful “grandson.”

3. Nikolai Pavlovich, in addition to wearing a wig that covered his bald spot, loved the theater and attended performances whenever possible. In 1836, at the performance of the opera “A Life for the Tsar,” the emperor especially liked the performance of the famous singer Petrov and, coming on stage, he admitted to him:

You expressed your love for the fatherland so well, so ardently, that the lining on my head lifted!

The retinue more than once took advantage of the sovereign's theatrical predilection, especially when replacing horses and carriages. Because when Nikolai Pavlovich was given, for example, a new horse, he usually exclaimed: “Rubbish, weak!”

And then he rode it so hard around the city that the horse actually returned home tired and covered in soap.

“I said that I was weak,” the emperor remarked, getting out of the sleigh.

The new crew, in the same way, always seemed to the sovereign to have shortcomings:

Short! There's nowhere to stretch your legs!

It's bumpy and narrow, it's just impossible to drive!

Therefore, they tried to give the Emperor a new horse or carriage for the first time when he was going to the theater. And when the next day he asked:

What kind of horse is this? What kind of crew?

They answered him:

Yesterday you deigned to go to the theater, Your Majesty!

After such an explanation, the sovereign no longer made any comments.

4. Once, while visiting a prison, Nikolai Pavlovich went into the convicts’ department. Here he asked everyone why he was sent to hard labor.

On suspicion of robbery, Your Majesty! - some said.

On suspicion of murder! - others answered.

On suspicion of arson, others reported.

In a word, no one admitted guilt: everyone talked about suspicions.

The Emperor approached the last prisoner. It was an old man with a thick beard, a tanned face and calloused hands.

What are you for? - asked the sovereign.

Let's get to work, Father Tsar! Get to work! He was drunk and killed a friend in a fight and hit him in the temple...

So what now? You regret it, as you can see?

How not to regret, sir! How not to regret! He was a glorious man, God rest his soul! I orphaned his family! I will never forgive this sin forever!

Is there anyone left in your homeland? - the sovereign asked.

“Why,” the old man answered, “his wife is an old woman, his son is sick, and his grandchildren are small and orphans.” And I ruined them from the damned wine. I will never forgive my sin!

Since all the people here are honest and there is only one guilty person, this old man, so that he does not spoil these “suspected” people, remove him from prison and send him home to his relatives.

5. Nikolai Pavlovich loved pleasant surprises, including financial ones. In those days, imperials and semi-imperials were minted from strip gold at the mint. At the same time, so-called cuts remained, which were not entered into any accounting books. As a result, so many cuts accumulated that they were enough for fifteen thousand half-imperials. The Minister of Finance, Count Kankrin, came up with the idea of ​​presenting them to the sovereign for Easter. To do this, according to his instructions, a huge egg was made from alder at the technological institute, which opened in two using a special mechanism.

On the first day of Easter, the egg was brought to the palace by officials of the Ministry of Finance, and several chamberlains carried it into the sovereign’s rooms behind Count Kankrin.

What is this? - asked the sovereign.

Allow me, Your Majesty,” said the minister, “to first say Christ!” - The Emperor kissed him.

Now, Your Majesty,” Kankrin continued, “I dare to imagine a red egg from your own wealth, and ask you to touch this spring. The emperor touched it, the egg opened, and the half-imperials became visible.

What is this, what is this, how much is there? - the emperor was surprised.

Count Kankrin explained that there are fifteen thousand semi-imperials here, and clarified that they were made from scraps that were not included anywhere in the reports. The Emperor could not hide his pleasure and unexpectedly suggested:

Are cuts saving? Well, then in half.

To which the minister modestly but firmly replied:

No, Your Majesty, this is yours, from yours and belongs to you alone.

6. In 1837, Nicholas the First wanted to visit the Caucasus for the first time.

From Kerch he went by steamer to Redut-Kale, a fortress north of Poti, although in the fall there are severe storms on the Black Sea. However, the sovereign did not cancel the trip, fearing rumors in Europe, where his health and affairs were closely monitored.

When the disaster got serious, the alarmed Nikolai Pavlovich began to sing prayers, forcing the composer Lvov, the author of the music for the anthem “God Save the Tsar!” to sing along. The Emperor favored Lvov and often took it with him on trips.

“It can’t be,” answered the sovereign, amused by the sight of the shaking musician, “you’re talking, and therefore the voice has not disappeared anywhere.”

7. In the 1840s, the first city public stagecoaches appeared in St. Petersburg. The appearance of these omnibuses became an event, the public liked them and everyone considered it their duty to ride in them in order to be able to talk with friends about the impressions experienced during the trip.

The success of this enterprise, the cheapness and ease of travel became known to the emperor. And he wanted to see this for himself. Walking along Nevsky one day and meeting a stagecoach, he made a sign to stop and climbed into it. Although it was crowded, a place was found, and the sovereign drove to Admiralty Square.

Here he wanted to get out, but the conductor stopped him:

Let me get you a ten-kopeck fare?

Nikolai Pavlovich found himself in a difficult situation: he never carried money with him, and none of his companions dared or thought of offering him money. The conductor had no choice but to accept the emperor’s word of honor.

And the next day, the chamberlain delivered ten kopecks to the stagecoach office with twenty-five rubles as a tip for the conductor.

8. Nicholas I loved to ride fast and always on an excellent trotter. Once, when the sovereign was passing along Nevsky Prospekt, some man, despite the coachman’s hails, almost fell under the emperor’s carriage, who even stood up in the droshky and grabbed the coachman by the shoulders.

At the same time, the sovereign shook his finger at the intruder and motioned for him to come to him. But he waved his hand in the negative and ran on. When the disobedient man was found, taken to the palace and brought to the emperor, he asked him:

Are you the one who so carelessly poked your head under my horse? Do you know me?

I know, Your Imperial Majesty!

How dare you disobey your king?

I’m sorry, your imperial majesty...there was no time...my wife was suffering during a difficult birth...and I ran to the midwife.

A! This is a good reason! - said the sovereign. - Follow me!

And he led him to inner chambers to the empress.

The disobedient turned out to be a poor official. This incident was the beginning of the happiness of his entire family.

9. Nikolai Pavlovich was capable of unexpected favors. One day, along St. Isaac's Square, from the side of Gorokhovaya Street, two funeral nags were dragging a funeral cart with a poor coffin. On the coffin lay an official's sword and a civil cocked hat, followed by one poorly dressed old woman. The drogs were already approaching the monument to Peter I. At that moment, the sovereign’s carriage appeared from the direction of the Senate.

The emperor, seeing the procession, was indignant that none of his colleagues came to pay their last respects to the late official. He stopped the carriage, got out and followed the official’s coffin on foot towards the bridge. Immediately people began to follow the sovereign. Everyone wanted to share the honor of accompanying the deceased to the grave with the emperor. When the coffin drove onto the bridge, there were many mourners of all ranks, mainly from the upper class. Nikolai Pavlovich looked around and said to those seeing him off:

Gentlemen, I have no time, I have to leave. I hope you see him to his grave.

And with that he left.

10. In 1848, during the Hungarian uprising, Nikolai Pavlovich had to decide whether to save the Habsburg monarchy, which had repeatedly spoiled Russia, or allow the Austrian army to be defeated by the rebel Hungarians. Since the rebels were commanded by Polish generals who had fought against the Russians more than once, the sovereign considered it a lesser evil to send Russian troops to help the Austrians.

And so, during the campaign, two allied officers entered one Hungarian shop: a Russian and an Austrian. The Russian paid for the purchases in gold, and the Austrian offered a banknote in payment. The merchant refused to accept the piece of paper and, pointing to the Russian officer, said:

This is how gentlemen pay!

It’s good to pay them in gold,” the Austrian officer objected, “when they were hired to fight for us.”

The Russian officer was offended by this statement, challenged the Austrian to a duel and killed him. A scandal broke out, and Nikolai Pavlovich was informed about the officer’s action.

However, the emperor decided this: to give him a severe reprimand for the fact that he wartime endangered his life; he should have killed the Austrian right there on the spot.

Sources:
encyclopaedia-russia.ru
kommersant.ru
portal1.rf