[Chancellor Palpatine]

A few years ago, a nice part of the Hermitage collection of the Tsar's treasures was touring four sites in the country. As luck would have it, Mobile was on the list, and the exhibit coincided with our vacation at Gulf Shores.

It was an incredibly moving experience, because in addition to things like the Faberge Coronation Coach egg, the coach itself, artwork and jewels, there were items like Nicholas' hair from when he was 3, love letters between him and Alexandra, art by the children along with schoolbooks, etc. I couldn't make it through many sections without crying, and didn't see many dry eyes in the place - it was a great experience for all of us, especially the kids.

These were nice people, slaughtered by animals.

[Aliska]

Do you remember when Nicholas was coronated (or maybe it was their wedding) they issued a "limited edition" of souvenir mugs? Anyway in the field several people were trampled to death trying to get to the mugs. Alexandra saw that as a bad omen.

They were such a lovely family and so devoted to one another, children included.

Thanks for sharing about the exhibit, especially the little personal mementos. The rest of it, jewels, all that, are nice, I suppose, but that's part of what led to the problem in the first place; i.e., so much for the few, so little for the many.

[TexConfederate1861]

May God Bless the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia!