Of all Paul's children he was the only one which resembled his father, the rest inheriting the beauty and disposition of their mother, the German Princess, who so long exercised her benevolent influence at Court, both as the wife of the Tsar and as Dowager Tsarina. In appearance and disposition Constantine was a Kalmuc, except that he was very fair in his complexion, with white eyebrows and deep-set blue eyes. From childhood he had been a curious fellow, and his whimsical oddities had ever been a source of amusement at Court. He had been a great favorite of his grandmother, Catherine II, and she kept him with her a good deal of the time. His mother also had been particularly fond of him, although not so promising nor of so amiable a disposition in childhood as the rest of her family. As he grew up he hated books and refused absolutely to yield obedience to his tutors, who could not by any possible means induce him to study. he would learn nothing but military tactics and in these he always delighted. When he grew older he was extremely fond of drilling soldiers and was a very martinet in matters of equipment and discipline. He often showed great severity for even a very slight breach of duty or etiquette on the part of a soldier. He declared that he was utterly opposed to war because it spoiled the soldiers' uniforms. He wanted a nice army simply to drill and review.
Early in life, however, he developed real military talent and, when only twenty years of age, he distinguished himself in Italy, and in token of approbation his father gave him the title of Caesarovitch, or Son of Caesar. He was very proud of this title and retained it through life. At the battle of Austerlitz also he showed great personal bravery and began to gain popular favor as an officer.
Although subject to fits of ferocious passion, he was not a bad fellow at heart. He showed great reverence for the memory of his father; was the most tender and respectful of sons to his widowed mother, and he regarded his brother the Emperor with a blind idolatry. He was constantly with him, content to be a mere cipher by the side of the Great Tsar who was so different from him in all respects. He always showed the most loyal and obsequious obedience to Alexander which was not surpassed by any of the Tsar's subjects.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
