In the meantime troubles were brewing t home due to his own mad eccentricities. He changed the organization of the army, adopting Prussian uniforms, to the intense disgust of the military. He issued orders regulating the manner of dress and the wearing of beards. At the same time he was liberal in exiling the favorites of his mother to Siberia, and speedily caused the growth of a large party of discontents throughout the empire.
The result was a conspiracy for his overthrow, and in a melee at his palace he was seized and strangled, thus coming to an ignoble end and making way for his eldest son, Alexander.
Paul was twice married, first to a Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, who died early; and again to Maria of Wurtemburg, a princess of rare beauty, talent and virtue. She became the mother of nine children, four sons, Alexander, Constantine, Nicholas and Michael; and five daughters.
Previous article Next article
From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
