During his minority, and after the death of his mother of evil repute, the government fell into the hands of a Council of Regency, with Prince Andrew Shuiski at its head. This gentleman and his associates appear to have been most unprincipled and designing villains. The iniquities which they practiced were so refined as to be a marvel to the greatest and most accomplished past-master in wickedness, which even the author of the old fairy tales could invent.
These men actually began a deliberate education of corruption intended either to brutalize or perhaps to cause the death of the young man left to their charge and who was destined, would he survive their deviltries, to become the absolute master of the fortunes of the patient millions of Russia.
He was designedly accustomed in early years to deeds of cruelty, and to imbibe a disregard for the life and well being of subordinates. His guardians mocked at his better impulses and applauded his crimes. He was encouraged, for example, to drive furiously about the streets of Moscow, running over old people and young children and trampling them under his horses' feet as a mark of the superiority of royal blood over the rights of lower humanity.
On the other hand, it is said that they in turn did not hesitate to visit him with abuse or even bodily punishment, and while encouraging his egotism on the one hand, they embittered and humiliated him on the other.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
