Note 116 — Chapter XI

At a later period, Paul was by no means remarkable for his conjugal fidelity. Of his personal appearance the following mention is made in Masson’s “Memoires Secrètes,” quoted by Mr. Kelly in his “History of Russia,” vol. ii. p. 154: “It is said that the people of Paris, crowding to see Paul, then a youth, cried, ‘My God, how ugly he is!’ and that he had the good sense to laugh at it. He is not improved since he is grown old, bald, and wrinkled. The Empress appears by his side like one of those beautiful women who are painted with a little deformed blackamoor near them, as a contrast to their dignity and grace. The singularity which he affects in his dress, and the severity of his manners, add greatly to his deformity. Without excepting even the Kalmuks and the Kirghaz, Paul is the ugliest man in his extensive dominions; and he himself considers his countenance as so shocking, that he dares not impress it upon his coin.” Miss Knight herself describes the Grand-Duke, in one place, as “the ugliest man I ever saw;” but this was before he had spoken to her.