17th July — Pavlovsk
We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Papa's deliverance from drowning. This is the day of St. Marina. Papa asked the Sovereign's permission to take a piece from the holy relics, located in the chapel of the Winter Palace in our chapel of marble. Today the relics have been brought to Pavlovsk. A moleben was served, officers who had been on the "Lefort" 25 years ago gathered [here]. We breakfasted solemnly in the Greek hall...
18th July — Krondstadt
The Sovereign reviewed the cruisers "Europe", "Asia" and "Africa"; the gliders "Robber" and "Rider", "Horseman", "Haydamak" and the corvette "Bayan" on the eastern Krondstadt path—I was in the entourage. Accompanying the Sovereign from the family were the Tsesarevich, Papa and Alexei. We left at 12 on the yacht "Alexandria" from St. Petersburg. The weather stood favourably, clouds were in the sky, over time concealing the sun; found it very warm. —The Sovereign first visited "Haydamak", then "Horseman", "Bayan", the American corvette "Enterprise" and "Europe." On "Haydamak" and on "Horseman" they sounded the alarm, the artillery drill was executed with extraordinary speed. Sails were set on the "Bayan." On "Enterprise" a ceremonial march was held. Puppet comedy*.
20th July. Ilya's day — Pavlovsk
Did a big walk with Tatiana Mikhailovna and Pavel Egorovich. We are now good friends. After breakfast all three gathered at Tatiana Mikhailovna's. General Kireyev read us a memo entitled "If we dispose of nihilism", which he wishes to give to the Sovereign. The memo examines the reasons that gave rise to nihilism, and the ways to insure the youth against it. It seems to me that Kireyev misses an advantageous opportunity to remain silent, [in] wanting to give his memo to the Sovereign. I am convinced, that not only will his advice not affect anything, but will even miss [the Sovereign's] ear, even this is the best of evils: he may pay for his words. But I respect Kireyev precisely for the fact that he always acts according to his conscience, and not because it is profitable for him.
22nd July — Pavlovsk
Composed the poem "Willow."
23rd July — Gatchina
We—that is, Mama, Tanya Lazareva and I—conducted Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and Vladimir to Gatchina. Once their train set off, we were met at Gatchina Station by P.S. Keppen. We four got into a carriage and were taken to the palace through the garden. Gatchina, its park, its palace bear the stamp of loneliness, ancient history and mystery; whenever you arrive there, you are seized by the spirit of antiquity, which does not belong to any Petersburg country palaces. At Gatchina, involuntarily, from every corner of the old palace chambers, it seems as though there can be heard hidden sighs, muffled tears, and laughter, and laughter [sic], and the fun of past pleasant years. We stayed in the Chinese Gallery for a long time, considering old portraits and ornate Chinese [objects?]. The sun, shining through the yellow glass, illuminated the bronze and Chinese porcelain with a magical golden colour; I did not want to leave there. —We did not manage to see the rooms of Pavel I and his bed on which he died—there was no time before the train departed...
29th July — Kronstadt
At 9 o'clock in the morning we weighed anchor and got underway. Under the guidance of Skrydlov and employing the advice of the other officers, I was busy cleaning the anchor. My first watch while we were moving was at 12 o'clock in the afternoon.
*Saying meaning a farce.
Source: https://imwerden.de/pdf/romanov_konstantin_dnevniki_vospominaniya_stikhi_pisma_1998__ocr.pdf
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