1935 RASPUTIN HIS MALIGNANT INFLUENCE AND ASSASSINATION

This is the 1935 Florin Book Edition

Rasputin

His Malignant Influence and His Assassination

by

Prince Felix Youssoupoff

Translated from the Russian by
OSWALD RAYNER, M.A.
BARRISTER-AT-LAW

Front cover and spine

Further images of this book are shown below

Rasputin : His Malignant Influence and His Assassination

Contents

Preface

Introduction
Rasputin and the Russian Revolution - Russia before and during the War — The State of Mind of Society — The Emperor Nicholas II - The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna - Life at Tsars-koe Selo - The Influence of Vyrubova and of Rasputin.
Rasputin's Origin — From Siberia to St. Petersburg - A Vagabond in Power.
Rasputinism and Bolshevism.
 

CHAPTER
1 How I Made Rasputin's Acquaintance
2 Anxiety Among Loyal Subjects of The Throne
3 Rasputin Revealed To Me
4 The Resolve To Do Away With The Starets
5 My Inquiries
6 Rasputin Among His Female Admirers
7 A Visit To The Starets
8 A Hypnotic Séance
9 How We Decided To Act
10 Rasputin Accepts My Invitation
11 The Cellars At No. 94 Moika Street

12 The Last Visit To Gorokhovaya Street
13 The Night Of The L6th December
14 Death Which Was No Death
15 Why A Dog Was Killed
16 Enthusiasm At St. Petersburg
17 Interrogatories And Depositions
18 At The Palace Of The Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich
19 The Body Recovered
20 Disappointment
21 Banishment
Conclusion

 

Appendix:
The Manifesto Announcing The Abdication of The Emperor Nicholas II, And The Emperor's Farewell Message To The Troops

Rasputin : His Malignant Influence and His Assassination

Preface

I have hitherto hesitated to publish my recollections of Rasputin. I have been anxious to avoid making untimely reference to events which were fatefully connected with the reign of the martyred Emperor Nicholas II.

Certain sections of the Press, however, continue to publish misleading and calumnious articles on this subject; and too often even Russians, alas, gratify the morbid curiosity of the crowd with versions which are no less inexact.

Malicious scoffing at the expense of those who have atoned with their blood for all their involuntary errors is inadmissible. Yet in respect of our recent past there is another extreme - an exaggerated idealisation of the last reign, with all its unhealthy features.

These two extremes hinder in equal degree a sober and objective analysis of the past. They exert a particularly harmful influence on our younger generation, who are now growing up far away from the fatherland, but are destined sooner or later to take part in the building up of a new Russia.

We have no right to fill our children's minds with vague legends. These will not suffice to imbue them with a real love of the fatherland and a sense of duty towards it.

It is important, moreover, that we should recognise errors committed in the past. We may thus avoid many a pitfall, and provide against many a disappointment in the future.

Such are the motives which impel me, as an eye-witness of some of those tragic events which occurred round the throne, to give a true account of all that I saw and heard; and I have resolved to overcome that heaviness of heart which possesses me whenever I touch upon the past - especially when I dwell upon the terrible sequel in the cellar of Ipatievski House at Ekaterinburg.

Rasputin : His Malignant Influence and His Assassination

Chapter 12: The Last Visit to Gorokhovaya Street
 

By eleven o'clock everything was ready.
The samovar stood on the table, with various cakes and sweetmeats for which Rasputin had a great liking. On one of the sideboards was a tray with wines and glasses.
I was still alone in the house as I cast an eye over the room and its arrangements.
Antique lanterns, with panes of varied colours, lit the room from above; the heavy dark-red curtains were drawn. In the open fireplace a huge fire was burning; the logs crackled and threw out sparks on the stone hearth.
The room was almost underground, and was ordinarily of a rather gloomy aspect; but now, thanks to the lighting and furnishings, it was astonishingly cosy. Moreover, the stillness which reigned lent an air of mystery, a sort of detachment from the world. It seemed that whatever might happen here would be hidden from mortal eyes and buried for ever in the silence of these stone walls.
A bell rang. It told me of the arrival of the
Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich and the rest of my associates.
I went to meet them. They looked confident and in good spirits, but they all talked rather loudly and seemed unnaturally gay, as if their nerves were on edge.
We passed into the dining-room. The arrangement of it greatly impressed my friends, particularly the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, who had seen it the day before, when nothing was as yet ready.
They all stood in silence for a while, as they examined the scene of the approaching event.
I drew from the labyrinth cupboard a box containing poison, and took from the table a plate of cakes; there were six - three with chocolate, and three with almond icing.
Dr. Lazovert put on rubber gloves and took out the crystals of cyanide of potassium. He crushed them, and having removed the upper layers from the chocolate cakes, sprinkled each of them with a strong dose of poison, afterwards replacing the tops.
We followed his movements with strained attention. A tense silence reigned in the room.
All that now remained to be done was to shake some powdered crystals into he wine-glasses.

We decided to do this at the last possible moment, so that the poison might not lose strength by evaporation. The total amount of poison applied was enormous: the doctor assured us that the dose was many times stronger than would be required to cause death.
To make everything appear natural it was necessary that there should be a number of used cups on the table, as though people had just taken tea. I had explained to Rasputin that when we had visitors tea was served in the lower dining-room, and that after the others had gone upstairs I sometimes remained below, reading.
We slightly disarranged the table and the room, drawing back the chairs, and pouring a little tea into the cups. I further arranged with the Grand Duke, Dmitri Pavlovich, Sukhotin and Purishke-vich, that within ten minutes of my departure they should go upstairs to my study and turn on the gramophone, selecting the most cheerful records they could find. My object was to keep Rasputin in good humour, and to clear his mind of all suspicion. For I could not entirely rid myself of the fear that the underground situation of the rooms might put him on his guard.
When all these preparations had been com-
pleted, Dr. Lazovert and I left the room. He changed into chauffeur's clothes and went to start the car, which was standing at the side entrance in the courtyard, while I put on a voluminous fur cloak and a fur cap with ear-pieces, which served to conceal my face.
We got into the car and drove off.
My head was a whirl of thoughts. I was sustained by my hopes for the future. During those few short minutes of my last drive to Rasputin's I lived through a whole life of emotions.
The car stopped outside No. 64 Gorokhovaya Street.
On entering the courtyard I was at once challenged by the dvornik. 'Whom do you want?'
On learning that I wanted to see Grigori Efimovich he was unwilling to let me pass, and insisted that I should give my name and explain why I was calling at so late an hour.
I replied that Grigori Efimovich himself had asked me to come at this particular hour and to go up to him by the back staircase. The dvornik looked me over with distrust, but nevertheless allowed me to pass.
The staircase was in darkness, and I had to feel my way. I had not even any matches with me. With great difficulty I at last succeeded in finding the entrance to Rasputin's flat.
I rang, and in reply heard his voice from behind the closed door: 'Who's there?'
I shuddered.
'Grigori Efimovich, it is I. I've come to fetch you,' I answered.
I heard him moving and bustling about. The door was chained and bolted, and I felt uneasy as the chain clanged and the heavy bolt grated at his touch.
He led the way and I went into the kitchen.
It was in darkness, and I felt that someone was watching me from the adjoining room. Instinctively I turned up my collar and pulled down my cap.
'What are you muffling yourself up like that for?' asked Rasputin.
'Why, didn't we decide that no one should know about to-night?' I replied.
'True, true. I haven't told anybody here and I've sent off all the tainiki. Come on; I'll get ready.'
We went into his bedroom, which was partially lit by a lamp in the corner, in front of the ikons.
Rasputin applied a match to a candle. I noticed that the bed was disarranged - he had evidently just been resting. His fur coat and beaver hat were in readiness. On the floor was a pair of snow boots.
He was dressed in a white silk blouse embroidered with corn-flowers and girded with a thick raspberry-coloured cord with large tassels, wide trousers of black velvet, and long boots, brand new. Even his hair and beard were carefully combed and smoothed. As he drew nearer to me I felt a strong smell of cheap soap. He had obviously paid special attention to his toilet that day; certainly I had never before seen him so clean and tidy.
'Well, Grigori Efimovich, isn't it time we were off? It's already nearly one o'clock.'
'Shall we go on to the gipsies? What d'you say?' he asked.
'I don't know - perhaps,' I answered.
'But there won't be anybody special at your place to-night?' he said, with a note of uneasiness in his voice.
I calmed him by telling him that he would meet no one whom he disliked, and that my mother was still in the Crimea.
'I don't like her, your mother. And she can't stand me, I know . . . she's a friend of Lizbeth. They're both digging pits for me, and slandering me, . . . The Empress herself has told me time and again that they're my worst enemies. . . .'
'And what d'you think?' he added unexpectedly. Trotopopov drove round here this evening, and made me promise that I'd stay at home during these next few days. "They want to kill you," he said. "Evil-minded people are plotting against you." Ah, well! Let 'em plot. They won't succeed - they haven't got a long enough reach.
'But what's the use of talking about it? Let's go!'
I picked up his coat from a chest and helped him into it.
'Money - I've forgotten my money,' he said, in a fluster. He went to the chest and opened it.
I moved nearer and, looking into it, I saw a number of parcels wrapped in newspaper.
'Surely that isn't all money?' I asked.
'Of course it is - nothing but bank-notes; I got 'em to-day,' he answered without hesitation.
'Who gave them to you?'
'Various kind people. I just fixed up a little affair, and out of gratitude they made a donation to the Church.'
'I suppose there's a good deal of money there?'
'Why should I bother to count it? I haven't time. I'm not a banker! That's a job for Mitka Rubinstein;1 he's got pots of money. Besides, to tell you the truth, I can't count it. I just said to 'em, "Bring fifty thousand, otherwise I shan't worry over you." Well, and they sent it. Perhaps they've given more! How should I know?
'It'll make a nice little wedding present for my daughter,' he continued. 'She's going to be married soon, to an officer with four St. George's Crosses. He earned 'em, too. And there's a fat little job waiting for him. "She" has promised to give her blessing.'
'But, Grigori Efimovich, didn't you say that this money was a donation to the Church?'
"Well, what about that? There's nothing to be surprised at! Marriage is of God, isn't it? The Lord Himself gave His blessing at Cana, in Galilee. And as to the particular use to which this money is put, isn't it all the same to Him-to God?' replied Rasputin, with a cunning leer.

Please note: to avoid opening the book out, with the risk of damaging the spine, some of the pages were slightly raised on the inner edge when being scanned, which has resulted in some blurring to the text and a shadow on the inside edge of the final images.

Some of the illustrations may be shown enlarged for greater detail and clarity.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS

U.K. Bidders:

Packed weight: approximately 500gr

• First Class Post is free
  

• First Class Recorded Post (includes £39.00 insurance) is £2.89

• Special Delivery, which is fully insured and guarantees next-day delivery, is £5.40

• Parcel Post (insured up to £39.00) is £4.41

• Parcel Post (insured up to £100.00) is £5.41

• The above figures show the various postage options. Insurance and/or tracking is normally required for all books which have a final bid price over £39.00. For lower-value books (where the final bid is less than £39.00), insurance is not usually necessary. If in doubt, please contact me before bidding. I must insist, however, on full insurance being paid for any book which sells for more than £60.00. I do hope you understand that this is for the benefit of both buyer and seller.

• Payment can be made by: debit card, credit card (Visa or MasterCard, but not Amex), cheque (payable to "G Miller", please), or PayPal.

• Please contact me with name and address and payment details within seven days of the end of the auction; otherwise I reserve the right to cancel the auction and re-list the item.

International Bidders:

Packed weight: approximately 500gr

The above table shows the correct amounts for Ordinary Air Mail, “Signed For” Air Mail (includes £39.00 insurance) and Fully Insured “Signed For” Air Mail postage. Insurance and/or tracking is normally required for all books which have a final bid price over £39.00. For lower-value books (where the final bid is less than £39.00), insurance is not usually necessary. If in doubt, please contact me before bidding. I must insist, however, on full insurance being paid for any book which sells for more than £60.00. I do hope you understand that this is for the benefit of both buyer and seller.

Due to the extreme length of time taken for some deliveries, surface mail is no longer a viable option and I am unable to offer it even in the case of heavy items. I am afraid that I cannot make any exceptions to this rule. Please do not bid and then ask me to alter the shipping figure: if the shipping figures quoted above are unacceptable to you, then please do not bid on this item.
 

• Payment can be made by: all major credit cards (Visa or MasterCard, but not Amex) or PayPal. I can also accept a cheque in GBP [British Pounds Sterling] but only if drawn on a major British bank.

• Regretfully, due to extremely high conversion charges, I CANNOT accept foreign currency : all payments must be made in GBP [British Pounds Sterling]. This can be accomplished easily using a credit card, which I am able to accept as I have a separate, well-established business.

• Please contact me with your name and address and payment details within seven days of the end of the auction; otherwise I reserve the right to cancel the auction and re-list the item

Prospective international bidders should ensure that they are able to provide credit card details or pay by PayPal within 7 days of the end of the auction (or inform me that they will be sending a cheque in GBP drawn on a major British bank). I am afraid that Bank Transfers and Money Orders are not acceptable due to the conversion charges. If this is a problem, or you wish to confirm my bona fides, please contact me before bidding. Thank you.

(please note that the book shown is for illustrative purposes only and forms no part of this auction)

Book dimensions are given in inches, to the nearest quarter-inch, in the format width x height.

Please note that, to differentiate them from soft-covers and paperbacks, modern hardbacks are still invariably described as being ‘cloth’ when they are, in fact, predominantly bound in paper-covered boards pressed to resemble cloth.

I value your custom (and my feedback rating). Also, I am a bibliophile: I want books to arrive in the same condition in which they were dispatched. For this reason, all books are securely wrapped and posted in a cardboard container. If any book is significantly not as described, I will offer a full refund, including return postage. Unless the size of the book precludes this, hardback books with a dust-jacket are provided with a protective cover, while hardback books without a dust-jacket are provided with a clear film cover.

The Royal Mail, in my experience, offers an excellent service, but things can occasionally go wrong. However, I believe it is my responsibility to guarantee delivery. If any book is lost or damaged in transit, I will offer a full refund.

Thank you for looking, and good luck if you decide to bid.

Please also view my other auctions for a range of interesting books
and feel free to contact me if you require any additional information

Design and content © 2009 Geoffrey Miller