At the same time he could not endure Russian history, and, indeed, looked upon Russian customs in general as more or less piggish.
Even in his childhood, in the special military school for the sons of particularly wealthy and distinguished families in which he had the privilege of being educated, from first to last certain poetic notions were deeply rooted in his mind.

He loved castles, chivalry; all the theatrical part of it.

He was ready to cry with shame that in the days of the Moscow Tsars the sovereign had the right to inflict corporal punishment on the Russian boyars, and blushed at the contrast.

This stiff and extremely severe man, who had a remarkable knowledge of military science and performed his duties admirably, was at heart a dreamer.

It was said that he could speak at meetings and had the gift of language, but at no time during the thirty-three years of his life had he spoken.