In 1807, Czar Alexander was forced by Napoleon to accept the humiliating Treaty of Tilsit. Five years later, however, Napoleon undertook a misgiuded invasion of Russia, leading to the overthrow of French imperialism.

A year later, Alexander, in Paris for ananniversary celebration, visited a local hospital at which the organizers were passing around contribution plates. They wisely selected a lovely young lady to approach the czar, who dutifully contributed a handful of gold. "That," he declared in a gentle whisper, "is for your beautiful bright eyes."

The woman smiled, curtsied, and presented the plate a second time. "What? More?" Alexander asked. "Yes, sire," she replied, "now I want something for the poor."