Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-09-03
American Surgeons at an Interview with
the CZar.

A letter in the Ohio State Jonrnal, from ot
Petersburg, dated the 14th July, gives an &C,
count of the visit of some of the American Sur,
geons in the Russian corps to the Gar. They
were awaiting his arrival in the anteroom, when
the writer says:
"First came some TALL dignifed General, very
soldier-like in manner, bowling la nnatatalre to
all in the room, and shaking warmly by the hand
his intimate friends; then some old officer with
one leg, the other amputated and spliced with
wood in manner which, out of Russia, would
be disgrace to the art Of surgery; then some
Younger men with a sunburnt face, or one arm
resting in sling, souvenir, perhaps, OF Sebas-
topol, then some homely woman in white robes,
with a handsome boquet in her hair, gdes into
the room, ungloving rs she enters, precious
dark spot on the back of her white hand, upon
which q few of the favored ones are allowed to
press their lips; then was whispered the Grand
Duke Constantine, and looking | saw entering
behind fine looking lady and some children, o
little delcate-looking, light-haired, light-com'
plexioned man, wearing quizzlcally IN one eye
round piece OF glass, and in manner not unlike
some Broadway swell, as he enters some place
of familiar resort. Such is Russias High Admi
raj in appearance. Different, very different
from the picture had formed in my own mind
|
yite blood he is represented to be. Then came
the Empress, tall, dignifed, but not handsome
woman, dressed in simple white with few nat
ura flowers in her hair, inclining her head grace
fully to all as she enters, whilst the older officers
press around to kiss her ungloved hand.
Then at last comes the Gar Due notice o
his arrival is given, and all is silent as DEATH
AS he enters every head is bowed, and he re
turns the greeting with graceful bow and
good-natured SMILE Having done this he turn
| to an aide, and asks "where the American doc
tors are?" Being pointed out and withou
waiting for us to be formally presented by th'
Minister, he approached us with the easy free
dom of manner, peculiar to kind-hearted men
and without any of the imperiousness OF tn
Gar, spoke to US in our own language, askin!
us, among other things, how long we had beel
in his service, when we were going home, to
gether with other questions, to all of which n
heard our answers When through with these
he moved back step or two, and in an earnest
kindly tone, and said to us, THAT for your ser
vices. and the good will which prompted them,
sincerely thank You, and through you your coun
trymen." Again he repeated his thanks, ant
then, bowling, he left us.
A moment afterwards he sent US an aide II
conduct US to the Chapel, whittier he was goin
for the purpose of hearing mass. We went int
the long passage way, leading from the Palac
to the Chapel, and there mingling among hi
suite awaited the entrance of their Imperia
Majesties into the Chapel, and their return t
the Palace, after which weleft, pleased with ou
visit.
AS we came out, the water-works, includin
many large fountains, were, in full play, and
had never seen Peterhoff half so beautiful as o
that day. e
Thus ended our interview with the Emperc
of all the Russias-an account of which is give
simply because thought it might prove intel
esting to some to hear q little of the appearanc
of this distant but magnificent court.