Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-29
Americans in Russia...-Their Presentation
at the Imperial Court.

Professor Morse the inventor or the Electro
Magnetic Telegraph, has written home an intel
esting account OF the late presentation of himse
and several other Americans at the Russia
Court, among whom were Col. Colt, the reyo
yer pistol maker, and his wife. AS the narra
tive possesses considerable interest, aside fror
the mere description of the presentation, W
make several extracts. The letter is dated fror
the Imperial Palace of Peterhoff, II miles fror
st. Petersburgh, Aug. IA:
yesterday | received notice at St. Peters
burgh, from Prince Gortchakoff, Minister @
Foreign Affairs through our Minister, Mr.. Sey
mour, that the Emperor had appointed the hou
of half past one this day to see Inc at his palac
at Peterhoff accordingly waited upon ou
Minister to know the etiquette to be observes
on such an occasion. 1t was necessary he SAT-
to be at the boat by o'clock in the morning
which would arrive at Peterhoff about half.pas
9; that must dress in black coat, vest and pan
falcons, and white cravat, and wear my Turkisl
nishan. So this morning was up betimes, ant
upon taking the boat found our Minister, MIR
Seymour, Col. Colt and Mr. j., attaches to tn
! Legation, with Mrs. Colt and Miss j. coming OF
board.
| On our arrival at the quay at Peterhotf WI
found somewhat to my surprise, the imperla
carriages in waiting for US, each carriage with
coschman and two footmen in imperial livery
which is scarlet and gold lace, with towering
military cooked hats, edged with broad gold
lace. Our party occupied two of the carriages
which drove rapidly by all other carriages, and
through people with their heads uncovered a:
we passed, which to US Republicans was some
thing new and were set down at our quarters in
one of the palace buildings in the extensive gar
dens specially appropriated to our party. Here
we were attended by four or five servants IN
scarlet livery loaded with gold lace, and shown
to our apartments, upon the doors OF which
were our names respectively. After throwing
off our overcoats, the servants inquired if we
would have breakfast, to which of course we
had no objection, and an excellent one OF coffee
and sandwiches was soon upon the table, served
up on silver, with the imperial arms upon the
waiter, spoons, &c. Everything about our
rooms-which consisted Of parlor and bed
rooms attached-was plain but exceedingly
clean and neat. After seeing US well housed,
our attendant chamberlain left US to prepare
ourselves for the presentation, saying he would
call for us at the proper time. As there were
two or three hours to spare, took occasion to
improve the time to commence this brief notice
of the events of the day.
About 2 o'clock, our attendant, polite gen.
tleman who gave ME his name as Thorner, an
officer under the principal chamberlain (who IS
l believe Count Borsch) called to say our car
riages were ready. On descending our staircase,
through rows of liveried servants, we found
three carriages in waiting, with the Imperial
livery, and splendid black horses, three servants
to each carriage as before, but in blue and goid
lace two inches at least broad, and the dou-
ble-headed eagle, emblazoned upon it at inter-
vals of about four inches. We seated ourselves
in the carriages, which were then driven at
rapid rate to the great and principal palace, the
entrance to which is most picturesquely placed
to overlook the numerous magnificent fountains
so celebrated at Peterhof Hundreds of we'll
dressed people thronged each side OF the car
riage way as we drove up to the door, where we
were set down in turn after alighting, we were
ushered through a long hall by an officer richly
dressed, and having upon his head cap with
black feathers much like the Highlander's cap
we passed through two lines ofliyeried servants
that manned the sides of the hall and staircase
to the entrance of the ante-room, two last
of these officials being Africans Of the darkest
complexion, and dressed with turkish turban,
&c. We had passed through the ante-room to O
large and magnificent room, where were assem-
bled those who were to be presented. Here we
found ourselves among princes, and mobiles, and
distinguished persons OF all nations Among
the English ladies were lady Granville, and La
dy Emily Peel, the wife OF Sir Robert Peel-the
latter most beautiful woman, and dressed with
great elegance and taste, having on her head q
Diana coronet of diamonds, and rich train OF
pink silk. There were two or three other ladies
well.dressed, but none were more tastefully or
Isplendidly attired than Mrs. @. aud Miss j. A
mong the gentleman around me were officers at
tached to the various deputations from England
Austria, France and Sardinia. Several princes
of note were among them, and conspicuous for
splendor of dress was Prince Esterhazy part ol
his dress, and the handle and scabbard OF his
sword blazed with diamonds. Here we remain.
ed for some time. From the windows of the
hall we looked down upon the magnificent
fountains below us, and upon the terrace crown
ed with gorgeous vases of blue and gold statues
in every variety of attitude.
At length the master of ceremonies appeared
and led the way to the southern verandah which
overlooked the gardens, ranging us in line
and reading our names from a list to see If we
were truly mustered, after which the Emperor
Alexander H. entered. He was dressed in mil
itary costume, blue sash was across his breast
passing over the the right shoulder. On his
LETT breast were stars and orders. He commenc.
ed at the head of the column, which consisted
of some fourteen or fifteen persons, and on the
pronouncing Of the name by the master OF cere-
monies he addressed few werds to each. 10
Mr.. c. he said, "Ah! have seen you before
I am glad to see YOU" When he came to me,
the master of ceremonies mistook my name,
calling me Mr.. More, instantly corrected him,
and said, "No Mr.. Morse" The Emperor at
once said kindly, "Ah that name is well known
here, your system of Telegraph is in use in Rus
sia; how long have you been in St. Petersburg,
and how have you enjoyed yourself?" 10
which l appropriately replied. After few
more unimportant questions and answers, the
Emperor addressed himself to the other gentle
men and retired. After remaining few mo-
ments the master of ceremonies wholly the
by, apologized to Inc for miscallng my name
opened door from the verandah into the large
dIawing-room of the Empress, where we were
again put in line to await the appearance OF Her
Imperial majesty.
The doors of an adjoining room were sudden
ly thrown open, and the Empress gorgeously
but appropriately attired. advanced toward us.
She was dressed in long flowing train Of many
hounces of rich broad lace. Upon her head q
crown of diamonds, upon her neck superb
necklace of diamonds some twenty Of which
were as large as the first joint OF the forefnger.
The upper part of her dress was also embroid-
cred with diamonds in broad band, and the
dress in front buttoned down to the floor, with
rosettes of diamonds, the central diamond OF
each button being ut least half an inch in di-
ameter, and in her bosom she wore large and
splendid boquet composed of diamonds and jew
els of various colors initiating flowers. She ad-
dressed few words gracefully to each of us in
succession, approaching us as our names were
called. Her words, as were those of the Empe-
ror, were necessarily commonplace, for what
could she say to strangers in so brief and inter.
view but the common words of inquiry, "Wher