Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-23
WINTER SEBASTOPOL.

A correspondent of the Boston Transcript,
writing from SebastOpol, says: The winter
season here Is so much more beautiful than we
anticipated, that when the storms come We en-
dure them patiently, knowing that the clouds
will soon disappear and the sun again shine as
brightly as before. Hail and snow are not
very common heTe-the rain predOminates
Two weeks since there was quite a storm of
rain, hail and saOw; the latter quite covered
the ground, and did not melt away for two
days On another occasion the snow lasted
only four or five hours. We have heavy winds
occasionally during the winter, and in the
month of March. In April the pleasant settled
weather begins, and continues till November
,,r December. Although the weather is usually
~ mild at this season, ladies aud gentlemen
wear the Russian winter costume dressing as
warmly as If they were in st. Petersburg
Some Vt our lady friends wear magnificent
clOaks. which are very large and long, extend
ing to the feet. The outside material is com
posed Of maroon velvet or black satin; the
elOaks are lined with rich sable or fox fur
Lase winter the color most in favor with the
ladies was sky blue. Large sable collars are
also much worn. and with a cloak, often cost
one or two thousand dollars and in some iu-
stances even more than the sum named. The
officers of the army wear loose gray coats lined
wtt6 fur, aud wide fur collars; and the officers
al the 1avy wear black coats lined with fur
The lh-ye hall where our weekly assemblies
are ihslt .yEs used during the war for hos
ipitil, sns was me only building not injured by
I!he lilies lhsy took care to preserve it on
being informed foS v hat purpose it was devoted.
SO,netlmes there were to be seen upon the floors
many 5Hndreds of krSGeb, Russian and Eng
Iish soldiers, horribly mutilated. The French
soldiers were always attended TO first and sup
piled with the best linen. When any of the
Allies were wounded and broug bit into the Rus
sian hospitals, they were nO l0nger considered
as enemies but were treated as guests In the
French history Of the war, the author says
- For the tender care bestowed upon our SOL
diers during the war, the Russians are deserv-
ing Of world praise From the English
accounts one would form quite different Opin-
ION LII il true, however. that the French had
TIE preference; yet the English were kindly
cared for, notwithstanding the aversion which
abe Russians had towards them.
/ will mention some of the customs Of the
ballroom. In the Russian qusdrilles a circle
ls formed around the room and seats are placed
behind each person. in which they can rest and
chat after each figure Is danced The first SIX
figures are always danced alike, OF rather
there are six regular figures, leach one differ
ept Of cOurse,J which are always danced first
Asa the remaining ones can be changed to suit
he pleasure of wbOmsOever may take tho lead
Aflsr the first quadrille, fruits, preserve, jel-
lies, sweetmeats, &c, are provided in one Of
the drawing rooms, for the ladies and gentle
men 10 psrtake of whenever they feel inclined
aud in the course OF the oTening q grand sup
per 10 prepared.