The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-07
THE MISSION TO ST. PETERSBURG.
\ General Tender OF HospftaIities, and
End of Fetes.


4 General Tender OF HospitaIities, and
no End of Fetes.
ST. PETERSBURG, August 16.-The hos
pitabe entertainments offered to us by clubs,
corporations, and private persons, are throng-
ing IN upon us in manner unprecedented. II
we were to remain here month longer than is
contemplated, we should be troubledto accept
every invitation extended to us. Every one
seems anxious to show respect and regard to
the Americans by giving elegant dinners and
evening entertainments. Such a round Of
affairs Of that kind have we before us that we
despair OF living through the siege. Those
who are permanently with the party suffer
not little, and we begin to wish to return to
our ships merely to obtain rest and an hum
bic dinner. We dine too sumptuously daily
to retain our health, or at least our republican
tastes
just think OF sterlet, the great Russian
fish, at one hundred rubles each, and every
thing else correspondingly expensive and
rare, at each dinner, and then you may be-
lieve that the Russians are straining every
nerve to give us che most elegant reception
possible Nothing can exceed the magnif-
cence OF their dinners or thsir boundless hos
pitality.
The Nero hants' Club Banquet.
Last night we Gined with the Merchants
Club OF st. Petersburg, in their club-room,
on the Neya Perspective. The club is one of
the first, if not the first of st. Petersburg, and
is celebrated for the elegance o. its entertain
ments. The one given us last n!Sht was IN
every detail magnificent affair.
The splendid large salon OF the club was
beautifully decorated for the occasion. Along
the walls, near the ceiling, were the coats-oI-
arms of the United States and Russia,
beautifully executed, placed alternately, and
draped with Russian and American tags. Our
banners were swinging with the Russian rom
every available point. On one side OF the
room were the life-size portraits OF the En-
peror Alexander l and the Empress, draped
with the imperial and national banners. OPP
posite, under the American coat-of-arms, were
the portraits OF Washington, Lincoln, and
Johnson, handsomely decorated with garlands
and flags. Alongside the walls were placed
hundreds OF exotics, shrubs and flowers, and
in the lines of tables were also orange and
lemon trees, and Towering shrubs, the whole
combined having a most beautiful effect.
In the balcony was Laidow's celebrated
orchestra, which played throughout the even
ing. About four hundred guests sat down to
the repast. They were of every class of So
ciety-men distinguishedin in their varied walks
| of life, all assembled to do honor to America
and Americans, and to express their friend
| ship for them,
Of course there was an abundance OF the
| choicest sherry, Bordeaux, champagne, sau-
terne, ETC., and coffee.
Russian Punch.
After the dinner magnificent punch was
| breWed by sl1ilful hand, from champagne,
rum, and a halt dozen different liquids, which
was exceedingly nice, but tearfully heady'
According to the Russian custom, before the
dinner was halt over the President of the
dinner, Mr.. Vorqunin, arose and made the
first speech of the evening, which was ire
quently interrupted by applause.
Remarkable Honor.
| And it is noticeable fact in connection
with this, as at other dinners, the health OF
the President of the United States was given
first-a custom never before adopted in Rus
sia in compliment to any potentate, however
mighty or friendly.
She President spoke in Russian, which Adj
Iniral Lisovsky translated as folloWs:-
"The Hon. G. V. Fox, the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy of the United States, has honored
us by receiving the unanimous Invitation OF the
Russian corporation of merchants of St. Peters
burg 10 the dinner to-day. 1t is not the first
time that our society has expressed its sincere
: and heartfelt friendship to the citizens OF the
r | United States. think that the respected
| General Clay has not forgotten the cordial re-
E ception which was shown to him by the Society
in February last, nor the speeches expressive OF
, friendly attachment made on that day. But
= now we are still more closely bound to this
i great nation by the sympathy which it has
4 shown to us for the sorrowful event OF the
tourtn OF April. Inc neart oil every Russian beat
s with JOY when IL was known that our friends
c beyond the ocean were sending deputation
!, from Congress with congratulations for the
" wonderful preservation, through Divine mercy
of our beloved and dear Emperor. This act
., clearly shows to that we have sincere friends
3 who rejoice in every success OF Russia, and who
sympathize with us in every trial. Our friend
II ship is not founded on selfish political considera
If tons, nor on the possible benefits OF Commercial
q treaties. No; it is bond Of affection, and thu
n feeling of conscious independence and power
n And we think that the bonds uniting these TIVE
l' great Powers are indissoluble, and our sincer
= friendship will remain unchanged for ages; an,
d, we shall forever, as we do now raise our glasse
Ut for the health OF the President of the Unite
Te states, and the whole American naton.p (Grea
of cheeIing)