The New York herald., 1871-11-06
WAITING FOR ALEXIS.


UNITED STATES SHIP CONGRESS, Nov. g. 1871.
In the excitement consequent upon the approach
Ing election the coming OF Alexis has doubtless
taken secondary place among the citizens OF the
Empire State. But with u.s. "anoat on the ocean
wave with only such change OF scene as Is brought
about by the vessels or the squadron swinging with
the tide, the date and circumstances OF his probable
arrival are subjects or perpetual speculation. To
the unprofessional this state OF things brings such
atmosphere OF the fediu. Ultr that the smallest
incident Is readily grasped for its temporary rccf.
Every day the ships' crews are exercised In some
OF the amenities OF naval warfare. Boat expedi-
t0ns arc sent out and manHuvred BY signal like
small feet In themselves. T0pgallantmasts are
sent down and topmasts housed until II would
seem that the lower masts would next
be sent down somewhere out OF sight.
Then the signal to send up everything
Is made. and in . few minutes the masts seem to
grow up towards the clouds again with the rapidly
OF the famous Japanese radlshes which are planted
OF night and rival the mountains In height before
morning. will not answer for the radishes; but
can bear witness TO the masts. We are singularly
free from rumor aboard the neet; but not so with
naval authorities ashore.
good joke on this matter, which eventuated
three days ago. has only just leaked out. ON the
LIST inst. Rear Admiral Smith was seated In the
Admiras char at the lyceum. In the Navy
Yard His brow was unclOuded, II we may except
the look OF severity which an admiral might ~ We Il
lsraine was on hand with the CLEAN Of satisfaction
on his face which bespeaks the man contentcd with
himself and the world around h.fl. a small boy
presented himself at hall-past two IN the afternoon
a. the Navy Yard gaie at the foot OF YORK street.
rortance astounded the marine on sentry by asking
70 sec the Admiral The sentry took deep breath
elevated his eyebrows until they disappeared under
"Ycr want the Admiral do yera Won't no body
else do yer, young fellerr
the nava! warrior and wafted vel.
envelope under ns the marines
The small boy, with the tread OF an emperor's son.
covered missiye before the mighty being IN. the
Admlras chair. The yellow cover was torn nur; T;
's'' ~ NovExaxnl l, 1871. Y
- b zs%,:.: ss,ss.sgs e. fssm sssss:- :;
the Grand Duke " in the lower ha-eor win O' r sS1u'
.Now. by st. Nicholas" exclaimed the Admiral,
"boy, thou hast brought me great news. Give me
thy book that may sign II, and here Is quarter
The boy overwhelmed with the condescension
bushes. The Admiral summoned his orderlies
and man servants and called for his large
coat nat and eaea or bis
ana rayed and stamped with delight and impa-
M a ne S Of s
then stepped forth pers0nt1catlon OF q sea god
militant or glorious ana proud as
When Admiral Tromp.
With bis broom swept the chops OF the Channel.
The Tallapoosa lay At the wharf engaged in the
pr0saic operation OF coating.
"and swiftly stem tho udc."
master SAID to his partner,
.sBill run UP the grldirOn."
ant stepped on board, when he remembered that no
ADMIRAL was an admiral without MS barge. the
,ns stern Of sne aapoosa white that vessel
swinging out, headed down the East River: with
the Admiral gaasrng up the Of es
approach to the smile Of suayity which should
mantle his cheek when the Imperial Muscovte boy.
Parlsian accent the classic name Of smith.
liable which shall reacn his ears. Let me see.
shall murmur. "vosrs Anesse InDeriate, pa
..Bumboat Rocket on the port bow, having tn,
coal lrigate yosko in tow" exclaimed somebody
mort de ma vie!' roared the latter. "what mean
ss az 1ns y LOOK S. Of sanss
mark sssans the
which is strange Can there be any doubt ,1a On
do you think, Captain Braines
Tne Commandant shook his head and family
"a sell, Admiral; that tugboat could mover wear
so unconcerned look II the imperial visitor was In
A monrnfui silence followed, broken only by the
beating Of the paddles AS the swift craft darted
through the Narrows the lookout deserted the
riding at anchor In 0ravesend Bay, with
nary Russian in sight. dnsvda ! VIII draw W.,
alter @ cabin The sorrows the rage and the fury Of
the great not for the gaze OF the vulgar but It
tasSoal u with sS ss S Cooked nat squeezed to pam
cake, and pi0usly wishing from his inmost heart
that Russian Prince and . telegrapnlc operator
But mistakes will happen. The steamer Russia
had been telegraphed; It was read RUSSIAN ana
translated Grand Duke-a triumph OF ingenuity-at
constant watch is kept from the masthead of
poosa, Is anchored In the main channei, which
makes 1t very improbable that the arrival OF the
Russians Will be announced In New YORK before 1t
Is known on board. The weather Is overcast and
cloudy with nor'easrerIy breeze.
Visit Of the Russian nlinistcr-The Reception
Details Finally Agreed ON.
The Navy Yard tug Rocket was despatched TO the
foot OF Twenty-fourth street, North River for the
purposes Of bringing or to the ncet the
Russian Minister Count Catacazy, on q visit
to Admiral Rowan. The arrival was looked
| for on board, and preparations were made
for firing the regulation salute Of fifteen guns. The
Rocket did not come alongside until a few minutes
after sundown, and as no salute can be given when
| the nag Is lowered that part Of the ceremony had
! to be dispensed with. lie was, however received
4 by Captain Davenport at the ganRway, and pre-
sentsd to Admiral Rowan and his chief OF stan, Lieu
| tenant Commander Robson. The band at
/ rhe same time played the Russian national air.
Paw Director Eidridgc, United states Navy accom-.
! named Count Catacazy. The party were conducted
~ Ihe sdmirsI's cabin and partook OF dinner A
confcrencc was held hetween the Admiral and tho
Minister touching the reception OF the Grand Duke
The Following was agreed upon, which viii set at
rest much OF tha discussion which haS agitated
people and papers for some weeks past
The Russian Minister mas had Mr.. Aspinwall's
steam yacht Day Dream placed at his service, and
on the squadron being signalled VIII proceed down
the bay and be the nrst 70 board the Svetland the
reception squadron will weigh anchor and
proceed 10 meet the Russian squadron and will
salute the Russian Vice Admlral's nag. The
vessels will then form In limo and escort
the Russian men-of-war up the bay. ON
arriving on the Battery Admiral ROwany
barge VIII be lowered, and he will be rowed on
board the Russian nagship to pay . complimentary