Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-12
glgahlin,ap &c Gnnrual.
WEDNESDAY, MAY i2, 1875.
Journcyings In Europc--.9.

which from Fcodosia run nearly parallel
with the shore, sometimes receding and
sometimes advancing, are at last lost al
Baidar, where the range juts into the sea.
The southern coast lies between the noun
tains and the sea, and has therefore an excel
lent protection from the cold east and north
winds and, after the Trans-Caucasus, has the
best climate in Russia.
On shore line Of about fifty miles we
have an uninterrupted series Of beautiful
country houses gardens and vineyards. The
coast, though not to be compared for a mo-
ment with that Of the Caucasus for gran
deur, has very picturesque spots. Labor
capital and taste, have done their share in
identifying IT, so that the southern coast is
really charming The finest places are
Alupka, Orlando, Livadia and Yalta. The
first is the estate of Prince Vorontsoh, and
is undoubtedly the most beautiful and rich
est in the Crimea Orlando belongs to the
Grand Duke Constantine, the eldest brother
Of the Emperor. Lvadia is the Emperor's
summer residence, where, about seven years
ago, Mark Twain aud the "lnnocents Abroad"
were received by His Majesty. An account Of
the visit was given me by two eye-witnesses,
and will reproduce it here as far as my
memory serves me. The "Quaker City q"
was steamer which had set out from New
York with party Of about seventy Ameri-
can tourists, intending TO make trip to Eu-
rope and the East. After having arrived at
Constantinople they learned that the En-
peror Of Russia was in the Crimea, and they
resolved to come TO Yalta, and present their
respects to him, should such a proceeding be
agreeable TO His Majesty. They first visited
Odessa, and invited Mr.. Timothy c. Smith,
our consul at that port (and Vermont mani,
10 accompany them. Mr.. Smith accepted
their invitation; an address was drawn up on
the way, over which it seems there was a con-
siderable amount Of discussion, as is usually
the case when a number of American cit
liens assemble for the purpose of exercis-
ing some one Of their sovereign rights At
first it was supposed that not all Of the pas
sengers would be presented, but only rep
resentative few; Of course each one wanted
to belong to this chosen band Amongst the
passengers was a maiden lady, the only rep
resentaiive on board Of female unmarried
life She hit upon an ingenious argument TO
enforce her claims to a representation, viz
It was but fair that the different professions
and conditions Of life should be represented
on such an occasion; she, as the unique rep
rescntative Of unfettered American woman
| hood, had an inalienable right TO see the
ruler OF Russia otherwise all the unmarried
ssterhood in the United States would have
a right to resent the slight put upon them in
her person, and would undoubtedly do SO
as soon as the "Quaker City" should cast
anchor in New York harbor. These argu.
ments were unanswersble, but just at the
moment when success crowned her well di
rected efforts, success ceased TO have 4 value
for information soon came that the Emperor
and Empress would be pleased to receive the
entire company. Twelve was the hour fixed
At eleven O'Clock the whole party, with ons
exception, started for LYNDA, each person
mounted on Tartar horse. Tho one excep
ton was young man, whether passenger
OF an officer of the steamer, win not under
take 10 say, who was so attracted by th,
beauty and winning ways OF Russian
Z" grass widow, from the city OF Kbarkof
that he abdicated his right Of meeting thu
Emperor, with the hope of inducing this faii
grass widow to take buggy ride with hin
over the romantic roads of the Crimea. II
order TO accomplish his innocent design il
the most approved style, he put on his bes
suit of clothes, descended into the basement
story Of the Quaker City" where an indus
trious barber parted his hair behind with gres
accuracy, then oiled it to such a degree tina
it shone like polished boot, and gave hi,
moustache romantic twirl. lie took th'
boat and made his way to the hotel at Yalta
with the air OF q man who was going fortl
conquering and to conquer lie was rathe
young, aud not of great experience. He ha'
either never read or had forgotten the word
Of the poet, O woman, In our hours of cas-
deceitful, coy, and hard to please" Tn
grass widow did not take drive with him
He passed the day in gloomy, II not gran'
solitude. the only American on the steame
who did not pay his respects to the Emperor
A few moments before twelve o'clock Ia
company was present at Livadia. They Al
drew up in line to greet the Emperor, VIII
came out TO meet them, accompanied by tn
Empress and the Grand Duchess Marie, no,
. Duchess of Edinburgh. The Emperor wa
dressed in ssit of white linen, it being tn
warm weather of the month Of August. II
received his visitors in most charmin
manner, and with an elegance and simplct
: that could not be surpassed and that pu
overy one at perfect ease at once. Cons,
Smith presented the company, and after tn
, preliminary conversation was over, read tn
address to His Majesty When this was col
cluded the Emperor inquired, "Would 20
l like to see my house ?" OF course all WEI
very glad to accept the hospitable invit
l. ton. The Emperor and Empress. with Il
= Grand Duchess Marie, passed on in front
the visitors followed. In each apartmeI
= the Emperor made explanations as to its us
i When at last, coming TO his study, he sal
!; "This is the room in which work." tur
' ing to the portraits on the wall, he sal
"This is the portrait of my father, this
the portrait Of my eldest son. now dead, al
this is the portrait OF my eldest living son
i, The study was the last room visited at |
IN threshold His Majesty bade goodbye to h
!; visitors aud all went away charmed wi
u their reception.
4 The next visit WAS to the Grand Dul
= Michael, youngest brother Of the Empert
and one Of the most interesting members
the Imperial family. lie was at the tin
i as he is still, the Viceroy of the Caucasl
In 1864, he brought to a successful close I
e arduous task of conquering the Caucasi
20 lie did his work so thoroughly that t
3. country, under his rule, is as peaceful al
'.s ns orderly as the oldest parts of the empi
In the spring Of 1864 the Grand Duke, wi
= his generals, celebrated the conquest of /
Caucasus ON the plain of Kbaade which Il