The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-21
A "Reminiscences of My Russian Trip.

Translated from the German for the Democrat
1t was bleak, cold afternoon, and almost
dark, as the Petersburg 4 80 express landed
us at Traesky Seloe. We were off on holi-
day, my Russian friend and myself. The
Princess n. had confided US to the care OF an
old governess, and, wrapped in our warm
cloaks and comfortably settled in our coupe,
we felt at peace with the world and ready,
like all girls, for bit Of fun. We looked
around In hopes Of seeing familiar face, but
we only caught a glimpse OF a fat and old
priest docking, solar as cleanliness was con"
cerned, very far from goodness and the King
dom of Heaven,) and an aged General, with
large epaulettes and ferocious mOustache
SO we now looked out Of the window and
saw flat, even country, studded with rev
low huts, and, in the distance the glimmer-
ing domes of the great city. A shrill whistle,
hurry and scurry, and we found ourselves
standing on the platform OF the Traesky sta
ton. Our handbags were seized by Two I'm
posing individuals whom never could bring
myself to consider as simple footmen, while
third individual showed US to q handsome
landau, and with pair Of quick Russian
trotters we soon reached our destination.
My friends aunt had kindly invited me to
| heard of my arrival In Russia and now
| found myself warmly welcomed and received
by the Countess x. with three kisses, IN the
name Of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost. Salt was passed in a golden salt dish,
about the size Of an old fashioned soup plate,
the same, as / afterwards learned, that had
been presented to the Emperor Nicholas years
ago when he honored the family with visit.
| Then solemn butler passed around un-
| leavened bread, which, receiving warning
look from my friend, l meekly swallowed.
| Then came tea and cakes, and a queer Rus
| sian drink called "Gvas," which, like the
| Westerner who drank the contents OF his
tinger-bowl with feeling that might be
translated, eff must, | must" l likewise
bravely swallowed.
| We were shown to our rooms, gorgeous
with silver basins, and silver candleStlcks,
and silver brushes, but provided with uncom-
Portable beds and very bare floors. An IRON
| hung in the corner above the door, ana Sill
yer lamp burned before it. A low Persian
pleted the furniture of my room.
We dressed in a leisurely manner Tor Z 10
o'clock dinner, which was announced by the
same elegant Individual who had met US al
the station. The ladies went up to SIDE
table covered with caviar, fresh, of course
and with a decided greenish LOOK, pickles
smoked fish from the Don, and relishes, and
bread and cheese. Of these we ate heartily
until almost felt prepared for long win
ter's nap, Then the hostess moved towards
the dinner table and sat down, while the gen
tlenen took possession of the side table. Soor
we said long, a very long grace, and oul
real dinner began. Nice little pGtes wert
passed around with the soup, and the mos mos
delicious bread | have ever TASTED. Ate
dinner the children approached the Counties!
] x, and kissed her hand, while she kissed then
on the forehead. We passed charming
: evening, and met many Russian celebrities
On receiving the next morning TELEGRAM
to return TO the city, it was with heav.
! heart that left my kind and genial friends.