Morning journal and courier., 1881-10-19
What the Czar Eats.
Soups. Fish and Meats He Partalxes of in
 Full Uniform.

Soups. Fish and Meats He Partaxes of fn
 Full Uniform.
 -e@[From the American Register of Paris
 From among the long list of apprehensions which disturb the peace of mind of the Czar of all the Russias, as regards his life, that of being poisoned must henceforth be excluded. The Nihilists pretend that the Czar's earthly career is to be put an end to by them, and by them only; a slow poison does not enter into their programme, which aims at prompt and sudden effect, to encompass which that terrible band looks upon dynamite as the most active agent. In spite of his cares and vacations Alexander III. has thus far pre- served splendid appetite, with decided preference for the national Russian dishes, quite in keeping with his leaning toward the old Russian manners and habits. The CZar's dinner, for instance, is always preceded by the national ''zukuska," which forms the preface or the introduction, as it were, to the gastronomic occupation. This ''zukuska" consists only of caviar, herring, smoked sal mon, sardines, smoked goose, saucisses, cheese, bread and butter raw beets steeped in brandy, dish imported from Scandinavia and added to the repertoire of the imperial bill of fare by the Czarina, are frequently joined unto the foregoing savory ingredients.
 The whole of which spicy pot 2o0u17T, yclept the little zukuska, served on gold enameled plates, is displayed on quite number of small
 
 ing. saloon These miniature 6ufets are ap- preached by the guests with perfect freedom and applied to at pleasure. Long rows, or rather whole batteries, of bottles render a choice between the national vodka, bitters, kummel, cognac, cordials and English gin more than difficult. After having partaken both freely and sufficiently of the appetite provoking zukuska the company take their seats at the table, whereupon the soup is served, the most prized and declared favorite of all Russian soups, being prepared from the sterlet, fish caught in the Volga. The soup of all others, however, preferred by the Czar and his family is the ''shtshi, " the quintessence of all the national soups, and, next to brandy, the most savory liquid for every thorough Russian. How the shtshl is prepared and how it tastes, it is difficult to describe; the receipt is a precious heirloom, and as such carefully preserved.
 For our fair readers we shall only give the following approximate details Take large and juicy piece of mutton, boil it down with juicy pieces of beef and an unlimited number of onions, garlic, herbs, beets and spices, and serve the same cut in small cubes. In Poland, similar nairtuna c07np0sttuna is called 'bor- shtsh,'' on which the Russian looks down with sovereign contempt. Shtshi is no bor- shtsh, just as the Pope is not Czar. Anoth- CT soup, which is frequently put upon the imperial table, is called ''okroska,' sort of mush or cold decoction of pears apples, plums and oat- grits, with an admixture of small pieces of meat, herring and cucumbers floating therein. The Czar greatly affects chicken outlets a la Poskarki, i c., chicken chopped very fine and roasted with slices of bread and eggs, served up in the shape of a outlet also pork boiled in milk eaten with highly spieed gravy. Other favorite dishes of the autocrat are fish prepared in an infinite variety of ways, and rich and spicy gravy called Ea Sanaoyede (the latter being one of the great secrets of the imperial kitch- en, cucumbers in vinegar, capons &e. A description of the luxury of the table would lead us too far The Emperior always ap- pears at meals in full uniform-so do the invited guests.