The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-06-05
THE JEANNErrE DISASTER.
The Reception Of lieutenant Melville By
the Car OF Russia.

Anarrative of the Search for Lieuten
ant Commander De Long and his com
panions. By George w. Melville
Chief Engineer, U. s. n, is tho title
of book just published. Although
the principal incidents of the loss Of
the Jeanette, the rescue of the survivors
and the finding of the bodies of De-
Long and lis boats crew, have been
repeatedly told, Mr.. Melville gives the
painful topic a fresh interest. Passing
over the ice-iourney and the strange
Siberian adventures, to which Mr.. Mel
vile gives an unexpectedly fresh inter
est, we copy an extract from one of the
pleasant final chapters, describing the
reception of Mr.. Melville by the Gear OF
Russia.
During the day we had been waited
upon by an aid, colonel Of engineers,
who delivered invitations to myself and
two seameu of the Jeanette and Lieut..
Berry, of the Rodgers, to be presented
to their majesties, the car and czarine
at Peterhof, an imperial summer palace
about sixteen miles out of the city. An
usher in civilian clothes next made his
appearance, and directed us how to pro-
coed. Our dress, if not uniform, should
be full evening dress, with white ties;
the carriages at st. Petersburg were to
be Of our own providing; but special
car on the train leaving at II a. M,
would be placed at our disposal, and the
royal carriages would await us at Peter
hof.
Promptly at the appointed time we
were at the depot, where our usher met
and conducted us to the proper railway
coach. Minister Hunt was to be pre-
scented at court the same day, but he
was under different escort. We were
soon whirled to Peterhof, and alighted
from the train in company with
numerous party of officers, diplomats
and court officials, all under separate
and appropriate guards. Hero we were
shown into an open barouche bearing
the imperial arms, and attended by
coachmen in gold-laced hveries, with |
cooked hats, cutaway coats and buff |
and were driven to the royal |
gardens and dormitories, where there
vas series of Withdrawing rooms with
mall breakfast rooms attached. We |
we're first seated in one of these, and |
presently an officer IN uniform followed
~ an amanuensis entered, and politely
aluting us in English opened run
ling conversation. which continued for
few minutes, while the amanuensis
vrote upon large and separate sheets
# paper the name, rank and nativity of
ach of our party. Both then with
rev.
The next formality was decidedly less
'ksome. We were conducted into the
room and RECALLED with light
epast, which included tea, coffee, and
inc; cognac, pousse- cafe, and liqueurs,
Cigarettes and cigars. In little while
mother officer, in uniform and under
rms greeted us and requested that We
blow him. Entering a carriage we
ere driven to the audience chamber
nd ushered into a large anteroom
ung with portraits of the royal fam
y, battle scenes, etc. Here there was
brilliant gathering Of officers and
dictionaries of high rank, generals,
lmiNls, ministers and diplomats all
gorgeous uniform and glittering with
ars and decorations, humbly awaiting
leir turn for brief chance at the I'm
,rial ear. Our conductor proclaimed
the assemblage who we were, and for
every eye was riveted on us,
I'd some of the Russian officials came
rward and spoke to us. At the same
ne our names were announced to the
Ear. Mini ter Hunt had preceded us,
d our attendant now said that we
ouId be received by the Gar in the I
ception room, after which we would
presented to the Czarina in an ante
en-.
As soon, then, as Minister Hunt had
parted we were conducted to a door
ening into passegeway which led
.ectly to the audience chamber. This
or was thrown open by an usher, who
lied out our names and vanished. We
vanced few PAGES two abreast, and
we did so Gar Alexander ILL.,, En-
ror of all the Russias, crossed the room
th outstretched hands and greeted us,
ing in English:
Good morning, gentlemen. These
} Messrs. Melville and Berry; which
Mr.. Melville?"
set him right by introducing the
lers, and Lieutenant Berry perform 4,
the same service for me. Y
'Preferez vous parler en- Francois GU Ii
Anglais, MONSIEUR" the Gear in
red.
assured him that English being my
i've tongue preferred to speak it.
this juncture the Czarina approach
and graciously greeted us, appearing
tie solicitous about our health, and
ing many questions in regard to our
ferings. She carefully and with q -
dly show of interest examined my =
ids and fingers, which still bore the
rks of their old sores.
We then began q cross-fre of CONVEX
on, each of the royal pair conversing nj
ines with one or another of our par vi
Finally the car expressed his regret
any of us should have come to grief
his territory, however remote; and
rust" said he. "that it was the rig
of our climate alone, and not the
lness of heart of any of my people,
CHI caused the death OF your COM