The Mineral argus., 1885-04-09
TIE JEAUNETTE DIDA0TE1.


tie Gar Of Russia.
Anarrative of the Search for Lieuten.
ant. Commander Dc Long and his COM
panions. By George W. Melville,
Chief Engineer, U. s. n. is the title
of q book Just published. Although
the principal incidents Of the loss Of
the Jeanette, the rescue Of tho survivors
and the finding of tho bodies Of De-
Long and his boats crew. have been
repeatedly told, Mr.. Melville gives the
painful topic fresh interest. Passing
over the ice-jouruey 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 Gar 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 tho Rodgers, to be presented
to their majcsties, the czar 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 as how to pro-
coed. Our dress, il not uniform, should
bo full evening dress, with white ties;
tho carriages at st. Petersburg were to
be Of our own providing; but special
car on the train leaving at IL a. M,
would be placed at our disposal, and the
royal carriages would await us at Peter
hof.
Promptly ut the appointed time we
were at the depot, where our usher met
and conducted us to tile proper railway
coach. Minister Hunt was to he pre-
sented 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 q
numerous party Of officers, diplomats
and court officials, all under separate
and appropriate guards. Here wo were
shown into an open barouche bearing
the imperial arms, and attended by
coachmen in gold-laced iveries, with
cooked hats, GETAWAY coats and buff
waistcoats, and were driven to the royal
gardens and dormitories, where there
was series of withdrawing rooms with
small breakfast rooms attached. We
were first seated in one OF these, and
presently an officer IN uniform followed
BY an amanuensis entered, and politely
saluting us in English opened run
ming conversation. which continued Tor
q few minutes, while the amanuensis
wrote upon large and separate sheets
of paper the name. rank and nativity Of
each of our party. Both then with
drew.
The next formality was decidedly less
irksome. We were conducted into the
breakfast room and r. galed with light
repast, which included tea, coffee, and
wine cognac, pousse cafe, and liqueurs.
cigarettes and cigars. In o little while
another officer, in uniform and under
arms greeted us and requested that We
follow him. Entering carriage we
were driven to the audience chamber
and ushere,l into o large anteroom
hung with portraits Of the royal fam
ily. battle scenes, etc. Here there was
o brilliant gathering Of officers and
functionaries of high rank, generals,
admirals, ministers and diplomats all
in gorgeous uniform and glittering with
stars and decorations, humbly awaiting
their turn for brief chance ct the I'm.
nar;.l ear. Our conductor proclaimed
to the assemblage who we we're, and fol
o moment every eye was riveted on us
and some Of the Russian officials came
forward and spoke to rs. At the same
time our names were announced to thu
Car. Minister Hunt had preceded us
and our attendant now said that W,
. wouid be received by the Gear in tn,
reception room, after which We woult
- .ro.o,,to1 -, Ara Czarina in An ante