The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-12

Understand the Meaning of "Cocky-
tails'-The White Ships of the New
Navy Sent to Sea Again-Admirai Che
rardi Waiting to Receive the Russian
Flagship.
FORTRESS MONROE, April 11.-There
are now two Russian ships here, the
General Admiral and the cruiser Rynda,
The Dmitri Donskoi, with the Russian
vice admiral on board, is yet to arrive.
Admiral Gherardi expected to go to
sea to put the feet through evolutionary
exercises, but learning from the Rynda's
captain that the Russian vice admiral
might come in any day, he decided to re-
main in port with the Philadelphia to re-
ceive the Russian flag officer. All the
other ships sailed away at o'clock this
morning, and will remain at sea until
Thursday night.
An interesting feature when all the
foreigners are here will be the playing of
the national airs of the different nations
at morning and evening "colors' 1t is
customary for each ship to play its own
national air first. and then those of all
the other ships present in order of rank.
No two bands consequently could play
the same air together, except on the
three American fagships, and they of
course will find it impossible to play in
concert.
The din of a potpourri of ten or more
national airs played a la s'Three Blind
Mice by as many bands may be imag-
ined. This phase of naval etiquette en-
tails some sacrifices on every one within
hearing The officers of the fagships
must now while eating dinner forego
Verdi or Gilbert and Sullivan for half an
hour while the bands race through their
catalogue of hymns and anthems. 1t
was necessary to play but two airs this
morning.
The latest story in circulation connect
ed with the visiting Russian officesr is
told of one of the brightest of the ju-
nior lieutenants in the feet. He is some
what of student, and at his recent
reading has devoted himself to certain
topics that he thought would be of mu-
tual interest to any foreigner with whom
he might be in conversation and himself.
This afternoon he came ashore, and after
awhile engaged in a chat with one OF the
Russian officers who speaks fairly good
English. After talking on for bit, and
making more or less headway, it sudden
ly struck our conversationaliSt that there
might be something of interest developed
if he touched upon the Russian treaty
about which the news columns and edito-
rials of the daily press have recently had
so much to say. When he mentioned
the word treaty, the Russian looked quite
nonplussed for a moment or two, and
then broad, satisfied smile spread over
his face, and he said:
''Ah, yees, now [ understands; re
treat, hey? You mean ze cockytails!
Yees, yees, will have some"
At the same time he arose, and speak
ing word in Russian to two of his non
English speaking brother officers, the
three stood there ready for the next move
on the part of their host. They got the
cocktails.
When the ladies visited the Russian
war ship yesterday, Captain Besofrasoff
was SO good as to order glasses of char
reuse and benedictine, and all took their
choice of these liquors. The captain
waited till every lady had her glass in
her dainty fingers. and then proposed
the Russian toast, "Vosh us durriva.'
1t means the same as "a votre sante''
in French, s'Gutheir' in German, and
Here's your good health in English.
1t also means the same as .tHow'' in our
army, and ''Here's looking toward you
old pard'' in the mining camps of Cali
fornia. The ladies all twisted their
tongnes and said ''Vosh us durr1va' and
the Russians rolled their eyes delight
edly.