Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1912-02-08
LECTURED ON RUSSIA.
Minister to NORWAY Tells OF Customs
And Government Of Tsar'S People
Many Hear Him al Mcdowell
Hall

Mcdowell Hall. ST. ohn's College,
was filled last evening with a large
and representative audience to hear
the Hon. Herbert II. d. Peirce minis
ter TO Norway and formerly attache
to the embassy at St. Petersburg,
Russia.
Governor Goldsborough, Mrs. Colds
borough and a party of ladies from
the Executive Mansion graced the
occasion with their presence. The
lecturer was introduced by Mr.. Dan
lei Il. Randall, Pos tmaster of Annap-
oils. The lecture was illustrated with
lantern slides thrown on the screen
from the gallery by two of the St
Johns students. The illustrations
were handsome pictures of scenes
and people of all classes of Russians,
and of interior and exterior views
of the palace, public buildings, mu-
seums, governmental houses and
scenes and points of interest along
the line of the lecture.
The first picture showed the insignia
of Russia, the Double Eagle. " the
coat of arms. Beautiful parks We're
shown, and the various customs of
the people were illustrated. The
| lecturer remarked that someone had
asked what the pavements We're
like in Russia, and the reply was ne
had never seen them. for in winter
they were covered with snow and
in summer they were torn up for
repairs.
The lecturer spoke of the long win
ter months, when the sun does not
come above the housetops before 8
m. and sets at $50 p. m. In win
ter the temperature for weeks is
steadily Zero-minus, and there is q
boar frost over everything out OF
doors, and fine snow in the air al
the time. The frost coating some OF
the chapels and towers in every nook
and corner, every crevice and abut
ment, makes a beautiful spectacle,
Indoors it is warm and CHEEKY. The
windows are Theoretically sealed. eX
cept for one pane to let in fresh air
The lecturer described the dress
the fur-lined garments and handsome
furs worn by the ladies of court. II,
told of the Russian leather shoes wori
by the peasants, but not the kind Of
Russia leather we know of in bindint
our books. He described court life
u wedding and a funeral while h,
was there, and how all the city of St
Petersburg was clad in mourning
He told of the dinner parties ant
social functions held in the day tim,
when the American gentlemen wer
obliged to wear evening clothes II
< hn - -
fort and dispeasure, not to say dis
gust. He said there was nothing
more unsuited for morning wear es
, pecially in a cold climate where on
does not appear before the Emperor
with his overcoat on, than the con
ventional American evening clothes
The lecturer said the title of tn
Gear" was not that, as we call it
but it is 'Tsar," and he gave tn
various high sounding titles that &C
company the Russian rulers name
and would seem to reach, if printe,
side by side, from the fancy statue a
the State House entrance to the YER
apex of the arrow on the dome.
The lecture was very instructive an
entertaining, and extended over
period of an hour and three quarters
1t was given marked attention b.
the large and fashionable audience
and the lecturers remarks were FIRE
quently punctuated with applause.
The Hon Herbert H. d. Peirce (pro
nounced Purse) is man of command
ing presence and distinguished appear
ance. He has deep clear voice, ar
tculates and enunciates perfectly, use
the best English and has a voumi
nous vocabulary. His every wor
could be heard distinctly in th
farthest corner of Mcdowell Hal
and one did not have to strain hi
ears if he did his eyes as the seats
are on a level in Mcdowell Hall an
it is difficult in the rear to get
view of the entire picture on tn
screen.
The lecturer is visiting his son wht
is midshipman at the Naval Acad
envy. He is assured of a hearty wei
| come at all times in Apnanolis