A Visit to the Rozjestvenskis.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6458, 30 December 1904, Page 2

A Visit to the Rozjestvenskis.

BT AN ENGLISH LADY IN, RUSSIA,

Several weeks ago (says an English exchange) we were being entertained by the family of the famous Admiral Eozjestvenski. The Admiral himself was not there, as the fleet had already sailed foe Ueval. We had arrived for a fewjdays in St. Petersburg, and, as my husband had had the honour of Admiral Rozjestvenski's acquainance in days gone by, we lost no time in paying our respects to the family.

We were most cordially received and invited to drop in any time in the evening to tea, a form of light refreshment that in Russia usually follows the evening mtial and occupies the time from about 9 to 10.30.

It was a few evenings later that we availed ourselves of this kind invitation, and drew up shortly after nine in front of the magnificent building of the Admiralty. -The official residence of the Admiral is in the loft wing. We were received at the door by a sailor and ushered into the grand reception room. Green was the predominating colour, and like all rooms meant merely for receptions, the style was handsome but severe.

Here Mme. Rozjestvenski and har married daughter >and a friend received us. The daughter engaged me in conversation with a recital of her experiences of the Far East, where she had been for the last six months tending the sick and wounded. Sh.9 had only returned after the battle of Liaoyang, to keep her mother company while the Admiral was away. Bat she regretted much leaving hoc nursing, hard work though it was.

My attention was attracted by a large oil painting of the Admiral, painted shortly before his departure, and a fine ptiQtogirtphic enlargement presented by the officers of the flagship. The latter was decidedly good, and did justice to the Admiral, who is reokonod a handsome man. ,pn tea baing announced, we went info> the dining-room and sat round tha table, bountifully spread with various little cakes and biscuits, and little fancy breads sprinkled over with poppy seeds. The ladies are serred with tea in cups, the men take theirs in glasses. Jain is served in small plates and taken with the tea instead of on bread, as we are accustomed to eat it.

Madame Eoajestvenski was telling us how very much the Czarina had won the hearts of the Russian people. "We all lova her very much," she said, " she is so sympathetic, and though not Russian herself nor brought up in our religion, yet she seems to understand us an<j our feelings towards our Church as though she had always been oae of us. The Czar was always most kind to my husband and before his departure sent for hitn and told him what great hope 3he based on his enterprise, anil presented him wjih an ikon to bless his venture." Then the Admiral was again sent for in private audience, and the little heir to the Russian throne was brought in, and with his tiny lingers presented another sacred emblem, a parting gift from Russia's future * 'aar.

Our viait took place, of course, sometime

before tho outrage in the North Se&, 'VheH the.British public took no interest whatsoever ia tho name of "Bozjestvenski." Although the central figure was, unfortunately, absent, I was at least able to form a good idea of his surroundings and his home, and I feel quite convinced that, to whatever extent the unfortunate Admiral may have been directly guilty in connection with the attack, it is cot possible (hat he should be the barbarous eav«ge that sohiV of our people hold him to be.