IN OLD RUSSIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

IN OLD RUSSIA

MEMORIES THAT LINGER Just one day of it and no more, but you go on remembering it all your life, the colour and the glow and the grace of it, and the compelling grandeur of its scale. Imperial hospitality in old Russia stood lor unbounded generosity and the warmest of welcomes. It would lake place in the last summer before you left school. How you would pray for sun and blue skies, and these were not denied on that particular day. By, about eleven o’clock in the morning Imperial carriages came , for all of you, coachmen and footmen ' in their splendid bright red liveries, eagles embroidered in black and gold on their coats.

Your heart beat fast under the snowy lawn of your ‘full dress’ uniform. You drove out into the country —skies, trees, traffic, people all seeming so deliciously different because of your own suddenly increased importance. You were an Imperial guest for the day, and you tried not to blush but to look as though you were quite accustomed to be driven about in an Imperial carriage. And, needless to say, you told the whole world about your joy and your pride: you just could not help showing it in your face.

Then the palace, usually one of the summer residences round about St. Petersburg. The terrible awe-inspiring moment, when your name rang in the white-panelled hall and you almost dropped on one knee in a frantic effort to mak e a really graceful curtsey. The encouraging smile from your gracious hostess, who was so anxious to have all of you put at your ease. And then the splendours of lunch, with food so marvellous and so magnificently served that the for observing things made up for the hunger in you. And, later, hours of free, undisturbed romping and wandering in the glorious grounds, you all speechless at the worldfamed beauty of countless flower-beds. And so until you would again be summoned indoors and offered amther meal of an equal splendour. But you forgot such details as food. You craned your neck to catch an extra glimpse of your hostess with her never-changing

And then in the first twilight hour the unforgettable drive back to StPetersburg, people on the way cheering you just as though you wore real royalty. And your hands clasped your very own bunch of Imperial roses and that box of wonderful palace-made sweets which you knew you would keep for always because your hostess’ fingers had rested on the crimson ribbon as you were being given the box. Just one all too brief summer day. but full of memories strong enough to stay with you throughout vour life. * E.M.A.