Emperor joined us, we witnessed a very interesting field-day on a small scale, real shot and shell being used against an enemy represented by dummies or painted figures life-size. The whole thing was well done and highly instructive. Then home as hard as we could drive, as I had to breakfast at mid-day with the Emperor.
The rooms are small, for the present Czar will not use the large pavilion where his father was wont to live, but keeps to that which he had when Czarowitch. So only the heads of missions were invited. The Emperor was very civil, talking to each of us. I was presented to the Hanoverian princess (sister to Princess Frederica), who seemed pleased to talk of England and the English. Then I was presented to the Grande-Duchesse Serge, the bride, daughter of the Grand-Duke of Hesse and of our dear Princess Alice. She is quite chiming, and the image of her mother: she has the same expression that was the Princess Alice's. He (Serge) looks like a well-bred gentleman, and is said to be clever. Coffee and cigarettes in the garden, a band (which played, by the way, "Am Meer"), Circassian sentries, Emperor and Empress moving about – you will understand the scene – then home, and this brings me to the present hour, 3 P.M. I shall keep the letter open till late to-night, as I may have more to add, for at four we mount our horses again, and go to see another field-day. So dinner is not to be till eight, and then there will be the play! In a few days, I hear, we are to go down to the coast to Narva and Yamburg, where the great manœuvres begin, and last five days. Prince Windischgrätz has asked me to go to his manœuvres at Cracow, at the end of the month; but I don't think I shall accept, as the distance is great; and if we are kept at this high pressure, we shall all want repose.
Krasnoe Seló,
Friday, 15th Aug.
My last letter went to the post this morning. To-night I resume, but shall probably finish this at St Petersburg, where we go to-morrow after the morning's work, returning here on Sunday afternoon. We had a field-day or sham-fight in the afternoon yesterday, after the morning's experiences with the artillery. The Empress rode on horseback, and rides very well. The young Grand-Duchess Serge was with her, also on horseback. There was not much that was edifying in a military sense, but the sight was pretty; and as we galloped home across the plain, the enormous staff and varied uniforms, following the Empress to the point where the carriages were awaiting us, made a very interesting picture. I had barely time to dress for dinner, and then a French operetta followed. Home at midnight. This morning at 8.10 off to the same ground, for a field-day of the line's infantry and artillery. Not bad on the whole, and the ground very well suited for such a display, the morning air deliciously cool and refreshing. Home to breakfast at twelve. At two, inspection of the École de Cavalerie and the Écoles d'Equitation and d'Infanterie. Then I went to see my old friend and colleague General Lubowidski, who was delighted to show me his beautiful regiment of Grenadiers of the Guard. I had a good look at everything, down to the canteen and kitchen, and was very much interested. He was with me, you know, at the French Manœuvres in 1880. As I walked amongst
