lake, which is very extensive and picturesque, there were no end of pike and perch, and I watched the young Czarowitch and his brother hooking in perch at a great rate. The heir-apparent is a very nice-looking lad, and like his mother's family. I have twice sat next the young Grand-Duchess Constantine, who has very pretty and pleasant ways – speaks English, and talks very naturally. To-night I was honoured after dinner by a very long conversation with the Empress, who asked after all my family, the names of my children, besides making many inquiries about people she knew in England. She expressed a wish to see me again before I returned to England, after my visit to Moscow, and asked for my photograph. All this went on in the large salon, with the "circle" standing behind, and no one in the middle but myself.
On Sunday all the Ministers came down with their portfolios, and each had his audience, and then they joined us at dinner. The al fresco luncheons at the manœuvres are more amusing, because there is less restraint. To-day we had luncheon in a pretty garden, the table arranged for the Imperial party and the generals, and the others stood about at various rustic buffets. There was a great deal of fun, and the sun shone, and the band of the Chevalier Garde played "Loublow" arranged for solo performers, and the Emperor passed his cigarettes to all of us. This was after we had been five hours on horseback, besides driving for two hours, so we had earned our repast. Prince Windischgrätz and I rode a long distance through the forest to watch a turning movement of the opposing (or invading) forces.
We have such a host of generals and aides-de-camp here that it is impossible to single out any name; but I find General von Werder, the German aide-de-camp to the Emperor, very kind and friendly – and the Prince of Oldenberg, General Demidoff, and the young Stackelberg, so well known in England, cordial and agreeable.
To-night they are distributing decorations wholesale; my French colleague is engaged at this moment with his servant sewing on the Grand Cordon of St Anne. They all admit that our English rule, under which no officers are allowed to accept such decorations, is the true one; and I think you would have been ashamed of my wearing a grand cordon, or any other cordon, not earned on active service in the field. I never saw such people for stars and medals. Some are literally smothered with them, and, with the exception of the Cross of St George, none have any value to a soldier.
We start to-morrow at 7.30, and fight our way to Krasnoe Seló, where we sheathe our swords and say good-bye to our soldier friends.
Hôtel de l'Europe, St Petersburg,
Aug. 27, 1884.
The sudden death of Lord Ampthill, the announcement of which I saw in the 'St Petersburg Journal' last night, would alone prevent my returning viâ Berlin, as I could not go to the Grand Parade, so I have decided to return by Stockholm. I go to-morrow to Moscow, and shall stay till Sunday night or Monday morning, according to weather.
Our manœuvres terminated yesterday very happily; a bright sun and cool air helped to keep every one in good humour. We were off early, 7.30, from Bopscha, and were kept waiting a long while by the Imperial party at the rendezvous, so that I was really six
