16 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



families, accompanied us next in the fleet upon a 

 large side-wheel steamer from whose deck a fine 

 military band discoursed enlivening music. The 

 cheers of the multitude on these steamers, the 

 booming of cannon and the discharge of rockets 

 signalized our approach to the ConemaugJi's broad- 

 sides. The visitors on the Government steamer 

 being invited to board the ship, a brief but very 

 impressive ceremony took place in the cabin. 

 Following a welcoming speech by Captain Spencer, 

 a Russian gentleman representing the Associated 

 Societies of Riga, addressing the Captain, pre- 

 sented the customary offering of bread and salt on a 

 silver platter in testimony of their loving welcome. 

 Then addressing me, as commissioner from America, 

 he presented me with a beautiful album of photo- 

 graphic views of Riga with the following appro- 

 priate inscriptions engraved upon its silver covers. 

 On the front cover : 



From the Committee of the Russian Society of 

 Riga, to the representative of the friendship of the 

 American people to Russia as a token of remembrance 

 and gratitude for the brotherly gift to the sufferers 

 from the failure of the crops, sent on S. S. Conemaugh. 



RIGA, May, 1892, 



