THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 209 



time, a fcarce commodity amongft us ; and our travelling ^9- 

 dreffes were made up of a burlefque mixture of European, 

 Indian, and Kamtfchatdale fafhions. We therefore thought it 

 would be too ridiculous to make a parade in this trim through 

 the metropolis of Kamtfchatka ; and as we faw a crowd 

 collected on the banks of the river, and were told the Com- 

 mander would be at the water-fide to receive us, we (topped 

 fliort at a foldier's houfe, about a quarter of a mile from the 

 town, from whence we fent Port with a meffage to his Ex- 

 cellency, acquainting him, that the moment we had put off 

 our travelling drefTes, we would pay our refpeets to him at 

 his own houfe ; and to beg he would not think of waiting to 

 conduct us. Finding, however, that he perfifted in his in- 

 tentions of paying us this compliment, we loft no far- 

 ther time in attiring ourfelves, but made all the hafte in our 

 power to join him at the entrance of the town. I obferved 

 my companions to be as awkward as I felt myfelf, in mak- 

 ing our firft falutations ; bowing and fcraping being marks 

 of good-breeding that we had now, for two years and a 

 half, been totally unaccuftomed to. The manner in which 

 we were received by the Commander, was the mod enga- 

 ging that could be conceived, and increafed my mortification, 

 at finding, that he had almoft entirely forgot the French 

 language ; fo that the fatisfaction of converfing with him 

 was wholly confined to Mr. Webber, who fpoke the Ger- 

 man, his native tongue. 



In company with Major Behm, was Csptain Shmaleff, the 

 fecond in command, and another officer, with the whole 

 body of the merchants of the place. They conducted us 

 to the Commander's houfe, where we were received by his 

 lady with great civility, and found tea and other refresh- 

 ments prepared for us. After the firft compliments were 



Vol. III. E e . over, 



