170 EMPEROR ALEXANDER 



descended the stairs with us, and, taking off his hat at the 

 foot, wished us good morning. 



He was a man, I remember, about the common height, 

 with strongly marked features, rather a prominent nose, 

 with a quick and sparkling eye. The ravages of age had 

 already committed vast inroads on his countenance, 

 which, nevertheless, was still rather pleasing than 

 otherwise. 



Our company generally divided, some going off to Spit- 

 head, others to the Dockyard, wherever the scene of 

 attraction led them. On one occasion the Emperor 

 Alexander Avent with tlie Duchess of Oldenburgh, his 

 sister, to Haslar Hospital, unaccompanied by the Regent 

 or the Kino; of Prussia ; and as some of the ladies of mv 

 company had a jDarticular desire to see him, we took 

 a boat and followed. From its not being generally 

 known that he was going, the hospital was not much 

 crowded. I met him in one of the walks of that most 

 efficient establishment, and, taking' off mv hat and bowins:, 

 he extended his right hand to me. I then introduced 

 my wife, mother, and sisters, in French, when his Imperial 

 Majesty was graciously pleased to hold out his royal hand 

 to them also, which two of the Dorsetshire primitives 

 almost devoured with kisses. His tall military figure, 

 and his real Calmuck features, lit up with a genial smile 

 I have not forgotten. 



In the evening there was a superb banquet at the 

 Government house, when the grand parade and the 

 slopes of the ramparts were covered with people of both 

 sexes and all classes. 



Althouo'h o-as was not then in existence, the whole 



