304 Life of Count R^l1nford. 



it, inlaid ; the windows five in number, with five of plate glass 

 opposite ; an arched painted ceiling representing, as large as life, 

 and well executed, heathen gods and goddesses, instructive as 

 well as amusing. The second floor was handsome, conven- 

 iently furnished, in fact, might be considered elegant, yet was 

 nothing in comparison with the first floor. That was a display 

 of luxury and elegance fatiguing even to look at, to say nothing 

 of the effect of a daily, hourly occupation. But the Russians 

 are fond of pomp and show. 



" The Elector did not in the general way dress with half the 

 elegance and study of the Ambassador, whose household was 

 composed of servants unlike all others, from their extraordinary 

 height, and elegance of dress ; and as to their number, it was 

 so great as never to come within my knowledge. The Ambas- 

 sador had no lady ; yet, to a great dinner that he gave, my 

 father being invited, I was permitted to go to be a witness to 

 novel scenes, to do justice to which would be long and difficult. 

 I will only mention that it was as magnificent as can be sup- 

 posed, given by a person of his high calling and his apparent 

 love of show. In short, there was a profusion of everything 

 that could tempt the appetite or delight the eye, joined to com- 

 pany of the first class. 



" My father had some peculiarities of character, and also of 

 domestic arrangements, besides having odd things befall him. 

 One of these was his having a monument erected to him, with 

 an inscription, long before he died ! He kept through the year 

 a box at the opera, without going, perhaps, three times himself. 

 A doctor, by the name of Haubenal, he hired by the year! He 

 made me a singular present ; indeed, it may be said five, there 

 being five things. The circumstances were these. 



" As I was sitting one day quietly in my room, meditating, 

 not having much to do, my door, being shut, suddenly opened, 

 and in skipped a little white, shaggy dog, as white as snow, 

 excepting black eyes, ears, and nose. This was one of the pres- 

 ents from my father. I was pleased with her and kept her a 

 long time. She was named by my father c Cora.' * But 



* This little dog must have become quite a pet of her mistress, for I find the fol- 



