VISIT OF THE GRAND DUKE MICHAEL. 
37 
sovereign; and this was done with the customary testimonies 
of loyalty and welcome, bread and salt; which they presented 
to him on a magnificent salver of gold. 
This ancient form was accompanied with a speech by Platoff, 
brief, but worthy himself and the prince to whom he addressed 
it. The Grand Duke’s reply was in the same noble spirit; and 
then, mounting his horse, surrounded by the Count and his 
suite, and followed by the acclamations of the people, his Im¬ 
perial Highness proceeded to the great church of the city. Du¬ 
ring divine service the whole town was illuminated ; and nearly 
ten thousand earthen lamps, blazing with lights, tracked the way 
that was to lead the illustrious guest to the residence prepared for 
him Ranks of Cossacks lined the streets ; and, nearer the gate 
of the imperial lodging, officers and under-officers were stationed, 
bearing the different standards which the sovereigns of the em- 
pire had, on various occasions, presented to the Donskoy nation. 
Amongst other objects which were more than pageantry, the 
silver mace of office attached to the authority of Attaman, was 
carried in the procession ; also a massive silver chest, containing 
the archives, supported by four men. But it might be tedious 
to describe every particular to which the occasion gave peculiar 
interest. About eight o’clock in the evening, the ceremony ter¬ 
minated. 
Next day, at an early hour, Count Platoff sent an aide-de- 
camp, to request I would join him in paying his morning duty 
to the Grand Duke. About nine o’clock, I accompanied him 
to the residence, and found a numerous assemblage, field-officers 
and other persons, waiting in the saloon, to be introduced by 
their Attaman. The whole party were soon in the presence of 
his Imperial Highness. More heart than form prevailed in the 
I 
