DEPARTURE OF THE GRAND DUKE. 
39 
Kalmouk band, chiefly composed of variously discordant trum¬ 
pets, kettle-drums, and a huge tambourin, played all the while 
such inharmonious music, and with so tremendous a noise, that 
I can only compare it to the roaring of elephants under the goad 
of merciless keepers. Savage sounds are certainly more in cha¬ 
racter with the clash of arms, than more civilised'strains; . 
and here the effect was manifest. The spirit and dexterity of 
the troops showed again, in shadow, what they had so sub¬ 
stantially proved during the campaign of 1812 , — their military 
powers and energy. 
After the review, (about three o’clock,) a magnificent dinner, 
consisting of every delicacy in food and wines, was served at the 
Attaman’s residence in the city, for the refreshment of his Impe¬ 
rial Highness. In the evening the latter returned to it at an early 
hour, to be present at a ball and supper, where all the rank and 
beauty of the country were assembled. The ladies had taken no 
small pains to array themselves for so extraordinary an occasion ; 
and both the national and the European modes of dress were dis¬ 
played to every possible advantage. The Grand Duke paid his 
usual polite attentions to the fair group, polonaised with several; 
and at eleven o’clock retired; leaving the party at a sumptuous 
supper. 
Early in the morning of September the 18 th, his Imperial 
Highness bade adieu to the hospitalities of New Tcherkask, and, 
mounting his horse, proceeded to the old city. Count Platoff, 
with his suite, attended him. From the old capital he was to 
go by water to Rostow ; thence, via the Crimea, to Odessa; and 
so on, to Moscow, where the Imperial family were to pass the 
winter. 
The scene of bustle being over, on the Attaman’s return I 
