40 
PARTING WITH COUNT PLATOFF. 
made preparations for my own departure, requesting him to 
allow his secretary to get ready immediately the letters, papers, 
passports, &c., which he was so kind as to promise me, for my 
future progress. His Excellency would have detained me longer; 
and could I have staid, I should have been glad to comply: but 
I urged the advance of the season, and consequent probability 
should I delay, of being closed up in the Caucasus. He was too 
well aware of the truth of these arguments, when cnce he saw I 
must proceed, to do otherwise than speed the parting guest ; and 
every facility was then given to my movements. I had promised 
General Leveshky to dine with him the day of my passing 
through his domains, (which were twelve wersts onward in my 
way ;) and accordingly I dispatched my servants and carriage to 
the general’s, to halt there till my arrival. I meant to follow on 
horseback ; wishing to give as much time as I could to my last 
day’s enjoyment of the venerable friend I dared hardly hope to 
see again. We passed several hours together. The terms are 
dear to memory in which he bade me farewell; and, attending 
me to the door of his palace, he once more embraced me. I 
shall never forget the veteran dignity of his figure at that mo¬ 
ment ; his grey hairs and furrowed cheek, and the benign smile, 
which at all times brightened the soldier-like simplicity of his 
aspect. I left him on the 23d of September (O. S.), and we 
were, indeed, never to meet again. He died before I had half 
performed my Persian tour. 
On arriving at the house of the general, where I was to dine, 
I found that the kindness of Count Platoff had preceded me 
even there. He had added to my suite a subaltern officer of 
Cossacks, and a store of every sort of provision I could require 
on the road. The officer was to travel with me; to see horses, 
