THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
209 
remainder of our paffage was performed with great facility 1779. 
and expedition, the river growing more rapid as we de- 
fcended, and lefs obftructed by fhoals. 
As we approached the capital, we were forry to obferve, 
from an appearance of much ftir and buftle, that we were 
to be received in form. Decent clothes had been, for fome 
time, a fcarce commodity amongft us; and our travelling 
dreffes w'ere made up of a burlefque mixture of European, 
Indian, and Kamtfchadale fafhions. We therefore thought 
it would be too ridiculous to make a parade in this trim 
through the metropolis of Kamtfchatka; and, as we faw a 
crowd collected on the banks of the river, and were told 
the Commander would be at the water-fide to receive us, 
we hopped fhort at a foldier’s houfe, about a quarter of a 
mile from the town, from whence we fent Port with a mef- 
fage to his Excellency, acquainting him, that the moment 
we had put off our travelling dreffes, we would pay our re- 
fpedts to him at his own houfe; and to beg he would not 
think of waiting to conduct us. Finding, however, that 
heperfifted in his intentions of paying us this compliment, 
we loft no farther time in attiring ourlelves, but made all 
the hafte in our power to join him at the entrance of the 
town. I obferved my companions to be as awkward as I 
felt myfelf, in making our firft falutations; bowing and 
fcraping being marks of good-breeding that we had now, 
for two years and a half, been totally unaccuftomed to. The 
manner in which we were received by the Commander, was 
the moft engaging that could be conceived, and increafed 
my mortification, at finding, that he had almoft entirely 
forgot the French language; fo that the fatisfaftion of con- 
verfing with him was wholly confined to Mr. Webber, who 
ipoke the German, his native tongue. 
Vol. III. E e 
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