NOTEBOOK

perhaps—tied it in his own buttonhole. Pres-
ently Count Festetics, Grand Master of Cere-
monies, inquired as to his Legion of Honor
decoration. He realized then, and was embar-
rassed, but not entirely floored. He said hastily
that his ribbon was merely a symbol of a club of
journalists to which he belonged.

We had not been at the Grand Duke's long when the
Empress and the Grand Duchess Marie came, and shortly
afterward the Emperor himself. He looked much nobler
than the Emperor Napoleon, and a hundred times more
so than the Sultan of Turkey. Remained half a day,
nearly.

Aug. 27. Carpets were spread over the pier and the
Governor-General and family came on board the ship (we
saluted with 9 guns) and afterward [here follows a list
of dignitaries, including Gen. Todtleben, the honored de-
fender of Sevastopol all during the siege. And a large
number of army and navy officers and titled and untitled
ladies and gentlemen].

Champagne blow-out.

Aug. 28. Sailed for Constantinople last night, saluting
as we left—and fireworks. That beautiful little devil I
danced with at the ball in that impossible Russian dance
still runs in my head. Ah, me! if I had only known how
to talk Russian! However, she must have known I was
saying jom^thing with all that absurd English which she
couldn't understand.

All day ladies bathe naked in full view of the ship. They
don't consider it any harm, I suppose. At Odessa all ages
and sexes bathe together.

Aug. 29. Passed through the beautiful Bosphorus just

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