nd ornamented with gilt
buttons and elaborate epaulets.

"The Empress is of medium height, fair complexion, and although
delicate looking she appears young for one of her age. A bright,
welcoming smile lit up her face. Her dress was white foulard silk,
dotted with blue and richly trimmed with blue satin. She wore a
small sleeveless jacket, a broad blue sash, and around her neck was
a tie made of swiss muslin and valenciennes lace. On her head was a
straw hat trimmed with blue velvet and black lace. Her hands were
covered with flesh-covered kid gloves, and she carried a light drab
parasol lined with blue silk.

"The Grand Duchess was attired in a dress of similar material to
that of her mother, only this was more tastefully arranged with
blue silk and fringe, a belt of the same material as the dress,
fastened by a large rosette, and a straw hat also trimmed with blue
silk.

"The Grand Duke Serge is quite young, and a well-appearing youth.
He was dressed in a scarlet blouse and white pants.

"Individual introductions followed. Several of the ladies,
including myself, had an opportunity of conversing with the
Empress. All of the Imperial family speak English very well.

"We were escorted through the buildings by the Emperor and Empress,
entering a door which was on either side a bower of flowers.
Almost all the apartments were thrown open. The floors were inlaid
and polished, and the furniture was curious and costly. The Emperor
took special pains to show us the chapel, where he and his family
worshipped. It was very handsome, and connected with the main
building.

"Every effort was made by the Imperial family to welcome us, and
really the Pilgrims seemed to act as much at home as though they
were accustomed to calling on Emperors every day.

"I could not realise that we were being entertained by a ruler of
more than eighty million people, and whose word was the supreme law
of the most powerful nation on the globe.

"At eight o'clock in the evening the anchor was lifted and we
sailed by the Czar's palace, which was brilliantly lighted, and
amid the booming of cannon, and the shooting of rockets, and a blue
light illuminating our ship we bade farewell to a scene which I
shall treasure as one of the brightest remembrances of my l