It is a beautiful spot.
We had the United States Consul on board--the Odessa Consul.

We assembled in the cabin and commanded him to tell us what we must do to be saved, and tell us quickly.

He made a speech.

The first thing he said fell like a blight on every hopeful spirit: he had never seen a court reception.

(Three groans for the Consul.) But he said he had seen receptions at the Governor General's in Odessa, and had often listened to people's experiences of receptions at the Russian and other courts, and believed he knew very well what sort of ordeal we were about to essay.
(Hope budded again.) He said we were many; the summer palace was small -- a mere mansion; doubtless we should be received in summer fashion--in the garden; we would stand in a row, all the gentlemen in swallow-tail coats, white kids, and white neck-ties, and the ladies in light-colored silks, or something of that kind; at the proper moment--12 meridian--the Emperor, attended by his suite arrayed in splendid uniforms, would appear and walk slowly along the line, bowing to some, and saying two or three words to others.