As I was saying, the Czar punctuated his speeches with bows: "Good morning--I am glad to see you--I am gratified--I am delighted--I am happy to receive you!" All took off their hats, and the Consul inflicted the address on him.

He bore it with unflinching fortitude; then took the rusty-looking document and handed it to some great officer or other, to be filed away among the archives of Russia--in the stove.

He thanked us for the address, and said he was very much pleased to see us, especially as such friendly relations existed between Russia and the United States.

The Empress said the Americans were favorites in Russia, and she hoped the Russians were similarly regarded in America.

These were all the speeches that were made, and I recommend them to parties who present policemen with gold watches, as models of brevity and point.