The party was like the African giant imported in two ships, for it was found impossible to crowd all the guests into one house.

Tables were set in two houses and in the open yard between them.
The Russians have a custom of taking a little lunch just before they begin dinner.

This lunch is upon a side table in the dining room, and consists of cordial, spirits or bitters, with morsels of herring, caviar, and dried meat or fish.

It performs the same office as the American cocktail, but is oftener taken, is more popular and more respectable.

After the lunch we sat down to dinner.