'Telegraph and travel. A narrative of the formation and development of telegraphic communication between England and India, under the orders of Her Majesty's Government, with incidental notices of the countries traversed by the lines.' [‎501] (540/782)

'X.] EPISODICAL. 501
early hour. We dined, as we had breakfasted, four at the small
table, and on the principle of community acknowledged on the
former occasion. Lut there was a visible improvement in the
tare. The cutlets showed signs of culinary skill, and there was
a cold confection of cream, tempting as a Nesselrode or an
English ice-pudding. The Crimean wine of which we partook
was palatable, and a by no means unpleasant change from
indifferent sherry. It should be noted that, notwithstanding
frequent libcitions ot tciki, or spirit, tea (without milk) is in very
general request among the Kussians. In the present case, the
usuaj spacious urn smoked on the side-table from morning till
night, and was in constant requisition. We drank the refreshing
beveiage in tumblers. It was too sweet to suit my taste ; but
being in Rome one must do as the liomans. I used to drink it
with my good friends the Chinese, without sugar or milk at all,
during the campaign against the Celestial Empire.
Xight faiily set in, and no lieutenant-colonel or prince
appeared. Ihe worthy host seemed at a loss how to amuse us
and while away our time. He had insisted on our unbuttoning
our coats, and had made his Cossack pull off our boots. He
had given us meat and drink and tobacco to the top of our
bent, yet we continued to smoke our meerschaums or clays,
and he his trupca, in silent expectation of an arrival. An
idea seemed to strike him. Would we object to singing ? By
no means. So the concert be^an.
O
A young sergeant was introduced, and sat down in a further
corner of the room. The lieutenant took pains to inform us
that he was of gentle blood, as though in explanation of his
admitting the social companionship of a sous-officier. There
was something very prepossessing in this man's appearance.
Tall, handsome, and of commanding figure, there was a simple
modesty in his demeanour which could not fail to carry its own
recommendation to the stranger. This was especially remark
able in the short account which he rendered of his own share
in the late skirmish.
The Tartar landlord was another of the audience. He was
an old man with well-defined features, partaking little of the