Saturday, May 9, 1840

1840

May

Saturday 9

8

1 40/..

Windy, but fair, finish morning.  Réaumur 11 3/4° now at 8 55/.. a.m.  Breakfast –

Captain Tolstoy till 11 55/.. (Mr. Chevostoff for a few minutes about passport about 11 1/4), when (at 11 55/..) Madame Galovin’s carriage (chariot and 4 horses) came to take us to make our pour prendre congé calls –

Off at 12 1/4, Ann and I for the 1st time without our fur cloaks – to the Kotzebue’s, Madame and Mademoiselle the General’s sister – Mentioned my present idea of going to Baku and back here – then to Koutais, and then being ready for Mr. Obuvian and Ararat – but would let him know on our return –

Then to the Braïkos – admitted – the General himself (good man) and Madame and her 2 daughters – very civil –

Then to Madame Vassilikofski – Not at home – Left cards –

To the dames Georgiennes,  all at home – Madame Griboudief, and Princess Dadian at the piano – Pressed the latter to sing – She very shy and afraid, but did sing a Russian with Georgian words by her father (Prince Tchevchivadsoff) translated from the Russian, and then a little plaintive pretty Georgian air accompanied on the piano by her brother – Princess Orbelian not there, and as she does not speak French, we left our cards for her with Madame Griboudief – Prince Tchevchivadsoff, her father, there – By the way, we have heard lately that Baron Rosen discovered a conspiracy and among others exiled, sent the Prince to Tamboff, where he lived some years –

Then to Madame Latchinoff – Admitted – She read me a little of the historical paper she is writing for me – Very nicely written composed – compilations – Her husband commanded in the district she begins with (Giumisel, north of Derbent) (and on the Caspian).  On complimenting her style of writing to him, he seemed pleased and said ‘Elle de capacité,’ on which feeble admission I rallied – He writes occasionally papers on Agronomie, alias agriculture –

Then to Madame Mendt – admitted – Then at 1 50/.., to Madame Besoc – Not at home – Left cards – Madame Mendt had just received some pretty Black-sea shell-flowers – Made and sold at Théodosie – Then to Madame Scallon – admitted – Her husband came to us – and afterwards, just after we going home while we were dressing, he called and left his card, as we could not admit him – From Madame Scallon to Madame Chevostoff – very civil and glad to see us – Then to Madame Orloff – not admitted (dines at 2) left cards – Home at 2 1/2 or after – I changed my dress –

It was 3 20/.. when we walked into Madame Golovin’s Salon – The avant dinner immediately – and then dinner – Only ourselves and Madame and Mademoiselle Golovin and the 2 sons, and Messers Tolstoy and Girofske and the aide de camp – Dinner over, and coffee (had it in the Salon) and had talked a minute or 2 (long enough for those who wanted to sleep or to be busy) and were at our own room door at 4 25/.. –

The man from General Orloff brought the money in a large bag – Waited some time in vain – No George to let us in – (locked out).  Gave the man a Silver Ruble and stood waiting in the anteroom till George came at 5 10/..and Domna at 6 10/.. – Terrible –

Then counting over the Silver = 679 Silver Rubles, the 79/. Silver Rubles in pieces of one and 2 abasses, and of 30, 25, and 20 Kopeks Silver – Counting the money –

Tea between 7 and 8 p.m. – Looking over my writing case, and had Domna, and wrote all the above of today till now, 11 3/4 –

On returning home this morning, gave Madame Golovin’s footman 12/. Silver Rubles for the 7 days including today we have had the carriage, April Saturday 15, calls. 18, dinner. 19, calls and evening. 20, droshki to the botanic garden. 27, evening.  30, ball – and this morning, calls and dinner and back – I should suppose the man expected much more –

Very little conversation or time for it at dinner – We could not have been there, dinner and coffee and all, more than an hour ! Less agreeable than the dinner at Miss Latchinoffs

Fine day, but high northwest wind (generally from the northwest at this season) all the day –

Stood writing the last 40 minutes.

WYAS Finding Number SH:7/ML/E/24/0100