Saturday 9 May 1840

Windy but finish morning Reaumur 11 3/ now at 8 55/60 a.m. breakfast

Captain Tolstoy till 11 55/60 - (Mr. Chevostoff for a few minutes about passport about 11 1/4) when at 11 55/60, Madame Galovin's carriage (chariot and 4 horses) came to take us to make our p.p.c. [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 and then to Koutaïs and then being ready for Mr. Obuvian and Ararat - but would let him know on our return - then to the Braikos - admitted - the general himself good man, and madame to 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 the 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 read 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 - compiled - her husband commanded in the district she begins with (Giumrie north of Debend, 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 also agriculture

Then to Madame Mendt - admitted - then at 1 50/60 to Madame Besoc - not at home left cards - Madame Mendt had just received some pretty Black-sea shell-flowers - made and sold at Théodosia

Then to Madame Scallon admitted - her husband came to us - and afterwards just after we got 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 20/60 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 Messrs. Tolstoy and Girofski, and the aide du 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 25/60

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 Rouble and stood waiting in the anteroom till George came at 5 10/60 and Domna at 6 10/60 - terrible

Then counting over the silver = 679 Silver Roubles the 79/- Silver Rouble in pieces of one and 2 abasses, and 30, 25, and 20 Kopec 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 Roubles 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 one hour! less agreeable than the dinner at Miss Latchinoff's

Fine day but high north west wind generally from the north west at this season, all the day - stood writing the last 40 minutes  

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

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