CHAPTER V

The Russian Gipsies--Midnight drives--Gipsy singing--Its fascination--The consequences of a late night--An unconventional luncheon--Lord Dufferin's methods--Assassination of Alexander II--Stürmer--Pathetic incidents in connection with the murder of the Emperor--The funeral procession and service--Details concerning--The Votive Church--The Order of the Garter--Unusual incidents at the Investiture--Precautions taken for Emperor's safety--The Imperial train--Finland--Exciting salmon-fishing there--Harraka Niska--Koltesha--Excellent shooting there--Ski-running--"Ringing the game in"--A wolf-shooting party--The obese General--Some incidents--A novel form of sport--Black game and capercailzie--At dawn in a Finnish forest--Immense charm of it--Ice-hilling or "Montagnes Russes"--Ice-boating on the Gulf of Finland