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16 October 1904 — Cettinje | |
Sunday. 16th [October 1904]. A very fine day to our great delight. Mr Montalba went off early for a walk. I went out for a short walk & at 11 came back to the Russian school & went all over it & especially inspected the work room where ugly carpets are being made. I advised that nothing but oriental patterns should be used. Got back to lunch at 12. At 3 Mr Kennedy came & announced that I was to have a visit from Prince Mirko the reigning Prince’s 2nd son—& he stayed to help me to receive him & ushered into my room wh I had made to look as little like a bedroom as possible a nice looking young man in splendid Montenegrin costume with a pistol stuck in his belt. He talked French very well & was very chatty. He referred to my friendship with his cousin Olga Montenegro & had often heard her speak of me. He said his wife wished him to invite me to drink tea with her tomorrow at 4 & took his [leave] after abt 20 minutes’ chat à trois. After that the Turkish Minister called & sat until Mr Kennedy who had gone off after the Prince’s departure, returned with Mme Kuhn & took me for a walk. She had with her the Austrian secy & the Russian secy. We went by the old road to Scutari to the Belvedere where there is a splendid view over the Lake of Scutari fringed with the Albanian mountains & I once more set eyes on Turkish territory! In the far distance one cd just discern Scutari town—& the country a wild mass of stony hills wh led to the Lake– I thought much of Henry who took that very route 65 years ago when full of life & spirits he set off on his 1st land journey to Constantinople– In those times this was the only road. Now a good carriage road exists & Mme Kuhn had sent by it two carriages & her tea baskets– At the Zivik tea was prepared for us & we sat there enjoying the view. It was a lovely day– How I longed to be able to go back in life & to be on my way to Constantinople wh I know I shall never see again. It raked up many sad memories of a happy post. Mme Kuhn drove me back to Cettinje in her poney carriage with Mr Kennedy in the dickey. The other gentlemen went in the 2nd carriage. We got back to the hotel soon after 5 & then I walked with Mr Kennedy to his lodgings & sat talking with him a while & then he brought me back to the Inn. At 8 he fetched Mr Montalba & me & we walked to the Turkish Legation close by. B. & Bss Kuhn were there to meet us & the Austrian Secy. The Pasha handed me down & placed me at table opposite him. We had a very good dinner with an excellent pilaf & ended with a Touck youksu—chicken breasts pounded with sugar & [illegible word] (cream) on the top. I had not tasted it since I dined with the Sultan & he had it made specially for me in his harem & sent to table. Mme Kuhn rattled at a greater pace than ever & almost stunned us. We took leave of the host abt 11– At dinner he drank my health when the champagne was handed & I drank to the Sultan’s. I wore my order of the Chefakat in honor of the occasion. Today being Sunday the streets were full of natives in their handsome dress & the men were certainly very well groom & fine looking. | |
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