Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/278

250 Grand Dukes, and Grand Duchesses, loaded Kosciuszko with kindness and caresses, and entreated him to write to them. The Empress asked him to send her some seeds from America, and she made him a present of a collection of cameos representing all her family, and of a splendid turning-lathe, valued at one thousand roubles.

Whilst Kosciuszko was with the Emperor, the princes, and princesses, I was with my friends and companions in misfortune. I took leave of them, and felt that it was for ever. We shed many tears. We at last left St. Petersburgh on the following morning, Monday, 19th December 1796.

I wrote these Notes three years and a half after my release. The cheerfulness, the disposition to gaiety, which formerly constituted the main features of my character, are to be perceived, even when I am relating