John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

31. I received a Card of invitation from General Ouvaroff the Aid de Camp general of the Emperor, to attend the funeral of his wife—at the Catholic Church at 10. O’Clock this morning. On enquiry I was informed that the Ceremony would commence at the General’s House, where I went accordingly with Mr: Smith at 10— We were however too late— The Street before the house was so much crowded with Carriages, that we could not approach the gate; and at the moment when we arrived the coffin was brought into the Street, and placed under the Canopy, upon the hearse— We followed in the procession of Carriages; but when we came to the Church, it was so crowded that we could not get more than half way up the centre aisle— The funeral service was performed according to the Roman Catholic ceremonial, with very fine music of the Composition of Mozart— It was about two hours long— And from the excessive throng, we found it almost as difficult to get from the Church as it had been to get to it. The Coffin was carried from the Church and a procession of Carriages again was formed to go to Strelna where the interment was to take place— On returning home I found Mr: J. S. Smith with Mr: Maclure, and also Mr: Fisher & Mr: Graham— We dined at Mr: Rimbert’s; where we met Mr: Boucher a Professor, who is about to commence a course of lectures upon maritime and commercial Law. In the Evening, I paid visits with Mr: Harris, to the Grand Veneur Narischkin—to Count Schenk, to Mr: Grootten, the Director of a Cotton manufacture under the patronage of the Empress mother; and to the French Ambassador—all by cards— Remainder of the Evening at home.