I have given my last instructions to Nounou, and a nice young coachman who comes to replace Hubert in our absence, and also provided a surprise for baby in the shape of a large train, which will distract him the first days. We saw also this morning the detective who goes with us. He is one of those who always accompany the foreign Princes who pass through Paris, and is said to know well all the great nihilist leaders (all of whom he says will be at the Coronation). He has two ordinary policemen with him. They go of course on the train with us, and never lose sight of us. I shall feel rather like a distinguished criminal being tracked across Europe. Pontecoulant is very funny over Philippe the coiffeur, who presented himself at the Quai d'Orsay, and insisted upon being included in the suite (consequently travelling free of expense on the special trains, etc., with us). He really isn't my coiffeur--I never have anyone except Georges from time to time, but I daresay I shall be glad to have him. He said to Pontecoulant, "Monsieur le Comte comprend bien qu'il faut que je pose le diademe de Madame l'Ambassadrice le jour du Couronnement;" however he has gained his point, and Madame l'Ambassadrice takes her own coiffeur with her, as well as her two maids. Well, Dear, we are going in an hour, and I must try and reason with myself, and not be the arrant coward I really feel like. _To G. K. S._ #Kaiserhof, Berlin#, Saturday, May 12th, 1883. Here we are, having accomplished our journey so far most comfortably. We arrived last night about 9, and this morning I am unpacking a little, and settling myself, as we shall stay four or five days. Our departure from the Gare du Nord Thursday night was a curiosity. We got rather early to the station, as W. was preoccupied with the baggage, and besides there were last words to say to all the people who came to see us off. Henrietta, rather tearful, came with us to the station--Francis was so engrossed with his new railway train that was careering round on beautiful green rails in his father's study, that he was quite indifferent. The whole quai was filled with boxes and trunks labelled "Waddington, Moscow," and when you think that all the soldiers took their saddles and trappings of all kinds, and what the stable alone represented, 2 enormous gala carriages, one coupe d'Orsay, and all the heavy harness and servants' liveries, you can imagine what an excitement there was until everything was put on board. We started, however, fairly punctually--W. and I had a lit-salon, with cabinet de toilette; the two maids and W.'s man next door, and Sesmaisons and Francois de Corcelle (the only two who came with us, the rest of the Mission joins us Tuesday at Berlin), had their coupe next to ours. There were all sorts of last directions to be given to Pontecoulant, and to poor Henrietta, who remains in charge of Francis.