Ragisen took us to lunch to a good Russian restaurant and ordered a typical Russian luncheon commencing with vodka. We had soup in which were chunks of meat, potatoes and cabbage, and after eating the soup proper, we then ate the chunks of meat with knives and forks. It was good however. We then had roast veal with sweet pickled cucumbers, but no vegetables. For dessert we had crisp pastry cones filled with

whipped cream, and then black coffee. Black bread was served with the meal and was delicious. Although the best restaurant here, the place was rather dingy and dirty but the food was good. An excellent orchestra played. The people in the place were a motley crowd, mostly men, a large proportion being Officers of various armies except the Japanese. In the afternoon we went to the Chinese and Japanese quarters to try and get some stuff for curtains, but failed. I then went to Force H.Q. on official business and we started back for Goumestai at about 5.00 pm. having hardly bought anything. It takes hours to shop here where it would take minutes in Toronto. The people here wear wonderful fur things and I wonder where they buy them.

Sunday, January 19th, 1919 - The weather to—day was cold with a very high wind. This morning Gen. Bickford and l were going out for a ride to look over the country about here, but we had to cancel it on account of the cold. Spent most of the day getting the office in working shape. The office is about five minutes walk from our quarters and is in a good warm building with plenty of sunlight. Major Worsley, O.C. Mounted Police squadron was here for dinner to-night and

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