Vashe Prevoskhoditelstvo (Your Excellency)

Reading notes

• Ladies §7 Your Excellency

  "Vashe prevoskhoditelstvo" was the obligatory form of address for officials holding ranks III and IV of the Table of Ranks; the teacher's deferential use of it toward the school director, and the director's own use of it when reading the governor's testimonial, marks the rigid hierarchy binding even minor provincial officials.

• The Deputy, or the Tale of How Desdemonov Lost 25 Roubles §10 Your Excellency

  "Vashe prevoskhoditelstvo," "your excellency," was the required form of address for a civil or military official holding one of the top ranks (3rd or 4th class) of the Table of Ranks -- here the clerks' unnamed superior, addressed with elaborate deference even as they mimic and curse him behind his back.

• The Fool §14 your excellency

  "Vashe prevoskhoditelstvo" (ваше превосходительство), "your excellency," was the required form of address for a civil or military official holding one of the top ranks (3rd or 4th class) of the Table of Ranks -- here Prokhor's father's superior at work.

• On the Nail §20 Your Excellency

  The required form of address for a top-ranking official (3rd or 4th class) of the Table of Ranks -- confirming the second, unnamed visitor outranks even Prokatilov.

• Patronage §11 your Excellency

  Vashe prevoskhoditel'stvo, the required Imperial Russian form of address for a senior official (a civil or military rank of the fourth class and above); used throughout for Evlampy Stepanovich.

• The Wall §3 Your Excellency

  Vashe Prevoskhoditelstvo, the formal honorific due a general or a civil official of the third or fourth rank in the Table of Ranks; the valet Ivan addresses his master Bukin with it throughout, underscoring the gulf in status the sketch keeps deflating.