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1653 East Main Street
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/
ELIZABETH
z
OH,
THE EXILES OF SIBERIA
a ral:
FOUNDED ON TRUTH.
<* „'•»«.■
rf^«^v^4^«>^>«^«^/^#kr.«^^./^«4^«>^|»
.,».•-•
# journal:
PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY T. CAREY,
58, Sit Paul Street.
f
f
f
ELIZABETH.
THE city of Tobolskoi, the capital of Siberia,
is situated upon the banks of the Irtish, whick
risAs in Calmuc Tartary, and falU into the Oby,
jiear Tobolskoi. To the north of this city are
immense forests, which extend to the Frozen
Ocean, The fuot of man has seldom tn)dden
them, as they are presumed to be solely inha-
bited by wild beasts ; this immense space of
seven hundred and thirty three miles is inter-
spersed with rocky barren mountahis, covered
with perpenial snows j with vast districts of
frozen sancU -, where, even during the warmest
days in summer, the earth scarcely ever thaws j
many frigid lakes, or rather stagnant bogs,
whose icy streanis have never watered a mea-
dow, nor opened to the sunbeam the beauties
of a Rowcj'. On advancing %rther norih> nei-
ther cedar, iirs, nor any tre^a of lofty growth,
are to be seen; brambles, wild-broom, and
dwarf birch shrubs, are the only ornanients of
this u«:Bulaie spot. Farther tiiU, even ihc»c
A 3
f
disappear ; and marshes, which merely pro-
diKe a sort of useless moss, appear to be the
last effort of expiring nature, as beyond those,
every trace of vegetation is lost. Nevertheless,
even in this severe climate, amidst the gloom
and horror of an eternal winter, nature dis-
plays some of her most majestic beauties, since
in these frozen regions, the noithern lights are
seen in the greatest perfection j tlieir luminous
arches being of much longer duration, and
emitting far more vi\itl Hashes of coloured
light, than they ever do in a more southern
hemisphere. Indeed, the strong reflection of
this meteor fnay be deemed one of the peculiar
favours of Heaven, to console the inhabitants
of Siberia for their long deprivation of the
light of the sun, which, even in the vicinity of
Tobolskoi, does not shine upon them for
months during their dreary winter.
To the south of Tobolskoi is the province
or tract of Ischin)skaj plains strewed with
repositories of the dead, and divided by stag-
nant and unwholesome lakes, sej)arate it
from the Kergish, a wandering and idolatrous
people.
To the left is the river Irtish, and on the
right, it is bounded by the river Tobol, the
banks of which are naked and barren, as they
merely nresent to the eve. fratrments of rocks
promiscuously heaped together, among whichi
liiMt! rind tlure a M»1it;»iv lii-tn«- roars i«s hrr^*\ ;
at ihcir feet, in a s)iy(r roniK-d l>v stii antrU* "i
thi' river, is the small inwn or \ illa^eof Sam ki,
which is ahout j^ix hnndinl v(Mbf<^, "r tniir
huiidrt'<l miles from 'I ()l)(>l-k()i : it i^ ^it«'a«ed
in the inid^^t of what may l)e tiidy deemed a de-
&eif, since the environs exhiliit vtry litlle ap-
pearance of cull ivat ion, every Mirnuir\di(t<^
c)I)joi!t ai»|;e;\iin^ as fjjloomy as> the sombre light
which shines ihiou^h the hemisphere, av.d as
dreary as the climaie; yet, the pr<;vinee or
circle of Uchin.ska, is siiicd the Imly of Si-
beria, since it enjoys nearly four months of
summer; but the ei^ht months in winter ?re
extremely severe. The north winti^, which
blow inccbsantly during that peiicxl, lender the
cold so piercing-, that, even in Septemher, the
Tobol is frequently frozen over, and a thick
coat of snow covers the whole surface of the
earth, which rarely disappears hefoie the end
of May J though, when it does begin to dij-^solvi-,
the celerity with which the trees shoot for'h
their leaves, and the lields dis|)lay their vei-
dure, is almost ndraculous : nature does not
require more than three days to brint^ her
plants to perfection. Tlie blossoms of the
birch-tree exhale an odour resembling the
smell of roses, various aquatic plants cover the
marsh .ground, and flights of stoiks, Muscovy
1 snlnnd yt-e^e, aie then seen UjiOll
•Ann
llie lurfaes of the lakes; the white crane
plunges among the reeds in the most lonely
marskes, to make her nest, ^hich she fmmH of
the very grass which conceals her from obser-
Tation y while the flying squirrels aie seen in
the woods, jumping from tree to tree, cut ling
the air with iheir brushy tail, an'* feasting
upon the buds of pines, and uj.on the fiist
leaves of the birrh-lrees.
Thus, for thenaiive^of the«ie frozen regions,
there is a season of pleasure ; hut , for t he
unhappy exiles who are do( med to linger out
their existence in this dieary climate^ there is
none.
The generality of these unfortunate beings
reside in the villages which are situated on the
borders of the river, between Tobolskoi and the
cxtreraest limits of the cirde of Ischinibka;
others are disfersed in coitages, or ralicr huts,
about the tountiy. For s« me, the governn;ent
provides : those ftT whom it does nor, are
forced to subsist upon the ficsh of ihe various
animals which they either shoot or ensnare
during the win'er. Ihey are all, however,
considered by the ratives, and other inhabi-
tants of the^e dieary regions, a^ objects of pity.
Indeed, the name, which they tiive »o the Exiles,
seems to have been dictated bv the tenderest
sentiments (f compassion, and a strong con«
miction oF their innQcence— thev call them= !>f\»
forlimates !
AI)out t!iree verste*, or two n)ile«, from Saim-
ka, in (he centre of a niai^liy foitst, upon the
borders of a &mall but deep tiicular lake,
which was hurrounHed by bliK k poplar^, re-
sided a family uf exiles; it consisted of three
persons— a man about five and foriy, his wife,
and a beaiitiful girl, their daughter, in the
bloom of youth.
Secluded in this desert, this family never
bad tounnuhication with any one. The father
went alone a -shooting m' -t days, but never
bad cither he, or his wife, or hia daug;hier, been
Been at Saimka j and, except a poor Tartarian
peasant, who was their only servant, no human
being had admission to their dwelling. Na
one was acquainted with their country, their
former rank of life, nor with the cause of Uieir
banishment. The govern(»r of ToboUkoi wa«
alone in the secret, which he had not even
confided to the lieutenant of bi^ district, wha
resided at Saimka. In commitiiiif; these peo-
ple to his care, he had merely desired, that he
would provide them with a decent habitation,
a small garden, and what clothes and provision*
they migh* require, accompanying this oruer
with a sirict charge to prevent their having
any coumiunication wiih any one, and parti«
cularly defeiring him to intercept any letters
which they might, by any method, attempt to
dispatch to the court ut' llu^^sia.
A 3
10
I
So much consideration, united to so much
mystery, and to such unusual severity, induced
people to suspect, that, under the simple name
of Peter Springer, the father of this family
concealed a far more illustrious one ; of course,
that his nnsfortunes weie of no common nature,
as they presumed him to be either a very great
criminal, or the victim of the hatred and injus-
tice, of the Russian ministers. But every en-
deavour to ascertain the truth of these con-
jectures having proved ineffectual, after a time,
they ceased to interest either the curiosity or
the feelings even of those who had at first been
the most anxious in their enquiries respecting
them. Indeed they were so seldom seen, that
they were soon forgotten j and if, in pursuit of
the chase, some straggling sportsman wandered
towards the lake in the forest, and by chance
inquired who resided in the cottage on its bor-
ders, he was told they were Unforlimates !
(as no one, when mentioning an exile, ever
added any humiliating name implying guilt.)
This saiislied the enquirer, who generally de-
parted, pitying their destiny, and breathing a
mental prayer, " that in his own good time,
the Almighty would please to improve their
condition, by restoring them to their country
and friends."
Peter Surinirer had himself built their little
habitaiion. The walls were of wood, and ibt^
I
much
induced
lie name
5 family
i course,
nature,
ry great
ul injus-
i-ery en-
2se con-
r a time,
iosity or
irst been
:speciing
en, that
urjjuit of
vaiidered
f chance
i its bor-
rluti cites !
lie, ever
^ guilt.)
rally dc-
faihing a
od time,
)ve their
country
icir little
and tbc
11
roof was thatchid. DdacluMl massrs of the
surrounding rocks defended it tioui Ihe srcvcrc
squalls of wind so frequent in this din. ifc, and
also prevenied it fronj being overtlowcd by tl.e
inundations of the UiUe. These rocks were of
a soft crumbling granite, and lelkcted, as they
wore away, the rays of their short yuuuner
sun : therefore, during the tirst rays of warm
weather, vaiious tribes of mushrooms shot up
through their crevices: some of a pale pink,
others of a light si raw-colour, and feome of an
azure blue, like those of the lake Baikal; and
in those cavities where tempests or whirlwinds
had scattered any loose earth, firs aiid service
tree: grew spontaneously. On the souiheiii
side of the lak<s the forest consisted only of
underwood, thinly scattered, which atTorded
an extensiv. view of the uncultivated plains
beyond. A variety of mis-shaj)en ton\b3 and
monuments were scattered among these de-
serts. Many had been i>illaged, and their bone^
strewed around— the only remains of some
savas^e nation, whose existence would never
have been known, if some unn.uth but va-
luable golden ornaments, which had been bmied
with them, had not proved some incitement to
the avarice of the living.
To the East of this extensive i:l;\in was a
small wooden chapd, whicii Ir.id boon crcet.'d
i)v Uie Drimuivc Chnaiiaiia. On tiiui sido, the
13
!!'
fude memorials in honour of the dead had been
more respected, since within sight of tliat holy
cross, so justly revered by all sorts of Chris-
tians, no one had dared to profane the ashes
of the dead.
In travel sing these plains, (or steppes, the
name they bear in Siberia,) Peter Spiinger,
during the long and severe winter of this nor-
thern climate, spent his mornings, his gun
being the only comparion of his ualk, Some-
timts he shot young elks which feed on the
leaves of the willow and poplar: Mimetimeg
he caught those . '-mailer anin)al? nnmed sables,
which are raiher scarce e\en in Sibeiia, but
much oftener, erniine-, which are vtrv nu-
merous in this spot j ard, by scllinir 'heir skins,
he was enabled to procure from 'liboUkoi dif-
ferent articles, which greaily coniiihuttd to
the improvement of his daughter's mn.d. The
long winter evenings were devoted to the in-
struction of Klizabeih, who, seated between
her parents, frequently read to them c)»obeii
passages out of history j Springer always en-
deavouring to direct her attention touaids
thone parts which could elevate her n-ind j
while her mothei-, Phedora, made her dwell
upon the more affecting j)as!:age8, wishing to
render her tender and conijjassionate. The one,
therefore^ pointed out to her the advantages af
i
13
heroism and glory, while the (»ther endea-
voured to lender tier pious, ji.ilient, and be-
nevolent. From the first, she, in conbequence,
't ml to be at once ardent and enurpiirin^,
i,:id yet as docile arid subniisbive as may be ex-
pected t'loni piety and true reliii;ion.
But as ssoon as the snow hitman to yield to
the |)0v\er of the sun, upon the fiist a|>{iea«ante
of retuinint^ vegelaiion, tlic whole faniily were
busily employed in ihe cultivation of their
garden. Springer ilu^ up the ground, while
Elizabeth sowed the seeds which Phedora l»ad
been preparing. Their little inclosure was
surrounded by a plantation of alders and while
cornel trees, and a species of white birch, much
esteemed in Sit)eria, as its blossoms are the
only ones that jiiford a fragrant scent. On the
southern side of the garden, Springer had
raised a sort of hot-bed, in which he cuUi-
Tated, with particular care, various flowers un-
known in that climate. When they were in
full bloom, he gathered them, and, after press-
ing them to his lips he generally adorned his
daughter's hair with them, saying—" Kliza-
beth, these tloweis are of thy native country;
their fate resembles thine — like thee, they
flourish in a foreign land : Oh! may thy end
be more fortunate than theirs." Except when
thus moved, he was always calm and silent
rerpcctiiig tiie cause of his nusforlunes^ and
iri-iWW-!,^! ,ua .
14
I
frequently, he rcmaincJ for hours buried in
profound thought.
Seated uj)on a bench in his cottage, his eyes
appearing fixed upon the ?anie object, thotigh
his deep diawn sighs were convincing proofs
how bitterly he bewailed his des'iny, the ca-
resses of his wife, and, more especially, those
of his daughter, appeared at these times to
increase his niii^ery. Frequently did he take
the latter in his arms, and after pressing her
to his bosom, he would exclaim, gently push-
ing her to htr mother, •* Take this dear child
away, my Phedoia— her and your giief wound
me to the soul. Oh! why did you persist in
following me hither?— if you did not share my
exile — were you still residing, iionoured and
respected in your native country^ methinks
1 could end my days in Siberia without com-
plaining."
Phedora seldom answered him but by her
tears, as her look, her every word, and
every action, bore testimony to the tender
and sinceie affection »\hith attached her to her
husband ; indeed, existence would have proved
a burden to her, had she been condemned to
reside at a distance from him j nor could she
feel miserable, while constantly blessed with his
presence. Possibly, in foinier times, his rank
in life, or the places lie might hold under go-
vernment, obliged hiai iu be uticuer tiiau she
a
I
]
wished al^ient from home -since they had 1m tn
in exile, they had never been asinuler j theic-
fore» iiad e:he not seen that he was nu.eiab.t,
ihe would have fek happy in Sibt-na. ,
Although Phclora was in her ilnrty-fou. h
year, she was itill hand=onje : and, he.ng Ut-
Toted to her Creator, while she dearly oved
her husband and her child, time could not
efface the charms which virtue and «nnocen e
had imprinted on her countenance. J5l»e r»ei
self prepared every di.h that she set belo.e
her husband: eager to aniici|.ate his bl.ghiesi
wishes, she endeavoured to read them in ins
eyes, that she might gratify them before he
could cive them utterance. The greatest order,
ihe most exact neatness, and even a degree ot
comfort, was apparent in their rustic al)ode,
though the largest room was at once the kitchen,
parlour, and bedchamber of Pi.edora and her
husband J it was warmed by a large Uu^s.an
stove, and the walls were decorated witli
various nieces of embroidery and some very
good drawings, the productions of this amiable
woman and her daughter j and the windows
were ckzed, a luxury, which, though the ch-
mate b cold and inclement, is seldom to be
met with in Siberia. Two light closets com-
pleted their habitation: Elizabeth s>lept in one,
and the Tartarian peasant occupied the other,
which also contaiued the kitchen ware aua ihc
ga^fden tools.
I
I
li
i i
f:
16
On f he week days, Phedora and her daughter
fouudhill emi.loynuMU in buperintendinir their
domestic cor;eenis, and in n.aking different ar-
ticle, of cl.,thiM^^ out of the ^kins oF ihe rein-
d.cr which ihey died wi.h a preparation from
the ba.k or the hire.*, and tf.en lined them
With the thickes. hi.sj b,ir uhen Sunday ar-
rived Pnedora j^rieved at being prevented fnua
attending omrie service; .he, however, made
It a rule to.pend the day in prase rs; she in-
voked her Heavenly Fa. her in behalf of her
hu^hand and child; and she alwavs fonnd, after
having thus poured fo.th her heart bc»oie the
Creator of the Uiiiverhc, that she had a greater
flow of word., and fiequenily succeeded in
condoling, ar least for a time, her husband,
who was infinitely more affecltd by their hope-
Jeis situation. '^
Having resided in this remote spot from the
age of four years, the young Elizabeth had
no recollection of her native c-untry: m
this desolate spot, she d.scoveied beauties
which nature bestows even in the most inhos-
pitable climes J and as innoctnc e finds pleasure*
every where, she amused her.eU with climb-
ing the nuks which bordered the hike ia
search of hawks* and white vultures* eggs, uhicti
bulla their nests there during the sununer
fcometimes she ensnaied wood-pigeons in a net
to fill U little aV«J»»''^' • ol- /i»k««.;^ u- . !
17
for the corrasines, which moved in shoals ia
the lake belo'V, whose purple sliell», adheiing
to t'nch oiher, af)pear throuirh the water, like a
sheer of fire, covered with liquid silver j it
never occiining to her^ durinir ihe happy days
of her ehildl ood, timt there could be a lot
more fortunate than her own. Her limbs were
braced, and her health was fortified, by the
keen air &he breathed; and her figure was im-
proved, as well as her growth, by continual
exercise j while her cotintLUHnce, always beam-
ing with innocence and peace, seemed each
da\ ro acquire fre^h charnis.
Thus, tar removed from the busy world, and
from mankind, did this lovely girl improve in
beauty and wihdom.
The most fervent affect ions are those which
are least divided : thus, tlizabeih, knowint^ no
one but her parents, consequently loving no
one but them, absolutely iduliz'^d theuij <hey
had been the protectors of her infancy, the
pliyfeliows of her childhood, in short, had
formed her only society; thev had taught her
every ihin^ she knew ; lo tiiem she wcs indebted
for her amusements, in short, for every en-
viable sensation ; and, sensible that to them
she owed so naich, she delighted in a depend-
ence that she felt only through its benefi's.
Therefore, when reason and reflection huc-
eeeded to the heedlebsnes^ of uhildiiuud, «he
IS
rcmaikod that her mother was oflon in tears,
and that her fa' her seemed unhappy; often
did she in(juire why they t;rieved, but tliey
niirely aiiribnied their .sonovv to iti^ret at
hi in^'^ at sueh a dislanre fioin their native coun-
tiy ; bill ttie na<iie ofiliia country^ ai»d the rank
they had held in it, was caiefiilly concealed
from her, as lliey feared bhe nii^ht participate
more sincerely in their heartfelt sorrow, if »he
ever learned the height from which they had
fallen. From the moment, however, that she
first remarked the ailliction of her parents,
her thoughts no longer flowed in the same train ;
indeed, the whole terior of her l«fe underwent
a change j her fonuer innocent amubeuients
lost all their attraction* — her birds were ne-
glected, and her flowers were forgotten ; she
no longer fished in the lake j nay, she even
ceased to row her little boat, in which she had
formerly particularly delighted; but she now
paced its banks, meditating profoundly on a
scheme which fully occupied her mind ; and
gometimes, while seated on a projecting rock,
she reflected upon the grief and anxiety of her
parents, and on the means of alleviating both.
They wept because thev weie exiled from tiicir
native country; where this country was si-
tuated, she longed to know; be that as it might,
biuce they were miaerable at a distance from
10
in tears,
i ; often
but lliey
tgret at
ve coiin-
iho rank
concealfd
ariicipate
vv, if »he
they had
that shu
part-nts,
ne train ;
nderwent
utjCLients
i\ere ne-
ten ; she
she even
I she had
she now
dly on a
id J and
ni; rock,
ly of her
ing both,
uin liieir
was si-
it niiiciit,
ice fiuai
it, she rould on\y think of t».e mcins pio|.er
to be pursued to accelerate their return thi-
ther.
Frequently did <»he raise her eyes to Heaven,
to implore that assi'stance she could alone ex-
pect to derive from thence j ofren, while thus
absorbed in mental prayer, remaining insensi-
ble to the snow which was falling; in large fl-ikts
around her, notwithstanding that tl»e wind, per-
haps, drove them directly in her face ; but, if
abe heard the \oice of her parents, instantly
ilid she obey their summons, ever eager to
listen to the lessons of her father, or to assist
her mother in their domestic avi)cauons ; but
whether in their presence, or during her soli-
tary rambles, whether engaged in reading, or
occupied with her needle, one idea only pur-
fcued her, and kept constant possession of l«er
mind, though she kept her project a profound
secret, having resolved not to mention \t
till the moment of her departuie should ar-
She had at this earlv age resolved— yes,
lesolved, to tear herself from ttie embraces of iier
l^rents, and to proceed alone and on foot to
Petersburgh, to imi)lore the emperor to par-
don and to recall her father— such was the
liold design which she had conceived j such waa
the dariniT enterprise, the dangers of which
could noi^intimidaie the huoic courage of ihw
20
yoimg inexperienced female, notwithstandinjj
Mie was i.t'iftcily a^are of their m«g:nitu(le; but
Jjer reliance upon the support of her Htjuenly
father, ami the ardour of her wiat.es, en-
cour<i-ed and induced her to liope, that bhe
bhould overcome every iaipediriient \%hicU
jnight impede her pio^ieb?. Nevertheless, as
Jierhcheme began to unfold ii^eir, and whea
she seriously resolved to cany it into ex^u-
^tion, her ignorance alarmed her: sIk had
never passed the boundaiie. of the fonsi she
inhabired-h.w, then, uas ihe lo find her
way to Peleishurifh? how should she be able
to travel throu-h countries inhabited by pe<ple
of whose languHge she uas ignorant ? " besides,
she would have no res .urse, but to subsist u|Km
charily. To enable her to submit lo this hu-
nuhatu)!!, she called to her aid th<»ye pieceptt
oi hutmlity which her moiher had so caiefully
inculcaiedj but then, she had so often heard
her father i-ment the cruelty of n.ankiod,
that she dreaded being leduced lo imjdorc
their compassion. She was beiides, too well
arquamted with the tenderness of her parents,
to flatter heisf If that they would ever consent
to, much less assist her departure, {t was not
to them, she felt, that she ought m 'his instance
to have recourse J but then, to whom could she
apjdy, residing, am she did, in a desert, s^oa.
laiea irom tiie lesl ^H Uie world ? w wliem
tl
standing
uie ; tiuC
^cJ^venly
les, t*n-
that j^tie
shbH, at
id vvhea
bli( liad
>it8i she
in<l her
bi: able
' |K.>i>|)le
beaiiies,
ist u|xm
this hiu
precept!
aiefully
n tuard
lai'kind,
im(>lore
iio well
pareins,
conseot
^BS not
n»fance
«
whoiu
•ould she ar^dres* hcf-elf; f^inre the entrance
of her dwellini; was forWiildcn \n every human
beioi:^} SmII hl»e did n>»i de-|);»ir. as 'he re-
in*-mbr;n)ce of an accident, to which her fa-
Iher h;ul nearly fallen a victim, had convinced
her ihat there was no place &o debidate, m
^hith the Giver oF all gondness cannot hear
the prayers of the t.nfortunate, and hend theni
nsMstaiiCe.— ^ome venrs before, Springer had
been rescued fiom the most imminent danger,
which had assailed him u|H)n one of the tugh
focks that f«rm >he boundary of Tobol, by
the intrepidity of a yimng stranger. This
brave youth was the son of M. de Smoloff, the
governor of Tohf)l-koi : he came every winter
to the plains of bchini-ka, to shoot elks, sa-
hli'S, and sometimes bears, which are fre-
qientlv seen in the enviions of Saimka ; while
pursuing this dantjerous sport, he had met
Springer, and proved the means of saving his
life; and, from that period, the name of Smo-
lofl ha<l never been mentioned in the abode of
the ex.les, but with reverence and gratitude,
Elizabeth and her mother greatly regretted
not being acquainted with their benefactor,
never having been able to return him their
thanks, or to call down a blessing upon his
head in his hearing, though they daily offered
up prayers for him to the throne uf mercy,
aiid 'continued to hope, at each relura of tke
Ml! I
^•i
sluiotint^ reason, lliat oiuincc might leiwl Wni
lo their hut J but yaiii wen* Ihohc cxpiclations :
if#iM)'ranco h;i(l hrrrj forbidden to him, as well
as tofvoiy one rise j and he lamented not the
rcstricti(»n, n'^vtr haviiii; seen the irea-ure which
Was bijelieivd under its hunible roof. How-
ever, ;»oiwi(hstanding that she had never seen
him, ii'il was very uncertain whether she
bhouhl, from the moment that Kli/abeth became
llior()ut;hly convinced of the (hHiculty of com-
liiencinj; her journey witliout the assistance of
some human bein^, her thoughts had often
rested upon young Smoloff buch a protector
Would have dissipated all her very natural ter-
tors, and uiight have vanquished all the obsta-
cles which seen)ed likely lo oppose her design :
indeed, who could l>e better calculated to give
her all the information she required respecting
her journey from Saimka to Pelersburgh ? who
was moie likely to inform her, which would bo
the surest way of getting her petition delivered
to the emperor ? and should her flight irritate
the governor of Tobolskoi, who was more
likely than his son to soften his resentment, to
move his compassion, and to prevent her pa-
rents from being made responsible for her
transgression.
Thus did she reflect upon all the advantages
which were likely to accrue from placing her
confidence in youjig Sm )U>1T: and as the win-
ii
%
lea^l him
I'Clations :
n, as well
!<1 not the
lire which
llow-
lever seen
ether she
Ih became
y of tom-
islancc of
liad often
prolectur
iLiial ter-
he obsta-
r design :
I to give
especling
gh ? who
vvoiiUl be
delivered
\i irritate
r'as more
ment, to
: her pa-
1 for her
^vantages
icing her
the win-
ter drew nrnr, ^hp le^dverl not to sufTtr the
s.hnoiiMs<fee;i.o toelap-f, nvimo- • laKing s.m.e
meaftiires to inform herhelt. whelhtr youn^
Mnoloir was ui Ihe neigh»H)nrliO()(l; and it he
was s»>e rc-olved in take an Oi.poriun.y uf
seeing and sjicaking to hiirh
S|»iini;er had lue-n so nmeh afTocted by the
terror tl\;it hi;* wife and daughter i» id di-playtd
during thn mere recital of the danger he had
incorred, that he had pmrni^ed iievir a^am
to engige in the pursuit of a bear, and never
to extend his walks l)eyond the f(»rest, except
in pursuit of squirrels or ermines; but not-
withst landing his promise, I'hedora never saw
himdq.art, with an avowed intention of pro-
ceeding to the plains, without ^le greatest
anxiety ; and during his ab-cnce. she telt so
ai;ita'ed, that she was frecpu'nily templed to
believe lur fears to be the forebudiug of some
dreadful calamitv. .
A heavy fall' of snow had benn congealed
into a S(did mass by an intense frost, and com-
pUtcly covered the face of the earth, when,
one fmc -lorning in the month of December,
Springer touk his gun. and proposed to scour
ti.c neighbouring plains in quest ol game.
Bffore his departure, be embraced his vde and
(l:u)i'hier, promising to return before Xi n close
of day } but night approiicbed before h- nnade
hi^ appearance. Since he had been ii iebted
IK
u
I" young Smoloff for his life, this was the first
"'"e he h'ld failed to return accordinj^ to pro-
nuse. The leiror ui' Fhedora, therefore, knew
n« bounds J and Elizabeth, though she sought
by every means to tranquillize her mind, sin-
cerely shared in it ; and slie would have flowa
m search of her father, could she have resolved
<o leave her mother in such a dreadful state of
suspeuj^e.
Ar leiig'h, however, the delicate and fearful
Phedora, who had never ventured beyond the
banks ot tiie lake, roused to exertioii by her
increasing alarm, resolved to a« company her
daughter in search of her husband, convinced
that she should be able to brave every danger
while upon such an errand. They, therefore,
proceeded together through the underwood of
the forest towards the plain. The cold was
severe in the extreme; the fir^i appeared like
trees of i(e, as their branches were concealed
imderathick hoar frost; a mist obscured the
horizon, and the approaeh of night added to
the gloom of every surrounding object ; while
the ground, smooth as the t*urface of a mir-
ror, made the trembling Phedora slip at efery
step.
Elizabeth reared in this climate, and accus-
tomed to brave the extremest severity of the
weather, a^histed her mother^ and led her
forward. Thw, a tree iransplaiited from itf
2
o
^as the first
n^ ru pro-
fore, knew
she sought
mind, sin-
have flown
ve resolved
*ul state of
and fearful
)eyond the
ton by her
ipany her
convinced
ry danger
therefore,
erwood of
cold was
eared like
concealed
icured the
added to
'Ct ; while
of a rnir-
> at every
nd accus«
ity of the
led her
from it9
native land, languishes in a foreign soil ; while
the young sucklini^ which springs f/om ils
roots, eaily habituated to the new climate,
soon acquires streng:ih, flourishes, and in a few
years fciistains the brandies of the trunk that
nourished it— proiecling by its friendly shade,
the tree to which it is indebted for exist-
ence.
Before Pl>o(!rra had reached the plain, her
strentijlh enjirely failed her. " My dear mo-
ther," said Elizabeth, " remain here, and suf-
fer me to proceed alone to the edge of the
tores< J if ue delay any longer, the increasng
darkness will prevent me from distinguishing
my faiher in rhe plain."
Phedora leaned against a fir, while her daugh-
ter hurried for^^aKl— and in a few seconds she
reached the plain. Some of the monumenla
uifh which it was interspersed were very high,
Elizabeth climbed up one of the most ele-
vated, and with a heart full of grief, and
eyes dim with tears, she looked around in vain
foi- her faiher J every thing was hushed and
^ stiU—no sound broke upon her ear 3 and, as
the darkness increased, she was descending
from her elevated situation, terror having nearly
suspended her faculties, when the report of a
gun roused her hopes. As she had never heard
the fconnrl huf r»f Hot. foik....'^ c
. "" • '"^ ictnci o, ill course sne
conceived he was very near; therefore rushing
If «'
~a» fc.^1^^ i^fVKUi,.
I
j
f I
38
townrcU the .^ot from whence »'«-• ""''^^^'f ";
ceeded, she ..eiceived bd.md a pile ot W^S' »
r.n1; a be'nding posture ^Pparen, y se U.ng
.o.eU,i„. oa the ground ^My^ .atl.r. ^y
.^nedtru'lyml.^U he.. : H was not Spnn^n
his countenance -s youll. u , a.i -u^^y
handsome ; and, upon perceiving ^ .^
his amazement was apparent. u n .
not my tather.' she ---';;" ^.Thim on
frj,;i;\^h>'::Su^::ur Where to f.^
llTerE;;:rhral'ne..yotr.na,reat
risk, and should n"'/;;";"";, , f,,, nothini^but
" Oh !•• interrupted she, I t .a B
the not being able to ""Jjy,'^;'^;"- their ex-
spoke. 'l>e ^-'f '' ';";j^'„, ;" Side under
,,ression ^.splayed at once ^^^ ^^
Srdtrt::;rbr:Jren.tbeneabythe
•'X ef h'Tlifrier seen never had he
even in huagination -e.^^^^
our heroines; inaetj, »c f ^
believe hu.self under ^^j;^\^, 3,,,,,e
dream, \vnen luc - ^ J" . ^^ ot her
had subsided, he inciuired the name
father.
M
^7
-t-
■ rocks, a
y seeking
'atlier, wy
lied. He
Springer,
extremely
Elizabeth,
3h! it is
[)ne of an-
n him on
re to find
r," replied
t not, at so
run a great
nothing but
er. As she
I ., their ex-
ude under
softness, so
Mied by the
ver had he,
tigiire like
tempted to
ence of a
of surprise
xme of her
" Peter Spiinger," the replied.
*' VVhat;' he exclaimed, " arc you the
claugl»ter of the exile who resides in the cot-
tuge on the borders of the lake? I have Ken
your father — an hour has not elapsed since
we separated j he talked of making a circuit
before he went home, but he must have arrived
ere this."
Elizabeth did not stay to bear any more,
but ran back towards the spot where she bad
left her mother, calling to her in a gay tone,
that the sound might re-animate her j but,
upon reaching the fir against which she
had left her leaning, Phedora was not to be
ticen. The teriified girl now made the forest
resound with the names of her paients. A
well-known voice answered her from the lake
side. She redoubled her speed, and K^on
reached the cottage, at the door of which she
found her father and mother, waiting wit a
open arms to receive her. Their mutual cm-
braces were followed by miTtual explanations:
each of them had returned home by a different
road J but as thoy were once more united, tluy
were once u>(>re happy; and not till then did
Elizabeth perceive that the stranger liad fol-
lowed her.
Springer instantly recognized him, and said,
in a tone of grief, ** it is very lute, M. de
m
^8
SI .
'lilt
Smoloff; but, alas! you know I am not at li-
berty to offer you an abyluni even for a single
uigiit."
*' M. fie Smoloff!" exrlaimed Elizabeth and
her mother J *' our benefaclor ! is it indeed
he whom we behold r" falling at his feet ;
and wlnie Phedora, unable to express her ac-
knowledgments, watered tlicm witi> her tears,
KlizahtMU tiiua ad<Jre.ssed him — " M. de Smo-
loff, tiAce years have now clapt-ed since you
saved rny father's life, and diuiiig that peiiod,
not a ';ina:lc day has tlapsed, dm ing whieh our
fervent prayers have not been otRred up to the
Aln)!ghty, lo beseech hiui to bless and reward
you."
*' Ah ! your pravers have indeed been heard,"
replied Smoloff, with the most lively emotion,
" sir.ce 'he Supieme I5eing has deigned to
guide my fooc&teps hither j the little good I did
deserved not S(K)h a leward,"
II wai<, however, growing late, and the night
had closed in extremely dark : to return to
Saimka at such an hour was, therefore, on
many accounts, rather dangerous, and Spiinger
knew not how to refu-^e the rites of hospita-
lity to his deliverer ; bur he had pledged his
honour to the governor of Tobolskoi never to
admit a guest under his roof, and to forfeit his
word \va^ a dreadful alternative: he tlierefore
proposed to the young man to accompany him
not at li-
• a single
beth and
it indeed
liis feet J
her ac-
ler tears,
de Smo-
lince you
t |)eiiod,
vhieii our
ip to the
i reward
n heard,"
emotion,
igned to
;oud I did
the night
'e!inn to
eforc, on
Spiinger
• hospita-
dged his
i never to
3rreit his
tiierefore
pany him
back to Saimka. '« I will liglit a torch," laid
he; " and as I am perfectly acquainted with
every turn in the forest, and with all those
paths which ue must avoid, I ihink I can ven-
ture to promise to guide you ihiiher in
safety."
The terrified Pliedora rushed forward to
prevent him from departing; while Smoh IF
said, in a respectful tone, •* Suffer me. Sir,
to request your pei mission to remain your in-
mate till day-break. 1 am well acquainted v\iih
the restrictions you labour under, as well as
with the motives which compel my father to
treat you with such severity; but I am certain,
that upon an emergency like the picsent, he
would allow me to release you from your pro-
mise, as 1 am convinced that he will sutfer me
to repeat my visit, ifonly to return you his
thanks fur having granted me an asylum, to
your own inconvenience."
Springer's scruples vanished j and, takine:
the youth by the hand, he led him into his
cottage, and seating him by the stove, took his
usual place near him, while Phedora and her
daughter prepared the supper.
tl^abeth was dressed, after the fashion of
tut i' p'"*? peasants, in pantaloons made of
the skm of the rem-deer, and a short ,>elticoat
of crimson cloth, looped un on tho l.Ft .u\. .
^ii'le her hair, falling 'in gracctuf curh.
M
30
reached almost to the ground ; a dose vest but-
toned on the side, displayed to advantage ihe
elep^ance of her form ; wliile her sleeves, turned
back above the elbows, were not calcuU'ted
to conceal the beauty of her arms. Indeed the
simpliciry of her dress seemed to enhance the
mild dignity of her manne/s: nor did the parti-
cular grace of her n)ovements escape the notice
of the watchful Smolofr: who experienced an
emotion, while following he.r with his eyes,
which he had never felt before.
Elizabeth was scarcely less pleased with him;
the feelings she exjierienced were founded in
gratitude, and upon the hope she entertained
of his assisting her in the execution of the pro-
ject she had formed ; since that Power wluch
can alone dive into the inmost recesses of the
heart, would not have f(jund a single thought
in that of Klizai)eih, which was nut devoted to
her parents, lo the exclusion (while they
were miseiable) of every other earthly attach-
ment.
Daring supper, Smoloff informed his hosts,
*' thai lie had been three davs at Saimka, where
be had learnt that a great number of ravenoui
wolves infested the neighbouihood, and that
it \*as ii\ contemplation to commence a general
chase, in the course of a few days, for the pur-
pose of de!!.tio)int!: them."
Pbcdora change
1
vest biit-
itage llie
?8, turned
[?alcul'»ted
ndeed the
lance the
the parii-
he notice
ienced an
his eyes,
witli him i
)undcd in
itertaincd
the pro-
.'er which
5.es of the
; thought
e voted to
hile they
ly altach-
his hosts,
ka^ where
ravenous
nnd ttiat
aj^entral
[• I he pur-
colour, while s>lie expressed her hope that
her husband would not jt>iu in this dangeious
diversion j adding—*' Surely you will not
thus wanionly expose a lite upon which mine
depends "
** Alas ! Phedora," exclaimed Springer, with
a sensation of giitf which he tould not re-
press, ** of what value is niv Ide? were I no
more, you woula no longer be condtmned
to waste the prime of your lite in this de-oiate
j)lace. IMy death would restoie \o\x anl our
daughter to your native country. Can )oa
then—?"
Phedora interrupted him with an exclama-
tion txpTCSsive of the aigin''t> of her sov;! j
while Klizabeth, riring from ht r seat, drew
near hm»; and takiig one of lu-> ban Is, thus
addressed him— '* My (iear fail.er, reared, as
you know I have iieen, in this fore^', 1 can
have no idea of any (»iht'i count r\ j aad while
you are Willi Ub, in\ mo* tier and 1 art- trappy;
biit were we to lo-i- you, 1 am cerlam we
should be nii^tnil^le, even were v\e to be
removed to that country, which you so much
regret."
*♦ Possibly, M. deSn'oluff," resumed Si.ringer,
after a short pauaf, *' you niay think that what
my daughter has just said (uigln lo console me
under my mi-for ont.-« ; unfortunately her words
ryntiaiv fcflect : siRce thai virtue.
ii
l\ a IT ivt o \}t^
I4ti T
m
M'
St
wbl.h .hould b« my d.li^h., incr,a.« my d.-
»|m.r, « hen 1 reflect that it will be for ever
•oncealed ,n this de,e„, i„ consequence of m"
behlll ■' '";"V 'herefore, that my Kliza-
or my own niii, fortunes.
Oh! myfa.her! standing, as I now do be
.wee„^mymo.herandyou,\.anyou4iam
Springer unable to mot-crate his affliclinn
regardless ot wha, .he said, and even oF vh^m'
he was addressing, Ihns conHnned-" Nev"
'">' '•■."'''> «■'" yvu enjoy .he happiness 1 re
ot a beloved daughter addres-ing von will, .uch
Kind «or<U of consolation; y.Mi, life win I i
.pent„i,|,o.uaco„,,,anion,'anVwi,ho„te ,,'!
f ""V of I he tender, .he endearing Sof
bli *';^','"';';™'." victim, you are hardly sen-
vou f '''''''f«'"e»^hichare withheld fro?n
ll,' ■ '."'"' "" '""S"' h">e ihe powei^T
bestowirisr I em uoon ?.in i i I"'"" or
their value." ' ^ "' ' ''"""' "H frel
During (his scene, youre Smnl<.fr i i •
vain cndeavouied to re,,,pl i,- , '""' ">
.u«n.,,.d,„j;Lnn::.t^s^ruS
I
1
'f
iii
S3
i my d«-
i'or ever
e of my
y Kli'/a-
wiili the
ue, adds
vendible
him—
' do, be-
ay J aiu
ffliction,
f whom
' Never,
ss I re-
he voice
ith sucli
will be
It enj«)v-
ties of
lly sen-
Id horn
ower of
i»d feel
had if)
he had
in ^iJ^o^
the afflicted father, but hU voice had refused
hini urteranct' ; at last, afur a prtuse of ^ome
niinutes, h<* said—" From the inelanch ly
ottire vvhicl) my father boUis, you iiUHt be well
aware, Sii, ha' I am no snaMgcr ti» th-; "i^ht
of dii*tres«. Oficn have I tja\(dled ihrouirli
the difftrreiit districts under his e\tcn^ive juris-
diction, containing more square mile^? (haa
Germany, France, and Turki y in Eu'j.pe, put
together. Scarcely a duy, during m\ ^ilgi im-
ages, has passed, withou' pioducini; some new
spectacle of misery, either s ilitaiy or ot'.urwi-c,
with which 1 have been previously told that 1
must not vennne to condole, thoJijjch the distre-sei
of the suftVrers have often rent my hear* since.
What wretchedness have I not witnessed in the
deseits of Beresovv, upon the shores of the
Frozen Sea: there I hue seen men wh«» neither
enjoyed the society of ti lends or relations, who,
consequen-ly, were utter strangeis to the
soothing language of consolation, since, sepa-
rated from the rrst of mankind, they were
not merely exiled — their misery adndtted of
no alleviation."
'' Therefore, since Heaven has spared your
child," said Phedora, addressing her husband
in an accent of tender reproach, *■ ought you
to complain so biterlv ? were she to be taken
from you, you could not gr'ne m«re."
- fi»pringer ihuudeied at ihe idea. Seizing
I
•ill ' ': :
34
his (lavigliter's hand, and prosbing it with liis
Tvifc's uj)()n his busom, he said, icnderly i^"
garding them both — " Ah! Heaven is my
%vitnetis tliat 1 feel 1 am not deprived of every
blessing."
As soon as the morning dawned, ymmg
SmolofF took leave of the exiles. Elizabeth
regretted his departure, as she was impatient
to reveal her project to him, and request his
assistance in bringing it to bear; but no op-
portunity had occurred to addiess him in pri-
vate, h».T parents never having quitted the
a])artment, and she could not sptak to him
unobserved, in their piesence. She trusted,
buwerer, that when she saw him again, she
might be more fortunate; Slit said, therefore,
when he took his leave, *' Surely we shall see
you again. Sir? 1 hope 1 shall be permitted
to renew my thanks to the deliverer of my
father." '
Spiinger was surprised at the earnestness of
her address, and felt rather uneasy; he re-
ikcted upon the orders of the Governor, re-
bolviiig not to disobey them a second time ;
while SmolofF told Hlizabeth, that he was cer-
tain of obtaining an exception from his father
in his favour, and that he proposed returning
that very day to Tobolakoi to solicit it: *' But,
Sir/' he continued, turning to Springer, •' when
I vvaii upon hini for ihii purpose, can 1 deliver
iii
f\
■SS»
with liis
Icily !«'
I is my"
of every
, young
Llizabctb
inpatient
[uest his
no op-
1 in pri"
ted the
to him
trusted,
:ain, shtt
itTefore,
ihall see
^iniitted
of my
stnegs of
he je-
lor, re-
1 time ;
^as ccr-
s fachcr
;tUM)ing
*' 13ur,
*' when
dciiver
35
any mc..sc from you ?U<^- any fa.our you
„,(y aWo requ.re ^^^^^ irouWe you will-
dTgJr'f 'aUcnddWine .rvlce o« Sundays.
at Saimka." ^ obtaining tbi«
Smoloffmade I'""''' ^ '";^"' °,e,l, followed
permission for ^er. «nJ 3ooP epar.e ^^^ ^^^^
by the Wes^'n6S°^'j^ ,;'^f , hi,„,e.dy return.
secret «''!'" "f''^X„W'"'>'»' ^""''"ff =""'l^
D.iruig his walk back < j^, ^„,„k
think only of htr. He hau ten , ^^
by her first api-carance t^ iht yu , ^^^^
i felt -'» --rd^X-rd^^^^^^^ •>-
scene winch 'f .""" „^,,,-„ . and he now re-
,„een her and her V^^^^'^^'.^^j uttered, her
called to mind every wo,d el
lo..ks. her man""' '" "'^„a narticularly di.l
h,d ever bctore f;"' J,^ b'e had hea.\l her
^^ ''^^'Kr tr laft add..ss to him, a sort
utter. But tor tier lo' generation, would
of respect, aiT'of*^'"^ "^^" ,,„e her ,
have dlterred hin, Y"";.^ rEli"theth had ex-
but the anxiety w.>h '^^^_^'\^^,^ .,„i^.eed him
pressed her wish to sec .».» -» -
n
36
to .iispcet that ,hf ha,l hecn actuated l,y f.elin<-s
i' 'i^i,"' "',"7'- "" ="■''<••"' «-"' vouthlul
''*!'..> urn ,l«,.l.u,K.n the idea, and i.n.|.tcd
a'.cl .1... a ,„u.„al .y,„,,,u,v now misled bt
'Oie.d, 1,1 ilici,,,,,,.,,,. Iwan .,1 Kliz, elh, the
cm huna„..„ of all ....,.,... How ta.\vat
.el.o.n p.c,-,np, Ik- Knti,„..n,, which he was,
oi.a liiliin. (lav. In dircover ihere'
Since Sinoloffs vi-ii to the liut, Spiinser'.
n,el.nch.ly app.-arcd U, have in^.eaLd f he
reflected upon the j;,.n.r„.si.., „,e courage' an" 1
the gentlcncs of characiet, which this younj
nan ap,ca.«l to p.,.....,, and .houKht\hat
(01 his datwhler; hnt her .iiuation prevented
V f™"', «'«'1""S I" Me Sinnlon' aicain, he
cl.^eadedh,sret,„„, since it woohi ha.^ ben a
far greater aliLcon than any he had yet "x
renenced, (o ,.ee his child the pining victim of
a hopeless passion. °
One evening, while absoibed in these un-
P easant reflections, he was siuin^, supp.m"ng
... head between his hands, his elbows restinf
upon ,he stove; and so lost in thoucht re
KIT^. '''^ '""":''' "^"' """'"sciontlv, he
breathed n ,l^,.n c!.,!, i,,.^., „■' J'^
»"i.uuias littuie Itil
breathed a deeu si^l.
r'ftelings
youtljl'ul
Unipteii
chance,
nitfting-,
bled be-
ipalicnce
eih, the
fur was
he was,
)iinger'8
>t d ; he
jgf and
J young
ht that
chosen
evented
ere to re,
in, he
been a
yet ex-
ictim of
BRe im-
porting
resting;
?ht re-
>Jy, he
ne lell
sr
from hci hand, arwi lixing her tearful eyes upon
her husband, with an expression of the most
heartfelt pity, she implored heaven to ins|»ire
her with ehxjuenee sullicient to pour the balm
of consolation into his wounded soul.
Klizabeth, seated at a distance, considered
each in turn, secretly rejoicintj in the hope
that the time might come when she should see
them, by her means, restored to their f(»rmer
happiness | not doubting but that Smoluff
would encourage and facilitate her enterprise. A
secret instinct also assured her that he would
do justice to her motives, and render her every
assistance in hia power s yet she feared that
her parents, and particularly her mother,
would refuse their consent to her departure}
fjcverlheless she felt it would be Impossible for
her to set out unknown to them, as she neither
linew the name of her country, nor the nature
of the offence for which she was to supplicate
the Emperor in their behalf. She, therefore,
saw the necessity of communicating her inten-
titms to them, and the present seemed to be a
fit moment for the disclosure } therefore, bend-
ing one knee to the ground, she fervently im-
plored the Almighty to incline her parents to
consent to her wishes; and then, softly ap-
proaching her father, she stationed herself be-
iiiHu hini, leaning "Upon the back of his choir;
ior some moments she remained silent, hoping
1
^Hiii
|l Hl
33
that he wonld perceive, and first address her ;
Jiut as he neither moved nor spoke, she thus
Ijpgan— " Will you permit me, my dear father,
to ask yon a question V
He raided his head, motioning her to pro-
ceed.
*' When M. de SmolufT enquired the other
day whether he cculd not be of any service
to you, ycu answered in the net^ative j have you
therefore no wishes for any thin^ r"
** Not for any thing that either he or his
father could grant me."
" Who then could grant your wishes ?"
" Equity and justice."
*' Where are either of those to be found ?"
*' In Heaven, my child." As he ceased
speakine*, a deeper gloom overcast his brow,
and he" resumed his former melancholy posi-
tion.
Aft6r a short pause, Elizabeth agam broke
the silence that prevailed, saying, in an ani-
mated tone, ** My dear father and mother, I
have this day completed my seventeenth year;
this was the day on wh^ch I received from you
a being, which will be valuable, indeed, in my
estimation^ if to you I am allowed to de^'ote
it : to you, whom* my soul reveres and cherishes
as the living images of my Creator. From the
moment of my birth, not a day has elapsed
unmarked by your benefits, unendeared by the
.ID
rcfS her ;
she thus
ar father,
' to pro-
ihe other
ly service
have you
he or hia
3und r
he ceased
his brow,
}holy posi-
jain broke
n an ani-
mother, I
lenth year;
from you
eed, in my
to devote
d cherishes
From the
las elapsed
ired by tiie
pri'cimis tokens of your love. Hitherto, the
only return in my power to make has been
tjiutitufjc and tcndciness j hut of what avail is
my p:ratitudc, if 1 do not prove it by my
actions? of what avail is my tenderness, if I
am not allowed to display it? Oh! my beloved
parents, fortrive the presumption of your daugh-
ter, if once in her life she endeavours to do for
you, what from the hour of her birth you have
never ceased to do for her — condescend, there-
fore, to trust lier with the secret of your mis-
fortunes."
" My child, what is it you require?" — hastily
demandcfl her father.
** That you would inform me of as much
as it is needful for me to know, to be able
to prove the extent of my regard for
you. God alone is as yet acquainted with my
motive for making such a request." As she
uttered these last words, she fell upon her
knees before her father, raising her eyes to-
wards him with a look of the most moving
supplication ; an expression so heroic, was vi-
sible through the tears which overflowed her
face, and reflected an air so angelic upon the
humility of hcv attitude, that a suspicion of
her intention instantaneously darted across the
mind of Springer. Unable to shed a tear, or to
breathe a sigh, he remained silent, motionless,
and awe- St ruck, as if in the presence of an
C '■Z
-H
Ml
f 1
1^
40
attempt to strive against the emotions
angeL The excess of his miefortunes had
never effected him to such a degree as the
words Elizabeth had uttered; his firm spirit,
which had remained unbroken by adversity, was
subdued by the voice of his cluld, and in vain
did he
which overpowered him.
While Springer remained silent, Elizabeth
continued kneeling before him. Her mother
a[)proached to raise her; having seen neither
the movement, nor the look, which had re-
l?ealed her secret to her father, of course she
was far from suspecting the trial with which she
was threatened. ** Why," said she, "why do
you hesitate to trust your ciiild with the his-
tory of your misfortunes^ Is it her youth that
|)reventa you? Can you fear that the soul of
our Elizabeth will be weakly depressed, by
being made acquainted with our reverse of
fortuned"
*• No," replied Springer^ ^' ft is not her
W<rakness that 1 apprehend."
From these woids, and the expressive look
which accompanied them, Elizabeth was con-
Tinced that her father understood her. She
pressed his hand in silence, wishing him
alone, as yet, to comprehend her purpose, as
she was loo well acquainted with the heart of
ner mother, not to fcei anxious lo keep her in
ignorance of her intentions, as lung as possible.
41
ines had
e as the
m spirit,
rsity, was
id in vain
emotions
Elizabeth
r mother
1 neither
h had re-
3urse she
which she
" w hy do
I the hia-
3uth that
e soul of
essed, by
everse of
not her
isive look
was con-
er, Slie
ing him
irpose, as
I heart of
3p her in
) possible^
" Almighty God !" exoiaimed Springer,
" forgive my having dared to repine. 1 re-
gretted the blessings of which I was deprived,
not being aware of those which were still in
store for me. Elizabeth, you have, in this one
happy day, made me ample amends for twelve
years of suffering."
" Never again my dear father, endeavour
to make me believe that there is no real hap-
piness on earth, since I have been so blessed
as to make you, even for a moment, forget your
misfortunes : but reveal to me, I conjure you,
your pame, that of your country, and the
cause of your unhappy exile."
" Unhappy ! I am so no longei*. My country
is, wherever I can reside with my daughter, and
the name in which 1 glory is that of the father
of Elizabeth."
" Oh ! my child," interrupted the gentle
Phedora, " I did not think that the regard
which 1 have ever borne for you, could have
admitted of increase j but I feel I love you
more fervently, for having aiforded consolation
to your father."
At these words Springer's fortitude was
entirely subdued : he burst into tears, and,
pressing his wife and daughter to his heart, re-
peated in a voice broken with sobs, *' Forgive
me. Almighty God ! forgive an ungrateful
wretch, who has dared to murrnur at thy g.q-
m
\ li
mH
42
■v;(,
'iii
orccsj ami, if it is thy good plcBsSiirc, with-
hold the chabtisement winch my rashness tias
deserved."
When ihese violent emotions had a little sub-
sided^ Springer said to his daughter — " My
child, I proniise you that I will niake you ac-
quainted with every particular you wish to
Know; but you must have patience for some
days — I cannot detail my misfortunes, at
the moment you have taught me to forget
them."
The obedient Elizabeth did not venture to
press ^.im any further, determining to wait with
deference, till he should feel inclined to give
her the promised information. In vain^ how-
ever, did she wait for that propitious moment.
Springer ap[)eared to dread reverting to the
subject, because he had guessed her inten-
tions J and, though language was inadequate to
express the gratitude and admiration with which
it had inspired him, si ill his increasing regard
for her, would not allow him to grant her the
consent, he was well aware she would entreat -,
nor did he consider himself absolutely au-
thorised to refuse it, as she certainly proposed
adopting the only resource, from which he
might hope to be re-established in his rights,
and to replace Elizabeth in the rank to which
she waa born : but, when he reliected upon the
iijtigue ^^e muist endure, aad the dangcir oIiq
13
re, with-
uiees has
ittlc sub-
T— '' My
2 you ac-
wish to
for sonic
jnes, at
to forget
?nture to
wait with
[ to give
liOj how-
moment,
g to the
er inten-
lequate to
ith which
ig regard
t her the
i entreat -,
utely au-
proposed
which he
is rights,
to vvhic^h
upon the
icgcf bim
m!j.^ht
....^,... incur, the hare ideti of suffering her to
depart, became in5Upportai)le. llcadiiy would
he have sacriticed his own life, to have reinstated
his family in their former rank and possessions ;
but to risk that of his daughter in sueh an at.
tempt, was a trial lo which he felt his courage
v;as unequal.
His prolonged silence instructed Elizabeth,
respecting the line of conduct which she ought
to pursue j feeling certain that he had guessed
her intention, and that he had been mor«
deeply affected by it than she had ever seen
him, she was convinced it had not met with his
approbation, since he so sedulously avoided re-
verting to the subject ; indeed, when she se-
riously considered her scheme, it appeared so
impracticable, that she feared her parents
would consider it as the efTusion of filial en-
thusiasm : in order, therefore, to place htr
project in a point of view more favourable to its
execution, she must endeavour to represent it
divested of some of the greater obstacles by
which it was opposed j and to obtain this end,
she must «olicil the advice and assistance of
Smolotf. Determining, therefore, to remain
entirely silent u\k>i\ the subject, and not to
disclose her whole intentions, even to her father,
till she had conversed with him, she awaited
his return with increasing patience. Fore-
m
iiu'wcvei.
« >«1 t'AVt fro
a. wA jM ■ m i m» i M i i i mtM
■IUHHiMM
■m]
i
44
course object to the difKcully, not to say the
impossibility, of her undertaking to travel eight
hundred leagues on foot, in the severest climate
in the known world, she resolved by way of re-
moving this dinknliy.fo inure herself to hardships
and i'&iiiiue, and in consequence, daily exercised
her fltrength in the plains of Ischimska, wholly
regardless of the weather, since neither when the
snow, drifted by the wind with a violence that
almost opposed her passage, nor when a thick
mist nearly concealed the path before her, did she
relinquish her resolution j sometimes persever-
ing in her daily walks, even in contradiction
to the wishes of her parent* v; thus accustoming
herself, by degreeg, to endure th^ inclemency
of the weather.
During tho wintet season, Sibeila is eubjeet
to sudden storms: frequently, when the sky
appears the most serene, dreadful hurricanes
instantaneously arise, and completely obscure
the atmosphere: they are impelled from the
opposite sides of the horizon, appearing like a
war of winds } ind, when they meet, the
strongest trees in vain oppose their violence j
in vain does the pliant birch bend to the ground
—its flexible branches, with their trembling
leaves, are broken and dispersed. The snow rolls
down the sides of the mountains, bringing with
it, enormous masses of ice, which break against
ik
the t*i fitvtrxi
.irtint c
\ \\amf\
4.';
) say the
avel eight
st climaie
vay of re-
haidships
exercised
a, wholly
when the
lence that
n a thick
Br,did she
perseve?-
tradietion
customing
iclemency
19 eubjeet
the feky
lurricanes
\f obscure
from the
ng like a
neet, the
violence 5
le ground
trembling
mow rolls
^ing with
3kk against
also broken in their turn, and the wind, swecplr^
away ihe fragments, together with those of the
falling huts, in which the tci rilled animals have
in vain &oui;ht sheiier, raises them in trie air, and
then dabhing them to rl»e ground, strews the
earth with tlmt devastation and ruin which they
occasion to every production of nature.
One morning in the month of January, Eli-
zabeth was overtaken, by one of these terrible
storms, m the plain near the little chapel ; as soon,
therefore, as the sudden darkness of the sky an-
nounced the approaching tempest, she sought
shelter under its venerable roof; the violent
gusts of wind soon shook this feeble edifice to
its very foundation, threatening every succeed-
ing moment to level it with the ground} never-
theless, Elizabeth, prostrate before the altar,
was insensible to fear; the stoim she heard de-
stroying all around hei, merely excited a rever-
ential awe in her breast, cau.^ed by a natural re-
flection on the Omnipotent Being * who rideth
on the wings of the wind.* Her life might
prove serviceable to her parents, and she, there-
fore, felt assured that Heaven would, for their
sake, watch over and i)rotect her, till she had
obtained their recall from exile. 'I his idea,
which may be considered as bordering on su-
perstition, originated solely in her filial piety;
and it rendered Elizabeth so perfectly tranquil,
that m the midst of raiding elempnts wbil*» the
p i\
i
S '■'
KJ
llli
46
thunderbolts fiom above were falling aroun<l
her, bhe yUJded calmly to the heaviness which
opiircbacd her, and Iving down at the foot of
the aliar, before which she had been offering
up her prayers, fell into as profound a slumber
as she had ever ei.joyed, during her childhood,
in the arms of iier father.
On this very day, .Suioloff had returned from
ToboUkoi , immediately after his arrival at
Saimka, he hastily proceeded to the cottage
of the exiles. He brought the permission
Phedoru had solicited; henceforth, she and
her daughter were at liberty to attend divine
service every Sunday at Saimka; but his father
had been unable to grant the same indulgence
to Springer, the orders from the court con-
cerning lin! being more strict than ever; hence,
even in suif'orir.g his son to see him once more,
tile governor of Tubolskoi had consulted his
feelings rather than his duty, and had therefore
exacted a solemn pronnse from the young
man, that his present visit should be the last
he would venture to make to Springer's cot-
tage, under any pretence.
ismololf was grieved to the soul at so much
severity being displayed toward the father of
Hlizabeth ; but, as he approached her abode,
bis melancholy sensations gave way to more
joyful ones, and he thought less of the pain
he should feel upon taking leave, under the
J
im
47
ig around
tss which
he foot of
n offering
a slumber
childhood,
mod from
arrival at
e cottage
permission
fihe and
?nd divine
his father
ndulgence
:ourt con-
er j hence,
nee more,
suited his
1 therefore
he young
t the last
ger's cot-
t so much
father of
er abode,
to more
the pain
inde.r th«
cruel restriction which his father had imposed
upon him. than of the delight he should enjoy
in seeing her again.
But when upon entering the cottage, bmo--
loff in vain lo' :ed round for Elizabeth, and
reaected that he might not be able, under any
pretence to prolong his visit till her return,
he found it impossible to conceal his chagrin
and disappointment, in vain did Phedora ex-
press her heartfelt gratitude, blessing the hand
which had re-opened for her the house of God,
as well as preserved the life of her beloved
husband. In vain did Springer style him ihu
protector, the comforter of the afllicted. He
made little or no reply to their kind speeches,
seizing every opportunity to turn the discotirse
upon Elizabeth. His evident embarrassment
partly betrayed the situation of his heart, which
rendered h'im dearer to Phedora > his love
for her daughter flattered her pride j and surely,
no mother had more reason to be proud of a
child.
Springer though no less sensible of the me-
rit of his daughter, fearful that she might also
discover the visible partiality of the young man,
which might disturb her peace, reminded
Smoloff of the obedience due to his father, in
the hope of inducing him to terminate a visit
which the youth evidently sought to prolong—
till the rising storm made the parents tremble
4
t
III
4S
for the safely of th(ir rhiM. "Elizabeth*
ThTLT'^ ^'''*"f "^* '">' lilizabeth?" crieci
n)e aeronized inofhcr.
Springer took his stick in silence, and opened
the door to ^^o in search of his daughter. Smo-
loir rushed after him.
/Hie tenripest raged with the most terrific
,7» hTth''" '""'y ''t- Thetr'^es were torn
fL/ *^", ,'''/'>»«> '-^nJto atterr...t to cross the
forest wou d be extreoiely hazardous. In vain,
l^owever d.d Springer remonstrate with Smo-
oti; he was as well aware of the danger h«
vvas hkely to incur as his more expeilenced
companion J but he rejoiced, that chance af.
torded him an opportunity of braving the storm
in search of EHzabeih, as it was certainly^
proof of that affection, which he could hardly
have dared, so prematurely, to have declared
to her by any other means.
Having proceeded in silence, till they
had nearly reached the middle of the forest,
loff " *^*" ^^® ^"''"^ ^^^^ ^"^
v\^^i V Foceed toward the rlain,*' re-
plied Springer. " She walks there every
chTier*' ^^°^^ ^^^ ^^^ '°"^^' ^ ^^^^^^ ^" ^^^
They said no more, each feeling too anxious
toconversej therefore, stooping to shelter their
heads from the blows of the broken boughs.
M
VJ
w
izabcth !
?" cried
i opened
• ibnio-
: terrific
ire (orn
ross the
In vain»
h S mo-
nger he
eiienced
mce af-
le storm
ainly a
hardly
declared
1 they
forest,
1 Smo
I/' re.
'■ every
in the
snxious
jr their
>0Ugh8«
ancl from llie fragments of rock which the wind
sent in all directions, they proceeded as quickly
as the snow, which beat tidl in their faces,
woidd sulllr tiiem to do. Upon reaching the
plain, they were no longer in danger of being
hurt by the filling of the trees ; but, in so ex-
posed a situation, they were sometimes driven
backwards, and at others throwa down by the
violence of the tempest. At lac they reached
the chapel, in which they hoped Elizabeth had
sought a shelter J but when they beheld it from
afar, and [)erceived its walls, merely consisting
of slightly -joined planks, shaking with every
blast of wind, and appearing ready to fall every
moment, they shuddered at the idea of her
being within them. Animated, however, by
more than parental fear, Smolotf flew forwards,
and was the first to enter the weak edifice j
where to his inconceivable astonishment— in-
deed he almost fancied himself under the in-
fluence of a dream— he saw Elizabeth, not ter-
rified, pale hnd trembling, but in a profound
sleej) before the altar. Struck with amaze-
ment, he stopped, and silently directed
Springer's eyes towards the sleeping girl 3 when
each, impelled by similar sentiments of vene-
ration, fell on their knees, by the side of what
to them appeared an angel reposing under the
immediate protection of Heaven. The father
bent over his child, while Smol^ff mnitn«ti«
41
i i
» >
50
jiimiiiiiiii:
relroatcd, so truly did lie rc6j)ect buch real in-
nocence.
Elizabeth soon awoke, and upon behold-
ing her father, threw her.^elt' into his arms, cx'
claiming—" Ah I 1 knew you were watching
over me."
Springer pressed her to his heart with in-
describable emotion. " My dear child," said
he, " what agonizing teiror you have occa-
sioned your molher and me !"
" FoVgive me, my <lear father, for having so
cruelly alarmed you both, and let us habtea
to relieve my mother's anxiety,"
Upon rising, she perceived Smolofft— *' Ah!"
said she, in an accent of surprise and pleasure,
*• all my protectors have, then, been watching
over me — Heaven, my father, and you,"
With difficulty did her transported lover re-
press the emotions of his heart.
Springer resumed : — '* My dear girl, you
talk of rejoining your mother, without rellect-
ing upon the possibility of your being able to
do so, or whether you will be able to lesist the
violence of the storm, which M. de Smolott' and
myself may be deemed to have miraculously
braved."
" Let us try," she replied ; " I am stronger
than you suppose ; and am rejoiced that such
an opportunity is aiforded me of convincing
vou. that 1 am caDable of the t^reatest exertions,
'S
Ml
I
3
51
1 real in-
1 beboUl-
ariiis, ex-
watching
with in-
i!(l," suid
lave occa-
havini^ so
us habten
— " Ah!"
I i)leasui'e,
I watching
«*
u.
lover re-
girl, you
ut rellect-
)g able to
) lesist the
iioloff and
iraculously
m stronger
I that such
convincing
t exertionb.
when thoy oan contribute to the couaolation of
t'iiljcr my mother or you."
Aa sht' bjHjke, uriworiietl c»;urage beamed in
her eyes ; and Springer was convinced that she
tjlill persevered in the heroic determination bl»e
bad formed. She now prepared to letuin,
taking her father's arm, and etjually accepting
the supj)orL of Smolofl", who was even more
eager than .Sjiringir to shelter lier head with
hi^ wide mantle ; and liow greatly obliged did
he feel to the awful thunder, and to the boib-
terous wind, winch frequently oblig-jd Eliza-
beth to lean all her weight against" l»im. He
had no fears for himself; indeed, lie would
gbdly have exposed his own lile to still greater
dangers, to prolong thtse extaiic moments;
ind he was even divested of dread upon Kli-
labelh's account, as he was in a frame of mind
to have detied even the combined elements
from injuring her. The sk' however, began
to resume its serenity, and o wind lulled by
degrees. Springer recovered his spiiiia, in
luoportion an those of amolotf were dc[ »esijed,
tiizabei .aving drawn from his supporting
arm, choosing to proceed unassisted, as she
was desirous of braving'-, before her father, the
remainder of the storm ; feeling proud of her
strength, and anxious to give him a proof of
it, in the hope of convincing him, thai it was
not likely lo fail when she should aet out unon
- - i —
1
i 1 1
i
■*^H
•^■■f:rmiS0tt
Ul
I i
c
a
fco
o
= u
-a
V)
o
N!
</)
o
'^
53
her perilous journey, as she felt assure^i that the
could have gone uiih eaj-e to the n'nM)t('st ex-
tremity of the earth, to implore the Kmperor
to recal him from Siberia.
Phedora received them all three with open
arms, returning thanks to that Power who had
watched over them in the hour of dangler ; and
even took upon herself to console her daughter,
who was extremely distressed at having, in
some respects, by her imprudence, occasioned
her so many tears. She next dried her wet
garments, and, taking off her fur cap, smoothed
her ruffled hair ; and though Elizabeth was th
the daily habit of receiving such asbistance from
her mother, her affectionate heart felt an rn-
crease of gratitude, even for the most trivial
attention her parents paid her; and Smolotf
was upon this occasion so much obliged to Phe-
dora, that he conceived the becoming her son,
by marrying her daughter, would even increase
the rapture he should feel, dare he hope, one
day, to address Elizabeth as his wife.
The storm having entirely subsided, as the
evening was closing in. Springer pressed his
guest's hand, and with a sensation of grief,
blended with gratitude, reluctantly hinted,
that it was time for him to depart j and Eliza-
beth now understanding that this was a fare-
well visit, the colour forsook her cheeks, and
H
•A i
fcf
llPf 4>ni|)Ciypacc{yiptkf «ijc .
.■^ m
n
54
scrvation : " What!" she cried, « shall I never
st-e you a^ain ?"
*' Oh ! I hope we shall ofren meet again," he
eagerly replied ; " since, as long as you inhabit
these deserts, and my time is at n)y own dis-
posal^ I propose remaining at Saimka ; there-
fore, 1 shall see you at church, upon the plain,
«»• on the borders of the lake j wherever, in
fihorf, 1 am ibrtunate enough to meet with
you." ^
A moment's reflection induced him to cease
speaking, as he was hardly aware of the extent
of his regard for our heroine, till his heart had
thus given utterance to his feelmgs. Elizabeth
by no means understood them j she merely re-
joiced at the likelihood there was of seeing him
again, because she g?ew daily more anxious to
consult him respectmg her enterprize j and as
she resolved to seize the first opportunity that
offered for that purpose, she the less regretted
his present departure.
When Sunday arrived, Elizabeth and her
mother, after an early breakfast, set out for
♦Saimka. Springer saw them depart with a
feeling of regret, as this was the first time he
had ever remained alone in the cottage, since
his arrival in Siberia ; he nevertheless affected
to participate in their innocent satisfaction j
blessing them both vtry feivently, and recom
*"\~t*i*lLii
4 K^«rvft
... fl...
^V
Gud
I
55
^>
1 1 never
;aiii," he
i inhabit
own tlia-
L ; there-
he plain,
rever, in
eet with
to cease
he extent
heart had
Elizabeth
merely rc-
:eing him
nxious lo
I -y and as
nity that
regretted
and her
t out for
t with a
t time he
^e, since
s afFecied
isfaction ;
id recom-
whom they were going to implore, The day
was very line, and tlie Tartarian peasant was
their guide through the forest to Saimka. The
walk proved delightful.
As this was the first time they had ever ap-
peared at church, every eye was directed to-
wards them, upon their entrance} but theirs
were modestly cast down, as they only came
to worship the Giver of all goodness, towards
whom their thoughts were entirely directed :
therefore advancing towards the altar, they
knelt before it, oliering up their sincere sup-
plications for the same object j and if those
of Elizabeth were more comprehensive than
her mother's, they were both, doubt lesa,
heard with equal indulgence. Dining the tin»e
«f divine service, Elizabeth did not remove
the veil which concealed her face j indeed, her
,:«^>ughts were so entirely engrossed by her
*' r-ator and her parents, that they did not ex-
tend even to him, from whom she hoped for
protection. The pious concert of voices which
chaunted the sacred hymns, made a profound,
and almost extatic impression upon her, hav-
ing never before heard any, much less sacred,
music; she, therefore, almost fancied she saw
the heavens opening, and an angel descending
to guide heron her journey: this vibinn, ari<>-
ing from the enthusiabui uf ait ardrnt imagina-
i .
%-■
%
iisSted U3 luilg ai lliC iiiUaiC slfUtK
5G
lighterlearj when that ceased, she raised her
head ; and the first object that arrested her at-
tention was yonn{^ Smoloff, leaning against one
of the pillars, at a little distance, with his eyes
intently fixed on her j he, therefore, appeared
to her as her guardian angel, descended from
the spheres to assist her in the deliverance of
her father J and, in constquence, she regarded
him in her turn with confidence and gratitude :
Smolotf was delighted, as her looks appeared
to be in unison with his feelings, and he felt
grateful at being again permitted to behold her,
and still more so for having, as he hoped, made
a lasting impression upon her mind. Upon
leaving the church, he proposed to Phedora to
drive her to the entrance of the forest in his
sledge. She readily consented, as she should,
by this means, the sooner rejoin her beloved
Springer: but Elizabeth felt greatly mortified
by this arrangement J as she had flattered her-
self, that, during their walk, admitting Smoloff
accompanied them, some opportunity would
have occurred of addressing him in private;
in a carriage she knew it would be im-
possible, as it would have been absurd
even to h»nt a^ what was ever upper-
most in her mind, before her mother,
who being as yet in ignorance of her desig^p,
would doubtless, upon its first disclosure, re-
ject the mere idea with terror ; and, what was
still more to be feared, would, she made no
•>/
iised her
(\ her at-
;ain5t one
I) his eyes
appeared
decl from
trance of
regarded
ratitude :
appeared
a he felt
hold her,
^d^ made
Upon
ledora to
3t in his
i should,
* beloved
mortified
ered her-
j Smoloff
y would
private ;
be im-
absurd
upper-
mother,
' ^esig.Q,
jure, re-
vhat was
uade no
I
doubt, absolutely forbid Smoloff from aff^flinff
^erany assistance j yet otight she to h,se such
an opportunity for mentioning her scheme to
mm, as possibly none ecjuully tavourahle nii-ht
ever ajrain occur? Tin,, was jx-r mind al;i-
taled and perplexed j and tiie sled-e had al-
ready reached the borders of the f.uvst, which
bmolod had dechued lie dare noienUT: but
unable to sununon up suflieicnt resolution to
leave Ll.zabeth so soon, he drove on till they
reached the banks of the lake j there, however,
he was Ob iged to stop. Phedora ali^^ht. d the
first J and, takiot,^ his hand, said-" Wdl not
fuusomelinies walk fids way'"
Kl.zalM^rh, who was followin- her mother,
l^hispered, ,n a hurried voice-- .\o, not ihii
way J but let me see you to-morrow near the
little chapel in the plain."
Thus did she innocently appoint a meeting-,
w.thout bem^ aware of the interpretation Smo-
off m.ght g.ve to her words: her thoughts
beinjjas usual, cetWered in her father: how-
ever readmg in the expressive countenance
and wou d be i,nanred, her's bri^^htened with
loy; and whde she and her mother proceeded
towards their coti-i^rn Km,^i tv i H'"«^eujea
« Mjcii Loudge, .•^niolott drove back to
Manuka, m mia-ination the happiest of men
J ,.i; r--"."'"- "^- «'au neara, he no ioniser
doubted bem^^ bclovud l>y Elizabeth , and.
na i m i n m_
5S
with the knowl^dn^e he had of her, (his cer-
tainty cnv.hl not fail of crcatini^ the most lively
emotions of joy. Me had never seen her equal
in point of beauty ; and in the presence of her
M;d\er, before whom he had lately seen her
prostrate, she appeared the image of piety and
innocence. He had also seen lepea'ed proofs
of the tenderness of her heart, in her conduct
towards her parents j he had been the happy
means of preserving her father's life, and from
that circumstance conceived that gratitude
had paved the way in her heart for love j and
as she was truly the pu{)il of nature, she was
loo candid and ingenuous to have acquired the
art of concealing her sentiments. Yet he felt
astonished at her wishing to see him, unknown
to her parents ; but he easily found excuses for
an indiscretion which he dared to attribute to
an excess of love. It was not, however, with
the embarrasment generally attendant upon
stolen meetings of this nature, but with all the
security of unsuspecting innocence, that Eli-
zabeth repaired on the following morning to the
chapel. Her steps were lighter, and her pace
was swifter than usual, for she considered what
she was doing as the first movement towards
the liberatitm of her father. The sun shone
with splendour on the snowy plains, and thou-
sands of icicles, which hung suspended from
the branciics of the irees, reflected its bright
this cer-
Tiosi lively
her equal
ice of her
seen her
piety and
ed proofs
IT conduct
the happy
and from
gratitude
love J and
I, &he was
quired the
'et he felt
unknown
excuses for
ttribute to
ever, with
ant upon
ith all the
that Eli-
ling to the
1 her pace
iered what
it towards
sun shone
and thou-
nded from
its bright
59
image in various forms of beauty and grand'^ur :
but cv(>n the clear and brilliant lustre which
proceeded from its rays, was less pure and le^9
noble than the soul of our heroine. She has-
tily entered the chapel. Smoloff was no where
to be seen. This delay disturbed her 3 a slight
gloom overspread her countenance, not oc-
casioned by disappointed vanity, nor by the
fear of her love being less ardently returned.
No passion, no weakness could at this moment
find a place in the heart of Elizabeth j she
only dreaded that some accident, or that some
unforeseen circumstance, might have prevented
Smololf from keeping his appointment. With
fervency, therefore, did she implore her
heavenly Protector not to prolong the per-
plexity she had for such a length of lime en-
dured.
While she was thus employed, Smoloff ar-
rived, and was astonished to find that she
had preceded him; he had hastened upon
the wings of love, and that passion is cer-
tamly calculated to quicken the movements of
Its votaries : but Elizabeth, in this instance, af-
forded a proof, that virtue, in the performance
of Its duty, is swifter than even the most pas-
sionate lover, in its emotions and resolves.
^^^P"»^ peiceiving Smoloff, she raised her
c^ye§ and hands to [leaven, in token of grati-
tude ; then turning towards him with a graceful
.A^
\f
!«>
tl
1^
60
i
■ n
in j !
and expr«Bft« motfon— -" Ah ! Sir," nbe cried,
*' how impatiently have I expected you !" This
speech, added to the expression of her coun-
tenance, and to her haviiii; preceded him to
the chape), confirmed the delighted youth in
the belief that he was beloved ; and he was on
the point of declaring how fervently and how
sincerely her passion was returned, had she
not, by proceeding with her discourse^ pre-
sented him from speaking.
" I have sought this opportunity of seeing
you, M. de Smoloff because I wish to implore
your assistance, in an attempt I propose making
to restore my father to liberty : will you pro-
mise me your aid and your advice. K*
These few words completely overturned all
the ideas of happiness which our lover had
formed. Distressed and embarrassed, he be-
came aware of the error into which his growing
passion, stimulated, by a small degree of vanity,
had led him ; but his disappointment did not
lessen his regard for Elizabeth j he therefore
fell upon his knees — before God, our Innocent
heroine supposed — but it was to her he thus did
homage, while he swore to perform every
thing she required : which induced her thus
to resume the subject — " Since the first dawn
of reason enlightened my soul, my parents
\%f% wrr-
9a vc
U'CCii
^ i-k^^iii'wn^u
ih«ir love ha« been my greatest bleseing, And
he cried,
!•• This
»r coun-
him to
fouih m
c was oa
md how
had she
se, pre-
)f seeing
I implore
making
you pfo-
rned all
▼er had
he be-
grovving
f vanity,
did not
therefore
fnnocent
thus did
n every
ler thu3
•at dawn
parents
mg, «nd
«1
6'nce ii has Ld vm„ k a \ ""^"^ ''^^'^'^
I lulhlmrnf. of my de^j^n M./ • V '"®
I not prevent her frnm .1 '^ '^^^^ ^'>'t»i did
1^ can„:. .el, youIJZ, "rav/K'"^,-." '
f n c„n.en,,,lation, since' i, a,!?ea,t , '"' ''''l'^"
received it wi.h ,„y e.isten'' i, " T "'"'
■d>-a ihat I ever foniaH Tn w ' '? "'««'»'
«cll as waking „,?,„; ,> ,, " "'^ '''"^'""g "^
in.iuced „,r y„,„':,':; .- -j- ^ h ^^^_ .^
hi'ie, ani h.u ;„„ • ■ '"^'l""'! lo see von
«>m«a;e,o dread ne. her fa L, ^''^'cient
Po^i'ion, nor eve,, .lea ^ . i^^"; '"•^''5'' "P"
"P'^n leaving Siberia ,1,'aiT'' f" ^""t an. I
i"<:'."ed .o di„..C'''',l ',;'""'-' --n feel
refuse iheirconsentiomv' if' "^""^ '•'^X 'o
Si', itvsould be". V irrre'"'*'' "^ '°^'^^^'
n.e-a resolution like t ,« ine , ",'""^''!"« »i">
n<" K. be shaken " "^ ' ''^"^ *"'med i»
Si I
'V-,
11
r'.<%
fi2
script Ir,n. Such hcraism, in a person of Ell-
zilu;th'dac:e andsex, was st> greatly above uny
thini; he had ever iina^ined, that hii tears,
whicli he did no\ endeavour lo vtstrain, were
occasioned by u sensation bcucely less delii^ht-.
fid tiian the tVansports orrjt?quiied love. " Ah.
said he, " you cannv)t conceive how happy you
have rendered nie, in ihi:s selecting n... tor
your guide and counse]lf)r ; but you are not
aware of the serious obstacles — — " ..^
•^ Two only have tended to discourage me,
interrupted Elizabeth, '* and perhaps no one
could remove iheni so elTectually as you may
do." ,, ,
" Then only tell me what they are, he re-
plied, impatient to render him=elf useful to
her, ''since it is impossible for you to require
any thing of me, that 1 would not undertake to
perform." „ I
•'The obstacles I allude to are these, re- ^
ioincd Elizabeth: "1 am a stranger to the
roarl I ought to take, and my (light may mjure
mvfatherj this last has inlinitely more weight »
with me than the former, sinee on you I rely
for every instruction respecting my journey ;
YOU must have the goodness to inform me what
towns 1 am to go through, and what monasteries
or hospitals, founded for the relief of mdigent
.r^rpllprs. I am likely to meet with ; you must
aUo tell me what mctiiod 1 ou^ht to pursue to
I of Eli-
)()ve tuiy
i^ tears,
liii, were
. " Ah I"
lappy you
; n:c. tor
are not
•»
•age me,
J no one
you may
/' he re-
useful to
;o require
dertake to
hese/' re-
er to the
nay injure
►re v\ei,i:!;ht
you I rely
journey ;
a me what
rtonasteries
)f indigent
; you must
pursue to
63
ge* my petition presenird to the Kmpcror : buf ,
hrst of all, can you assure me, tftat jour father
will not puni>h mine for sullliing mo to depart
upon such an errand r"
Smolotf readily plfd<r€d Ids word for his fa-
ther's forhearancc ; '* JJut, Elizancth/' he pro-
ceeded, «* you are nut aware how extremely
the Jimperor is preposbessed pgainst your failier,
eince he positively considers liim as his most in-
veterate enemy."
*' I am ignorant," she replied, " what crimes
are laid to hh charge, since 1 do not know
either his real name, or that of hi^ country 5
nevertheless, I ain continced of Lis inno-
cence."
"How!" resumed the still more astonished
hmolofl, " do you neither know the rank your
father held, nor the name by which he was dis-
tmguished."
" Neither," she replied, with the most af-
fecting air of simplicity.
;' Wonderful !" he exclaimed • - then neither
pride no ambition have suiri-esled anem.rprise
to which your whole s^^ul aj-pcars devoted'
You are unacquainted with what may be the
result of your proj..ct— the happiness of vour pa-
rents IS your only o!,ject-l,nt what is g'randtur
ot birth, when compared to a soul like yours >
■«-'^.ti i i-.Xi liHI.Si Ilfins IiHI-HA >.i "
1«,1
,1 *
in
^--^ii sii-j li^^ianious name of
tt
Stop!" 6he hastily inierruplcd ^ 'Mhc
M ML I
64
gerret yoii are going to reveal properly belong!
to my fiiiber, aod from him ulune inusi 1 leain
it."
" True, replied Smoloff, in a tone of enthusi-
astic adiuiralion, " since \()u are the very soul
of honour, and your delicacy appears to have
been boi n with you."
Elizabeth interrupted his effusions, by en-
rpiiiing, when he would give her the informa'
lion necessary for her expedition ?
" 1 will do so as soon as poj^sible : but it is a
matter which requires consideration, since I
can hardly 8uppo"»e, Elizabetli, that you will
ever be able to traverse (h^ '2,(K)0 miles, which
divide the circle of Ischimska from the province
ofjngria, alone, on foot, and unprovided with
money."
" Ah !" exclaimed Elizabeth, bending be*
fore the altar, " He who has inspired me with
a wish to succour my parents, will not abandoa
me."
Afrer a short pause, Smoloflf resumed : " At
all events, you cannot think of undertaking
such a journey before the long days of sum-
mer : indeed it would be absolutely impracti-
cable, since, in a few weeks more, you would
not be able to proceed, even in a sledge, across
the marshy damp forests of Siberia, which will
be, ere then, completely inundated. But 1
will see you again in a few days, Elisabeth 5
■■mi
I
l)e]()rv^i
1 leain
enthusi-
ery soul
to have
by en-
n forma'
it is a
since I
on will
, which
province
led with
ling be*
me with
Eibandun
1 : " At
er taking
of sum-
[npracti-
1 would
e, across
lich will
But 1
itabtth 5
65
I ^IkiII ihcn l)c nhlo to i^ivc yo\i my real opiuiou
coiiccrnii)^- ihii piojccf, which lias bulh in-
fected and surprised inc to such a (ic^-rce, that
J am iucapahlu at [ircrcnt of lurinint^- a sound
.iudiTiiKiit icsjKcfing it. I uiU return to 'I'o-
bolbkoi, to consult my father J he is one of the
best of nicn, since, believe mc, the situation (f
liie e\iita woiihl be much more miseiable,
wcie he not i^'overm-r of this district ; anil nt)
ofje is more capable of justly valuitii; a noble
action ; hi* duty to hi^ soveieian may intlctd
prevent him fi(!m alfuidini^ you any a>.-i?taiiCe,
but I am ready »<- jhdi^v my honour, lliat sJ
far from pun^hin^;, your taih»r ior having
^ivcn e>:)stenc( ?') a .'aughter so virluou^•, he
would glory in !,;nii)t; uch n child. Jilizabeth,
forgive my presumption ; but, against my will,
1 leel myself obligcj to «;pen Uiy iieai t \u
you — though I am sensible timt >ou aie not
nt piesenl in a frame of mind to rciurn my
regard; but should the day arrive when )otr
p.uents, happy and restored to their native
country, shall no longer reipnre youj- heroic
exertions, msy J ho])e that )ou will lecollcct,
that in the.e dcoerts, bmololf saw and adored
you : and that he would have preferred a li(b
of obscurity and poverty with Klizabeth ia
exile, to becoming the favourite of his monaich,
if doomed to reside at a distance fiom her?'*
He vioidd hav^ «ni/l nwu ..
D2
i
*».
^j-,-i
hi
^
66
utterance. Ho was amazed at this excess of
emotion. Never before had lie given way to
such weakness, but then, never before had he
really loved.
Kliz:iljeili Imd reniained motionless during his
une>c()eeted declaration. Indeed, ihe idea of
any besides filial love was to her &o new, that
she searcely understood his nicanini!;. Possibly
she would have been Icbs surprised, had her
heart been more at eaaC. Had her parents b^ea
hapjiv, then she nngiit have leiurned Smolotf's
fervent love j and even now she fell, that were
thev, as he had pietured, to be restored to
their native country, «nd to be happy, she might
then love him, from whose assistance .^he
Ikoped to derive such benefit j but, while tliey
remained in afliietion, she was convinced that
they alone would keep possession of her
heart.
She had, it is knownr, never mixed in society,
of course she was a sti anger to its forms and
customs; nevertheless, that innate sense of de-
corum which is ever the attendant upon real
viitue, taught her no longer to remain alone
with a man, who had presumed to make her a
decla:ation of lovcj she was preparing, in con-
6equent;e, to leave the chapel, when SmolofF,
pereeivinij: her design, said — "Elizabeth, have
1 offended you ? Believe me — nay, ' call iipoa
Heaven lo witness my assertion, that the respect
C7
cc^ss of
way to
had lie
ling his
idea of
w, that
Fussibly
had her
its b'-ea
;ii()h)tl"s
itU were
lived to
e might
ace .^he
iile tliey
ced that
of her
society,
rms and
ie of de-
pon real
in alone
[c lier a
in con-
SmoU)ff,
h, have
all upon
e respect
I feel for you ii as o-reat as my love. Indeed,
ueie yotnoconitn.trid it, never more would f
j»resume to Hcldiess you upon the subject •
tiuTih>rc, suii'Ay you cannot tlel offended it my
havuig nivolLin!;uily levealcd to you the feelings
ot inv hear?. " °
" You have not offbnded mo." she calmly re-
plied ; - but as I catne hither merely to inform
you wlvdi 1 have in contemplation for the relief
of my parents, having done so, 1 can have no-
thing more to say : I am therefore Koinff (o re-
join them," ° °
" Far be if from we to prevent you from ful-
tilimgyour duty, ii^comparable girl : indeed I
mcanio devote myself wholly to your service
that you may be aide to accomplish the heroic
project you have formed." h. then promised
to give her. on the following Sunday, at Saim-
Ka, all ihemstructionsand observations, which
might prove useful to her, during her ioumey
After which they separated, each looking for-
ward with eager expectation to their next
meeting,
^ At last, Sunday again dawned, and Elizabeth
joyfully am)m})anied her mother to Sa.mka •
her mipatience to see Smoloff again, havint? in-
creased from this short delay, as she felt ex-
tremely anxious to receive the information
which might accelerate her departure. But
the service ended without Smoloff havi,.«. r„.,i^
.•'timjiiimnTi
f*-S
(5S
his appearance ; she thcrcl'ure grew uneasy, nnd
while liLT mother continued prayings t^lie en-
quired of anold wtnnan near her, whether IVI.
de SnioU:)ll' was in church ?
** No/' replied ilie a^ed matron, *' he left
Saimka two days a^o for TKboMiui."'
Elizabeth was dismayed, ahblie bcemcd doom-
ed to be disappointed at the very moment when
she had hoped all her douljty an<l feaib would l)e
removed j and now a thousand ditieront ttnor^
assailed her : since Smololl had left hainiUa
without remembering hid promise, whnt reason
had she to suppose that he would rLinember it at
Tobolskoi ; and admithni; tluU he did, how could
he contrive to give her the widu;d for informa-
tion. These thoughts haunted her all day, and
at night J oppregsed by sorrow and di^apj.oini-
ment (vvhick fche felt the more from having; no
one to whomshe could cornmuo'caio lur dib res.»,
having on the contrary, exerted all hrr <'nei^y
to conceal it from the observation of her pa-
rents,) she retired early to lier linl« room, ihat
she might, free fiom restraint, give a loobc to
her tears.
No sooner had she quitted the room, than
Phedora, drawing her seat nearer to her hns-
band, said—" Do you participate in ii»e un-
easiness which disturbs my peaee ? Have >ou
remarked the alteration which has i;.Uen place
:» ..■••• VnTaKofl^ f «at;pn in niir in i-<pr>('r«. shi' t>:
r
'asy, nnd
t.lie eri-
etlier M.
' he left
}d (loom-
nt when
would he
it It rn'i'i
at lea-son
luber it at
OVV CDllld
infcnua-
day, and
i:)a|»j/uint-
avin^ no
r dib lebSj
t r <'neii;y
f her pa-
om, (iiat
loobe to
oiTj, than
her hub^
U»e uii-
Have >(ni
Ucn place
•--7 •»*-- —
I
ۤ
absent and tmeaay ; the name of Sinoloflf height-
ens her colour, and his absence affects her.
This morning at church, her eyes wandered on
all sides ; and I hear J her enquire whether
Smoloff was at Saimka, and perceived her tura
as pale as death upon being informed he was
{;one to Tobolskoi. Oh ! Stanislaus, I well re-
member, that during those happy days which
preceded our union, I also changed colour when
your name was pronounced in my hearing ;
my eyes also sought you in every place, and
filled with tears when they did so in vain. I
am theref<fre convinced, that these are symp-
toms of no transient attachment. How, then,
can I remark them in my Klizabeth without
dread ? Alas ! she is not destined to be happ?
like hermoiher.**
"Happy?" retorted Springer, in an accent
of bitterness, " happy in a desert, and in
exde,
" Yes, in a desert, in exile— in every place
where 1 am blest with the society of him I
Jove," replied Phedora, pressing his hand to
her hps ; but soon resuming her former subject,
she said, " I fear my Elizabeth loves young
Smoloff; and beautiful as she certainly is, ho
wdl only consider her in the li^ht of thedaugh-
ter of a poor exile, and perhaps disdain her
aftection ; mv child, mv onTvphJi/i «i.:)i ^.»:.^
1* -#^ii
With grief when bhc finds her lo
ve 80 ill r»"
if # i'
quitcd.
Tears prevented her from proceed-
ing, and even the society of her husband, (
which had consoled her, under all her own af-
flictions, could not remove the fears she enter-
tained for her daughter's future happiness.
Springer, after a few nnoments* retiecfion.
thus replied — " Phedora my beloved, be com-
forted. I have likewise studied our Eliza-
beth, and, perhaps, 1 am better acquainted
with what is passins: in her soul. Another
idea, and not that of SmolofF, entiiely engrosses
it. Of this 1 am convinced j and i am also
certain, that were we even to olfcr her to
Smoloff, he wooid not disdain the gift, even
in this desert ; and hie present regard for her
will render him deserving of her, if ever
— *— ^ and I trust the time will arrive. Eliza-
beth will not always remnin secluded in this
desert J her virtue is not doomed to waste it-
self in obscurity ; she was not born to be mise-
rable. So much goodness upon earth, is a
proof of the justice of Heaven, and sooner or
later it will be still further manifested."
This was the first time since his exile, that
Springer had givinwayto hope respecting the
future J Phedora therefore conceived the most
pleasing presages from this circoinslancej and
feeling reassured by what he had Haid, s\\^
went to rejjf wiih her usual composure.
1 proceed -
husband,
icr own at*.
she enter-
iness,
leHecfion,
1, bt eom-
)ur Eliza-
acquainted
Another
y engrosses
1 am also
fcr her to
gift, even
rd for her
\ if ever
^e. Eliza-
led in this
o waste it-
lo be mise-
arth, is a
sooner or
exile, that
ecling tho
i the most
lance J and
said, she
m
Dmln^v tlie ensuing two months. EHzabeth
went evei y Sunday to Saimka. in the hope of
seeini; Sinolul]'; but vain were her exj)ectalions,
since l»c never appeared ; and at fa'st she learnt
by chance that he had left Tobolskoi. All
her h'^po5 no;v vanished, for she no longer
doubted his having entirely forgotten her: and
frequently this idea occasioned her floods of
bitter tears: but the purest innocence could
not have reproached her with her iorrow,
since it wa$ not occasionpd by unrequited
Jove.
Towards the end of April, the snow began ta
yield to the rays of the sun, and a verdant
shade to dilfuse itself over the sandy is-
lands of the lakes. The white blossoms of
the thorn quickly covered its boughs, resem-
bling flakes of newly-fallen snowj while the
blue-buddyd campanella, the downy mothwort,
and the iri:<, whose pointed leaves rije perpendi-
cularly, enamelled the ground around its roots.
The blackbirds came down in flocks upon the
naked trees, and were the first to interrupt the
mournfuUiience of winter; sometiaiea a beau-
tiful Persian duck, of a rose colour, with a
tufted head and ebony beak, was seen B])octing
on the banks or surface of the lake; (this bird
utters the most lamentable cries when aimed at
by a sportsman, although his aim misses :) and
wooCiCucris Oi variuus &|iecies, auuie Olack with
yellow bcaki, othm of a hrown colour, with
long legs, and a j>ile of feathers round ihcir
K-!.\u^" '";'^''y ^'''"^' ^^^ "»^^shv grounds,
or hid themselves among the rushes. All nat.ue,
in fine, announced an earlv spring f.,i fherli
iiiate; and Elizabeth fores^ein,^ ^U she .houM
Jose were she to suflf;.r a ye^ir ,n f\,vourable
for h^ expedition to dap5>e, torm^d a hold rr-
solution of iindertnking lier proposed journev,
unas8iste4by the advice of any one, trusting
for its 8ucce.-„ to |i,aven and her own cou-
rage.
^ One morning, while Sprlnprer t^ns f^inplovid
m digging his garden, Eli^a uih, who wa«J iir.
Ung near him, regarded him in siicnce. He
ma^tA yet confided to her the secret of his
m^^^cmmi's. Indeed she no longer .ought his
co^^Jence: asorr of delicate pride had arisen
IB her soul, which had made her desirous of
remaming in ignorance of the rank in i.fe
^'h.ch h<r parents had held, till ihe moment of
her departure J she had therefore resolved not
to enquire from what height they had fallen,
till she could say, in answer to the r com-
munications, " I am going to solieit that par-
don, which, if granted, u ill restore to you ail
you have tost." Tillnov., she had dwelt upon
the pronnses of Smoloff. as on them she had
founded her reasonable hoprs of g„ccc ss : but
Ihw support haviuft laded hci. her .un^mn^
1^
>nr, wiih
Jnd thLir
g^()^Jnc^^,
1 nature,
the r!i-
le 'ihoahi
vour&L'le
journey,
trusting,
was sii-
ce. He
t of Ms
ught Ilia
1 ari-en
irons of
in life
nent of
k'ed not
fallen,
C(»n^-
at pnr-
you all
It upon
he had
►.X ; but
73
before, however '^^ """'"", '° h«'' ^'hcr:
-flee.;, "„;r;'„re TZt VV'UT
well aware sh^cesr.i-i'"^^'"""''^! 'he was
at .hem a^d she r. win ''''•"'"''' '"''™''«
tenderness of Z ^arem ' wo"uir:' "''" ""^
gerale ,hen>. What answrr" conM" K*"^"
lalhor ought she make mTi*" ^ *''*' w
I heir intreaties a^d ne ha.^ ,h'""°""''^""'^'
What must she say shonlH .K ' ™'»"«'"'ls >
that the pleasure of rev ,U n^ tt'^ ''.'"'" ''^'•'
«ry. coulll not com,.erte',Temfo? «:%?""-
they would suffer durino- .hi 1 "® *'^"»
child ? ForgeluL r 1^ the absence of ihcir
that her fa"hfr WM 'near i k"" "flections,
whilst she fell upon her knee, ''1'"^ '"'» "=«'».
Almighty to erant h7r cmS^- ' '" ""l''°""« 'he
enahfe h^r to Se'lf^ :^:t:^<l-- »»
Springer, who heard her soto t,,"rn.j t
t-ly, and running towards her raised S r*"""
the ground, asking- "Elizal^rhlu^"'^"'"
matter? what has befallei vo^?',T,'"" " !''«
has occasioned this burst ,.^f \'°^ "'''at
fnable to console you , 'may TZ', *"?'' '^
my tears with yours " ^ ^'^' """S'e
Oh?
TTIA r><k 1
.!!^ ^^*^^'''" '^^ i-eplied, -detain
acquainted mih
"'"' *"«bC* neie: jou are
74
I
(■II
lliillW(
11
my wishes ; suffer me, therefore, to depart,
since 1 teel as if called upon from Heaven."
She was internipted by the young Tar-
tarian, their attendant, who running towards
tiien», cried, ** M. de Smoloff— M. de Suiolotf
15 wiihin.
Elizabeth uttered a scream of joy. Seiz-
ing her father's hand, she pressed it to her
heart exclaiming — *' 1 hope you are now
convinced, that mine is a call from above,
since the Omnipotent has sent him who will
open the road for me, and remove every ob-
stacle. Oh ! my father^ your daughter will
yet be able to break the chains which retain
you a prisoner."
Without waiting for an answer, sheficw to see
Smoloff. In her way towards the house, she
met her mother, whom she seized by the
arm j and, after embracing her, cried—
" Let us go in — he is returned ^M. de Smoloff
it within."
Upon entering the cottage, they perceived a
gentleman, about fifty years of age^ in regi-
mentals, who was surrounded by several other
officers. The mother and daughter, in silent
amaze, made a sudden stop.
This is M. de Smoloff, said the young Tar-
tarian.
At these words, all Elizabeth's newly-raised
hopes were a second time destroyed. She turnwu
paie, and her eyes filled with teara.
to depart,
ven."
lung Tar-
^ towards
de Siiiolotf
joy. Seiz-
it to her
are now
)m above,
1 who will
every ob-
ghter will
Wich retain
' flew to see
house, she
id by the
r, cried —
de SmolofF
perceived a
?^ in regi-
veral (Jther
"j in silent
'oung Tar-
ewly-raised
She tuiii«u
75
terWon' shocked nt the exoo... of her dau^.h-
real i ' ' Vh'^^^^^\^^rs.U Ucror. Ikv, t<, con-
wonI,r'n,T''.^7"r' oWrvaiion, and ha,.,;
Moicd her dan-htcr to her former serenil v of
lis suiie, sad, turninij towards S|,.i„.re,_
a r, su.ce the court of Russia .Icomedtnr^
Hent to condemn yot. .o banishn.en , -hi ii M e
h.st .„ne I have visited thi. reniot^ 3,0 and
my duty H now rendered pleasintr, since it nf
ords n,e an opportunity of testiff nJT„%'J f
ustnous an exile, how sincerely / fjel for hi'
misfortunes, and how deeply 1 reZJ n I
q^e..on I should otherwise so gl.j.y
*' I expect nothing from men Sir •• nr.i n
replied Springer, -I wish n^ ^r "h'eir com'
~nd:;d".' •"•'" r"""S f"'"> "^^'r jus-
tice , indeed, I rejoice that my misfortunes have
-' rena"l''„f ?'^"'=-^ ''°"' ""-'■"' -»^e 1-t
-nr.hetersens.'"^''''^''^^'-"^-"'-'
.J,',i^\^'^'i"'!'"'P/'^.'' the governor, with
you should live an exile trumlL country ■" '""
im
76
*' I should be still more to be pitied/' re-
|)licd Spi ingir, *' were I doomed to <lie in exile."
Jie paused, for had he fc.iid another word,
he rnig^^ * ive shed a tear; and ihe illustrious
si'.fferej ',v. ' to appear supeiior to his mis-
fort unr.s.
Elizabeth, concealed behind her mother,
timidly stole a glance at the governor, anx-
ious to discover whf^thp" his countenance was
indicative of sr.i.icient goodness of heait, to
induce her to discloho her project to him. Thus
the fearful dove, before it ventures to leave its
nest, raises its head among ihe surrounding
leaves, to consider whether the appearance of
the sky promises a serene day.
The governor remarked, and immediately
guessed who she nas j his son had oticn men-
tioned her to hin), and the portrait he had
drawn was too faiiht'ul a resemblance t Eliza-
beth, to admit of his father's mistaking he r for
ai :)ther. ** Young lady," said lie, *' my son
has frequently mentioned you to me j you Ik \e
made an impression on his mind, that lime will
never efface."
" Did he tell you, Sir, Oiat she is indebted
to ki ^ for the lif of a father?" hastily inter-
rupteu Pheuora.
" No, Madam," was the reply :" but he
told mc hjw eager 'he was u devote hers to
her father and you.'
Ml/' re-
1 exile,
word,
ustriotjs
[)id mib-
motber,
►r, anx-
ice was
leait, to
. Thus
leave its
Durtdin^
'ante of
tediately
n njcii-
lie had
i' Eiiza-
; 111 r for
my sua
ou iu ve
iiuc will
ndcbtcd
ly inter-
but lie
hu's tu
:|
" I have Tone: kno v that she was," rejoined
Sl)nnp:er; ''and her alUctionafe regard is the
only blcssin- we have now left, the only one
or whic'li manliind has nut been able to de-
prive us."
The governor turned aside to conceal his
emotion, and after a short pause, again ad
dressing Elizabeth-" Young lady j two months
ago. njy son, who was then at Sai.iika, received
an order from Hie Emperor to rejoin the army,
then assembling in Livonia. He was obliged
to obey immediately ; but before his departuie,
he conjured me to send a letter to you: that
was impossible, as I could not, consistent with
my duty, dispatcl. a messenger with it j 1 could
only deliver it my.elf-and now his commission
shall be executed," presenting her with a letter
which she received with a blushing counte-
nance j whde the governor, perceiving the sur-
prise of her father and mother, exclaimed,
Blessed are the parents from whom a daugh-
ter conceals only such secrets." He then re-
called his attendants, and in their presence
»'id to Springer,—" Sir, the C(.mmands of my
t ' reign still prevent me from allowing you to
reeeiv my one here; nevertheless, if anv poor
niissionaries, (who, I am informed, mus Aoss
these deserts on their return from the froniiera
«f Unna,) shot' : Knock at your d. w beg a
iiJgui'a lodging, you are permitled to ceive
i>
it
i
78
l-l<'!H
iheni," So saying, after taking a polite leave,
th<? governor departed.
Klizabeth remained with her eyes fixed upon
the letter she held in her hand/ not daring lo
Oj)en it.
''My child," said Springer, "if you are
waiting for your mother's and my permission to
read your 'ctter, you have it "
With a trembling hand Elizabeth broke the
seal , and as she read it to herself, she made
frequent exclamations of gratitude and joy,
when, having at last finished it, she threw her-
self into the arms of her parents, saying —
" The moment is arrived — every eircuiustance
contributes to favour my enterprise j Heaven
approves and blesses my intentions ; surely,
therefore you will not refuse me your appro-
bation, my dear father and mother."
Springer shuddered at this forcible appeal to
his feelings, being perfectly aware of the in-
tention to which she alluded ; while Phedora
who had not the least suspicion of her meaning,
exclaimed — *' What means this mystery ? what
arc the contents of that letter?" Making a
motion to take it, her daughter ventured to de-
tain it — " Forgive me, my dear mother, but I
am fearful of speaking before you ; you have
not yet guessed what 1 would say, and the
dread of your terror disheartens me j it is now
the only impediment 1 fear, and I know no^
h\
i leave,
(1 upon
it'ini^ to
foil arc
ssion to
oke the
(' made
id joy,
ew her-
iying—
[ft stance
Heaven
surely,
appro-
ppeal to
the in-
.^hedora
caning,
? what
iking a
1 to de-
, but I
u have
,nd the
is now
QW nu^
79
how (o oUviate it. Stifler me to explain my.elf
now to my father only-you are noi prtparcd
ai he IS. • *
•'No, my child," interrupted Sprint^er, "do
not separate us-do net that, which neither
exile nur nnsfortune has been able to do. Come
lo my heart, my Phedora j and should your
courage tail you while listening to what your
daughter has lo say, may mine sustain your
droopmg spirits." ^
Phedora, terrified and dismayed, felt that
she was threatened by some dreadful misfortune,
but without guessing from what cause it was to
proceed; she, therefore, replied, in a tone of
alarm— "Stanislaus, what is it you mean?
Have not I endured wi:h fortitude every reverse
of fortune? therefore, what reason have you
to fear that my fortitude should forsake me
MM rfv''?^ ^° ^''' ^^^^^ her husband and
child. VVifh such beloved objects on either
side of me, 1 am prepared to brave the worst
that fate can have in store for me.*'
Klizubeth wished to reply; her* mother would
not listen to her. " My child," exclaimed she,
m a tone of anguish, " ask me to lay down
my life for you, in preference to requiiing me
to consent to our separation." ,
These words were a convincing proof, that
she now guessed her daughter's intention; of
■/u
idaK or reve;
£ 3
aung u to her wad
80
spared Klizabeth: but to induce her to con-
sent to her departure, appeared an urideriaking
so arduous, that even the sanguine hopes of
our heroine were daunted ; balhed in tears and
participating in her mother's agitation, she
could only uiter, in broken accents—" My
dear mother, if, to insure the happiness of my
lather, I were to request you would spare me
for some days."
"iP^ * "^' ' could not spare you for one day,
much less for several. What happiness could
be worth purchasing at such a price ? Oh !
«eaven, do not sutler her to persevere in her
demand."
These words entirely subdued the courage
ot Jilizabeth. Unable, therefore to solicit
that consent, which her afflicted mother was so
averse to grant, she presented the letter she had
received from the governor of Tobol&koi to her
father, making him a sign to read it. He took
|f* and throwing his arm round his wife, say-
mg-.<' never shall you be deprived of this sup-
port, he read aloud the following lines, in a
jaltermg voice, which had been written at To-
Dolbkoi by young Smoloti; two months before :
1
" 'I'he greatest concern I cxprrienced upon
leavmi!: Saimka. Elizaheth.
!1 !'/><.<> I r/tiii t i\
to con-
lerlakinp;
hopes of
tears and
ion, she
s—'* My
!ss of my
spare me
one (lay,
!ss could
e? Oh!
re in her
coiirag^e
o solicit
T was 60
: she had
31 to her
He took
'ife, say-
this sup-
les, in a
n at To-
before :
81
od upon
tKu ir>k_
5 SS'_ Slii —
possibility of informing you, that
fiihie duty occasioned
an ind
since I C(Hild|neirhe
;
niy ahrijpt depa
Jspcn.
-r wait upon you, „(„
rtiire
send
itliOUl
you ,l,e inslr^etioiis y,,„ „,... ,.,,uesie,l, x,Uhon,
lerjiapsmy u,»h lo oblige j,.u niiiclit have iif
duced me to fail in n.y du.y towards h n ,ai
f not been f.,r .be exan.,,le you have *bew ,' „ e
b,,, after having so lately learnt from y„u ho\i
much ,s due 10 a parent. I could „„i expose
he hfe of mine. I „,ust, however, acC
ledge, that my duly «as ,.ot, like y^ur' ' er
fo medw„h pleasure; since I returned o Tn'
m t'he'I ''ifarf '' '''''' ^""^ ' '-- i"
fromihrpl ' '"/"""T'ence of a mandate
to a niaoe 7","'"' ^r' '^''"'^«'' immediately
to a place nearly a thousand miles distant r
am upon the eve of my departure, an-fyoa'ate
cinate if 1 r r '■'"' ""^^ J""" «''°"'d ^"i- Par i-
uaimed Mi.r '^^"'>^'-' ' '.'"^^ brought him ac-
listen.W ! .r" ' "'"^ '"=' '^'"' flow"! while
I'senmg to the leciti.I of your umiect i
be leve he ivill ,.! •• .u ,y""'^ pioject. i
•his vpar M ■ '' ""^ '='"'« °f l»chimsU
..„ . J,?^'/, ^''P'-'^.^'y '» see you ; i„ the inlerin..
"""y "^ ''" 'i""'g so rather consules me
7W
' V"
82
^i.J.
,!
a KB
for my dej)artiuc, iflncc 1 leave you under the
i)iolection of my t;itlier. Do not, liowevcr, I
' • .11. r 1 • .,_ t;:i.^.;,. f;il .>,.f
Will present you to Uic iimpcror, i win ou juur
i;u'dvd (lurin!; such a journey. Do not tear my
ag;iin aiMressin^^ you in the language of love—
1 will merely be your IVicnd, your brother ; and
if I serve you with all the fervour which that
})assion in^^pircs, I swear never to address
you but iu the language of innocence and friend-
bhi|)."
Underneath was the following postscript,
written by the governor himself:
" No, virtuous Elizabeth, my son must not be
vonr guide) not that I entertain any doubts of
his honour, but your's must be placed beyond
the reach of suspicion. When, upon reaching
the court of Russia, you shall exhibit a degree
of virtue too heroic not to be crowned with suc-
cess, the breath of envy must not whisper that
you were conducted thither by your lover, and
thus tarni^-^h the noblest instance of filial piety
that will ever have been displayed to the world.
In your present situatiin, theie aie no protec-
tors worthy to i^uide your innocence but
Heaven and vour^athui your father cannot
accompany you, but Heaven will not forsake
you : Keligioa will send you htr aia ; smciu
S5
ndcr the
wevor, I
till my
n a year,
urgh i I
1 be your
tear my
if love —
icr 5 and
lich tliat
address
idfiiend-
3btscripf,
st not be
loubts of
beyond
reaching
1 degree
vith buc-
sjier that
ver, and
ial piety
le world.
) proitc-
nce but;
' cannot
, forsake
yourself, therefore, under her guidance Yo.,
know to whom I have given permission o emer
yoMrdwellmg. In entru.ting you with Xll
dncetnms, 1 render you the m/ster of 1 !
tniy, smce, were this letter to be made publ c
were .t known that I had favoured your depart ue'
my rum wouhl be inevitable ; but I am not everx'
uneasy, as I know in whom I confide, and wim
Oiay be expected from the honour and heroi n
Whde finisning (his letter. Springer's voice
became stronger, and more animated, as he
g oned m the virtues of his daughter, and in
the admuation they excited ^ but her tender
mother could only think of her departuie •
pale, motionless, and unable to weep she re-
garded her daughter in silence, then raised her
eyes to Heaven.
,, ^J'"j'»t>eth fell upon her knees before them—
^ulK'r me, my uear parents, to address you
m Ihii postuie: no attitude can be too humble
for her who solicits the greatest blessing, and
1 aspne to that of restoring you to liberty, to
happiness, and to your country. For mor**
than a year this has been ihe object of mv
londejt hopei. The season for it amiroachfi.
S4
Surely you will not forbid my makinc^ the at-
tempt. If tliti'c 13 a blessing [greater than the
one I entreat, refuse me this, you have my
consent^ but if there is not ." Agitated
and trembling, her voice failed her; and by
looks and motions of the most earnest sup.
plication alone, could she finish her prayer,
Springer placed his hands upon her head
without speaking; while her mother exclaimed
— "Alone! on foot! without help! Oh! no,
I cannot, I cannot,*'
" My dear mother," eagerly rejoined Eli-
zabeth, *^ do not, 1 beseech you, oppose my
wish ; you would not, I am sure, if you knew
how long I have indulged it, and all the conso-
lation I have derived from it. As soon as my
reason allowed me to comprehend the cause of
your unhappiness, I resolved to dedicate my
life to the removal of it. Blessed was the day
on which I conceived the design of liberating
my father — blessed the hope which supported
me when I saw you weep. Long fcince, when
witnesbing your silent sorrow, I should have
been overwhelmed with affliction, had I not
hoped that 1 might one day have it in my power
to repair your misfortunes. If you deprive me
of this hope, in which all my thoughts center,
J shall no longer attach any value to my exist-
ence, and my dayh ill linger away in deapon-
deace» Oh! pardon me for grieving you.
il
85
ft:-
e conso-
No, if yon forbid my depart ilro, I tihall not
flic, since my death would be an additional
source of allliction to you j hut I trust you will
not oppose njy liappiness. Do not tell me that
wjjat I propose is impracticable, since my
heart assures me that it j|-^[iai. I shall find
St length to sustain me when going to claim the
justice of the Kmperor, and eloquence sufii-
cicnt to make my demand. Nothing will
daunt me; neither sufferings nor contempt,
neilh-r the dazzling splendour of the court, nor
the awful brow of majesty. I fear nothing
but your refusal."
*' Cease, my dear Elizabeth, pray cease," in-
terrupted Springer ; " my ideas are quit« con-
fused. Never before did my soul shrinl: from
a noble action, never before was I assailed by
tirtue too heroic, for its strength to bear. I
did not think myself weak 3 you have made me
ftel that 1 am so, since i cannot consent to
your wishes."
Encouraged by this refusal, Phedora, taking
lier daughter's hand between her'3, said—
" Listen to me, Elizabeth. Since your father
acknowledges his weakness, you must excuse
your mother's not having more strength of
n^ind ; forgive her not having sufficient resolu-
tion to grant you permission to display the ex.
cess of your virtue, Strange that a mother
fihould wish to ni event her child from aoin
i
r
,i"
'*
86
generous and nf)ble action ; but, rcnK'ntl)cr, I
only it'qucst, I do not command you to be Itss
excel !eiir, since you are possessed of too mucU
good sense and understanding, to Jcccive hence-
foiih any c(;mmands but from the diciatts of
your own heart,"
I shall ever Consider your commands as
((
sacred, niy dear nnnlier. Should \ou de?ire
me to remain heie, 1 hope I shall have reioiu-
lion enough to obey vviiluml lejiiningj but
suffer me to hnpe that my scheme will yet re-
ceive your a=j«ent ; it is nol the rcMdt of a mo-
ment of enthu-.iasm, but of the reflection of
inarjy years ; it l»as reason, as well as affection,
for iis foundaiion. Does there exist any other
means of rescuing my father from exile ? Dur-
intr the twelve years that you have languished
1
/hat friend I
ndertaken h
jubt ill ca-
tion j and were there one that dare do it, would
he say as much as 1 should ? would he be in-
sti^raied by motives similar t« mine ? Oh ! no
Sutler liie, therefore, to im ulge the hope, that
Heaven has reserved for youj- only child, the
blessing of restoring you to happiness 3 and
do not oppose the august mi:;sion which heaven
has deigned to confide to her. What is there
60 alaruung in the enterpiiser surely not my
temporary absence. Have not 1 heard you
lament, that your exile forbids you the hope of
be»l©wins "^^ '" mariiage r and would not a
inil)cr, I
[) be Itss
)o Hill ell
u iiencc-
Mxlm of
lands as
I de^i^e
; re?oIu-
5 3 but
yet rc-
f a mo-
'tion of
[feet ion,
y other
? Dur-
guished
Ubtifica-
, would
be in-
! no —
)e, that
hi, the
s ; and
heaven
3 there
lot my
rd you
nope of
not a
87
hu^^bnnt! have «!oj)ajnted me from you entirely .^
and as for danger, in my opinion, none exists :
the winters of ihi-? climate have* iiiuitd me to
)f th
h
d th
the utmost hl^
daily exercise I have taken in these plains, has
|)rcpared me for the fatijj^ue of a lonij: journey.
is il my yoiith whiel) alarms you ' It will j)r(rve
my support — every one is anxious to afford the
weak assistance J hut perhaps you diead njy
inexj)eriei/.e J in reply to tliai ohjeciion re-
member, accordinj^ to tlu^ guvciiior's letter, I
shall not be alone; he has peiniitted a poor
missionary to pul our hospiiality to the test,
for the sole purpose of alfoniini; uje a ^;ui(le
and a proleclor; of couise evtiy danger, evt-ry
ohstacle is removed j nothing is wauling but
your consent and your blessing;."
** And you must bet^ your bread!" exclaimed
Sprin£2;er, in a tone of poi^rnant distress. ** The
aneesiors of yoiu" mother, who formerly reii^ned
in thcie countries, and mine, who were seated
on the throne of Poland, will, fiom above see
the heiress of their name bef^g^in^^ her daily
bread, while traversin*^ that Ktissia, which has*
rendered their kiuijdouis provinces dependant
upon her empire."
" If such is the royal blood which flows in
my veins," replied L]li/.ubeth, in accents of
modest surprise, *' if 1 am a descendant of
ifi
ill
him
» - "55
4>tX<>^-> Ui
Kwt t k ,
tt*y'/> #>l<<>ll)>tC l\«l
(i'f'ir>i>il i l>
»f.
mih
. i
^rows of my forcfalhrrs, I hope fo piove
myself worthy both of them and you, since
never will I dishonour Ihe illustrious name they
have transmiited to nic. Tuvtrty cannot do it.
Why should the descendant of the Seids and of
Sobieska blush to have recourse to the charity
of her fellow creatures r How many great men,
precipitated from the hei^'ht of human grandeur
have implored it for themselves ! Happier than
they, I shall only implore it in the t,ervice of
my father."
The noble firmness of this young heroine,
the degree of pious pride which sparkled in her
eyes at the thought of humbling herself for
her parent's sake, gave to her dieeourse such
strength, and such authority, that Springer
could no longer oppose her design 5 he felt he
had no right to prevent his daughter from dis-
playing her heroic virtue; indeed, he should
have conceived himself culpable in detaining
her in the obscurity of a desert : — " Oh ! my
beloved," he cried, tenderly pressing the hand
of Phedora, '' shall we condemn her to end
her days here unknown ? shdll we deprive her
of the happy prospect of being the mother of
children resembling herself? Rouse your
courage, my Phedora; and since this will be
the only means oi restoring her to her rank in
society, let us g.rant her the pei mission she
solicits."
If
S9f
The fee]ine:s of \ho niolhcr, bnwvor, for
the moment, trimiiplRd over those of tlie wife,
a'»i|, for the first time, Phedora presumed to
retjist the iiioat •'■icied of hiiinan authorities:
No, no, nevc will I accede to her wishes—
even you, Stanislaus, will intreat in vain; 1
shall even have the courage to refuse you.
What, would you have me expose the life of
rny child ? Would you have me consent to my
Elizabeth's departure, at the ri=k of hearing;
on some future day, that she had perished wit If
cold and famine in a frightful desert ?' Can
such a request be made to a mother? Oh!
Stanislaus, ought you to have taught me that
there are sacrifices, which I cannot make,
even to oblige you, and sorrows, for which
even you could not console me ?" While
thus speaking, her tears no longer flowed ;
indeed the anguish of her mind was beyond
description.
Springer, unable to endure the sight of her
distress, said—*' My child, if your mother
cannot consent, you must not go."
"Surely not j therefore, if you desire it,
mother, I will remain liere," said Elizabeth, em-
bracing her with the utmost tenderness j " you
shall ever find me obedient to your will j but
perhaps the Almighty may inspire you with suf-
ficient courage to sulTcr me to depart, let us
Jogeiher impioie iiiui lu cniighien our minds
m
I-
fj
M
oo
ii'<;
1
respecting: tlje conduct we ou^Hit to pur«i>f,
since from him proceed all our good lesoluiiuna,
and Uam him unly can we learn subansaiou to
his <le(rees."
Pljedora readily joined her (l.mghler in
prayer J and while addressing her ^Ijcaveniy
Father, tears came lo her rtliefi that piety,
which calms and softens humau alilictious, and
possesses itself of the heart, to chase from
thence all distressful feelings; that divine piety
which never prescribes a duty without pointing
out its recompence, and never fails to pour the
balm of consolation into the souls of those who
humbly invoke it, touched that of Ph.edora.
To obtain the applause and approbation of
men, the ambitious character, plating all it.
happiness iu glory, can leadily sacrilice cv n.
the tenderest affeciionsj but religion alono can
prescribe such a sacrifice to hearts like that of
Phedora, whose happ'ness centered solely iu
t.ht»->(. ahe loved.
On the following day, Springer being alone
W5?h his daughter, t.dd her the history of his
nnj^fortunesj he related to her the dreadful
wars which had desolated the kingdom of Poland,
and in what manner that nation had been at
last subverted.
*' 1 entered perhaps too warndy into the in-
terests of that distracted country • and exposed
myself to the suspicions of its eneiniee: and
I
llllinii.-),
siun to
ler in
;avenly
|>icry.
iSj and
J from
le piety
)ii)iing
)ur the
be who
iedoia.
ion of
ai! it:.
li t'V( n
ne can
thai uf
lely in
J alone
of his
readful
'oland,
tea at
he in-
X postal
s: and
91
gavfc too numerous opportunities to m ' rnemiep,
to injure iru by liieir private accusiu The
consequence of all va^ that, rhoui^h .vith the
blow! of r onarchs thu,ns; in mv vein , I have
been banished for life to Siberia. My adored
wife wodld not. abandon me; and, in accom-
pany intj me, s, he seemed to follow the dictates
of her heart, rather than those of her uufyj
even had I been condemned to linger out ex-
istence amidst the appalling gi»)onjy winter,
which continually reigns in (listrict of
Berezow, or amidst the undis d solitudes
of the lake Baikal, or those Oi vamtschatka.
she would not have forsaken m^' , in siiort, had
my destiny been rendered even ten limes more
miserable, my Phedora would still have proved
mycoi..oling angel j to her goodness, to her
piety, and to her generous sacrifice, I shall
ever believe I am indebted for my milder doom.
Oh! my child, evtry happy moment I have ex-
perienced, has been owing to your mother:
while, in return, 1 have associated her in my
misfortunes.''
'* Can hhe have been unhappy, my father,"
said Elizabeth, " since you have ever tenderly
loved her?"
In these words, Sprine:er recognized the heart
of Phedora, and perceived that Klizabeih, like
her mother, could live contented in banishment
With a hubbaiid she 1 ved. *' My child/' hu
us
1 1
\-
■^3 I
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rosumefl, returning- youni- Smoloff's letter,
which he had kept since the precedint- evening.
" should I one day, owing to your zeal and
courage, be restored to that rank and wealth,
which I no longer desire, but to replace you in
the bosom of posterity, this letter will re-
mind you of our benefactor. You possess
a grateful heart, Elizabeth, and the alliance
of virtue can never disgrace the blood of
royalty."
Elizabeth coloured, and taking the letter
from her father, placed it in her bosom, saying,
I shall ever cherish the remembrance of him
who pitied, loved, and did his utmost endea-
vours to serve you."
For some days, the departure of Elizabeth
was not mentioned j her mother had not yet
consented to her going; but the melancholy
ot her air, the dejection of her countenance,
were convincing proofs that the solicited
consent was in her heart, and that all hope
ot bemg able to oppose her pious intention had
forsaken her.
One Sunday evening, the family were as-
sembled at prayers, when a gentle knocking at
the door, as with a staff, disturbed them.
fcf)rmger opened it, and a venerable stranger
presented himself. ^
Phedora started up, exclaiming—" Oh !
Ileaven, this is he wliom we were taught to
loff's letter,
inij evening,
ur zeal and
and wealth,
place you in
ter will re-
You possess
the alliance
he blood of
: the letter
»om, saying,
ance of him
nost endea-
)f Elizabeth
lad not yet
melancholy
ountenance,
e solicited
at all hope
tention had
y were as-
^nockin^ at
'bed them.
)le stranger [
ig— '' Oh !
i taufirht to
93
child' ••' M ^T' /^ '^'^'''^^^ ™« of ,ny
teas; .Uutr'tl,!'' '"' '^^'^ ^^*^»^^^^ -
could not nduce 1 et In''"? '""" *^^^ ^''^^^
of God *° welcome the servant
pression of sorrow vi ibie Ln . • "' ^" ^''-
for it rnnruJr,o . f '^" ^"'^ colta»re
Wing •• ^ ' ^ """^ •" ^"'i"t a nights
Elizabeth hastened tofetchhicn a seat
Young maiden," said Hp 1. u
ea. y trod the patl.s of Virtue an^d^'n^Jr
S^- 'r '" ''"'".''" "f' have iWr;! ar L'e!
ninu. JHe was iro ny f*» cJh ^ .
"obs of Phedora'c L^'ght h ear ' n'" !*"=
himself to her-" Excellent n, h "^^\^'">S
vou wepi. ) I. . '^■''ce'ieiit niotjser, why do
Most H g . /' TJZ ' i'"^ *'"°"'*'l ''y 'he
bles,.d f£ K..A'?..'''°"1<I consider yoirself
„, ^„jui,uine touiiuoulirtof jiareutK.
4
94
If yon prneve so l.ittoMy b<?caute the call of
julue IS ],kely to separate you fiom your child,
lorashortt.me, what must be the allliction of
hose mothers who see their ufl.,„ii,g turn from
•»cm in consequence of their vices, and lost to
iiieni tor eternity ?"
" ^f» ^Father, should I never see her aeain,"
exclaimed the aillicted mother. ^
replied, m Heaven, which will l^e her inhe-
nrance; but I trust you will again meet in
this worlds the difficulties attending her un-
der ak.ng are great j but the Almighty will
lamb.'' "~ ''™^''' '^'^ ""'''^ to the shorn
nat^on"^"'^ ^owe<i her head in token of resig.
Springer had not yet spoken-his heart was
too oppressed to suffer him to utter a word j
and even lilizabeth, who had never before fel
her courage relax, began to be sensible of her
weakness. The animated hope of rendering
her from gnevmg a^ e idea of leaving them •
but now that the mome >t was ari^ived when .he
could say to her..lf-- To-morrow, I shaU no
I shall not receive the fond caresses of my
mother: and perhaps a year may elapse, ere I
«efi them retrain." ...... „u_ r ,. ^. , '*'i'='^' *^»^ *
o-"M "WW oiiw iwit uiat even the
.05
success nf h
^"^"^d tier fran , ', w ,""""'" "Si'a'ion ,,cr.
'f «liea,iy vou ,fj^,,„^ .'■ '^''•' '""id orphan.
Protecor if ar r fi^"'"". ?'""' '"'vards your
l'""o.l vine, where ^!li^ you" H„d";,'" ""'"''-
necessary .„ traverse nearly hal?. I fT'^^
l-um-anee of your plan' ^ "'" S'ol^e. in
«ality presided at .hf". ' ','*'!'"» ai'd hospi-
utmost efforts, that each nf,h"? T"^ *" ">«
Iheir tears. ^'"^""^ "^« ^mily suppresed
coIcern^°°Hrtl ''^"'^''^ "'«'» «'''h tender
'ofSr ^---rSr ^^ ^^'"5/stu''J;
every one. since lheSo;t^';eTo?':•''°''^:"''
proceeded from the .ami ""^ **'''""»
another, but for eve v tit ?•" "' """'^ »f
cl-at^cter. he had TorZs of Xfo/t '""'• ."'^^^
tuf1t'':at''p:Ltt^ ? H/"i^net
*-— -e .he iu.»se of ,e,„e sreater" Calami"]:
9a
•M
than the one lamented, the tears that flow from
pity often relieve the aijony of woe. Thus, by
relaUng the history of his own crosses, and of
the various distressing scenes which he had
witnessed, he by dei^rees attracted the atten-
tion of the exiles, and moved them with com-
passion for the sufferings of their fellow crea-
tures j nay, even led them to acknowledge,
that their lot had been mild, when compared
with that of many: and in fact, what had not
this venerable man seen ? what could he not
relate? He who for sixty years, as the distance
of two thousand leagues from his country, in a
foreign climate, in the midst of persecutions
had laboured incessantly at the conversion of
savages, whom he styled his brethren, and
who were not unfrequently his most inveterate
persecutors? He had visited the court of
Pekin, and had astonished the mandarins, by
the extent of his learning, and still more by
his rigid virtue, and austere self-denial. He
had assembled tribes of wandering savages, and
had taught them the principles of agriculture.
Thus, the change of barren wastes into fertile
lands, civilization introduced among barba-
rians, who became mild and humane, instead of
being fierce and ignorant, religion taught to
nations who were before sunk in the grossest
idolatry, but now, had learned to offer up their
thanks to Heaven for the blessinga they
it flow fn)m
Thus, by
ises, and of
ch he had
the atten-
I with com.
fellow crea-
know ledge,
1 compared
liat had not
dd he not
he distance
unlry, in a
ersecutions
1 vera ion of
hren, and
inveterate
; court of
darins, by
I more by
enial. He
vages, and
griculture.
nto fertile
ig barba-
instead of
taught to
le grossest
jr up their
ngs they
;^""""y, ,„„,„,,, =;,4 "j.;^..., hi. native
Genmny, and France In, ,1" ""''' Russia,
•"ii a .sfiort jmirncv 1, ,1 1 , sheared to
'ravelled .l,ro„gh '^s ' h" ' ,"" '"■^" "'"> ''»<«
•>"' a tree or a cave m -1^^ "^ ""-" "'•''"•"^r
'■^pose his uenry head b t'^ T "''"" '^'"''' '"
«"<! whose o„l/Cd I, h^ ^"""'^'"f'"•'^e'J,
fif as having. 4m^V^' '""^Mer l,i„,.
''""rs, u,,o„ Ci, a ■ iv ; a, i ■''" • '■'™ "^ "is la-
f-") fa-her Paul a'lT"'' "' ''l'^ "^'•""^i
'<m>e when he found h' If'"""' '''"'^="' »
(-hri.tians. """"^' °"C'! more among
Passing the gtea .vaU /.fTv"'^^'''"''^''. after
;"ed,.,,on fheexte si e er'lt'' '''. '''-"^ "^■
1)^2 l.ea!so reeourHed/ ) a "'^"."'""^ ''''*^-
'0 China, and serve it If?' "^'I' '"'long
^'de of Siberia, he h d H, '""""'ary on the
aboundin^Mnrich^^dtlu^rr''"'' ^ ^"""'-y
th.a eotnmodi.v. al"l *. ". !^.'!'/"'--"' andthro,,^.^
commerce „iih liurcwarTl" "" "'«nM''e
"icpcan nations; but no
traces of their industry had as yet reached that
distant spot, no merchant had dared to carry
his gold, or to attempt a lucrative trallic,
where the missionary iiad long since ventured
to plant the cross, and had distributed
blessings ; so true it is, thai charity will sti-
mulate to enterprises from which even avarice
recedes.
A bed was arranged for father Paul in the
smail room which the Tartarian peasant usually
occupied, who slept, wrapped in a bear-skin,
near the stove.
As soon as day began to dawn, Elizabeth
rose, and having softly approached father
Paul's door, and hearing that he was already
risen and at prayers, she requested admission,
that she might converse with him in private, as
she felt that she dare not even mention her pro-
i'ect to him before her parents, much less inti-
hate her wish, that they might set out the fol-
lowing morning, at day-break, on their journey.
She related t« him the history of her life— a
simple but affecting story, since it was merely
a repetition of anecdotes of mutual tenderness
between her parents and herself. While dwel-
ling uj)on her do'^ibis and hopes, she had oc
casion tnore than once to mention the name of
Smoloff; but it seemed as if this name only
occuired to heigh\en the picture of her inno-
cence, and ij shew that il was not wholly
reached that
red to cany
tive tralTic,
ice ventured
distributed
ity will sti-
Bven avarice
Paul in the
isant usually
I bear-skin,
, Elizabeth
;hed father
was already
admission,
1 private, as
on her pro-
Dh less inti-
out the fol-
eir journey.
her life — a
was merely
tenderness
iVhile dwel-
ihe had oc-
he name of
name only
f her inno-
not wholly
99
heart.' "^ '" '^"""=' ""^ I'U'i'y of lur
morrow 5 but l,en,h'"" ".'''"■'* "''■"' °" ""^
tary lerior. whioh »ii !„• *^"''''""> o* involun-
on the eveTttlln "T-^ ''"'"^^ experience
WhenevrElLatth " ^h">^. t'»*^atens them.
I'er with her eve. "r'-' "" *'''"°"^''
her by the am. 'with "1 T" ^"''''^""^ ^^''-''
Dually revertin,^ t^ • " ''*'' ''PS— eonti.
^he had >; ^d'VrTer' '""i''''y."-"<» v.hieh
day, and eivfnp- L "'^'^''l'^""" 'lie next
works which^erftn hlT '•"""'""S various
period. Thus did sh. . T' '' " """^^ '"^•■'•"t
herself by h" ow,/ 1 rdr.'"bm"h e'r" h"""""
"otatca.e, as her da„W uVs si , ■ . "' "'^^
reminded her of her e,lnure T '"""""«%
she said to iior-- flizihl h -V ,, ' " •^"•""
fineto-mono..v vou h, '• "^ "'" «"^="heris
-iH.yourfatWu^Lhl^^t.'w.r''''''^'''-'
cl„..l.. *''" ''■^' '" 'a'Se drops down' i,?.
1
"■ 3
t.
10(»
Sprinf^er, whose anxiety, nr'sinti: from the
snme canse, was ecjiial to Phedoia's, hastily
said — ** Did yoii attend to what your mother
said ? she wishes you to go a lisiiiiii^- with nie
to-m;>rrow."
Kif:'.n')eih, rcclhiini; her head upon her fa-
ther's shouider, said in a whisptr, " To-inoritw
you must console my mother." ^.
Springer turned pale— that was enough for
Pricdora. She asked no moje, as she was .cer-
tain the dc^parfure of her chihl -had heen^nen-
tioned, and it was a subject she wished to avoid
entering upon, since the moment it was openly
spoken of before he*-, siie felt that she would
be required to give her consent to it ; and she
hoped, that till she had freely done sOj her
daughter would not think of leaving home.
SprinL^er, meanwhile, collected all his firm-
ness, as he f dt that he should not only have to
deplore the departure of his daughter on the
morrov/, but also tnsustain the di^tre^^s of his wife.
Indeed, he hardly knew whether heshouhl be able
to survive the sacriliee he was called upon to
make; a sacrifice to which he never could have
submitted, but from his excessive love for his
daughter: this alone enabled him to assume
the semblance of satisfaction when he learnt
her intention, as he wished to bestow upon his
Elizabeth the only recompence worthy of her
■virtue.
101
r,,,™'!'"!"-'''."''' ''"y °f "■''■''' how mud, ,orret
c um»n. how nmny a(Il...,i„^. .,n„l.,,..rKd "n-
I>rey to ttie inobt lieanldt grief. ''I'l"^'"^''' <»
The missicnaiy eiuicuvomed to raise Ihpir
feared because a n.an of couse.tuence whose
name he<l,d „o, n,e„,ion, i,ut ulmh th^y ca" t
pleaTa,;,.^ " '■"""■""" ''''^'^■' ""^ "'".e
Thus passed the d,y ; and when (l,e"y were
..'ea^Slr^pTe'^t:" ^ie' i^r"'^"' "'"' '"■
Her father approached her. tears streamlnp.
down l,,s manly cheeks. His dau jl "^cx^
ended her arms toward, him. He u^d r food'
•hat she me... to bid him adieu; hrhea in
consequence, oecame too much opp e, ed ,„
Cl h 1' '". '^''^' ' '"" '^'"■^ oeasJd, wide he
1-ul his bauds uj-on her head, reco;mn!...Hi„,t
H>'.
'1^
10'
^
hpr, in silence, to the prof net ion of the Al-
n»igl>ty, as he had not the couiuire to utter a
word.
The youni: heroine t!un turning towards
her molher, .ai(]--- Will not you also bless
me, my dear niothtr !"
" To-morrow, my c hild," she replied, in a
voice almost slitted with the ng-ony of grief.
** To-morrow , and why not to-day, my dear
mother ?"
*' Oh ! yes, " resumed Phedora, rushing im.
petuously towards her, " to-day, and every
day." ^
klizabeth bent her head, while her parents,
with joined hands, raised eyes, and in a trem-
bling voice, solemnly blessed her, in the pre-
sence of that Being, who heard, and as they
trusted, approved of tir.e action.
At a little distance stood the missionary
with across in his hand, also at prayers, if
such invocations do not ascend to Heaven,
who can dare hope to have their prayers
heard ? ^
It was now the end of the month of May,
that season of the year, when, between the
shades of twilight and the glimmering dawn of
day, there are scarcely two hours of night in
Siberia. Elizabeth employed them in making
preparations for her departure — packing up
her travelling dress^ and a change of show and
Bhe re,i..J,M. ;'T,, ••'; . -"P'oyed herself, af.^r
'hese things i„ ,c In ' ' '■' '""'^'"S <o got
'I'led f, uiis an,l a lit le n, ,, ^ *''''' ""•'"'» """a
- '""f - possible .e '::;;" "If ;: '° ''<'^-
course to the chir.'f,, , „"*;^^^^'fy of havjne- re-
«Uo re.„lvernot tolt'-'Tr' ''^ ^''^ had
•""ng well aware thai i, u ^ '•''P*""™.
'pare. Some small nLl?f ^^'^ ""'hing to
"'at she possessed! an'^w.h^^rf', '*''' "'l
look to traverse a sn, c ^'"'='' '''e „nr':.r-
hundred leagues. '^ ' °' '""'« 'b^" eight
openin^'tir^tt'^st rr'""^--^! '"^"^
parents are aslee, . do not 1./ "I' '"''"'""y '
,"-y "ill weep 'soon enoi "'.r''' "'*'"-
tranquil, because they "h fk ' ''"y "''^ ""W
<he house without go.C hro.rh T-°' '^^^=
t-ut the window of Ihi ,i ^ their room ;
-n easily j.^^o^ , , I'^J , It "'" ''igh-I
'" gating down, which I ,. • . " ^'"'' J""
Without hurting yourself" ^"^ ^°" '^^ 'i"
^Jcrwlf^^s^rer"'' *° ""■' ■^'-»''g<"".
•he agonies „f sfXa ttl'n?"" '"' '"^ ''^"''
As soon as they were i«.htfor«t.Eli.aMh
i
,5
■|
104
hailing thrown her sack over her shoulder,
walked a few steps hastily forward, Init upon
turning her head once more towards tl^e cot-
tage she had abandoned, her sobs nearly suf-
focated her; bathed in tears, she rushed back
to the door of the apartment in which her
parents slept, exclaiming—" Almighty God
watch over them, prot£ct them, and preserve
them, Und grant that I may never again cross
this threshold, should 1 be doomed to behold
them no more." She then rose, and, upon
turning round, perceiving her talher standmg
behind her; •' You here, my dear father— oh !
why, why did you come r"
** To see you, to embrace you, to bless you
once more J and if during yd^r childhood, my
Elizabeth I suffered a day to elapse without
giving you convincing proofs of my tender-
ness — If ever I occasioned your tears to How —
If ever a look of mine, or a harsh expression,
has pained your heart, before you go, say you
forgive me, say you forgive your father, that
in case we are doomed never to enjoy the
happiness of seeing you a^ain, he may die
in peace.** .^'
*' Oh ! do not thus distress me," interrupted
^ Elizabeth.
" And your poor mother," he continued,
f* when she awakes, what shall i say to h^r?
what answer shall I make when she ask^^me
■ft' ■ ,
ram cross
105
for her child ? She will seek vou Jn tKa f .
on the borders of fho \J ^ ? " *"® ^^^*^*^'
shall follow 1 erequalvrn' r'"^ '''^T ^^^^^^ ^
lii- her, for o^^^S'Zl'^^^^
to answer Uj." °^ ""' '^^'^ "*
halTfilmi''" """^ -'P^^king, Elizabeth leaned
He^ ?a f; ''^""*' ."'^ ^^'' "f 'he cottage
nei rather, pereeiv nff that Hp ^ i,i o<rw»» j
pear ca „, and resigned " take coufaee • ^
,1 d,splay more for,,,.,de , a.d I prom ,f you!
cMmnli . encourage her, by my
has suggested to you. be crow'ned or nit with
iceess. your parents will „ot die before
lliey have seen you again," ^
He then addressed the missionarv, who with
his eyes lowered, stood, deeply 4cTed aT a
I'tile distance from the afflicted fa he'r and
^■daughter-" Father, I entrust to your care f
!le r"t.': "l.'*'^"_°>.V •'=»"\ l-'ood, much
>rer to me tha
n m »» I ; r.
;vith it in foil confidenc^Mena
together j and may the an-els
J -ic , yei i entrust you
therefore,
over both
I
M
watch
I ».
m
106
her ami you ; and may that all-powerful Being,
Jho is also the father and protector of my
Elizabeth, not suffer her to perish."
Our heroine, without daring to direct ano-
ther glance towards her father, placed one
hand before her eyes, and giving the other to
the missionary, departed with him.
The morning's dawn now began to illumine
the summits of the mountains, and to gild the
tops of the dark firs, but all nature was still
wrapped in profound silence j not a brtath of
wind ruffled the surface of the lake, nor agi-
tated the leaves of the trees— even those of the
birch were unmoved; the birds had not yet
begun to sing, nor did a sound escape even
from the smallest inject— it appeared as if all
nature preserved a respectful silence, tiiat the
voice of a father calling down blessings upon
his child, might be heard through the forest,
which now separated them.
1 have attempted to give my readers an idea
of the grief of a father, but my powers are
inadequate to describe that of the mother.
How should I endeavour to make her sensa-
tions understood, when, awakened by the cries
of her husband, she ran towards him, and read
in his desponding attitude that her child was
gone? Falling on the ground in a state of ui^
utterable anguish, she appeared to have reached
m period of her existence. In vain did her
i
lor
rie'i aun^ by recalling to her mind all the mi-e
n ence "inir^' "^" '''^'■- "-'^ •'ad'lo.t i s
"■otl^e. a'ebevor.'l .' "''■" ""^ sorrows. of a
r.^n / • "^J^""" "11 human consolation ami
can denve none from any earthly sou xe Hea
fall..; the' i^o^f ."hTrkef:::^ ?rf^
rnr.^r, 'T-rr /-^^e Vd^i;^::
anrt'h"*' °^*''' '^"' "f M^V that Elizabeth
sr^nt a n? '"' "'" "•"" her journey 'th 5
sel!n„ e .. ^' "''"'='' ="■« subj'-'ct at this
wl: .": r*; '° *""'"'= -""Oa-ion
•hem fi,r=.,.fl- ''•■"" P"''*^'"'^ permitted
ZT'Jl "'"■*^ compensation, to ride some
a.t ot the way m their carts: and at nX
tt7, hT'" "^i'"'"^^ '■" ^'"^■'' ""*e able h^ts
ha d l^fs "'"/"^.'''''^"' l^een long inured to
naiU,li,,s and privations, ^be would t.^„„
scarcely been able to eni;y any rq,o e She
always lay down in her clothes. LT:L 1..
ciieu subsdlute for n.atlreisea; which were
* . 'I
w
103
extended upon the ground in rooms scented
withfumeeof tobacco and brandy, into which
the wind blew on evere side through the iil-
repaired paper windows j and, to her additional
discomfort, the whole family, father, mother,
and children, and sometimes even a part of
their cattle, reposed in the same apartment.
In a forest about ^6 miles from Timuen, a
town on the frontiers of Siberia, Elizabeth's
guide pointed out to her the posts which mark
the boundary of the division of Tobolskoi.
liljzabeth conceived the passing them to be like
a second parting from her parents, as she was
now to leave the land of exile, which they had
80 long inhabited. "Ah?- exclaimed she,
what distance now separates us." She made
the same reflection, when the first set her foot
in Jiurope. To be in another quarter of the
world presented to her imagination the idea of
ad -stance more immense than the vast extent
of country she had crossed. In A.ia, she had
left the only beings in the universe upon whom
the had a claim, and upon whose afFcction
she could lely; and what could she expect to
find m that Europe, so celebiatcd for its en
lightened inhabitants? what in that Imj)erial
court, notwithstanding it. was the report of the
jv.se and atlluent? Should she find there one
heart likely to be moved by her sufferings, or
•ottened by her afflictions, or itr»m w^i.,... ,.,.«,
^f 'H
loo
aero,s |,er n„P „. ' ""'' ''""^ts came
''"tee tlie Lone °?"t„ef,f„L r'' ^'"= i'"-"' •" in-
-but she was oominl' f '"" =" P«'ers(,urg !
f'e mandate of the a, ,^ '" T'* ""' ""^'^;
J-'in -he army a u'on^^T ^""^ ''"' h'"' •»
Zt t '"""''^^' ''-'^bih-tv :"h"r; h"""-^^
jnat Ji'Urone, which sppm«// L^ "'"^ Ja
•^■"^d only' by h m/becT„l h!"' '° •'^ ■■"''=«-
person she k„ew am , j "'^^ ""^ <">'y
'herefore, vpo^Ta'ther PauT '^T^''""'^- -"^l
spent sixty jears ^j . .' ,*?".'• A man who had
to his fello^w^creatures musl" '''"'^T"^ "^■'vioe
"beth-s ideas, have e "a ' tT^^"^ '° '^"-
<=o"rts of monarchs ^ 'nAuence at the
"-radrar^odtdiir 'n ^"•'^''o'-;
well cultivated ,^younrwood, ^" t ^''"^' ^'"'
1"ent)y intermixed wfth fit °} ^""^ ^^« fr*"
""d opulent villages, either rI"-"''^^ "^Wn
«anan, are scatteied ahn, k '""" "■■ Tar-
^-PPear so contented and ' V'°'f '"babitants
•i-^'veller can hardly believe'^ir^^^ ""« ""=
atr of Siberia: this trac of . ^. ''^^^'''^ ">e
boast of decent inns alth ° ■ ?""^ '=^n "en
th^'e are table "cXdwhh"";'*'' "'« glazed"
«"<! a variety of fine tXeTare ^7/"!^ '•"''""•y'
eorner, not to M^.i^ £!.l'"^^' '''?'='^«' '" every
•■— -verai oiiier articJe. of
it|1
110
luxury hitherto unknown to Elizabeth, and
which, in conseq\ience of her siniphciiy, excited
her astonishintnt : but the town of Perm, al-
though the largest she had yet eeen, shocked
her, owing to the narrowness and dirt of its
streets, the height of the houses, and the con-
fused intermixture of fine houses and miserable
huts, as well as the offensive smells with which
it abounds, being surrounded by marshy fens ;
from thence as far as Casan, the country is in-
terspersed with barren heaths, and forests of
pines, and exhibits the most gloomy aspect :
in stormy seasons, the lightning frequently falls
upon the aged trees, which burn with rapidity,
and appear like pillars of the brightest red,
surmounted by a crown of flames. Elizabeth
and her guide were often witnesses of these
fires, as they were frequently obliged to cross
woods, which were burning on either side of
them J sometimes they saw trees burnt eight or
ten feet rit bottom, only eupported by the mere
thicknras of the bark, while their tops and
branches were as yet untouched by the flamess j
others, after falling against each other, either
foriiied an arch across the road, or a pyra-
mid of flames, like the piles of the ancients,
in which Pagan piety consumed the ashes of its
heroes.
But notwithstanding these dangers, and the
slili more imminent ones they encountered in
beth., and
ty, excited
Perm, al-
I, shocked
iirt of its
d the con-
miserable
kith which
rshy fens J
ntry is in-
forest s of
ly aspect :
jently falls
h rapidity,
jhtest red,
Elizabeth
s of these
id to cross
er side of
It eight, or
y the mere
' tops and
he llameb j
her, either
»r a pyra-
i ancients,
Lshes of its
s, and the
untered ia
HI
'honght that ,he d"fnculM "s^ ;r^ "',*'"' *'^n
had been exa-irera eJ T K *■'"■ ""''^'''aking
travel on foot L IhTv f .^"^ ""' "'"'a)"
or kibeek., ;,,?,!, '':y„^7"'^"''.y ■■orf" in cars
-Ving exiles info S be a nd"'??/'''"' • '''"-
sun^ their drivers sufferei'u,r,rJ;.M " ""^'"^
as far as they went EnlnhMh '"' '" """'e
llieassistance ofher'p-M I ""*'' "^"''"S
* .%
C2
1
t)
al
w,
a
th
Sis
113
PART THE SECOND.
H.AVIXO reachpri *v,^ u i
about the ZirLJ^l}'''"^' °^ ">« ^ama,
vellers were now wr.f- f \P'^"'ber, our tn.
J34 miles of cLT h "^ ''""'^'*'' ^«"". «"•
half their journey ^'"^ "'^''^ performed
bet^'lhouMTonclu'd:"! °^"--" '"«' EHza-
«he had hitherto pteeded'^K'^ "' ^^^"^ »»
cpnsidered ,he ha^ '/'if *^''"''» ha.e
cneaply purchased rbutsh^ her parents as
experience a sad rever J !r ,'^a» doomed (o
♦he period app;orer;rjK"^"!."'«T''"e'-seaso„,
»he period approached „hilh "'^ "interseason,
ti|ude to .h'e^et;est"l:;:f" :!!/"/"' .'J".^'^-
"'"de to th7eeve7est , i':f ^"'Z" »"" "" ^
a" the energy of her 3™,' ^^ *° '"" ^"'^
was soon to be summonT ' ^°' ^^' compnnion
a life of virtu^us^sXlnl" ''p'' ""' ^'"''''' "^
*he missionary had visibly dfeline^ •?"" ''''^'•
<i.'fficuUy that he walked "i-*^ ' 'i"" "'"^
s»tance of Elizabeth !„:, ^"H" .»""' 'he as.
' "■'" '^aiijng upon his
114
staff, bt'in^ obliged to stop continually to rest
and draw breath; if he attempted to litle in a
kibeck, the violent jolts lie sustained, (from the
roughness of the load, which was formed by
large trunks of trees, carelessly thrown across
the marshy ground,) exhausted his small re-
mains of strength, though his courage, the
result of a well-spent life, never forsook him.
V\n)n his arrival, however, at Serapoul, a large
village on the banks of the Kama, the worthy
man found himself so extremely weak, that it
was impossible for him t(. think of proceeding
on his journey ; he took up his abode, therefore,
at a miserable inn adjoining the house of the
superintpndant, who farmed the crown-lands
in the disirict of Serapoul. The only cham-
ber with which he could be accommodated, was
a sort of loft or garret, the floor of which
shook under the feet j the windows were un-
glazedj and there was neither a chair nor a
stool, the only furniture the wretched hole
contained, being a broken table, and a bedstead,
over which they strewed a little straw for the
missionary to lie down upon. The wind, which
blew in at the dismantled window, was so cold,
that it would have ellectually prevented him
from sleeping, even had he been sufliciently free
from pain, to allow of his enjoying any repose.
The most desponding reiiections now as-
sailed the alarmed Elizabeth-. She ^sl^ed fo"*
h
ly to rest
riiie in a
(from the
jimed by
vn across
small re-
rage, Ihe
lOuk hi III.
1, a large
e worthy
k, that it
roceeding
therefore,
36 of the
iwn-landa
ly cham-
ated, was
)f which
were un-
air nor a
lied hole
bedstead,
for the
d, which
3 so cold,
ited him
?ntly free
repose,
now as-
iskfil fnp
•he fate of the iLJJi? """"' '""^^'••■Merl in
to procuie him relief l„ .i ..'"O' ."> order
fastened some of he shr ds Lr, '"'.l'''^*' ""
with which thp ,v, ^"™'^'°f "'e old lapcstry
«cr,-ss thfw ndor"shelr"' '^'" ''""t'
tHe fields, in searX of . ,"'.'''».""'"' out into
«he oonM^d'"^;! ,rdHn\'foh,r' ^'''.'''=''
as ahe had seen her mntL \1 , *"*^ P^'^s%
"■- ill. As „rghrapTrorched "hT """^ '^"'"
and worse, and'the uSt'; £ i/Ch i:"^!
U;e good father .She':,^'"" ^^p.tUin'i:'
l!:uw:u't:;edTafira^r."''^''•-''''^^^^
BH-roaching. and ta hU ar hT^e'^?" "'^^
soon to be closed , however toT^ "'T "*»
dedicated sixty years To 1h»! •'"' '""' ''^^
«nd of his fellows-creatures d^^h'"' 5 °"J
of all i,3 .errors. Though h^<^''ul7''rrt''
regretting, that he was failed away whi?e ,h''''
remamed so mnch for him to do ^'.^ '^'h«f«
G'-d," he whispered to himself ''I mnr ^'''^
at your decree., but had U been vouT""'..""'
.pare «c. til. I h.d conducted .i:i.r;jii.?
■IMt
I' ill
r
"1
lie
i
or|>han (o the end of her journey, Tih'ink my
tlfath would have been mtue easy.
As ii ^Tew u^ork, Klizabotli Jicrhted a rosin
taper, and remained seated all night upon the
foot of the bed, to attend her patient j — a little
before day-lr^-ak, she approached to give him
8ome drink.
The missionary feeline: ♦hat he should ioon
be unable to give utterance to his words, raised
himself a little, and taking the glass from
our heroine, held it towards heaven, sayin,!r —
" Almighty God, I recommend her to him
who has promised, that a cup of cold water
offered in his name shall not fro unrewarded."
These words levealed to Elizabeth, the ex-
tent of the misfortune which she had to dread j
she perceived that the missionary felt he was
dying, and that she should soon be k-ft desti-
tute and unprotected. Almost broken hearted,
she fell upon her knees, by the side of the bed,
a cold dew stood u})on her forehead, and her
sobs nearly suffocated her.
'* My God, take pity on her, look down with
pity on her. Oh ! my God!" repeated the mib-
sionary, while he considered her with the ten-
deiest commiseration; but at last, perceiving
that the violence of her anguish seemed to in-
crease, he said—" In the name of Heaven, and
of your parenti!, compose yoursf-lf, daughter,
and listen to what I have to sav.'
%
ihlnk my
d a rosin
upon the
—a little
give him
uld tioon
Js, raised
ass from
say ins: —
to him
Id water
Tded."
the ex-
o dread ;
: he was
rft desli-
hearted,
the bed,
and her
wn with
1 1)6 mib-
ihe ten-
rceiving
i to in-
en, and
iugh*er,
i
■ i
t' 1
1-
113
Klizabeth shuddered j but stWing her sobs,
and wiping away the teaia which filled her
eyea, she raised them upon the venerable
njaiij respecifully waitinj* to hear what he had
to say.
He sn})ported himself against the board
which was [)laced across the back of his bed-
stead, and exerting all his remaining strength,
he thus addressed her:—*' My chiUJ, you
will be exposed to great hardships, in travel-
ling alone and unprotected at your age, and
during the severe season that is approaching j
but there are dangers still more alarBiing—a
court abounds with such ; an ordinary courage
may remain lirm amidst fatigues and sufferings,
but it is seldom able to resist the alluremenis
of seduction ) but yours is not an ordinary
courage, my child, and even the allurements
of a court, will not have power to change your
heart ; though you may meet with many
vviuketl people, who, presuming upon your
unprotected situation, and your apparent po-
verty, will seek to turn you from the paths of
virtue J but you will neither put faith in their
proiuises, nor be dazzled by the splendour which
may surround them: the fear of God, and the
luve you bear your parents, will secure jou
from all their vain attempts : to whatever ex-
tremity you may be reduced, )0\x will never
luae ffight of iheac aacrtU eiaiiiia— 'ncvCr forget
R-r
jg her sol)3,
ti filled her
le venerable
what he had
: the board
; of his bed-
ing strength,
child, you
9, in travel-
ur age, and
ipproachingj
alarming—a
inary courage
nd sufferings,
I allurements
an ordinary
I allurements
change your
with many
upon your
apparent po-
the paths of
faith in their
endour which
God, and the
I secure jou
whatever ex-
u will ntver
119
existence." ^ indebted for your
^^;;. Oh ! father." interrupted she, " fear
>our 'noM? Z^ 'T^'''^''' "yo>'r piCy.
e;..|fi.lence; andTam cerHttJTT'''^'^ ''"P""'
sink under the tri-.ls whLk u ^"' J""" "'" no«
fit you should undergo ,^'"7" '''" ""'"gh'
child, lake the purse ^^r"'''' "°"' "'X
the folds of „,y robe »r- 'V'" ^•"•waled in
vernor of Tobofskoi gave ^t ^L^T°"' ^o-
mended y„u ,o rny care LrnTh*" '■''°'"-
as you value his life iu- ^^P ""» ^ secret,
yn till you reach St P?, V™"?^^ '^'" 'a»t
arrive there, «ait uno„^K '''"'Sh : when you
father Paul' To him- 'rh P=""^'^''-n,entio„
•-t have escaped hTC:';: V^f. ""^
cure you an -Hvlum : '^"^^'y- He will pro-
and will, no doT, '",.^'""?,'*°™en-s convenf.
'": it is impossible U should T'-^'. ?"'='«'«'»
you, that your virtue !. V"'>' . "^e allowed to le »
piety unp/ecedeZd 1 mT'ehM '""' "'"'
l>e oiled as an exam .i« .' ^^ *^'"'''' y°" w^'I
and your medt wiu'^iLt" tf "'' generations,
before it receives J"."'..''!..':'"'^^'' "n eanb.
in «eaten —He »topp«d; hii
150
breathing became more difficult, and a cold dew
stood upon hi"s forehead.
Elizabeth wept in silence, leaning her head
tjpon the bed.
After a lengthened pause, the missionary,
untying a little ebony crucifix which hung
suspeniJed fiom his neck, presented it to her,
saying in a feeble tone, *' Take this, my child,
it is the only treasure, I have to bestow, the
only one I possessed on earth ; and having that,
I never wanted for any thing,"
She pressed it to her lips with the most
lively transports of grief 5 since the giving up
of such a treasure proved that death was ap-
proacliing him with hasty strides."
'* Fear nothing, my poor deserted larab,"
resumed the priest, in accents of the tejidejest
pity, '' The good pastor of the flock will
watch over and protect you 3 and if he de-
prives you of your present support, he will not
fail to bestow upon you more Ihan he takes
from you : confide securely in his goodness ; he
who feeds the sj)arrows, and can number the
sands upon the sea-shore, will not forget Eli-
zabeth."
** My father, oh! my father," she cried,
seizing the hand which he expended towards
her, " I cannot rehic;n myself to lose you,"
'* Child," replied he: '• Heaven ordains it:
resign yourself to its decrees; may your innate
%
121
piety snf (en your n-rlef •;«,<•
your paren..,." He coul.l l/'f?''- ','"■ ""'""''
still moved hnf nl ""' 'inish— his li,,,
baek«p::''he", r'^j^V";'"'' ^"•■^ '"^'«"
Heaven, he cxer ed his lit .T? 'l" '"=^ '"
mend to its nroteciir thl ■' '° ''^"""-
nay, so deeply waf hf^ >?'""' ""''™'«<^'eJ =
implanted i him ha^ h ^^'n "^ ''^"^^ol^nce
for' her. ev" „"™ft ^ if^\: J'^ -rf'' .'« f ^^^
whole course of his litl i, u J '\"""S ">e
gleced his own in.:. ' ,o"f„ ^td'^" "%
others: and evpn of .1 . '""^ward those of
when he was clfled n ^"^ ''''"''^'' """"ent,
throne of J^s hea'ven riudr';''T '^'"^^ '"«
revocable doom pronouneid^h. ..'''"■. ^'' '"-
himself. pronounced, he thought not of
p.e?o:„X;:^,!;f,5y-Sht several peo-
she pointed to her mnrl^ "^^ '''^'"atler?
on the straw. l'''«^'=for, extended lifeless
The rumour of fhiq ^.tr/5*%f «
erowd in the room o," T ^^^^mb'^d a
•hither by id,e cuZlty 7e't^ were drawn
With amaze, as sht- Z.J,^ ■ °"'' heroine
deceased p.Lt ,,her, TP'"^ °^" "'e
anxious to receive pa~ for •h'""'-'"'""'''
accommnd«tm..= 1,0 "y,3^ /""^ 'he miserable
-..-«= .« ««u aiiorded the travellers.
W'
mfff.
'^m
122
joyfully seized the puree, wljieh lie found in
tl«u inissionaiy's robe, and whieh Elizabeth
had not thout^^ht of securing, telling her that
lie would reUirn her the rcnmins of the money
af'er he had reimbursed himself, and had paid
the expenses of the funeral.
i he people enij.loyed on such occasions in
Rui-sia, fcoon ai rived with their torches and at-
tendants i tliey threw a pail over the deceased :
our poor heroine gave a scream of anguish when
obliged to relinquish the cold and stitfened hand
of her guiile, which she had hitherto fervently
clasped between both her's ; and having taken
a last look at the venerable countenance, which
was alre-idy overspread by a sort of divine se-
renity, she hastily retired to the darkest corner
of the apartment, where, bathed in tears, she
sunk upon her knees, and covering her face
with a handkerchief, as if to shut out from her
sight that desolate world in which she was now
doomed to wander ahme, she exclaimed, in a
voictt of stifled agony, " Oh 1 thou blessed
Bpirit, who art now reaping the reward of thy
virtue in the realms above, may thy example
encourage and direct me in the pa'h of duty.
Oh! my father, oh! my tender mother, where
are you at this moment, when your child is be-
reft of all human aid ?"
The priests now began to chaunt the funeral
hymns, while their attendants nlared the Vind*
e found in
Klizabeth
ng her that
I he money
i had paid
^casions iji
es and at-
i dtceased :
^uish when
fened hand
> fervently
v'ing taken
ice, which
divine se-
iest corner
tearsj she
J her face
t from her
e was now
nedj in a
u blessed
ard of thy
i example
h of duty,
er, where
hild is ht-
he funeral
the bod"
123
hst tv ^'"'f'^''''^' ^'^'s^^'ved to ariend to their
^\m\ tiie banks of I he Khuju at thp fnnr p
giound of the inhabitants of Sera.,nnl i^
by cLs^s " ;""""''^»f ^"r.i., suunountcd
,7 "-'"ssts which mark the (iiUerent irraves •
ineiiglooiDv shade; aii.l li,„n beiiea'h the ...
r;' chral .t<,.es, l.rye clus.e,-. „f h^ l' ',, ,.
wue spreading leave, an.i blu. ( . „^ f- an<J
noher woe,i, wlu.e bare and buKlnl^stem
d.VKlea ,„,o ,umu..,„,. .|,„,|,, branch!"
beanng Il„wers of a livid ^mJ Tit
• heir ainjearaiice, aj only li, i„ 1,' '
Zi'n. '" '"■^ ""'"^■'■""^i it consisted .f
S and Ard"" ""'"•"«- P-^rsians, Turko-
^t.^'^J'':^"!"'?- «''" ho'i e.ea,ed from S3
f%:.
'pff'^
124
leges founded by the last Empress. Tl.cy
followed the funeral promistuoiislv, with sUavv
tapers in their hands, blending- their voices with
those of the priesls: Elizabeth slowly and in
sdence her head covered with a veil, appeared
as chief mourner, feeling no connection, in the
midst of this tumultuous crowd, but with him
M'ho was no more.
When the coffin was let down into the <-rave,
the priest who officiated, in conformity to the
lifes of the Greek church, put a small piece
of money into the hand of the deceased, to
pay his passage; and after throwing a little
earth over him, he departed ^ and thus re-
mained, consigned to oblivion, a man of such
unbounded charity, that he had never suffered
a day to elapse, without rendering some services
to his fellow creatures. Like those beneficent
Winds which scatter wide the seeds of the
earth, and make them flourish in every cli-
mate, he had traversed nearly half the globe
sowing every where the seeds of wisdom and
truth 5 yet by that world he died either un-
known or forgotten : so little does renown at-
tach Itself to modest merit, so little of it do
men bestow, except on those who dazzle them,
or upon those conquerors who glory in destroy-
mg the human race to gratify their ambition.
Vain worldly glory ! fruitless worldly honours '
Heaven would not suffer vou to be thn« th« .^
1?5
I^nceof ,n,e ReJiJi™."" ^loiy ft,,' the recou-
"nlil'tlt cios/^fThrdav " ^h''" '"■■•^'"ff-ffround
fnJ prayed fervently .Uf "'^'""''"ndanMv,
'•er burshng hear" Unit h ^'"""^ «""ed
suie of any erea ■ • , "^'^ "'« "imiediale ores
andsenici;Crou"vt"r'.:' '^ ''°"' '4h'
niediraiion upon Heaven »^ u""''' '" «°'i'«ry
rtfleclions upon jeafh " r- "«' S^^-e = from
a"d when we ci.e 'Ln ,L' •""^'^""•' '''^^ "
hope and consolation s rr Jj^f •"?' °^ "e^ven
'■••^ extent of a nS,; "' t ''''•""■^- ^^heu
«e have corceived of ^rf '"""""' 'he dread
such a compensation is „.''''"' """^ "''e'e
e-ned to rejoice in t ,o'e h^r""' "" "^^ '"-
^«e most virtuous are nl ' 'I' ***''''> "en
i'.zabelh. thereto e, went h!\"; I ^"''•'^^'ed ^
she thanked God f„; Th' l, '"'"' "°* "-^'ine
amended the beginnin.- of u^'"V"S^ «hich had
not conceive that she\as en.frf""''' ^"'i ^id
because it was the »iir„f u '"''' '" ^""'Vhin.
•hem, though she fel l^T'" '" ^'""^^^^
upon the banks of the Toh,?i '''^"''' "«*' as
and bereft of every hunTrn'.' "'"'""' ^ S'"''e,
^""rage still snstafned he, « ri!'' '"^' ^""'^^
P'eserved her from destmh' ?. m "" '^"^' fi^'y
•ny tender mother •'she"' , % •''^ar father,
vour ,.k:i.i „.,."' *"e exclaimed « <■„ '
- — wMiiu vviii M#tt -;.._ ■""' "■-" '"
Will not eive WAV 7' J •"'
S'**: way to deject
ion.
' r
12r>
TUui (Jid she rndcnvour to ericouratjc ner pn-
I'tnts, as if tliev could divine her deslitule si-
tuation J and when a sacred lerror, in spile of
berself, stole over her, she would a^ain ad-
dress them, as the repetition of their namta
dl^peIIed her fears. *' Oii ! holy, and now
haj)py spirit," said she, leaning her forehead
upon the newly lemoved earth, ** are you, then,
lost to lis, before my noble father, my kind
mother, could exp-"i;ss their gratitude, could
invoke blessings on the kind protector of their
child !"
VVhen night came on, Elizabeth felt the ne-
cessity of wit lidra wing from this melancholy
spot J yet being desirous of 'saving somti me-
morial behind her, she picked up a sharp peb-
ble, and inscribed these words upon the cross
which had been placed over the grave — " the
just man perishclhj and no man layeth it to
heart r then, bidding a final adieu to the re-
mains of the poor monk, she quitted the bury-
ing-ground, and returned sorrowfully to her
lonely a^.artment at the inn at Serapoul.
On the ajorrow, when she wished to proceed
on her journey, the host gave her three rubles
(or about twelve shillings,) assuring her it was
all that reujained in the miobionary's ])ura'.
Klizabelh leceived tiiem with gratitude and
vent rat ion, as if this money, for which she was
indebted to her late protector, had been ieiit
atfc ner |»n-
(lestitule jii-
in sf)iie of
i a^ain ad-
ihfcir namca
, and now
itT forehead
e you, then,
2r, njy kind
iiude, could
ctor of their
bharp peb-
)n the cross
;raTe — " the
layeth it to
1 to the re-
d the bury-
fully to htr
lOUl.
1 to proceed
three rubles
; her it was
ary'd jiurse.
atitude and
iiich she was
d been setit
127
lixiam.' '?7hr..f, ^''-\ »- -, ,,, ,, ..^.
^y support, your cLrav "^^^^ "r"y guide,
though you are no 1 n ^ ''."''''^' >"" ' ^nd
«"Pports^«e Ne e HhT. ^'\' "^^"^ ^'^^^ «'»''
'^'•y route, her tearT ^v ' /^""^'^ *^«'' ^^"1''-
«bjeet ree;iied he h /"^"'"'^^ ^""'"'^ ' ^^^'V
^"-nJ she ha Jos' if'"" ^^^^^''^'^'^i"" of ,he
"'•»ve traveller ei h ''^'^'^"^ ^'' «" inqui.
t»r near her " Inf^ '^' venerable protec.
fatigue ob£d her?o?'.T''^'''' •^' ^-^^-^« of
l^ibecks which dnfve bvf •" ^^"»' ''^'^-^ -'"P^y
if slie escaped ^L^Vn.n^'?^'r'•^"'^^^'' ^^^'5'
only possessed rhreeUTefl; '"''"^ ^^ ^^^
frugal in her expend] urJ I. k '"' ^^'''emely
Fnod when she ulrh. ^''^^^ '° ^^^^^ »»^^
cienial charity thus w'V^"'^^ ^" «^<^i-
r-- j'-me ]ndu£L:rwh;:h 1:'""' . ^^^^'^
sionary often proi^.red br ^^ P"'^ "''^■
«»ought a shelter in ?'n '^ '*' '^'^ ^'^^^}3
contenting herself vith thrrno?' ^^^T^''^^""^'
-~ations,«.dth'c!^;rLr^'^'^^-
■(^s she now fiaf,ii i '""u.
»ot reach Casan, n7 he , ""^ .*'""'>'. ^^e ,1,-,]
A -«.ro„g nor,.;,::''.' tLt^^^'-;.-:.! '"■ "f-'^er.
for some days, 1,«,| eollee/i s, h ""' ^''"'"
™ npon the bonlers of i, u , " ''"^'"'"y "*'
^ ^ ot that rner impraciicdblt^
If «
|j
19S
lince it could only be crossed partly in a boat,
and partly on foot, leaping from one mass of ice
to another J even the boatmen, who were ac-
customed to thia dangerous navigation, durst
not attempt it, excej)t they were alimula ted to
do so in consideration of a high reward j and
few people were likely to expose their life, in
appearance, so wantonly. Elizabeth, without
thinking of tiie danger, was preparing to enter
one of the boats, when they roughly pushed
her away, declaring she was mad, and swearing
that they would nor allow her to cross the river
till it was entirely frozen over* She enquired
how long she should have to wsiit for its being
60 ?
" A fortnight, at least j" they replied.
This made her resolve to attempt the pas-
sage without delay. ♦' I intreat you," said she,
in a tone of supplication, •* in the name of
Heaven, to assist ma in cnissing this river. I
come from beyond loboUkoi, and am going
to Petersburg, to petition the Emperor in
behalf of my father, now an exile in Siberia;
and 1 have so little money, that were I to re-
main a fortnight at Casan, I should not
have left wherewith to continue my journey."
This affecting statement softened the heart
of one of the boatmen, who, taking Elizabeth
by the hand, said—" Come, you are a good girl.
129
"•'' emlcavmir tn ferrv »„..
jou fear God an,l i ^ ^ " ""'"' ' ""d »*
«"• protect vo"'> " H ^T '""^""' "^"v en
''. I'e took Klizabeth hv' ?"\"' ""^ '^'"'^'' in
h" charge in safety S^. wl.ere he de,,„.i,:,,
'-'t^Tr"„:^':t'.a; f7 "-"■*-' ''-•'^'>
«'uld dictate, °Ikin" " u ''^, "^""' ''"' heart
•ow only contained i" dll. '"'"'' '^•''"'
!'"> a iriUing reward i!^ ' "'""'■ ""^ered
»i(;e8. *" """^^"^ '" feurn for his ser-
"^'•rrcomcnu'oftr 'ise"'''"'?^ """'''''-
money you possess ^M ", , ' ',' '*"" »" 'he
y«.r expenses to,u\^ZZ'vrV"'y
•hen believe n,e. Nich dl K " /^^'^''"'""gh >
deprive you of a f»r t," ^eselolf will not
Ifi <o yi,ur mtle s Cl"if ""■ K "'" ^^'"^r
blessing upon me a,^ ' T^ ^""S down a
'"rowing down a sm»ll ^^ "" '^'•i'dren,"
falling out toLr ^ P'**^^ °f money, ami
iW
"^."ii.
, "LSI
mt
f|BMH|^^^^^Bi
^!f^
l^
hi
Mj^jl
■
T
■■■HH
' 1
i;
1 iii
1
.21
HI' 31
1
Ill
l"-«)-r. Imve been hea ,*'' !"'""'' """'"»
-ef}.r;r'S ^re/eS """ '^^ ^^^ .«.
chilled the alf, ^^^ "* " noitheriy wind
^"'.l'Sg,'"K',if,beT,fS t"' ,!!°"^^ «'■"'""'
f" 'gued J and as no h„ , L orf ""y "'"^l'
;?'» '"^^r view, she .oul " ,,'" '''"^■"•<^'' ''-
" •' "III, where .he sumlnH' *"^'' ^* "'^ f"ot
■'■«'■ ftoui ihe wind ""^""""'"S 'o'-ks defended
f;'.l"ue!!"jh;chtro„r: "", "---•'oak
''«, l^uropean side of thi^ W ^' ""' *'"> °«
had, of course, nevfT .il ^"'^'"^ Elizaheili
'■""gh these ha,l a e^dvl?^ '^^''"" ""J
.l-^^Wy, they might snllLt' '"!'"= »' 'heir
"°"; l»'t, handsome I .t ^''"''^ ^'''"'''a-
,^»bethconld„„t'j"^;,j;^'''«y ''J'P'^="ed, Eli-
"""1- for they recalled ♦ T^""" 1'™''"^-
'"•Id, the immense rf^ °" '^""''^'V "> her
l\» from ber Tarents !r' '''''^'' '^P^^^'^J
''« fir lo then , X; . ! f'^"-^ '""'^^'-•"^d
^l^nd of exile; she had h """"^^ed i„ the
f '"fe, and perhaps her belf" ^''"^ ""der i.s
'>at moment, repo iL 7'^ l'^'«^nf^ '^ere, at
'«-««ches. Su'ch trr.l":','!!^ 'l^ ^'-"ermff
"•"^ "*"">* ^i'ought tears
I
132
into her eyes. " Oh ! when shall I again be.
hold them?" she exclaimed; "when shall 1
attain hear the sound of their voices ? when
shall I return to be encircled in their amis r"
While speaking, she extended her arms towatds
Casan, the buildinj^s of which were still visible
at a distance, pariiciilarly the anticjue fortress
of the khans of Tartary, which was demo-
lished by the emperor Iwan: but the ruins
having been lately repaired, it now forms a
grand and picturesque spectacle, rising from
above the heights of an adjacent rock.
In the course of her journey, Elizabeth often
met with objects which affected her compassion-
ate heart, in a scarcely inferior degree to her
own distresses ; sometimes, they were a party of
unfortunate wretches, condemned to work for
life in ilie mines of Nertchinsk, or to populate
the dreary coast of Angara: they travelled on
foot, chained together in couples, and escorted
by bands of armed peasants, who were relieved
at every village.
She also frequently met with companies of
emigrants, destined to people the new city,
which was building by the Emperor's orders
on the confines of China. The men and wo-
men walked on foot, the children were perched
upon waggons, among bales and boxes, dogs
and poultry : but their countenances did not
express cither hope or satisfaction : the forraer
again be.
len bhali i
ices ? when
leir arms ?"
njs towauls
still visible
jue foFlress
waa demo-
: the ruins
iw forms a
iaing from
k.
abeth ofien
iompassion-
^ree to lier
e a party of
work for
to populate
ravelled on
nd escorted
ere relieved
mpanies of
new city,
or's orders
n and wo-
?re perched
loxes, dogs
es did not
the former
however wh
'^l-our f,;,. „H^^^;^^'= "iminals cIo„n,ed to har.I
'"^■'^n p„„i,hed „ • f ^", ""S^> e!se„l,cre have
"« any exiles cscor Lj f ' " '^^''" '"'«
»»'f whoee noblp ». ^^ " ''^"ale courier
'- father, she ta^'r^ir^' '■^""■'"'^" '- 't'
'""".me, wo,,,,, ',,^,"'^ "^" to tear, ; and
'°''ffer,hemall,he eS '••' 'i'^'"'"'' "'""'
PpW'er to afford • ,?,,",""" " "'as in her
'he sorrow of a,, ,he ,vreleh '""' '""^ ^'^'""^d
and upon the pi,y of' Hl^'^f P'^-'Ple 3l>e met ;
^'^ now doomed ,0 tn,^'!'"^'-«atures, she
«"ice upon roachin^%Voff Z'"' .^"teistence,
«ne ruble (four shillt,.,Y ""•''' ='"= ''"'' onl^
^'^^n nearly thre^n °nL "'"'"'"ff' ^''« ''ad
Serapoul ,o VV..I„di„,i;""',f^^. 'I' 'T'^'^"^ f'"«
P'fali.yof iheRussiJ' ''"' 'hanks to the hos-
^"<le treasure ivas nn/t^»f ^ '^"^ hread, lier
but =he was now r^ltTp""'^'^'^'^'"'^"^'^';
feet were a|„,ost bare/and her"*'^ '^ing^he;
I defended her fro>n the ^"[/^t'ged dothes
Phere, which daily i„c"eai^ 'ti "^ ""^ «"n°s-
*««t deep upon the frround , ^" '""^^ "as two
whde falling, and appearej .:"'"*=' "'^^ it froze
which rendered it i,^.''* a shower of ice
fenis of rain ^««j . '• ^t other runoc ♦,._
■""'• *^«ufcTeu the rm/|. i ^~ ' ''^**
\
.34
pfi5sab]-; or piicli violent gusts of wind arose,
that li:iizal)ell), to avoid their rude a^saulls,
w:i3 obliged to dij; a hole in the snow, and to
cover her head with large pieces of the bark of
pine-trees, which she dexterously stripped off,
a3 she had seen done by the inhabitants of Si-
beria, One day, when one of these tein|)es-
tuoijs hurricanes had raised the snow in clouds,
and so darkened the sky, that Elizabeth, totter^
inland stumbling at every step, being unable
to discern her road, was obliged to stop, she
took refuge under a high rock, to which she
clung as firmly as she could, to enable her to
withstand the fury of the wind, which over-
threw all around her: while she was in this
situation, motionless, with her head bent down,
she thought she heard a confused noise, at no
great distance, which induced her to hope
that she might find a more secure shelter.
With difficulty she tottered round the rock,
when she perceived, a little farther on, a kibeck,
which had been overturned and broken, and
a hut at no great distance. Thither she has-
tened, and having knocked at the door, an
old woman opened it, and struck with the
wretchedness of her appearance, '* My poor
child," she cried, *' from whence do you come,
and why are you wandering about, half frozen
and covered with snow?"
Elizabeth made her usual reply— "I come
135
fc..?r,rJS-: j:i.:,",r>- ■
At these words
f^ejccted pos
J^ardon.
.a man, who was sin
'"re, in a comer of th
ing in a
^^nly raided hisW^i f Z'h7 '''' T''^ ''''^'
and rec-ardinp- FM V ^^;^«^en his h.nd. ;
n-shment, exclninud-.. \V| It i? i^ '""
£^^n it he possible t}
Si her
ia> in such a st
)at
this
pardon? 'Ala
tem|
'ebtuoiis season, to sol
Js Jt you say?
you have conje from
and during
a'e of distie
Jt.it your fathu
<orn me from h
^Jn'ther I was
seeK to deprecate th
your example, hut llicy h
erarmswithouilettingheik
gomjr. sIj^ cannot, tl
e W'
no, never shall I see her
rath of my sov
fear wilj h
it impo
child
afeain: the
a^e
now
itielbre.
erei^^/i;
;.llr,rr',?^J";;!T;^ ■ .'.va
exist at a distance [i
om jui
Elizabeth shuddered, '< 9;,.
tone of anxiety. - I hone v /,
«"^ely you will be ahli n^l • "
tanre from your ch
• « X [ — • 1
N
be abl
iJd.
e lo exist, ev
5aid she, in a
are mistaken ;
J even at a dis-
ow.
tinued the
indeed, that J I
her of
It. 1 I
iJ^nforiunate exile, '< \
' 'lave wriiten a leu
Know my doom," con.
•n'gfit inform
»he courier be oLinc^o '1 '"'''' '" ^^'^ «"^
-'-• is return n"^f,:^'';-^'^"^ i^ib^ck,
-!i<i-, would take; ^:-::, v^t ^^ 'i""'''''-^
v-1-..utioutoolIcrhim/but^it;: u'n^t
^^^^(oZ'Z^^^^^^^^^^ I
136
" ';■ 1.-.
-•:*': 1
/
'■. ' ' , ■ . II ■ II 1 ■ i-»~
< ■ . '■ - I ■
fn my power, o m.k,, l.im tl.o m„sl Irining ,,re.
i^ic AO{)eci
Iiavc stjij>pci] nie of every
Elizabeth drew her last piece of money out
ot her pocket, and blushing deeply at hav.
^ngso hitle to offer, said, in a timid accent,
Mifficei!!!!''"^ '^ ^"^ ^^'"^ '^''^'^' " ^^ ^^^^ ^^""'^
vvhV.h ^'"ir'"'! l"" ^''' ^'P' *^^« generous hand.
Inch offered h,m all she possessed, and has-
tned to request the cuuiier would, for this
ubie, promise to deliver his letter to his dauch-
w\ \ TV ^^'^ '^^^^"^^'^ "^'^^' and Heaven
nad, doubtless, approved of the offering?, as
H snfi^h-d the courier, who took charge uf the
packet. °
Thus did this noble sacrifice, as it relieved
he agomzed feelings of a fatlier, and con-
^eyed consolation to the bosom of a dutiful
^hild. produce a fruit worthy of the donor.
When the storm was abated > Elizabeth, wishing
to pursue her journey, embraced the old wo-
mar. who had treated her as kindly as if she
had been her own daughter, telling, her in a
lowvoiee, that the exile might not hear what
she Mild, '* J cannot recompense you as I could
jvish, smce 1 have nothing left to give; the
blessmg of my parents is all 1 have to offer in
137
rt-'furn for your Kindl-
on ly freasiire I
fi
k
\V\
lai
)>
now pos^t
ess, for {|;tir I
as.
ove is i]n
J'^'^'niptcf] the fold
your all
Jzabcili coloured
> given aw
ay
exile
'J'h
and fall
i^^\ from U
tiieri
i niak
ra i;
^nd looked d
nwn.
'^^" on his k
^'^,Ji's hands to U
t'aven;' he
necs before her,
" duied " h'avc
3«i' I)osseisal, and
•^aven,
^niaKe no return for . >^k' ''""^
A knife
ilcd
was
lying-
/\n-
you
can
gene-
l'"-«^n'e'.l it ,0 hi ■^:i'' '"^k of her ],ai,.
fc'""iS info Slb<
vc-nor of Toboki
sa\ in*''—.'* A <
^i'. Sir van'" -u >'"" 2'e
, /. ^^i, >ou will see (he -
}on, an
parents :' ,,os,ibIy he n
^vaided fo Jh
^ It to her
child still 1
ives
^"^^ to tonsil
'y. ^^'^f'-r it to be for!
* s^ear to
replied th
liberty in the d
^^^' theai that the
^ exile; "
comply with
and should 1
your wishes.
ir
If
,7/ '" ^ne deserts where V ^^ ^
»p linger out my exktrl \ ' ^"^ <^^^om
enjoy any
the d
fell th
'5-'r out my existence I
"S: of your
»ejithem what ,,. • . .'^'*'^"^'
for me •' ^ *^^'"' ^^''^^ has
v^'iil seek out
may
parents, that I
th
.,, ^=^ ^y done
'^i the hcnrf nP r/r i
'^^4- far more ideasinir thi.T""' '"^'^ promises
^ '^'^'^^"^venthcoifcrofa
m
^n iotjobkof. .rj 1 . °^^ 'ne m,-
.' :. , '. -'-"/^Hbeth SCnrh ,-f «^ I W
13S
I* ' >
if II
throne would liavo born; the idea of convoy-
iitiz; rorjbol.'i'ion to htr parents aave her the
^tireak'st deliicht : and though Me" was rrduccd
to the greatest poverty, havii
but t
li^ noiiunt;
left
iie small piece of nioncv she haci reetived
from the boatnian on the shore of the VVolga,
.^he might fancy herself rich, sinci^ she had
jiist enjoyed ihe i^neatest felicity that, wealth
could have procured her 3 ^\ic had, by her gift,
cheered the desponding heait of a father,
and^ she hoped, conscded a weeping orpiian :
such are the blessings which a singl
produce in the iiaiids of chriri»v.
rubl
11
e may
y.
From Wolodimir to Pokroll', a village built
pon crown lands, the country is low, ^imrbhy,
and very uoody, as there are extensive forests
of oak, elms, ampins, and wild apple trees.
During the summer, these different sorts of
trees form an agreeable variety in the prospect,
o numerous
n winter, as
but they aho afiord a shelter t
banditti, who infest the roads. 1
the lealiess boughs ailbid but a bad ambush,
they -are less to be dreaded. Nevertheless,
KUzabeth fie(|uen»!y heard of th
eir depreda.
tions as she travelled alonLC- possibly, had sh
any tiling to lose, the exaggviated^ales that
she heard, might have alaftned her for her
safety J but as she was now obliged to beg her
bicad, she couLcived ihat her poverty bhelleied
139
|.»j::;;r»;'i:;v;f:;£,;'».r,'' 'r
«." 'I"ck a cLo o^t ,Z """'/"^■"'-''' with
'!>■" as upon div iL , K / '1 '""""« ""s as
"alkmg for „.,o,e than an hm.. .' '"* "^''^
d's.-.t, as there w.ro no'ra,.,>r V '"^ "^'^ '^Y
7"y. A. le„K„„ however af ^'"•""' '""'-
slie ^.t.ained a ii„|e hillock 'em ""'">;'•«!'"'.
"!""> a sione, ard i.nTiS > "^ "'■■"*•'' herself
">en> in the . sun 1 h,/'"" ''"''■'''*' '"'dry
f"ll l...(re. r/e e i "l"', """"^nt ^hone i„
-ud.i„ee „o noise st,;,d:;i"ht;:"ri^^;/'^-
otitli h.iiru that shp-n.ncf i '' -'^"^a-
With wnich
a^ her siiuat
^*'e was erul'ic.l, ^h^
Jon — behind was the I
g rhecouraire
e *'eit alarmed
just cioxsed, and befoie 1
><',^ she had
to Wliir h t|,,> <
ouuu no end. As il
"-r an imrTieuse foiPi^t
10
da}',
- f
now
140
ever, was f lobing in, notwithstanding bcr ex-
treme vvearincbs, our lieroine rose lioni l.er
stone, and set out once more in starch of an
asvlum, where she might spend the night,
Jioprng to meet with some one to guide htr on
her lonely way. Jji vain, however, did .«he
wander about, sometimes following one track,
thenanolher: she could see no one, nor could
Bhedislinguish any sound likely to re-animaie
lierspirils-ihatofahuman voice would have
occasioned lur the greatest joyj suddenly, that
of several pcojJc struck \wr ears, and in
another moment, several men niieiged from the
lorest. Cheered witJi fresh hoj.es, she hastened
towards them J but as they drew near, ten..r
again succeeded to joy 3 their savage air and
8tern countenances alarmed her to a creater
degree than her former solitude had done:
every thing she had heard respcctinLMlie rob-
bers who infested the neighbourhood recurred
to her imagination, and she feared 'that God
would pumsh her for having had the rashness to
suppose, that she had nothing to dread; 'she
therefore fell upon her knees to implore the
l^ivine mercy, and to humble herself in the
presence of her Maker.
Meanwhile the troop advanced 3 and hav.
doLlu^'^'f ^'t'' l^iizabelh, after consi.
dci Higher tor a few moments in silence, they
in
i i "f ' y P«"^hed in a marshy bog she had
to , f '""!^ "°''^^' «f"^h had ohligej her
ega,n sufl.e.ent strength, to proceed in search
ot an asylum for the night." si-aica
The men appeared astonished, enniiiiin,i- hn«,
much money she had about h^r "o Sv Z
expense of so long a journey ! ^ '**
She drew from her bosoui, the simll rr.;,, i,
had^received from the boa,ma„: "d ll^'edTt
;';A.i?"shiv;,L^j^-='^'-''-
Ihis answer, delivered in the ar,.prt= „p
truth, induced the robbers to regard I.h.h
«"th astonishment ; they were nf,? 1 ^ u^'
i^y a sojt or iiivo untaiv veneiifinn tu i ,
not molest this vounrr .^rl ^l"l".'J„'' ^ "i"'^'!
to J« under the tv.dent protection of Hea^en^
w
142
the eecret awe that liad insensibly «tolen over
Ihem, thcrefoie,. even prevented them from
offenng to serve her; they, in consequence,
walked on, saying to each othciw* j^^j ^^
leave her, for God assuredly watches over
her."
Elizabeth hastily rose, and rah as qnick as
ihe could towards the forest, where she had
not advanced many yards, before she perceived
four great roads, which formed a cross where
Ihey met, and in one of the angles was a small
chapel dedicated to the Virgin, and over
it, upon an elevated post, were inscribed (lie
names of the towns to which the different roads
]ed.
Elizabeth now ftlt herself secure, and pros-
trated herself before the altar in the chapel, to
offer up her grateful acknowledgments to Him
who had preserved her.
The robbers were not mistaken j her Hea-
renly Father had in'^^ed watched ovsr her—
no longer iensible of fatigue, hope having re-
stored her all her strength, she resumed the
road to Pokroff with her usual alacrity. She
soon regained the banks of the Wolga, which
forms an angle before this village, and washes
the walls of a convent of nuns. Elizabeth has?
tened to knock at the hospitable gate ; and
upon its being opened, she relaifd the hard-
V1SJV«\.2
£,-«_, aim jci|UcetCU 33.
to walk in .. , • '"''*"'• '^'le "I'M rfeslreJ icr
«. . Hv .'if. = ^'"V """* '""^'"'^ reception.
n..t have cen n 1 •' !V"""-T' "^ »''« ™"''l
edi Kal,on to ihe whole eommuniry """" "'
li.ese good nuns could not find »nr i. .
express their admiration of her hiroie T^. "
verance, which had enabled her loTi^ "^"
".any hardships, and to .u ain 'o mal ^ '"
.he exp^es 7t Jo^.U ZZi^^^^'^
was vtrv nrir^i. ^^ ^ ' '^" convent
their own clothing ^ ^^ "■'■■ ^ P°"'°° "*'
it wiro'/ltall^clIrie^^Jn '^""^ ^""' --
...res depuved^trere'ety" or h!" Te' "."-
, ^ .-^ .,i^ vvuiio or iiie convjjH, they said—
f. }
, tf
'i
144
Wc have a iholtcr, while you Imve none;
the little we can si)are, you have a right to, for
you are still poorer than we are."
At length Elizabeth drew near Moscow :
she was astonished at the extraordinary Luslle
she now wiJnebsed, and at the immense con-
course of carriages, sledges, cars, horsus,
and people of all r.tnks and of all ages, wlfo
\\ere rcborting to this great metroj.olis; anal
the fartlier she advanced, the more the crowd
increased.
In the village wherq she stopped to rest, she
found all the houses were filled with strangers,
>vho^ paid so high for the most indiireient
lodgings, that it was with the utmost dinitulty,
the desiiiute Elizabeth could piocure one, even
in the most wretched hovel. She with difH
culty restrained her tears, as she received f.uin
the hand of sorrowful pity, a little coarse food,
and the shelter of so miserable a shed, that it
hardly excluded the falling snow ; she was not,
liowever, humiliated, for she remembered, that
her Heavenly Father witnessed her sacrifices,
and that the happiness of her parents might
prove their reward j neither did she feel ex-
alted, as she was too artless to suppose, that
she was doing more than her duty towards her
parents, and too affectionate not to feel a secret
satisfaction in suffering for them.
The belU ©f all the adjacent villages were
"( 'lie cannon fn,„, At '* ' .""= "M""-t
«'-"nd s.,.„cl< her n^ ^ '^ '" "T'"^""'^«"" ■«
eixi^'rod ll,e ci,,,;. , i- ' '"""' '"'cf. she
^•J'oneie assembler! rm,n.i ^^'^''^aken, an.<
riage. "^ ^ "^^""^ a" overturned car-
Moscow." coming to be ^ . >wncd at
''»d willod .hat .he .ho r. *'''""''"'' ^"«'
recede from t "e'dirZ ^f •'''!• *' °* '"«'"'f<--h»
:«oking back towlrd, Siberia' « •«'a"ned,
'ghtful hope,, mv dear ,^;, ',"'"" '"'^'' <''-
yon tould but
;:#
%
i
Hi
1
i'aihcipate
'^"^^^
In your child's !.aj.pincfc5 ! hut hrr voire cannot
reach you, and a lon^; time must yel clause ere
we meet again."
,^ ^ In March 1801, Elizabeth made her enlrnncc
into the overgrown capital of Muhovv. fan-
cying herself at the tnd of her troubles, and
not supposing tljat she could have any other
inisfortune to apprehend. As she advanced
into the town, she noticed many auperb palaces
decorated with even loyal magnificence; but
Jiear- these splendid abodes, were miserable
wnoaky huts, open on eveiy side to the wine'.
She next came into such crowded streets, that
»he could hardly make her way through tlus
throng, which pressed round her and elbowed
her on every side. A little farther on, she
found her&elf in a meadow richly wooded, and
began to think she was once more in the coun-
try. She stopped to rest for a few minutes in
the principal walk, which was an avenue of
birch trees, which resemble in summer the
linden trees of Prussia. It was now crowded
with well dreised ladiea and hne gentlemen,
all conversing on the subject of the coronation.
Innumerable carriages were driving to and fro,
and continually crossing each other, at if
eager to increase the noise and bustle that pre-
vailed. The enormous bells of the cathedral
rang without cessation, and were answered by
ihe bells of tlie other churches from every pait
147
scarcely brhcarHa^' if-"/'' infer. als. could
whioK ^^^^^^^^^.a^'^ist the noise and tumnh
which now prevailed in this ^rear rirv ZTl
^»y srep ghe toi.k. Larffe fires werf> h.,.r.i
ftad seen msnv »v.o«..~*<; ^ / "'*""*^"ea, utie
nad neither met uiih o f.- ^ "*5»*'p. out she
She had hea?i som ' /n'uhwTh " •"■"''^"•'•
expressing uneasinrs, mZZ^ o^'l""'^' ""'^
•nd she had e„vied their ^? "Ham.^ "*'''•■';
«he. "to have a hon>e ,o seek-Tw^; h""*
none, cannot lose my wav ci„l' , r '"* •"'■"
whilher to turn in ^.L^f'^V ', '"'""' "ot
M ni»h. search of an asy um.'' R,,,
w"i* uaxl tun vet brn^..n k«« eJ. ■^..; "^:''"'-*"
broken her fast, frU
J
^J'lHe ex,-
Hi
haiisted. She tried to read the eounteiiaDCet
or au those who passed her, whether they wer«
likely to shew her any commiseration, should
»/ic venture to make an appeal to their feelings i
but no one seen^ed even lo notice her; no one
stood in need of her assistance, and therefore
they had no interest in contemplating her woe-
worn countenance. At last, she ventured ta
knock at th« doors of some of the poorest
dwellings, but every where she met with a re-
pulse: the hope of being considerable gainer*
in consequence of the coronation, had 8tcelc4
^l hearts : so true il is, that avarice ever with-
holds the donations of charily ; and never are
inankind less disposed to be liberal, than at the
moment r.hen they have hopes of increasinir
then" wealth. Our heroine, therefore, returned
to the iiie in the square of the Cremelinei,
where, havmg resumed her seat, she wept in
silence i her heart was fo full that the had not
e*cn the strength to tat a piece of bread, which
SMI old woman had the compassion to give her ;
«be felt htr^elf now reduced to \hm degree
of misery which must com} el her to hold out
bcr hand to any one who ptwsted her, to miplore
their charity i and though she might thus ob-
tain a fr<;a}I pittance, bhe was quite as likely to
be refuicd with contempt. At the moment,
however, ihat she bad resolved to moke hei ap-
J^eai to the bye sta/jder*, a leinaining spark pt
m
I
t4!*
W life wou^^be^^ EVeH"' '*'* '"'=•' ">"
spend the nio-ht in iht„^''' ""'^ 'he to
l> co„,ide">a'' re/tTd^^oUr'' !';[!' » ^'^
tiou subdued ho.. »^- •; "'■P"**'- in** refler-
before her e',.'i''"; ""d, will, one hand
"n* of the motL,. u ' *'"' '"'•'■« you.
give me a trifle „. „ •"* ^^"^ ^"" ''^'^tenoe,.
Bight.- '"* '" P^"<="'« '^ lo'igii'ff for the
fire. " Youn" Jri " ZT^l^>- "'^ "«''' °f ">«
'••'iht to be able ,„ l^t LTv ^?-7 •''S'' y"
■•? assist vou fnr ? ^ ^ "^ I>veIihond : May
talking fLCds ' ' ""'"■ ^""'"'•"S* '^'gSar.;-
of hope re!animated hnr '".'^•- ^" '"'Piration
•he ventured To rSearherl""^ T'"^'' ""*
o^her people So^f™ ,i j '^'""''"'' '" •'»''-'*l
u>g to her and^h» ""* "n wi'hout attend -
thf, she^o'uAt [:/rn:„'^ 'f •
Bfcessities. ••""eci enough to relieve her
crowd '?5.,r ,^l"j^' "=" «"• advanced, the
....,,.. 1.?: " !°. «'»Pe>-se ; and the fir« h-i-k.
-=v ".»isui»i.eu, the guards who were'iiiVon
■/^--5ft
lot
duty near the palace, in making their roundi,
perctjivmg Elizabeth, enquired—" Why she i-.
roamed there ?" j ^^ *^
The stern and sairage looks of these soldier*
terrified her so much that she burst intp tears,
unable to answer their question.
The soldiers, by no means affected by
her vi.ible distress, surrounded her, repeating
their question with insolent familiarity.
The trembling girl at last replied, in a voice
broken with sobs, '' That she came from be-
yond Tobolskoi, to petition the Emperor in be^
half of her father. I have performed the whole
journey on foot," she continued ; ** and as I have
no money, no one would receive me into their
houses here,"
At these words, the soldiers gave way to ^
burst of laughter, taxing her with being aa
impostor, and having wished to impose upon
their credulity. ^
Thf innocent girl, more alarmed than ever,
sought to escape, but they would nut suffer her.
detaining her by main force,
'^ Oh! my God, oh! my father/' she cried,
m an accent of horror and despair, "will yow •
not come to my assistance > have you forsakea
the wretched Elizabeth r"
During this debate, some men of the
^ower or<l€rj attracted by the noise, ba4 i^*-
■I
151
'hdr'"! '" P'""'"' ''"'' '"•"' murmxred
lijidiere ''•"""""" "^ "" ""«"^ "»' "'«
Klizabe.h oxien.lcd h«- hands in the act
of cntrea.,.. ,o>v=.,d, then., exclaiming-" I,
I^. ^'^ "'^"'"- ' "''«""'ly Jeclare that
I have not utiered a falsehood. I have travelUd
from beyond robohl<oi, ,„ i,,,,^, n^yZtt
rccal tiom exdc. Save me, oh ! slve mi'-
mL"io„"-' **''' "' '*"' "'" * '"V* lulBlled",;
This moving appeal' affected her audV
one of then, a,ldre«,ng the soldier., said,
Ra ill "'• f, •'"" ^"°^" ^y 'he sign of 3t
"•>si)e, iji this square, and J will %ive thi,
J^mjg girl « nighf. lodging, i f^J v ,
In ? „ ' '"■''"' *•" ^»«"y »h= ''late. t«
The eoldieri, who had been rather softened
».y her extreme disiress, let go her arms ",ul
JiUrsued their walk. ' ^
Knees of hi? preserver, who kindly raisintr
KT, led her ,0 his house, which was "^
Mght. ■• I have not a bed to give you "
»».d he, « as they are all full; but „,y wif.
«.l]. for one «igh., share Iter's wi,b\ou
»iie IS kind and coyntjajisiona'? ' '
ti
•...I ...Ml
«3« >T iii rr^
Slits:,':!' """■ '""■ "" '• ■"<• ■
i.. 'i?,,";" "«?'■""« ?;■'''•"' '""—■1 k™
from u^V f ^*^^»^t>an(l imraecliateiy ivla»ed
she would nnf%^^ ^o^^g^ng, certain (hat
-trnngr. ' '^'•^^'^ *^ '*^^^'^»"g a dea.iiute
in^ Kif;S\^c,rL'.d''"''^;^ "'.".^^^^
a/wl e.S!l^.,/"r'r' . f*^^*' ^'»"id how pale
be conjfoittd
^'"u agruated hlip ia f
«ill lake care of you •' but heT'l'l ' "'
«>>" a blush, and reuf^^ ^n Tl^ ^T^^
\h j"
•"V recital ; "., „'^,, *'f;;. »l-«d ,«„ d„,;
» -loubl of her ve/aeifv .k"" ""^'•.ainel
, ^<per) said--" My nfltn?""- "^ '"e in.^.'
" but small, but a. fl "'? "> »"'' oi^
ef ted for my own • f "^ " " <^°u'd be f7
yours." ^ "'"" ""«'«ts, it shall b^ ['^^
mention" yTu^^ to,"|'S ^ „'h°osing t,
*"« in some difficulty. be,i,L u^ 'ovoiviuK
J°"ld he have afford'ld her 'i„?*l"'"'»nof
•'-J^'onia? "^'^^ Since he waa .«
*^eij, never minH »• ,.^* • ,
woman. « your r^Z\„/TonrV^' ^^^S
oe powerful recomm.„?i,-^'^ '•"""«« wifl
*onr of our aii^f.^f^ "''"'""^ «<> tl,e fl
for you... ^"^-' »onarch.--.he, ^{'^.J^
-- -^ «rerr.,pted Jam„ Jt^,- „ ,^^
"'/W*'*Th
^54
Emptror Alexander is to be trowwtd fo-morroif
in the church of the Assumption. You must
place yourself in his way, and, falling at
his ftei, you must implore his pardon for
your father. I will accu^ipany and encourage
yotj."
*' Oh J my generous hosts/' exclaimed Eli-
zabeth, seizing their hands with an expres-
•ion of the liveliest gratitude, •• the Almighty
has heard your kind promises, and my pa-
rents will call down blessings upon your
head, since you will le^d me to the feet of
the Emperor, and suj)port me in his pre-
sence; perhaps you may be a witness o^'
my happiness — of the greatest happiness a
human being is capable of enjoying. Oh !
should I obtain my father's pardon, should I
be permitted to be the joyful herald of such
happy tidings, to witness his a^id my mother'!*
delight "
bhe could say no more ; the bare idea of
such felicity almost forbade the hope that
it might he realized ; she could not believe
that she had deserved to be lo transcendenti-y
ba|fpy.
Her hosts, however, revived her spirits by
the panegyrics which they bestowed u|K>n the
clemency of Alexander, repeating to her the
numerrius acts of mercy an*» goodness which
fead iiliea^ly maikcU hi* rei^n, as he setmed ta^
ft
J 55
glory in anpearia r jk- r n
'^ff to, and redressin-
all
if
and
Hitm
'vances
-Elizabeth ca^-crlv i;t»-.r.«i4 ..
'vou'd have .p?: t'.h' ""j;^/" '"• P'"""
repeated; out it .^rew ve fL t"",'"^ ""»
"n the .norrow y/J' "'" '■^^"''^'1 "> make
•" «3t with o,.e of i ! "'• ""''•=f""-' went
«ilh,landin^ her fail',, ? *"'^' •""' ""•-
before the l-itaHo,. ff 'L' " '""^i """-• «'»(»ed
h«.- to forget hmc f ^h'"" "'"^ '^''"''' al/o«-
Heaven «vt^, for her 'ff' '"""'*'' "'«"'» <"
introduced her to ,h/n , '"^''•' ""'^e ' I'ey harf
host." - uZ Ihll ,"'"""' "* '•«»• »>o3,,it»bJc
"otl-ave taken pi, J „„ X " a" /'7' *^"'''
at Ja.t cJosed her eve, ^ • ^'"^ *''«" »>«P
»'ill floated befor! 1,?, ;, "°"'. "^ »'«|.pine,,
cied she ,3* he. fathe;' tLr'h' """. ""^ ^''"-
countenance. beaming; ."h'".^/; ■"'"''-. ""^'r
[?w she thought she heard fh»^ >anBpor, j
iinperor— heard hi™ '"* ""'^e of the
^e'had eXed".': ITr o^ ''''""
sometimes another fi.rn^ obtain! and
h" imagination buH '""*""'' *''''^ '•
tfeforc aj
creiy
13C
h'lrt ' ""'^ ''*'' "''""'y ''""* "H"" her
iLetJi'L 'Tr"' "T •""'"'^ "f """on.
nn,l » y^ of <ln.rns ihe merry belU and , he
lot .1 acclarrmlions of the people, having an
«ou.ced ,he ,Iaw„ „f ,,4 a day cfSe",i.
v'ty and re,oic.ne. Elizabeth, habiled in a
hoMes,. and leaning „,,on the arm of Jamea
Kojsi uiixed among the throne, whi .h «ere
mid ''*~'" '^'"'""!"- ^=" "> I"
.,7i''*. '"'"'' '"""P'* '^«' illuminated by a ihou-
»kh iT"' '"'' *"'■'' I'"' ^^a' decorated
n,i- ,1. ^''*'"*'' magnificence. Upon a
Tabitll n '"''*'"'" ""'"''• yo^'hful consort,
labited m sumptuous dresses, which di.nlay-
»nd countenance,, gave them the appearance
^L„o . '.^ "i*'"^'- '^"^'''"g before her
«"e"5t Intaband, the Empress received from
{"» hand, the imperial diadem, and enc,rc°ed
J-r brn^ with thi, .uperb pledge of ,he"r et
u lr'?n\.rr*''' •? "'" 4al pair «a, the
|Hil| It, m which Has the venerable Plato the
ra.narch of Moscow, uho, in „ di,oour°'e at
once f.a(het« and sublime, reminded Alex.
If
»nnon,
nd I he
^ an-
in a
Kind
157
•nder of the duties .nnexed to rov.Iir and
church »,! """'^"fe thr(»n^^ which filled the
tnd brought frnn. «..«. ^"""» »»eir vessth
lastly K ^ *^ "^*^^^ exquieite wine and
>^<io(Z°Ll'TT ""' Caspian Sea,,
t-y China PC?,: 3„d.hr''' *'""'', '«""«^^''
torn hemisphere To , ..» of .e eLt inH T"
"Imost half the known world and n.L.?'*'"^
'ouuding the pole. " Soven.^^ o? fh '" '""
«ten,ive em,!ire nf the eaNh " «•''"'
•• you. Who ar'e .hi, dav .o^ak'r'th'e a.fM o',;'
vw-
♦I
Biol, cj'f:^T:i: T" "■"' »'■ ••-
Jmn« .,f To,,r ,d i^'/":' "^"^ ""^ '«'• «f ".il.
i-^ioe done ,. ,u f '"■"' •""' """ «" "'■
which roil nL.,, *"'"■" """"'p: >ht'...
•i> solirit .1 . **^ '"* "ho was come
lenee! '" '" '^"'"""" °'' "er fa.her', ""n.
•" 'he hap, ineJ "f 'r ""'' ?" f"'"" 'ife
♦hinting ...e'Ch ';U'"„T'a'. ''"■"•'^"''
•"Khim to break t),e%ha n, "('*'"'^y '*'J"'r-
»"l'ernal,.ral ,Tre„i, '" ':'^7' T''''^ ''^ »
«rowd, and. forcim?! . '"'^ "'""'S'" 'he
"f 'oldier", she fell nr''?"'»^"r"e'' "'* '*"«
»on;:' :s„ J":" 'rrr '•"•= '"•■
159
James Rossi, they forced Elizabeth out of tli«
church.
The Emperor, however, would not be suppli-
^'ated in vain on such a memorable day ; he there-
fore ordered one of the officers in hi^ train to
entjuire what the young woman prayed for.
|l»e officer inttantly obeyed} and on leaving
the cjjurch, heard the imploring accents of thts
imfortunate girl, struggling amidst the soldieri,
who were declaring she should not return.
He started, then rushing precipitately towards
her, beheld her, iniUiu*/ recollected her, and
as inslantly exclai iica-' k is she—it is Eli-
zabeth!"
Our heroine hardl k-^w whether Rhc durst
twljerc herself so fortunate ^s to lee her former
friend: she could not p t.uade hrruelf that
Smoloff was before hcr~Smoloff, who could
remove every difficulty, and who seemed pur-
posely sent by Heaven to ensure her father's
freedom I nevertheless the sound of his voice
confirmed the evidence of her eyes—she could
no longer doubt his identity— she found it
impossible, however, to give utterance lo her
feelings, but she extended her arms to hira,
as she would have done towards an angel who
had opened tin? gates of Heaven for her admit-
tance.
He rushed towards her, and seized her hand,
hardly knowing whether he wan not under the
;;• 11
,.?«^^^
100
influence of a nlea^Jn*. a i •
from whence came you >■• "" ' '° Wessed!
;; From beyond Toboiskoi."
.ve.a.'„re:"a'^;aoo;'^^'*°'^ «"'' '^'■' y- tr.
"f Jiis throne." '^'^^gg'^d me from the foot
bPih ' "'!" '^^"^ y"" ^gain to bis fc-t pi-
beth. inteiTupltd the voim., H ■ ' ^''^*-
i^f enthusiasm. " I tvill ^ "''" '" » »<">»
Emperor. When he ill '"■^""' >"" «» ^'c
he'iis(en»toyot.r ,„r„|i!r' '"T ^"''''' »**««
Persfd the soldiers ZT!, r-,"" '*'«'» '''«-
towards the church "* ^''^»'>eti> back
. '^y iniperial procession was ,t ,1,.. •
mnmg from the great mr,M i' ''"' '""'•"
monarch appeared .Smrl/.ff u i^' *°"" »» "'e
by the hand,' forced h^lft*. °''^'!!^ ^"^^'•'•h
»n/l falling „i,hl;-h''»'yjJjegu^^^^
cnH, •' deign to listen ir. tl ' ^''^' h"
fering virtue. You e" k„, r ^"T °*' '"f-
»he daughter of th. '*"«elmg before you
i'otowskf. who come, f?^""?""' Stani.,C
l»chim»ka. Where Tthe Us? ,!«, ""'«' "^
parents have languished in e.irsh ^'"7 ''^"
>"one. "^course t,„p,„.,e„^*;tdlL*:^a^"'
(f
""Si't at your fee" i,n, T / •'"""'^>'' "'»' «•'«
fatlier." '^ ""'''°''« forgivene*, for hep
"«■«» for my father- *' ^Wda-" fo.gjv^.
''••ei-'y rooted a, hi, nrl" -"h ""' .'' ''' «"■'
»t?-*in.s. S.«nUIaus P„ o„rv' .t" '""^ •""»
""•tant totally rem<n.ed ,|I' ^ 7 """' '" »»
"ooent of .he aime^i'^r^'l"' ""*' ''e *"-
h^d I'e efen sun, erf k"^ '",''? '""'ff*; '"'t
•*""M. at such a' nn^ t"m culpable, Alexander
" -ri, . "loment, have Fnrr;^,^ . •
'he pardon iaeraniP,! •• ■■ '""^P'**" hini :
•l"-ri, at liberty!"^ • '""^ »>« i " ) tmr fa-
powered il.Z^^ Z mT',' ''? '"' ""■-
»">.s of Smo off in ,,1 ''^i '""r'*-" i"'" •••«
""■""gh i,„n.e„.e er ^1"'*,,;''" "f, """i'd
y f..r her, re,.dinnhe" .^r „i IT"^ '"'"'''
a'flause which ih-v h„ . . " *''""'• "f
P-'y of ourlero ,>7 and 0,7' "''"" "'- «'-'
«i"iiarch. ' "'' "" '''"'"ency of iheir
«"-»* «h,„ .he n/roh :. rr-'" '''
«•<%. L
i
iicr
165
T\V *'""]"^' ''""I"'? boi'le her ; and
r.L, !' *r1' **' fe''''-"^'^'* •>" *i"' were a
repci.i.on ..t tliose of the Emperor-" Eliza-
litllriy!"* '""'''°" " g'an'ed-jcu,- tatber is at
For some minutes if wn, by looks only that
•he could cypress her joy ai.d gratitude, but
they spoke volumes to .he heart of Smoloff;
n l^'l' ,j'^"'"S 'o^-ards him, she pronounced^
.n a faltering voice, the names of her fathe^
and moilur: '< VVe shall see them aeain
Sl.S'''"'^'''^'''"^"^ •'■-'«'- o^^"'^
These words sunk deep into the heart of the
young man Elizabeth had not told him she
ov«l „„,, but she had associated bi.u nib
the hist sentunent of ber soul, and she wished
huijlo participate in the happiness which she
thought .he future had in store for her F.om
his mouient, therefore, be ventured to indult'e
the hope that she would at no very distant pe.iod
transports ot joy.
Several days elapsed before the deed of par-
cesiaiy, in be first instance, to reconsider the
cause of Stanislaus I'o.owskys condetnna.ion!
»nd .In, „,vest,gat.on proved so very fa,„urable
.. he nohle Pole, as to convince Alexand.^
(hat e,ui(y alone would have commanded hi^
ti
If
165
'hat he liZeZ^y',';::Jt'L\''-^ ''*''^^
"rcumstanee which Z^ "^ justice-a
memory of rhe„ob,e e^ii:, "" P'"*«' '^ "'*
-pSeretlt St hT"'' ?"=»»'«"'••
" Here U." s'aidX 'Mh, . '"'P"'"' ''«"" '
•""•ely recallinjf your faihlr ?'"''"'. """«
IBent, ,1,0 restore, '?o hi n,n l™'",. '»'"!•''.
Which exa'u'ln"!"- g°S "Lr "'/'T
t2r?«hT;:r''opl!;-r^c' "-
convey (hi, order ,0 T if, *■""''*'' "'•° '» ">
Ptror »o accompany him." " "" 1^"'^
«44'y i"e7rui>,:r£,tu..r "^""^ '"■™ '••
. Asaureilly," resumed Smoloff. -. •
tfom your V,t„ alone your ia?J.t'l'.... fJl*^
1(>4
he i« frfc Presuming lUat such would U
your wish, I ventured to hint as much to
the Emperor, whti approved of your desiVn,
and desired me to inform you that you
have his leave to depart to-morrow in one
ot his carnages J he has also appointed you
two Women attendants, who will travel with
you ; and he sends you a purse of two thou-
sand rubles to defray the expenses of your
routf." ^ .
I'ixing her expressive eyes upon Smolofi,
J'-Iizabeth replied—" Since the first day 1 saw
.vou, not a single favourable circumstance has
forwarded my enterprize, of which you were
"ot the promoter— wuhout your assistance,
I should not have obtained my father's par-
jjon—without your interference, never would
he have beheld his country again-you, then^
ought lo inform him that he is free; this
glorious recompense is your due, and the
only return I have to offer worthy of yout
oismterested sei-vices." .
u 1 ^''l t^iizabeth," replied the young man,
that happiness must bevour's; 1 aspire to x
St dl greater recompense." -
*' A still greater recompense?'* she exclaim-
ed; ' Good heaven ! what can that be r Smo-
lofts heart was upon his lips; but, reprcsfeinff
Ms emotion, he lowered his eyes, and after «
pause of Bome duration, said, hi a fault ering
165
•ence'or yam 'L"i: "'" '"^ """""^ '» '^^ Pre-
love for her b ' nJl """'"*'' '''» f""""'-
•IW he .Icviatc from tr,^' ""'" ^"'' "" '""»'".
con.id..red Mmseif l;'h!r ?r ''^''" •«'^'""' "«
Uefeneelc, a.a.e" 'L'l ^J ^er 'i^^T"' ■ "'^
a sacred dcDosif . h« ^ .; ' " "'* opinion,
blushed 10 eCeVs .In'""'''' ""'•^^"™ ""'«
have blushed o I ,'„,," 1"'!", "^'" »''" "»"'•'
journey he pre erve,l *'"""*'' ""^"' '""tf
and li,.e„:ng ,o he, ," f <^'^ ^"''"'''''•- ''"•'
increwe, buf never d 1 . ' '"' ""'^'"^ ^""'>y
!>" delicacy bv I , , " *'"""« '" "-"""d
.very wher/he^dd.e :;i'\::;T'^,:" ""' l-
"«. ;h.»e .:' ; u.:nr- ..rrbr'?:* '^'f ^
'»7 .""»t bar JSit/'"^^' """'«"
"Ptible, he .poke hill *'* ""■" P"'
J63
B^fivt she hit Moscow, Elizabeth had li-
btnx'y nfjiiiird her worthy charitable hasts;
ana upon repassing; the Wolga before Cnsm,
J-he reme'iabered the boatman, Nicholar. K(«(?-
Joff: upon enquirii?£?jafierhin), she was inforioed,
that in consefjuence of an accident whuh hM
befallen him, he had been reduce 1 to <ixir^'im
riistiess, and that ha was now lying' in a ^;.irrcf,
surrounded by six chUdr-en, In want of bread.
Elizabeth inimcdiateiv reqt;;s«i€d to be «'on-
ducted to his dwelling. Whea h« had ^jcfore
seen her, she *vas pooi and in rags she was
Kow very handsomely dressed ; ano appe?^red
so hapi V that he dJd not. as may be i^upposed,
recollect hei She drew from her purie the
little CjDiri v hieh he had given her, and shewing
it to l?in), reminded him of his former charity
and kiadness towards her j then placing a
hundred rubles upon his bed, she added —
" He that giveth to the poor lendeth vtnto the
Lord, who has made me the humble instrument
of his goodness towards you in the present in-
stance."
Elizabeth was so eager to rejoin her parents,
that she travelled night and da)'. Upon her
arrival at Serapoul, notwithstanding her haste,
she made a point of visiting the grave of the
poor missionary— it was a tribute of grateful
veneration, almost equivalent to an actoffijiial
duty, and Elizabeth was anxious to seize the
had li-
i hasts;
garret
• bread.
>e 'on-
I before
she w&M
Imposed,
Tse the
shewing;
charity
icing a
idded —
into (he
trument
>ent in*
parcnf«,
pon her
T haste,
: of the
G:ratcful
of fijliai
tize the
'3
167
of .cri;..re. „ ■ " ,t ' T,';;;'";"',:!" '"■"■""
formerly *he,i 7o m! ^T-'" *'""■« »''«^ ''-'l
Which now til ';,7"r '';"" "■^"-(ho,e
her feelinis as .1 If ■ •^'T *^"" ^""'hing (o
celestial Xde ,h^ ,^'::"^'' '^' "en fr„„7 hi,
»'er present h;,,"!"! "'?''• t>»"i''l«te.l i„
upon carUi, she eo.iceivv. ^- >."'°'' '"= ''"'■'''
•'.eMi^.hiehhe:^;^;'^^-^^^^^^^^^
t4''>--ncr,iorrT.nrir^''""^'"^
•Jwell upon the Vr=, •.,*''"'"' ""^ "'«" I
extremely a„xiof?„' S .t' """; »''^ 1 am '
the days of her abVnee „.' ""''^'^ ^''''"
counted. She wo.,w „ . ^"* *" anxiously
be informed of rera.i.roLh"'^" her parents Z
.hcv were in ,Z StLVgl'Tr^t'
at Tobolskoi, which wasfttiliV fu ^^^^ ***
*|jreeabie smpride wVf? ^" "^;^^.^'"" i"em an
»^'i>rwe, with a bealuig heart she
I()H
111
prorr..deri (o their liabilauon, followetj only
by i3ii;olofr. How preat was her HgiMtion
as she cro^aed the lorest ; it increased as
she drew near Ihc banks of the lake; eveiy
tn-eand every rpck were now familinr to her.
At last she caught sight of the paternal roof.
She rushed forward, but the violence of her
agitation obliged her to pause. Such is man !
we devote our- whole life fo the search of hap-
piness, and |«t we are unable to beur it in tk-
c«BS ; nay, it ^ peihaps more difficult to support
than excess of misery.
Klizabeth reclining upon the arm of Smo-
lf»ff, faintly uttered—" if I should find my mo-
ther ill ." ''
The dread of this misfortune tempered the
excess of joy which overwhelmed her, an«l
re».«.ored ail her fortitude Again she ran
forward, and having reached the threshold,
she heaid the well known voice of her pa.
rents. In an ecstacy that almost deprived her
of sense and recollection, bhe called upon
them. The door flew open. Her father ap-
peared : at the cry he uttered, her mother rush-
ed forward, and Elizabeth fell into ttieir ex-
tended arms.
" Tnere she is," cried Smoloff ; **she is the
bearer of your pardon; she has triumphed
over every obstacle, and has obtained even
lliOre than \i\it: ' ■'
the Emperor.''
^^^;
-jiJ
m
r^i
•--JS3:!'i
r^
^'
ir>\)
I
L
If
►'■t't
170
Thcee word? added nothing to the joy of
the exiles : indeed they had not even heard
them, fcince they could only see, could only
listen to their hiid ; ehe was restored to
them: she w,o ne'rn to kave them again —
this they hf»d lonj^ resolved, should she ever
return; they were, there^fora, hardly aware that
there could he any greater blessings in store
for them. For a length of *' . .)y remained
in an ecstacy of joy, resembling the delirium
of a fever— a few unconnected words escaped
from 'heir lips, but they knew not what they
uttere(i -, in vain did they seek for words to ex-
preia their feelings— none could they find by
tea >i, by looks only, could they make them un-
derstood j and even their strength, as well as
their reason, began to fail them under excess
of joy.
Smoloff threw himself at their feet :
*' Vouchsafe, in these blissful moments," he
exclaimed, '' to consider me also as your
child: during our journey, Elizabeth called
me her brqtherj at your feet, pei aps, she
will permit me lo asp're to a still more tciider
appellation."
Our heroine izeif a hand of eich of her
parents, and regarding them in the most afifec-
tioaate manner, spi.^' ~" But for him, I should
i^ot, perhaps, have been hert , it was he who
ss^vs ii*v. tv fciis; icct xji. i.uc .►^'^iiiperijr— who
in
your forme, rank 1 "'"' "''"''' >°" "•
arms. Oh ' , ,v .1 '''""•" •»« «» JOur
express „.v aZiuTjT' '"T'' ""^ ^"^ "•
'•"'her, how can 1 ' '''""• ^*'' "'^
him f" '"" ' ''■^'' ^'•quit myself toward*
enthusiasm, ^' lie \ri ft c'.'' ^ ^"'''^ *'^'
aboveall value, h?.; ^ L '^ ®"*'*^^ » ^^a»t is
said-" Wi 'Z ' """" '""•''^'* •'i"'''*"^'^
U,-m?- ^"" ^"^"""^^ "ne never to leave
beMo- d her upon me J^,d~hr ^"''"*' ^'"'
ut.eranc; / . j | ' ot'"'"^^'^ ■'"'" "^ '"r-her
"•uld e.vi.l, up,, ear L, '•"'"'" "'=" "'"•
-r.eri.r .o'ti,a''t"he":w'e:io"X'' ''' """'^'''"''^
i» h
W
#
172
tho efTorls nnrl cournt^a* of hli (laMjrhtfrj nnd
even tlu; iiirxpirs-^ibl,? siTisf'artlon of our vii-
tiDus l.t'ioitie, v.ho at ao oaily a peiind of
her life hid rullilled the mobt aacred of ol.li-
ganons, and dis;>luyed a degree oF virtue
hiMieno unprecedented, did r.ot, in Smo-
I'^Us t)i)ini()n, boar any conipetition with
tiu> happiness fjr which he was indebted to
luvc.
Were I to describe the days that followed,
1 should represent these fond parents dis-
coursing with their child respectin.^ the heari-
rendlng anguish wliieh they had endured
durniir her absence; I should also represent
them listenin:?, with all the varying feelings of
hope and fear, to the account she gave them
of her long journey; ! should relate the bles-
sings which her father had bestowed upon
those who had succoured his child; and I
should describe the tender mother displaying
the lock of hair, placed next her heart,
which Elizabeth had sent her, and which
gift had helped to support her duiing her
Jong absence; I should endeavour to give
my readers an idea of their feelings on the
day that the exile, by whom Elizabeth had
sent it, presented himself at the door of
their cottage, to inform them how greatly
he was indebted to tkeir daughter's gene-
rosity; I should dwell upon the tears which
created hv *"'■'" ''""-'•Ifral.lv in-
<t.e rL of 1 1\ ' /"'' ^"*' •'"">: .ince even
more da,, in, , T '"l"' """" ^''■''' "">•
S-- upon .,efi,,d. and ,ea^3gi;;;e.::^^^^^^^^^^
I'fih was ,leslim.,I ■ """"I'olent, Eliza-
V" a m of innocence :", To t f"'™' ,'"
, 'ne jojb of Heaven: and here I ^u..]\
elude. ' "'^'^ ^ *'»a'I con-
B/..!::rrreoTj-!:;,:-;:,.;a.en.,
«>.ev are "t.w'llf Hr, t"^^^""" »"='''-H..t
hilth : l>v rK
s>t' t<a
;ii
"li'e Ihan of iur
41^ 1
174
prrfers-fo the man whom cve« they think
worthy of her. What more ran be said > L^t
us eave her completely happy : for, were I to
arid another page to my story, I should fear,
from my knowledge of life, of its crosses, de-
ceit f,d hopes and fugitive as well as unreal fe-
J«city, that 1 should have some misfortune to
relate, since tempcxal happiness can never be
ot long duration.
THE END.
P.uc€, bound in Sheep, Eight Pence- Grain, Si;, Penn.
Th^ Preeepts of Wisdom.
Ox\ APPLICATION.
•o ihee J it behovCh th. ^ "'* "'"y "'" '^""•e
of .hat «;, ch " UV't . ''^^'■'"'"^ •'"= '<«'
on that wind, is ,rom°. """"" *'^'^'''"K
Idleness U the mr*»nfr «..*
but ,he labour of WrTue u """I'v""*^ °' PO'^i
fused., he lo"ge?h "oTkn^^i^""^"'' "^^ <=""-
application. ^ ' knowledge, but hath no
His house is in disorder i.-
wasteful and riotous T«d'h!"' "'""?" ««
ward, ruin; he seetl, it J^^,, k- "'"n^'h on te-
eth it with hisears helt' t ^' .^^'1' '"' hear-
eth. but hath no resol,?,in ' ', "■'"^ =""< *'»''-
"pon him like a whi £ " 1, l'^"'"" """^'h
l-ma„ce descend ».uK trti'|;:::.. ''"'^ '-
y
ON PRUDENCE.
HEAR the words of Prudence, give heed unto
her counsels, and store them in thine heart:
her maxims are universal, and all the virtueg
iean upon her ; she is the guide and mistress
of human life.
Put a bridle on thy tongue j set a guard be-^
fore thy lips, lest the words of thine own mouth
destroy thy fieace.
Let him that scolfeth at the lame, tal<e care
that he halt not himself: whosoever speaketh of
another's failings with pleasure, shall hear of
his own with bitterness of heart.
; Furnish thy&elf with the proper accommoda-
tions belonging to thy condition ; yet spend not
to the utmost of what thou canst afford, that
the providence of thy youth may be a comfur-
|o thy old age.
Let not prosperity put out the eyes of circum-
spection, nor abundance cut off the hands of
frugality; he that too much indulgeth in the
superfluities of life, shall live to lame*.tthe want
pf its necessaries.
Trust no man before thou hast tried him j
yet miatruet not without leason, it is unchari-
table.
But when tlinu hast proved a man to be
honest, lock him up in thine heart f»s a treasure J
^^'gard him as a jewel of inestimable ^)rice.
Pi
i
177
be
U^e not fo-diy what to-mnrrow mnv want ;
ntillicr l.ave that to hazard wliich foie«i-!it
mav provide for, or rare prevent.
Yet expect not even from prudence infallible
succeis; for the day knowcth not what the
liitXM may brini^ foifh.
The fool is not alwa3's unfortunate, nor the
wise man always successlul •, yet never had a fool
a horouuij enjoyment; nerer was a wi:>e man
Wholly unhappy.
ON CONTENTS! ENT.
. FORGET nof, Oman! that fhvstatlon on earth
IS appointed l,y the wisdom of the EternaK who
knowcth thy heart: who seefh the vanlly 'of aU
thy re!;':^;"^^ ^^^^ °^''"'^' •" ^^^^y^ ^^^^^^ti.
Murmur not therefore at the dispensations of
Ood, but correct thine own heart neither say
w.ihm thyself, If I had wealth or power, oj
bnng to their several possessors theii- peculiar
inconveniencies. ^
The poor man seeth not the vexations and
anxieties of the rich, he feeleth not the diffi.
Gultics and perplexities of power, neither
knoweth he the weari.omeness'of leisure } and
tiierefore ,t ,s that he repinelh at his own lot.
10 be satished with a little is the greatest
-- V.--... . aiiu iic liiui iiiCicaseth hig riches^ in-
irs
.m^-
creaseth his cares; but« contented mind is a
hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not.
Yet if thou sufferest not the allurements of
fortune to rob thee of justice or temperance, or
charity, or modesty, even riches themselves
shall not make thee unhappy.
But hence shall thoti learn, that the cup of
felicity, pure and unmixed, is by no means a
draught for piortal man.
Virtue is the t&?q which God hath set him to
run, and happinese the goal, wl«ich none can
arrive at til) he hath finished his course, ana
received his crown in tlte mandoriS of eternity.
ON CHARITY,
HAPPY is the man who hath sown m his breast
the seeds of benevolence } the producf: thereof
JihaH be charity and love.
From the fountain of his heart shall i ise rivers
of goodness 5 and the streams shall overflow
for the benefit of mankind.
He assisteth the poor in their trouble j he re-
juiceth in furthering the prosperity of all men.
He censureth not his neighbour, he believeth
not the tales of envy and maltvoience, neither
repeatcth he their slanders.
For evil he returneth not evil ; he hateth noX
even his enemies, but requitcth iheir injnstipe
wiib fritndly adn[ionitiu,<i.
179
The gncU snd anxieties of men excite hit
compassion; he endeavoured to alleviate the
weight of their nrisforiunes, and the pleasure
of success rewardeth his labour.
He calmeth the fury, he healeth the quarrels
of angry men, and preventeth the mischiefs of
strife and animosity.
He promoteth in his neighbourhood peace and
good-will and his name is repeated with praise
and benediction. *
ON SCIENCE AND LEARNING.
THE noblest employment of the mind of man,
IS the study of the woiks of his Creritor.
To him whom- the science of nature delicht-
elh, every object bringeth a proof of his God -
and every thing that proveth it giveih cruse of
adoration.
Casfeth he his eye towards the clouds, find-
eth he not the heavens full of his wonders?
iooketh he down to the earth, doth not the
wornri proclaim to him. Less than omnipotence
could not have formed me ?
While the planets perform their courses-
while the sun reniaineth in his place; while the
comet wandereih through the liquid air, and
returneth to its destined road again; who but
thy Go(J, O man I could have formed them?
what •^•it- ;nfi«;»^ ^.:-.-i ij . _ "*-"» z
U:eni iheir laws ? *^*
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Behold liow awful Ihcir splendor ! yet do they
not diminish ; lo, how rapid their motions ! yet
one runneth not in the way of another.
Look down upon the earth, and see her pro-
duce J examine her bowels^ and behold what
they contain : hath not wisdom and power or-
dained the whole ?
Who biddelh the grass to spring up? who
waterelh it at its due seasons ? Behold I he ox
croppeth it; the horse and the sheep, feed tht^y
not upon it ? Who is he that provideth it for
them ?
Who giveth increase to the corn that thou
sowest ? who returnest it to thee a thousand
fold?
Can the meanest fly create itself; or wert
thou aught lebs than God, couldest ihou have
fashioned it ?
Thou wlio seest the whole as admirable as its
parts, canst thou better employ tlnne eye, than
in tracing out thy Creator'* greatness in iheiii ;
thy luind, than in examining their wonders ?
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