V. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
 SAN DIEeO
 
 
 J.i 
 
 i
 
 Pi E A^ E 1 A T I N S 
 
 OP 
 
 SIBERIA. 
 
 BY A BANISHED LADY. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 COLONEL LACH SZYEMA. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 CijirK (^JJttton. 
 
 LONDON : 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 SIJCCESSOES TO HENRY COLBIJEN, 
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 1854.
 
 M. S.MYERS, PRINTER, 
 22, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVEN I GARDEN.
 
 TO 
 
 LORD DUDLEY STUART, M.P., 
 
 &c. &c., 
 
 WHOSE GENEEOTTS SrMPATHT 
 
 WITH THE EXPATRIATED AND OPPRESSED, HAS ENSHEINED 
 
 HIS NAME INDELIBLY 
 
 IN THE MEMORY OF ALL NATIONS, 
 
 ARE HUMBLY INSCRIBED 
 BY HIS MOST DEVOTED ADMIRER, 
 
 THE EDITOR.
 
 INTEODUCTIOI^. 
 
 The subject of the present work is 
 Siberia; a region di^eary by nature, and 
 not only in name synonymous, but actually 
 identical with a vast prison — a locality asso- 
 ciated in our minds with the most poignant 
 of human sufferings. As such, it could 
 only be properly described under the influ- 
 ence of those painful impressions, and while 
 the writer is writhing under the most acute 
 mental agony. 
 
 The Authoress of the present " Eeve- 
 lations" was one of the numerous exiles who
 
 VI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 are yearly sent to that desolate wilderness. 
 She was a lady of quality, and had the mis- 
 fortune to incur the displeasure of the 
 Eussian Government, and, in consequence, 
 was included in the class of the nestchastri 
 ludi^ or " unfortunates," as the exiles, in pity 
 for their hard lot, are called by the people. 
 
 With regard to her personal history, we 
 need only say that she is well known in her 
 own country — a lady by birth and position 
 in society — a wife and mother, torn from 
 her happy home. Her name is Eva Felinska, 
 a name not less noble, than honourably dis- 
 tinguished in Polish literature. Her hus- 
 band's eldest brother, who died some years 
 since, was ranked among the most eminent 
 Polish writers and poets. One of his best 
 and most popular productions was the tragedy, 
 named after "Barbara Eadziwill," the con- 
 sort of King Sigismundus Augustus, supposed 
 to have been poisoned by her step-mother 
 Queen Bona. 
 
 Eespectable by her family connexions, and 
 a gentlewoman of a cultivated mind, she
 
 INTRODUCTION. vil 
 
 could not but suffer the more bitterly, when 
 torn on a sudden from her domestic hearth 
 and the bosom of civilized society, and 
 carried off to the wilds of Siberia. Here, 
 among a barbarous population, her very 
 habits of refinement, as may be conceived, 
 rendered her position more difficult and 
 imendurable. 
 
 As for her crime, it was that which the 
 noblest and most exalted minds of every 
 nation have ever been proud to commit — 
 namely, the crime of patriotism. By her 
 birth, descent, and education, a Pole, she 
 could not but feel deeply for her fallen 
 country and its oppressed people. Possessed 
 of landed property, she established schools in 
 the villages for the education of the serfs, 
 and treated them with more than usual 
 humanity — conduct that made her suspected 
 by the Kussian Government, which suffers 
 no educational establishments, but those that 
 are sanctioned and carried on according to 
 its own regulations. In addition to this, 
 another incident seems to have rendered her
 
 Vlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 obnoxious to the Government. In the year 
 1837, some emissaries from abroad made 
 their appearance in Eussia, for the purpose, 
 as was stated by the agents of the secret 
 police, of bringing about a new insiUTCction 
 in the Polish provinces. In this conspiracy 
 a great number of the first families in 
 Lithuania, Yolhynia, and other provinces 
 joined, and among them was oiu' authoress ; 
 but in what manner and to what extent she 
 was compromised, is not known, such matters 
 never being diAO-ilged in Eussia. To afford 
 temporary shelter to the emissaiy on his 
 passage, or simply to receive a letter from 
 him, or from those who have been in con- 
 nexion with him ; or the casual knowledge 
 of a vague rumoui* of what may have occuiTed 
 in some locality, and not reporting it to the 
 authorities, suffices to implicate any one as 
 an accomplice in plotting against the safety 
 of the State. 
 
 The dungeons of the citadel of Warsaw, 
 and those at Wilna and Kiev, were at that 
 period crammed with these unhappy victims
 
 INTRODUCTION. IX 
 
 of suspicion. Our Authoress, and other ladies 
 similarly compromised, were sent to a convent 
 of Eussian nuns at Kiev, where they remain- 
 ed many months, undergoing the most rigorous 
 discipline that a fanatical sisterhood, especially 
 if authorized by the Government, can inflict 
 on our sex. After a protracted investigation 
 conducted with a barbarity peculiar to Eus- 
 sian courts, the whole affair ended, by two 
 emissaries who had arrived firom abroad — 
 Konarski and Zawisza, being shot. They 
 were both young men, pupils of the Univer- 
 sity of Warsaw. The rest of the accomplices 
 in the alleged plot were sent into banish- 
 ment to Siberia, and had their estates confis- 
 cated. Their lives were spared, but each was 
 subjected to the penalty of a death long drawn 
 out, and to a fate from which all human 
 beings shrink — death far from home, country, 
 and friends. 
 
 Among those thus banished from Kior, 
 was our Authoress, together with two other 
 gentlewomen — one an elderly matron ; the 
 other, a yoimg lady in her tenderest age, of 
 
 a 3
 
 X INTRODUCTION. 
 
 a delicate frame, impaired by pining in prison, 
 but, as described in this work, of a most 
 amiable disposition, capable of the most gene- 
 rous devotedness. 
 
 These three gentlewomen had to make 
 a most tedious and wearisome journey, dur- 
 ing the inclemency of a Eussian Avinter, to 
 Siberia. On arriving at Tobolsk, they met 
 a number of other exiles, their acquaintances 
 and former neighbours, who had preceded 
 them thither — indeed a whole colony of their 
 countrymen, who had been exiled at differ- 
 ent periods. The Emperor IS'icholas appears, 
 in this instance, to have proved faithful to 
 the threat pronounced by him after the close 
 of the Polish war of 1831, that he would 
 make a Siberia of Poland, and a Poland of 
 Siberia. 
 
 From Tobolsk, the exiles were distributed 
 in accordance with the supposed culpability 
 of each, among the different penal settlements 
 in Siberia. The guiltof our Authoress appears 
 to have beengreat in the eyes of the authori- 
 ties, as she was sentenced to be sent to Bere.
 
 INTRODUCTION. XI 
 
 zov, a town in the farthest north ; while the 
 two other ladies, companions of her journey- 
 were located in a much milder climate in the 
 south. Tliis arrangement, however, did not 
 meet the views of the youngest lady, who had 
 become exceedingly attached to her friend ; 
 and, in order not to be separated from her, 
 she besought the authorities to send her to 
 Berezov ; with which request, though not 
 without great reluctance, they eventually 
 complied. 
 
 It is after her arrival at Berezov, that the 
 remarks of the Authoress acquire an increas- 
 ing degree of interest. "While sojourning 
 there for a period of more than two years, 
 when she was removed to another settlement, 
 nothing escaped her penetrating eye in her 
 intercourse with the inhabitants, whether 
 Eussian or native. She describes their man- 
 ner of living, their hunting and fishing expe- 
 ditions, and their amusements at home ; 
 their religious rites, festivals, popular tradi- 
 tions, and prejudices ; their articles of export 
 and import ; their trade, and the mode of
 
 XU INTRODUCTION. 
 
 carrying it on by barter ; the animals of the 
 i'orest, and the birds of the air ; the scanty 
 vegetables of the soil, and its minerals ; the 
 temperature, and the phenomena of the sky ; 
 in a manner at once pleasant and instructive. 
 There is throughout a certain freshness about 
 her observations and remarks ; and the pic- 
 ture she draws of the customs, opinions, and 
 habits of savage life, as contrasted with those 
 of our civilized communities, will be perused 
 with peculiar interest. 
 
 Never does she allow a single murmui- to 
 escape her lips against the author of her ba- 
 nishment. Of the Emperor Mcholas, not a 
 syllable is said ; his name occurs but once in 
 the book, and then is mentioned indirectly, in 
 connection with his son Alexander, the heir 
 apparent. Even on that occasion, there is no 
 term used either of eulogy or disparagement. 
 Neither good nor bad is allowed to be said of 
 the reigning family of Eussia. This she 
 knew, and she strictly adhered to the esta- 
 blished rule. Of the Government measures, 
 she found many that were wisely conceived.
 
 INTRODUCTION. XllI 
 
 tending to ameliorate the condition of the 
 people ; but she could not at, the same time, 
 help deploring that they should be completely 
 nullified, and prevented from producing any 
 of theii* intended results, by the incapacity of 
 the Eussian ofiicials, and especially those of 
 the inferior grade. Some of these, whose 
 flagrant delinquencies came under her notice, 
 she does not scruple to denounce. With 
 regard to the higher functionaries, she gives 
 them great credit for intelligence and humanity. 
 In so far, the book may be considered per- 
 fectly impartial, containing nothing to excite 
 the susceptibilities even of the admirers of 
 the Eussian Government — if any can be 
 found in this country. The Polish original 
 issued from the press under the rigorous 
 domination of the imperial censorship, with- 
 out the sanction of which it could not have 
 been printed ; and it has since — which is 
 rare in Bussia — passed tlirough two editions. 
 It is altogether a useful publication, both for 
 the native and foreign reader ; and certainly 
 it is creditable to the censorship in Eussia,
 
 XIV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 that permission was given for its appearance. 
 In this respect, it contrasts most favoni'ahly 
 with the censorship exercised over the press 
 by other continental governments, being not 
 only indulgent, but, to a certain extent, 
 liberal; and if the same spirit is followed 
 up, it mil not be without its advantages. 
 
 Still the Polish original cannot be said to 
 bear no marks of the pen of the censor. 
 All compositions written under constraint are 
 worded with caution and reservation, and 
 necessarily contain many phrases capable of 
 a double meaning. These can scarcely be 
 perceived, and never be fully comprehended, 
 by foreign readers, as by the natives, who, 
 initiated in the history of events, can, as is 
 commonly said, " read many things between 
 the lines." Moreover, in some cases, many 
 matters have been but lightly touched upon 
 by the Authoress, and may not be clear, 
 while others are so novel as to appear scarcely 
 credible. 
 
 In illustration, therefore, of the text, as 
 well as the matter contained in it, the Editor
 
 INTRODUCTION. XV 
 
 has thought fit to subjoin some annotations, 
 for which (as thoy have not met the eye of 
 the censorship, and might perhaps offend the 
 Eussian Government) he alone, and not the 
 Authoress, ought to be held responsible. 
 The Authoress is a perfect stranger to the 
 Editor. All liis knowledge of her is derived 
 solely from her work, and he has never had 
 any communication with her whatever. All 
 he has been able to learn is that she is still 
 living, and that, after her return fi'om exile, 
 she published other productions of her pen ; 
 this being her fii'stwork. We should indeed be 
 extremely grieved, if our publication of her 
 book in England should in any way interfere 
 with her peace and comfort, and should not 
 rather be an encouragement to her to resume 
 her pen, for the benefit of her country and 
 the information of other nations. 
 
 The Polish original, from which these 
 volumes have been translated, comprises a 
 narrative of events that took place between 
 the years 1839 and 1841 ; but, owing to the 
 delay caused by the long exile of the writer,
 
 XVI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 it has but recently left the press. Still, 
 delay does not in the least detract from 
 either the importance or novelty of the work. 
 Siberia is not a country of progress ; trans- 
 formation and changes are not effected there 
 with the same rapidity as they are in Western 
 Europe ; but for ages everything is sta- 
 tionary. Generation after generation may pass 
 away, but the opinions, habits, and usages 
 of the people continue immutable. 
 
 Desolate and dismal, unexplored and imex- 
 plorable, as Siberia may be, it is not, as will 
 be seen by this work, without its peculiar 
 lineaments of sublimity, amidst all its di*eari- 
 ness and solitudes ; and a day will come when 
 its ice-bound territories will be opened to 
 civilization, and its forests vanish before the 
 advances of freedom. We cannot conclude 
 better than by quoting Sydney Yendys' lines 
 on the Polar regions : 
 
 " The earth is rock — the heaven 
 The dome of a greater palace of ice, 
 Russ-built. Dull light distils through frozen skies 
 Thickened and gross. Cold Fancy droops her wings,
 
 INTRODUCTION. XVll 
 
 And cannot range. In winding-sheets of snow 
 
 Lies every thought of any pleasing thing. 
 
 I have forgotten the green earth ; my soul 
 
 Deflowered, and lost to every summer hope, 
 
 Sad sitteth on an iceberg at the Pole ; 
 
 My heart assumes the landscape of mine eyes, 
 
 Moveless and white, chill blanched with hoarest rime. 
 
 The sun himself is heavy, and lacks cheer ; 
 
 Or on the eastern hill, or western slope. 
 
 The world without seems far and long ago."
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 Journey from Kiovto Tobolsk — Departure — Prostration 
 — Government instructions — Tula — Veteran soldier — 
 Iron-works — Russian currency — Murom Forest — 
 Nijny-Novgorod — Its fair. . . .1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Russian fare — Companions in exile — Arrival at Kazan 
 — Discomforts at lodj^ings — Visit from the Police 
 Director — Visit fi'om a Russian matron — Recollec- 
 tions of Easter- day — Invitation from the landlady — 
 Obstacles at departure — Aspect of the city — Variety 
 of races — Costumes — A Tartar chief and his 
 wife . . . . . .19
 
 XX CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Perm — New villages — Ural Mountains — Ekatarinburg — 
 A roguish innkeeper — Post-carts — Defects of female 
 education — Tumen — A national reKc — Tobolsk — Com- 
 patriots in exile — Devotcdness of a young lady — De- 
 parture — Inundation — Bronikov — Counter-order to 
 return. . . . . .45 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Sojourn at Tobolsk — Lower and Upper Town — Edifices 
 — Interview with an exiled Colonel — "Walks on the 
 Irtish — Tobola — Public garden — Visit from the exile 
 — Advance of spring — Breaking of ice on the Irtish 
 — Argali deer . . . . .68 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Preparations for departure — Spring — The Upper Town 
 •— Ceyzik's house — Prince Gortchakoff — His removal 
 to Omsk — Roman Catholic missions — A real solitude 
 — Embarkation — Cabin — Farewells. . . 82 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Journey to Berezov — Mournful train of thoughts — 
 Kutchum Xhan and Yermak — Steward — Passengers 
 — Samovar — Boating — Perilous adventure — Gale of 
 wind — Demiansk — Increase of cold — Expanse of 
 the desert — Grandeur of primitive nature. . 98
 
 CONTENTS. XXI 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Confluence of the Irtish and the Oby — Lowland and 
 upland plain — The Tartar and the Ostiak boundary — 
 Storm — Wnd Scenery — Stones of various colours 
 in rivers — Kondisk Monastery — Soswa — Distant 
 view of Berezov — Disembarkation — Aspect of the 
 town . . . . .117 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The bay — Lodgings — Want of market — Sour ducks — 
 Nights with daylight — Breakfast on water — jSTew 
 Lodgings — Supper — An-angement of the rooms — 
 Superfluous gifts — The hostess — Sudden summer 
 heat . . . . .131 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Rapidity of vegetation — Preparations for the fisheries 
 in the Oby Gulf — Performance of a religious rite — 
 A family fareweU — A touching scene — Site of Berezov 
 — Streets — Structure of the houses — Churches — ^Burial 
 places — Menzikov's corpse — His grave — Graves of 
 other exiles — Classification of the inhabitants — Pro- 
 visions — A Siberian school. . . .142 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Musquitos — Visits — Bashfulness of a hostess — A 
 merchant widow's house — Objects of luxury and
 
 XXll CONTENTS. 
 
 European taste— Not at home — Summer heat— 
 Courtesy of the Ecrezovian maids — Flight — Arrival 
 
 of Madame X A Berezovian liloomer — A Polish 
 
 maid-servant. . . . . .157 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Inland Navigation — The Berezovian distinct — Population 
 — Scantiness of cultivation — Manners and customs of 
 the inhabitants — Berezovian women — origin of the 
 Berezovian Cossacks — Causes of their degeneration — 
 Their military services and emoluments — Their 
 mercantile spirit and traffic with the natives . 173 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 My child— Visits of guests— The Nizegorodtyow family 
 — Parental authority — Ladies' dresses — Costumes 
 peculiar to each class — Evils arising from change 
 of class ..... 186 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Failing health — A Siberian merchant— Attempts at 
 agriculture — Hostility to improvement — System of 
 trade — Articles of barter — Character of the natives — 
 The culinary art— Young bride's first dinner party—
 
 CONTENTS. xxiii 
 
 Female education — Facility of marriage — Landed 
 Property— Prospects of Berezov . .196 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 St. Peter's festival — "Waygulka pic-nics — Sudden cold 
 — Traces of a road — Government magazines — An 
 Ostiak encampment — Description of an Ostiak yourta 
 — Smell peculiar to the Ostiaks — Their diet — Ostiak 
 beggars ..... 218 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 Terrific storm — Thoughts of home — A Siberian soiree 
 Sumptuous supper — The stirrup cup . .230 
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 Marriage ceremony — Death of Colonel Krzyzanowski— 
 News from home — Paulina's letter — Impressions 
 during a walk . . . . . 243 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 Early Autumn — Water excursion — Sand-banks— High 
 tides — Autumnal aspect of Berezov— Solitary walk 
 in the forest — Shamanic worshippers of larch-trees — 
 Account of a woman who lost her way in the 
 forest ..... 259
 
 XXIV CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The library at Tobolsk — Popularity of novels at Berezov 
 — Tale-tcllerfi — Samoicdes — Their tents, habits, and 
 religion — Tragic incident at Samarov — Kapustka 
 fete — Anna Piotrowna — Public opinion on seduction 
 — Alarm at the appearance of a bear . . 282
 
 REVELATIONS OF SIBERIA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Journey from Kiov to Tobolsk — Departure — Prostration 
 — Government instructions — Tula — Veteran soldier — 
 Iron-works — Russian currency — Murom Forest — 
 Nijny Novgorod — Its fair. 
 
 On the 11th of March, old style, 1839, I 
 left Kiov. The sun was sliining in all his 
 brilhancy, yet the cold was intense, and no 
 signs of the approach of spring were as yet 
 visible. "We passed the Dnieper which was 
 still ice-bound, in a sledge, by the road 
 leading to Orel, and thus I set out on my 
 long journey. 
 
 No sooner had we crossed the Dnieper, 
 than the post-horses commenced a gallop. I 
 still tried to catch one more glimpse of Kiov, 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 I REYELATIONS 
 
 gazing towards that ancient city again and 
 again. At last it vanished in the dimness of 
 distance, and then, unconscious of all around 
 me, I could neither see nor hear anything. 
 The only outward impressions, that I was yet 
 capable of receiving, were the continuous 
 ringing of the bells on the post-horses, cease- 
 lessly tinkling in my ear, and the violent 
 jerks and jolts when the sledge was tumbling 
 up and down, over ruts and deep snow-holes 
 on the road. These interruptions in some 
 degree aroused me for a time from my state 
 of abstraction and complete toqDor ; but at 
 last even they ceased to produce the slightest 
 impression on me. Arrivals at the station- 
 houses, relays of horses, and numberless 
 upsettings of the sledge, did indeed remind 
 me at times of external objects ; but then, an 
 excruciating headache, an acute pain in all 
 the joints of my body, and the shortness of 
 time in which post-horses were again fastened 
 to the sledge, did not allow me an instant for 
 observation; for no sooner had the bells 
 begun to tinkle, than the sledge was again on 
 its rapid breath-stifling course, leaping in and 
 out of holes and hollows, timibling over ruts,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 3 
 
 and thus, without interruption, continuing on 
 — on — on from day till night, from night till 
 day, without a single intermission. 
 
 At the commencement, I foimd my journey 
 quite intolerable, as I could never sleep in 
 travelling. Hence it may be imagined that 
 my weariness was extreme, and that a few 
 hours of rest had become absolutely neces- 
 sary to recruit my failing strength. After 
 travelling for two days and nights, on 
 arriving at a station for the relay of horses, I 
 alighted from the sledge and entered the 
 post-house. Completely exhausted, I sank 
 on the nearest bench, hoping to prociu^e some 
 repose, though it were only for one short 
 hour. But from the agony of my mind, all my 
 endeavours to snatch a little sleep proved in- 
 effectual, for although my body was, from 
 sleeplessness, in a wretched state of prostra- 
 tion, my mind, to my great distress, continued 
 all the while active, and kept me awake. 
 
 "Wliile I was undergoing such indescribable 
 torture, my guard entered the room, and 
 with an authoritative air insisted that I should 
 immediately rise, as he had no time to lose 
 on my journey, and I might very well take 
 
 B 2
 
 4 REVELATIONS 
 
 my rest in the sledge. Irritated at his 
 peremptory tone — not iinlilce a steed when 
 made restive — I refused to obey, and, indeed, 
 from my extreme debility, I could not in- 
 stantly rise from the place, where I hoped I 
 should be enabled to get a moment's rest. 
 The master of the post, an old superannuated 
 officer of the Eussian army, and a Eussian 
 bybii'th, looked with pity on my wretched con- 
 dition, and mistrusting my guard, demanded 
 to see his instructions. On perusing the 
 document, he immediately perceived that the 
 guard was abusing his power, as, on account 
 of my sex and my age, the Government in- 
 structions had been framed in a considerate 
 manner, and I, evidently, was not consigned 
 to my escort, without restraint being im- 
 posed on them, mitigating to some extent, 
 and as circumstances might requii'e, the 
 severity of ordinary regulations. The docu- 
 ment containing these instructions, the 
 humane officer read aloud in my presence, 
 that I might understand my position. Thus 
 accidentally, and for the fii'st time, I was in- 
 formed exactly what were my obligations, 
 and how far I was protected. Henceforward
 
 OF SIBERIA. 5 
 
 I could travel more comfortably, and more at 
 my ease ; and as often as I felt much 
 fatigued, I made my escort halt, to allow me 
 repose. 
 
 This was but the beginning of my journey ; 
 yet when I retraced in my mind the distance 
 I had traversed, and the fatigue I experienced 
 on the route — when I looked back, and on- 
 ward, comparing the distance already com- 
 pleted with the immense space that still lay 
 before me, I felt despondent beyond expres- 
 sion. I thought of the trials wliich might 
 be awaiting me on the road, and my courage 
 sank. Yet there is nothing to wliich man 
 may not, in the end, be accustomed ; nothing 
 which he may not be brought to endure. 
 Ere a week had elapsed, my ardent imagina- 
 tion had considerably cooled, and become 
 more hopeful. My frame, also, had lost much 
 of its former susceptibility, and I could easily 
 bear up against fatigue, l^ow I calmly re- 
 sumed my seat in the sledge, without betray- 
 ing the least sign of impatience, without 
 fretting, without any aversions; but as if 
 such was my daily business, and had long 
 been the ordinary routine of my life.
 
 b REVELATIONS 
 
 I had no cm-iosity respecting the coimtry 
 tlu'ough wliicli we passed, or impatience to 
 change one spot for another — peculiarities 
 possessed generally by travellers, but abso- 
 lutely unfolt by me. In the extraordinary 
 situation in which I was, I could experience 
 no kind of pleasurable emotion, and I viewed 
 all things with utter indifference. I found 
 nothing to hurry me on — nothing that was 
 worthy to engage my attention, or to stimu- 
 late my curiosity. I felt no desii'e, what- 
 ever, to see any of the places or the scenery 
 on the road. My wishes were never out- 
 stripping — were never in advance of my 
 sledge. My hours were quite at liberty to 
 pass by as they pleased; my will had no 
 share, no interest in them. 
 
 In this frame of mind, I had traversed a 
 great part of the territory of the government 
 of Tcherniechov, and crossed the extensive 
 steppes of the government of Orel, so called 
 from the city of that name, situated on the 
 river Oka, and at length arrived at Tula. 
 While the horses were being changed at this 
 town, I entered the post-house, driven in by 
 the cold, from which I was suffering
 
 OF SIBERIA. 7 
 
 severely. Here I happily found an old 
 soldier of the Minsk regiment of infantry, 
 who some time back, when that regi- 
 ment was stationed in our province, 
 had his quarters in a village belonging 
 to myself. This circumstance, trifling as 
 it may appear, made us consider each other 
 in the light of old acquaintances ; such as had 
 seen the same objects and places, or, at least, 
 had some reminiscences in common, which 
 alone speaks volumes to those who, removed 
 from their native place, happen to meet in 
 a distant land. I shall for ever remember 
 the few moments of conversation I had with 
 the veteran soldier. 
 
 In the reception room, at the same post- 
 house, my attention was not a little attracted 
 by various articles from the iron manufactory 
 of Tula, admirable for their polish and lustre. 
 They formed an agreeable exhibition, and 
 were evidently exposed to view as a bait to 
 travellers — such, at least, they were to me. 
 Charmed by the display, I experienced a 
 strong desire to make a choice of some of 
 the more useftd of the articles, and take 
 them with me as souvenirs from Tula. I
 
 8 REVELATIONS 
 
 thought, too, they woukl be of service to me, 
 as I was gomg to a country which scarcely 
 possessed any manufactures ; and having but 
 little luggage, they would be no incumbrance. 
 I made a selection of such as I considered 
 would prove most serviceable for female work, 
 as knives, scissors, bodkins, and such other 
 trifling articles, and a seal, bearing a well- 
 known larch tree for its symbol.* After I 
 had duly settled my account, and was left 
 alone, I was examining my purchases, and 
 admii'ing theii' exquisite workmanship, when 
 I fancied I heard a cautious step behind me, 
 as though somebody was approaching, and 
 suddenly felt a small roll of paper thrust 
 into my hand. I instantly turned round, and 
 beheld the veteran soldier, but he had abeady 
 glided away, and now stood at a distance. 
 He cast a significant glance at me, but was 
 silent. " There is some mystery in all this," 
 thought I ; but I made no remark. 
 
 Curiosity is never more alive or more acute, 
 than when it is stimulated by secrecy. I thrust 
 the roll of paper in my pocket, waiting for 
 
 * The larch-tree is symbolical of Siberia; and in 
 this place, identical with banishment to that country.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 9 
 
 some favourable opportunity when I could read 
 it unobserved, without running the risk of 
 compromising the giver of it. I longed for 
 this opportunity, and as soon as I saw my- 
 self alone, I unfolded the crumpled paper, 
 and read in Eussiau characters, traced some- 
 what clumsily, as follows : 
 
 " In paying bills, attend to the paper cur- 
 rency, which is different in this country. You 
 paid two roubles more than you ought. To 
 prevent your being cheated in other places, 
 I enclose for you ' Tables of the currency.' " 
 
 After perusing the scrawl, I signified with 
 a grateful look my thanks to the kind- 
 hearted veteran. Afterwards I tried to make 
 out in what manner I had been imposed 
 upon, but could not unravel it ; having made 
 my bargain in copper assignats of the cur- 
 rency, and paid the amount due in the same 
 coin. Pei-plexed by my calculations, I 
 watched again for an opportunity to speak 
 to the veteran, and obtain ffom him more 
 accurate information on the subject. From 
 his explanation, I found the system of cur- 
 rency in those parts to be so strange and so 
 intricate, that without the aid of the Tables, 
 
 B 3
 
 10 REVELATIONS 
 
 and some notion of other technicalities, it was 
 quite unintelligible. Not a single species of 
 monetary currency, neither that of hoiimasJiki^ 
 as the paper assignats are called, nor that of 
 silver or copper, circulated according to its 
 nominal or real value. It is true that in 
 making the accounts, it was customary to 
 reduce all to copper assignats as a fixed 
 standard; but in the payment of bills 
 amounting to twelve such assignats, only ten 
 assignats were to be paid, and the matter 
 was considered as settled. Why it was so, 
 is to this day a perfect puzzle to me, and I 
 am at a loss to account for it. As to silver 
 coin in circulation, it was not taken ad 
 valorem^ but in its relative value to the copper 
 assignats; and this computation had some- 
 how become so complicated by the fractional 
 reduction of the kopeks^ that it was quite im- 
 possible to get out of the maze of confusion, 
 except with the aid of the Tables, or by 
 means of long practice. 
 
 Quite at a loss to comprehend the wisdom 
 of such a monetary system, and still less to 
 appreciate its expediency, but considering 
 that on my farther journey the information
 
 OF SIBERIA. 11 
 
 miglit be very useful, I hunibly bowed to my 
 informant, and put his Tables, with which 
 he had the kindness to provide me, into my 
 pocket ; and I had, indeed, frequent occasion 
 to consult them. I cannot say that the 
 knowledge of my having been cheated, had 
 on this occasion been of any avail ; for no 
 sooner had the vendor of the articles 
 pocketed the money, than he vanished, and 
 I did not see his face again. 
 
 I should like to have seen the whole of Tula, 
 which appeared to be a flourishing city; and I 
 particularly wished to visit its iron foundries, 
 and other manufacturing establishments, but 
 I soon found how idle were all my aspirations. 
 The implacable tinkling of bells began again 
 to ring in my ears, accompanied by my guard's 
 ill-omened song, ending in the customary 
 refrain^ " Onwards — onwards — onwards." 
 
 Tula, as far as I was able to judge from its 
 exterior, is a beautiful town. It has broad 
 streets, houses with iron balconies and iron 
 gates, and gardens enclosed with railings, 
 which make it appear fresh and neat, and 
 altogether veiy picturesque. Its environs, 
 however, failed to leave any such agreeable
 
 12 REVELATIONS 
 
 impression on my memory. Immense steppes, 
 covered with snow, like vast winding-sheets, 
 extended on all sides as far as the eye could 
 reach. For many hundred versts on my 
 route, no town, no village, and, indeed, no 
 decent or tenable human habitation presented 
 itself; and all that could be descried on that 
 vast desert, were solitary mllows, standing 
 at great distances from each other on the 
 road, not so much to border it, as to indicate 
 the way to the traveller. 
 
 From Tula our way lay to Eazan. This 
 town passed, we approached the great Murom 
 Forest, celebrated in innumerable wonderful 
 stories and ancient traditions, circulating 
 among the people. The Murom Forest is 
 especially renowned as the scene of countless 
 robberies and murders, perpetrated in old and 
 modern times. The imagination of the neigh- 
 bouiing people seems never to weary of 
 creating all sorts of new stories of this kind, 
 or embellishing old ones. Post-masters and 
 drivers, with fancy more or less poetical, and 
 ever inclined to Oriental exaggeration, here, on 
 this one theme, act the part of national bards, 
 and recount these dismal tales with the greatest
 
 OF SIBERIA. 13 
 
 eagerness to the astoimded and fascinated 
 traveller. 
 
 I had much pleasure in listening to these 
 wild stories, in so far as they appeared to be 
 the fruit of a national poetry — originating 
 naturally from a local source — and were not 
 a mere offspring of imagination, artificially 
 kindled and excited. Still, in spite of the 
 strong impression they produced on my fellow- 
 travellers and our military escort — spite of 
 the solemn and earnest character of their 
 preparations, such as loading of muskets, and 
 searching for all possible weapons of defence, 
 before we entered the dreadful forest — spite 
 of all these measures of precaution, and the 
 alarm which I detected in all countenances, 
 I, for my part, felt not the least apprehension. 
 
 There exist certain situations apt to exalt 
 man above all events incidental to every-day 
 life, rendering liim wholly inaccessible to all 
 such emotions as fear. Placed in such cir- 
 cumstances, we acquire a marvellous degree 
 of independence, enabling us to look with 
 contempt and utter indifference on what may 
 cause dismay and alarm to others ; although, at 
 other times, and under different cii'ciunstances.
 
 14 REVELATIONS 
 
 we should alike experience some disquietude. 
 This condition, wliich raises us above the 
 ordinaiy incidents of life, is our strength, our 
 delight in misfortune, and was now my best 
 consolation. 
 
 We traversed the Murom Forest, the great 
 theme of so many disquieting stories, in per- 
 fect safety, without imdergoing any of the 
 dreaded adventures ; and indeed, after jour- 
 neying over such an extent of steppes, tire- 
 some by their monotony, I might almost say 
 that it afforded me a certain degree of plea- 
 sure. I remember I felt much relieved amid 
 the gi'andeur of the sylvan scenery ; and 
 instead of meeting fierce bands of robbers, I 
 saw only a variety of birds, flying singly or 
 in flocks over our heads, and woodcocks dang- 
 ling like as many caps on the branches of 
 bu'ch trees. The flapping of their wings, 
 while these birds were flying fi-om tree to 
 tree, scared at the approach of human beings, 
 was the only soimd heard in the silent soli- 
 tude of the immense forest. The sight of 
 these beautiful bii'ds, which were very nume- 
 rous, made the blood of my Lithuanian heart 
 glow with earlier feelings — and mine was the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 15 
 
 blood of the ancient huntsmen of Lithuania. 
 I sprang up from my seat in the sledge, \\ith- 
 out knowing wherefore ; while the woodcocks 
 with a quiet and indifferent look, gazed on us 
 from the trees near the road, as if to mock 
 my inability to reach them. Every time we 
 saw such flocks as these feathered tribes, an 
 exclamation of delight burst from me, and 
 for the moment 1 forgot my situation and my 
 sorrows. 
 
 Having traversed the Murom Forest, we 
 approached the banks of the Wolga, and at 
 last arrived at Nijny Novgorod, a city far 
 famed for its fail's. As we drew nigh, 
 the mass of buildings had the appearance of 
 two separate towns, quite distinct from each 
 other ; the Wolga intersecting and nmning 
 between them. The one division was fidl of 
 activity, business, and animation ; the other 
 regidarly built, neat, and cleanly, but lifeless, 
 without bearing any marks either of antiquity, 
 or devastation by time. Quiet, immovable, 
 and buried beneath snow, that part of the 
 city appeared in a somnolent torpor, as if 
 under the power of enchantment, and in its 
 first form of youth, freshness, and grace.
 
 16 REVELATIONS 
 
 waiting for ages the arrival of that deliverer 
 whose destiny it was to disenthral it, and 
 restore it to life and action. 
 
 After contemplating the silent scene for a 
 few moments, I rubbed my eyes, and looked 
 again, but all I saw remained an enigma. I 
 asked myself what could have happened. 
 Had the breath of plague passed over the 
 city with its blighting influence ? Though 
 it was apparently so fi-esh, and presented not 
 a sign of decay, still all was solitary and 
 dead! 
 
 The mystery was soon cleared up. The 
 portion of the city where we put up, was the 
 place where the celebrated fair is held, called 
 Makariev Pair, after the town of Makariev, 
 whence it had been transferred to Nijny 
 Novgorod in 1817. It lasts five weeks ; and 
 during this season, that part of the town 
 becomes the mart for the productions and 
 manufactiu'es brought from all Europe and 
 Asia, for sale or barter. The Wolga, by 
 wliich the Baltic is united with the Caspian 
 Sea, carries to this place merchandise from 
 the south and the west. Here, the Calmucks, 
 Persians, and Bukharians, come with the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 17 
 
 produce of their own coimtry ; the Chinese, 
 with their tea and silks ; the Siberians, ^dth 
 their fui's and cm-ious collections of precious 
 stones. These and the Kke articles of raw 
 produce, and the other riches of Asia, are 
 exchanged for the choice commodities of 
 Europe. It cheered me to see that, by 
 means of commerce on the very spot where I 
 then was, and which I saw so benumbed and 
 almost dead, intercourse was yet maintained 
 between so many nations, diifering in origin, 
 customs, language, and religion; in the 
 colour of their skin and in theii* dress ; in 
 their physiognomy and civilization. Divided 
 by nearly the whole of the globe, they here 
 meet together on friendly terms, and be- 
 come acquainted with each other, and 
 humanized. 
 
 The busy half of the city, which, at that 
 time, was but just covered with snow, is awake 
 and alive only for a few weeks. During this 
 short period, however, all is activity and 
 bustle within its precincts. Merchants from 
 far and near congregate in the streets; hotels, 
 houses, and huts swarm with a moving mass 
 of strangers, and are overstocked with wares.
 
 18 REVELATIONS 
 
 For these few weeks of her existence, the 
 disenchanted city lives a longer life than her 
 sister, on the opposite shore, during the 
 whole year.
 
 or SIBERIA. 19 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Russian fare — Companions in exile — Arrival at Kazan 
 — Discomforts at lodgings — Yisit from the Police 
 Director — Yisit from a Russian matron — Eecollec- 
 tions of Easter-day — Invitation from the landlady — 
 Obstacles at departure — Aspect of the city — Yariety 
 of races — Costumes — A Tartar chief and his wife. 
 
 At Nijny Novgorod, having provisioned 
 ourselves with bread and other necessaries, 
 as, on account of the approaching Great 
 Lent we could hardly expect to obtain at 
 post-stations anything but barshtch,* with 
 
 * Ba/rshtch is made of beet-root, as sour-krout is of 
 cabbages, set in fermentation, namely, by the following 
 process : a quantity of fi-esh-pulled beet-root is put in 
 an earthen pan filled with water, and loaves of rye
 
 20 REVELATIONS 
 
 oil, gruel, and sour-ki'out, all which are but 
 meagre fare, we continued our route on the 
 ice-bound Wolga to Kazan. I have used 
 the plural number, because I left Kiev simul- 
 taneously with Madame Pauline Wilczopolska 
 
 flour are added to create fermentation. A cover is put 
 over the pan, and hermetically closed with a rim of 
 soft paste, to prevent the air from entering. It is then 
 set in a warm place for ten days, after which it will 
 draw out vinegar from the beet-root, very red and sour. 
 To make a dish of harshtch, various other ingredients, 
 as onions, celery, cloves, pepper, bayleaves, &c., are 
 added to make it savoury. It may be boiled with every 
 kind of meat ; and on Lenten days with cream and oil, 
 which is the Russian way, and not relished by our 
 authoress. Many other unknown dishes are mentioned 
 in her book — some even described by her ; and receipts 
 for others, as the Polish cake, hahj, larshtch, and the 
 Eussian shtcy, or sour-krout, may be found in Mr. 
 Bregion's '' Practical Cook." The ingredients, and the 
 mode of preparation of the latter, as stated in that book, 
 are so various and so expensive, that dishes so prepared 
 are real dainties, calculated solely for seignorial or royal 
 tables. The late Emperor Alexander relished the 
 harshtch, and so many do ; it is, like sour-krout, medi- 
 cinal and anti-scorbutic, and much nicer. The Russian 
 dishes, as referred to by our authoress in her book, must 
 be presumed to have been quite different, and consisting 
 of more simple compounds. — Ed.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 21 
 
 and Miss Josephine Ezonzewska, who were my 
 travelling companions. Both these ladies 
 were destined for other places ; but we were 
 to travel together on the same route as far as 
 Tobolsk. 
 
 We arrived at Kazan on Good Friday. 
 Being tired, famished, and exhausted, we 
 resolved to profit by the indulgences granted 
 in the instructions, and rest awhile in this 
 city, at least during the Easter festival. We 
 communicated our joint wishes to the Ser- 
 geant, our principal guard, and as they coin- 
 cided with his own, he readily agreed to 
 them. It was, however, necessary to go 
 first thi-ough certain forms, and having 
 aiTanged measures with us, he left us in the 
 sledge in the public street, commending us 
 to the surveillance of his subalterns, and 
 went to present himself to the authorities, to 
 deliver his despatches, and receive farther 
 orders. We waited his return with undis- 
 sembled impatience, and strove to amuse 
 ourselves meanwhile by looldng at the town. 
 But, as ill luck would have it, darkness came 
 on, enveloping eveiy object, and so even 
 this resource was denied us. 
 
 Two, three, and four hours passed, and still
 
 22 REVELATIONS 
 
 the Sergeant did not make his appearance. 
 The darkness of night did not, as may be 
 fancied, in the least diminish oui' impatience. 
 Hunger, cold, and prostration of body and 
 mind, and the vehement curses of the postil- 
 lion, who was likewise worn out by long 
 waiting, added beyond measure to our suffer- 
 ings. At last, the postillion advised us to 
 take shelter in some inn, or a shed, and not 
 to remain in the street to perish with cold 
 and hunger ; but our guardian escort would 
 not hear of such a proposition, but insisted 
 that we should remain where we were till the 
 commander arrived. Even they, however, 
 were worn out eventually, and we were 
 suffered to put up at an inn. 
 
 It was now about ten o'clock; and no 
 sooner did we enter the room, and felt the 
 genial warmth, than we entirely forgot our 
 other wants, being seized with an overwhelm- 
 ing inclination to sleep, which involuntarily 
 closed our eyes. A carpet spread on the 
 floor, and a pillow under our heads, was the 
 extent of our wishes — the earthly paradise 
 our hearts sighed for ; and directly we laid 
 down, we sank into a profound sleep. 
 
 It was not, however, long before we were,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 23 
 
 to om' great annoyance, disturbed by our 
 sergeant, wbo brought us otherwise agreeable 
 news, namely, that the authorities had com- 
 plied with oiu' wishes, and that quarters were 
 ready for us, but that we must proceed to 
 them immediately. We besought permission 
 to pass the remainder of the night where we 
 were, but our entreaties were in vain. We 
 were answered that this was impossible, and 
 that an officer was waiting in the adjoining 
 room who was to see us to our assigned 
 lodgings. We saw there was no remedy, 
 and that we must quit our warm chamber, 
 resign our cherished pillows, and go to the 
 new quarters. Accordingly we got up and 
 collected our luggage, consoling ourselves 
 with the thought that for all this trouble we 
 should in the end be indemnified by undis- 
 tiu'bed rest during the following two days. 
 
 It did not take long to pack up, so that 
 the officer who was to accompany us, and 
 who was very considerate, was not kept 
 waiting. But another annoyance was in 
 store for us. At midnight it was not easy to 
 find horses, and our own post-horses were 
 gone. Thi'ough the activity, however, of our
 
 24 REVELATIONS 
 
 Sergeant, imited to the efforts of the officer, 
 all difficulties were at last overcome. 
 
 On arriving at our quarters it was past two 
 o'clock, and we found oui'selves in a house 
 which had long beennuiinhabited, and which 
 gave forth a damp and musty odoiu*, so 
 oppressive as scarcely to suffer us to breathe. 
 The walls were mouldy, and reeked with 
 moisture, and were covered with a swarm of 
 black worms, known in Lithuania by the 
 name of prusaJci (Prussians), and in Eussia 
 by that of tarakany ; amongst which huge 
 black cockroaches — a different species of 
 insect from the former — crawled, not unlike 
 officers among soldiers, in various dii-ections 
 on the wall. 
 
 At this miserable spectacle a thi-ill of 
 horror crept over my fi^ame. The idea of a 
 struggle at night, and in the dark, with 
 whole hosts of such hideous vermin, appeared 
 to us beyond the possibility of endurance ; and 
 we all beseechingly implored the indulgence 
 of the officer to be allowed to pass the night 
 in sledges, in the open coui't-yard, where we 
 could at least breathe freely, and be unmo- 
 lested by such horrid creatui'es. The officer
 
 OF SIBERIA. 25 
 
 felt embarrassed by oiu* request, and we could 
 see that lie sincerely desired, as far as it 
 depended on him, to seciu-e us a comfortable 
 night's rest. 
 
 "I acted for the best," he said, "in 
 bringing you here. I certainly could have 
 taken another house, which was dry and 
 clean ; but reflecting that as you arrived 
 yesterday perishing with cold, you might 
 wish above all things for warm rooms, I chose 
 this; for the other house is exceeding^ 
 cold." 
 
 " Even if a thousand times colder, if there 
 be such let us go,'' we all cried, as with one 
 voice. 
 
 The officer instantly ran outside to give 
 orders not to cany down the things. He 
 soon retiuned, and said that the horses were 
 abeady taken out of the sledges, but that he 
 had ordered them to be put in again. We 
 thanked him, and offered to go on foot, if but 
 to draw breath in the open air; and thus 
 leaving our sledges behind, we proceeded, led 
 by the officer to the other house. We soon 
 arrived there, and were satisfied with it ; for 
 though very cold, we foimd that at least it 
 
 VOL. I. c
 
 26 REVELATIONS 
 
 was clean and dry. The officer who had so 
 kindly escorted us now took leave ; and we 
 once more set about preparing our beds. 
 
 Before we finished our arrangements it 
 was near daylight, and whether owing to our 
 shifting from place to place, or our consequent 
 agitation, our inclination for sleep had by 
 this time forsaken us. But reflecting that 
 we had an entire day for rest, we closed the 
 window-shutters, and threw ourselves on oui* 
 couches, the more joyfidly as we felt confident 
 that we should not be distiu-bcd by any 
 summons for departure. For some time we 
 sought to console and comfoi't each other, 
 and felt so soothed by our efi'orts, that even- 
 tually we fell into a sweet slumber ; and I 
 know not how long we should have enjoyed 
 it, had we not been suddenly aroused by a 
 ^dolent knocking at our door. We then 
 heard our Sergeant's voice outside, annoimcing 
 that the Dii-ector of the Police had come, and 
 wanted to speak to us. We immediately 
 started up and opened the Tvdndow-shutters ; 
 and then, with the utmost dispatch, arranged 
 om' travelling toilette, and expressed our rea- 
 diness to receive that important functionary.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 27 
 
 On entering, the Dii-ector of the Police 
 inquired very civilly how we were satisfied 
 with our quarters, and whether we had slept 
 well. We, in our turn, politely answered 
 that we were perfectly satisfied. 
 
 " I very much rejoice that it is so," said 
 he ; " and since you no longer feel fatigue, 
 you will, my ladies, be prepared to set out 
 this day on your further journey." 
 
 We cast on each other a look of extreme 
 disappointment. So much trouble, worry, 
 and vexation — and all this for nothing : not 
 even one single day of repose after a sleep- 
 less night, were the thoughts that flitted 
 through our minds. 
 
 "I am not sure. Sir," said I, at length; 
 "but you might, perhaps, know, that by the 
 instructions regulating our journey, we are 
 allowed some moments for repose, if we re- 
 quire it, m all government towns. We, 
 therefore, fii-mly rely on the favourable tenor 
 of the regulations, that this will be conceded 
 to us ; and we have no suspicion, Sii', that 
 you will try to iafriage them." 
 
 "This is all true," said he. "You cer- 
 tainly have this permission granted to you, 
 
 c 2
 
 28 EEVELATIONS 
 
 ladies, by the regulations. Still, as you have 
 already, to all appearance, taken sufficient 
 rest from yoiu- journey, you will not, I hope, 
 be the worse for continuing it to-day 
 further." 
 
 To this I said not a word. The func- 
 tionary seemed to have expected fiu-ther com- 
 plaints or solicitations, when he might have 
 relented and yielded ; but, after a few mo- 
 ments' pause, observing nothing but resig- 
 nation and silence, he said : 
 
 " Well, then, to please you, ladies, I per- 
 mit you to remain here a few hours longer." 
 We received his decree with deference ; and 
 he then took leave. 
 
 Vexed, disappointed, and quite worn out 
 Avith fatigue, we commenced packing, deter- 
 mined not to be again tempted, even if occa- 
 sion offered, to stop on the road ; but, 
 however wearied we might be, continue our 
 journey, as nothing could be so harassing 
 as these interruptions. 
 
 Calling in our Sergeant, we announced 
 that we were instantly to leave the place. 
 But all around seemed to be engrossed with 
 the sole idea of Easter, and how to pass it
 
 OF SIBERIA. 29 
 
 joyfully : nobody was preparing for the jour- 
 ney, or cared to stii\ The clerks in the pub- 
 lic offices, and the postillions, thought of 
 nothing but the blithesome festival ; and so, 
 taking our seats on our luggage, we awaited 
 the result, not knowing what to do. Sud- 
 denly the door opened, and we received an 
 unexpected visit. 
 
 A respectable elderly mati'on entered the 
 room. I forget her name, though she an- 
 nounced it on presenting herself. She was 
 the widow of a Eussian colonel, and had been 
 at Warsaw with her husband when his regi- 
 ment was quartered in the neighbourhood. 
 She had then formed many acquaintances in 
 that city, and could not forget the happy 
 days she had spent in Poland. On being 
 apprised of our arrival from that remote 
 country, without any friends or acquaintance 
 in this foreign land, she came to assm^e us of 
 her sympathy, and, according to the custom 
 of the place on Easter-day, to present us with 
 a red egg. 
 
 Expressing our sincere thanlis to the 
 worthy matron for her com'tesy, we accepted 
 her kind present, wishing her many happy
 
 30 REVELATIONS 
 
 returns of the season, and we had the plea- 
 siu'e of half-an-honr's most interesting con- 
 versation with her. After she left us, and 
 we were again given up to our reflections, 
 the sight of the painted eggs brought innu- 
 merable recollections into our minds — all con- 
 nected with this mii'thful though solemn fes- 
 tival, as commemorated in our own countiy. 
 There all the days are devoted to acts of 
 hospitality — to meetings with relatives and 
 friends. Dui'ing that happy period, the aged 
 and young assemble at festive boards, ex- 
 changing mutual remembrances, and con- 
 tracting new links or sympathies. Associa- 
 tions are then formed, ineffaceable from 
 memory, and for ever dear to the heart. 
 
 While we thus indulged in silent commu- 
 nion with ourselves, the animal natui'e of 
 man, with its inferior cravings, started up on 
 the scene. Himger failed not to call up far 
 different associations and recollections ; and, 
 along with these, a train of enjoyments — as 
 tables covered with a variety of viands — fat 
 hams, roasted pigs, stuffings, and sausages ; 
 and a profusion of delicious cakes, the famous 
 hahy^ and the mazurki. These various deli-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 31 
 
 cacies presented themselves to our imagina- 
 tion in vivid coloui'S, and with their ambro- 
 sial odour and aroma of spices, quite capti- 
 vated our senses. We then experienced that 
 nothing so powerfully excites the imagination 
 as a famished stomach. 
 
 The eggs J which the Colonel's dowager 
 had kindly presented us, were swallowed in a 
 twinkling, with a voracity not easy to be 
 described. Poor dame ! she little suspected 
 that, in performiag usual formalities, she had 
 administered to our wants. But her gift was 
 not unlike a fly snatched by a voracious dog, 
 go little did it satisfy our craving appetite. 
 We instantly called our Sergeant, and begged 
 him to send somebody to the market to fetch 
 some ham, sausages, rolls, or whatever could 
 be got in the town. 
 
 " There is no market to-day," was his 
 answer. " Besides, no such things are sold 
 here." 
 
 " How ! Is there no food to be had then ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 " I do not know," he replied. 
 
 " Surely, neither you nor your companions 
 can exist without food ?"
 
 32 REVELATIONS 
 
 *' We ordered our landlady to fiu'iiish us 
 with some eatables." 
 
 " Ask her, then, to do the same for us." 
 
 " But you, ladies, will, perhaps, not relish 
 the fare which we eat." 
 
 " You are jesting," I replied. " Those 
 who are perishing of hunger, can they be 
 fastidious ?" 
 
 The Sergeant left us to give his orders. 
 Meanwhile oui* meditations involuntarily re- 
 curred to our own country, and the Easter 
 festivities of our native homes. What an 
 abundance during that season exists every- 
 where, fi'om the stately palace to the hum- 
 blest hut ! With what cordial hospitality 
 the traveller, frequently a complete stranger, 
 is welcomed even by the poorest man, to 
 partake with him and his family of the 
 consecrated egg and of his household meal ; 
 the host rejoicing that Heaven had sent him 
 a guest. And thus all, be they rich or poor, 
 are satiated with the good things which a 
 bountiful Providence has vouchsafed. At 
 these reminiscences a sigh arose, and I in- 
 wardly prayed that God would preserve my 
 country from being contaminated with
 
 OF SIBERIA. 33 
 
 foreign manners, that this national custom 
 might never be obliterated — a custom which 
 has for ages united, with such a beautiful 
 link, hospitality and the observances of reli- 
 gion. 
 
 In the midst of these meditations, we were 
 interrupted by the entrance of our landlady, 
 a person belonging to the biurgher class of 
 Kazan. Without any preamble, she announced, 
 with the greatest simplicity imaginable, 
 that she had a number of friends in the 
 house, and as they were all desirous of seeing 
 what Polish ladies were like, asked whether 
 we would not come down-stairs to give them 
 that pleasui'e ; and we might at the same 
 time see what eatables she had that would 
 please us, as she knew not our customs or 
 tastes. 
 
 We looked at each other, and could not 
 help smiling. We were desii-ed to act the 
 part oi iheatrical fi(/ur antes, neither more nor 
 less, before the descendants of the Tartars. 
 Our self-respect had been aroused and hurt ; 
 but it soon yielded to a frolicsome mood. 
 " What hurt can there be,'' we began to 
 reason within ourselves, " in becoming for 
 
 c 3
 
 34 REVELATIONS 
 
 awhile objects of cimosity to people of whom 
 we know nothing? Are they not willing to 
 repay us with reciprocity ? sight for sight-'— 
 spectacle for spectacle. Such is the way, and 
 such is the daily routine of the world. In 
 fine, we shall be made partakers of their 
 henit.''''* Having arrived at this laudable 
 resolution, we answered that we would com- 
 ply with her request, and would soon come 
 down-stairs. 
 
 ITo sooner had oui' hostess passed the door, 
 than each of us thought of nothing but her 
 toilet. We unpacked, and endeavoured as 
 well as we coidd to arrange our di-esses, which 
 after a fortnight's travelling, had, as may be 
 imagined, neither freshness nor elegance to 
 
 * The henit, Polish swiencone, is a custom peculiar to 
 Poland, and in part also to Russia. After the Great Lent, 
 terminating on Easter-day, no meat is touched, even 
 on that day, until it has been blessed and consecrated 
 by the priest ; whence the name lenit (benediction) was 
 derived. The display of the viands of all sorts on that 
 occasion is very great ; and the tables are not only sump- 
 tuous, but are kept open for friends, and even for stran- 
 gers. Easter is, on that account, a day of unbounded 
 hospitality.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 35 
 
 recommend them ; but, 'to make up for that, 
 we resolved to render them at least as smart 
 as possible, which being done, we descended, 
 as we had promised, to gratify the curiosity 
 of the impatient public. 
 
 We entered the room, and were led to a 
 place of honoiu", where we seated ourselves. 
 Some conventional inquiiies were made of us, 
 which we civilly answered, and were then 
 silent. But, to my shame be it confessed, I 
 was not satisfied with the charm of exchang- 
 ing my ideas with the company, but looked 
 right and left to see if there was a table 
 which would promise some more substantial 
 fare. To my chagrin, however, I was unable 
 to catch a sight of anything like the longed- 
 for henii. 
 
 All I could see was a table at the window, 
 opposite the door, covered with a clean white 
 cloth (emblematic of the festival), on which 
 were aiTanged three small plates, one con- 
 taining a frozen apple cut in tiny slices spread 
 over with sugar ; another embellished with 
 a few raisins ; and the third containing some 
 kind of nuts, in shells, or rather husks, of 
 chesnut-brown colour.
 
 36 REVELATIONS 
 
 The hostess took up these, one plate after 
 another, fi-om the table, and presented us 
 with the contents of each. She entreated, 
 and pressed us to partake of them ; but not- 
 withstanding all the civility with Avhich she 
 was offering them, oui- hunger had acquired 
 such a poignancy, that all her kind entreaties 
 were in vain. All the dainties were quite 
 unsuited to our palate. I now learnt that 
 the unknown species of husky fruit which 
 excited my curiosity, were cedar nuts, an 
 importation fi'om Siberia. 
 
 Having waited awhile, and lost all pros- 
 pect of a more solid refi'eshment, I asked our 
 hostess whether she had prepared something 
 for us, and especially if there was no meat. 
 
 However I was astonished to find from her 
 reply, that in Eussia no preparations whatever 
 are made for Easter ; that tables are not 
 groaning under viands, cakes, and all sorts of 
 generous food, as is the custom in Poland. 
 In short, there was notliing of the Idnd, abso- 
 lutely nothing. All we could get was harshtch 
 with some meat in it, which we ordered to 
 be brought up to our room. 
 
 After recruiting om' strength with this
 
 OF SIBERIA. 37 
 
 humble meal, we were all ready for depar- 
 tiu-e. But cii'cumstances over which we had 
 no control deferred this event. From some 
 reason or other post-horses could not be got ; 
 our papers were not yet signed by the 
 authorities ; and so we remained all day in 
 uncertainty and suspense. At last, towards 
 evening, the horses were brought; but the 
 papers were yet wanting. Our Sergeant was 
 running from one office to another like one 
 enraged, to obtain his despatches, but could 
 not get them. In this state of j)ertui"ba- 
 tion we remained the whole night. The 
 postillion, losing all patience, took back his 
 horses ; and we ourselves, seeing what was 
 going on, began to feel drowsy, and leaned 
 our heads on our luggage to sleep. At day- 
 break, the Sergeant returned, not having suc- 
 ceeded in his piu'pose. Nevertheless, he 
 shortly after ordered the horses to be put to, 
 hoping there would be a chance of finding the 
 Director of Police at home in passing his 
 house. He was directed to do so by th<5se 
 who knew the habits of that official. 
 
 When we left our quarters the sun had not 
 yet risen; but the morning was beautiful. 
 We stopped at the police-office, and the
 
 38 REVELATIONS 
 
 Sergeant descended for his papers ; but he 
 retiu-ned sadly disappointed, as the Director, 
 having passed a sleepless night, had just then 
 gone to bed, and could not be distui'bed. 
 Thus we were again doomed to wait several 
 hours in the public street. Such delay 
 was exceedingly annoying, as the day 
 was brilliant, and most favourable for our 
 journey. "We witnessed the sun rise in all 
 his splendour, and the prolonged twilight, in 
 so large a city as Kazan, seemed like the 
 awaking, or, if I might say so, the unclos- 
 ing of the eyelids of its numerous popula- 
 tion, which in itself was something fasci- 
 nating. It struck me that those who are 
 first aroused for the daily toils and duties in 
 life, or who are among the earliest risers in 
 towns, constituted, as it were, a separate 
 family, differing from others by its distinct 
 physiognomy. They are the slavish tools to 
 the children of luxury, and are made sub- 
 servient to their various wants and comforts. 
 Each member of that class appears to be 
 marked on his forehead by tliis double 
 inscription: ''Eeadiness for labour — Neces- 
 sity of gain." 
 
 I often looked around to see what sort of
 
 OF SIBERIA. 39 
 
 city Kazan was. As far as I was enabled to 
 observe, clui'ing our passage, it appeared to 
 be a fine and extensive town, mtii a good 
 number of public edifices, and neat private 
 houses, built of brick. Not a vestige of the 
 former domination of the Tartars exists in it, 
 but the progress of European civilization is 
 everywhere discernible.* The streets are 
 broad and well-paved. There is a university, 
 an asti'onomical observatory, a gymnasium, 
 and some manufactories, all of which make 
 the traveller forget that he is in the capital, 
 and the heart of the country of the once so 
 redoubtable Tartars, famous in Europe by 
 their inroads, conquests, and devastating 
 ravages. 
 
 After the lapse of several houi's, it was 
 announced that the Director had risen. It 
 then took but a few minutes to sign the 
 required papers, and return them to our 
 
 * A great fire, whicli took place in 1815, destroyed 
 nearly the whole town, except the Kremlin and a few 
 churches, most of the houses being built of wood; so 
 that, with these exceptions, no vestiges of the ancient 
 city remains. Its population is about 65,000, one-fifth 
 Tartar.
 
 40 REVELATIONS 
 
 Sergeant; and now we were at liberty to 
 continue oiu' journey. 
 
 The population of the government of Kazan, 
 both on the right and the left bank of the 
 Wolga, consists of a number of various races, 
 as the Tcheremisy, Mordwini, Tchuvatchs, 
 Votiaks, Vogulitches, and Tartars, all differ- 
 ing from each other in language, dress, reli- 
 gion, and customs. The Tartars, however, 
 seemed to constitute a majority among the 
 motley crowd. The whole aspect of the 
 country is peculiarly Asiatic. Villages are 
 built of wood, most of them with high 
 minarets, also of wood. Amidst a variety of 
 costumes, white turbans may at times be seen 
 adorning the heads of the MoUahs, and also 
 long veils concealing the faces of women. 
 
 The Tartar women wear long chemises, 
 embroidered in front with coloured worsted, 
 and this is all their apparel. The men, if 
 they do not belong to the religious order, are 
 di-essed in a loose costume, very much resem- 
 bling the gabardines of the Jews in Poland. 
 It consists of a kaftan with short sleeviBS, 
 tight round, without any folds in front or 
 beliind, and a high-pointed cap, with broad
 
 OF SIBERIA. 41 
 
 flaps on both sides, lined with fnr. Some 
 Tartars, also, wear fnll coats, like our dres- 
 sing-gowns, and small caps on the top of their 
 heads, similar to oiu' jockey-caps, or the 
 krymki of the Polish Jews. 
 
 Thi'oughout oui' jom-ney, wherever we 
 stopped for a relay of horses, we were snr- 
 roimded by a crowd of people, at first cuiiously 
 gazing onus as visitors from a distant country, 
 and then minutely examining all our pack- 
 ages. Often, as if not trusting the evidence 
 of their eyes, they stepped nearer, and 
 touched everything that had engaged their 
 fancy with their hands. Women, especially, 
 were very eager in satisfying their curiosity ; 
 in which respect we made no difficulty, and 
 permitted them to inspect everytliing closely. 
 
 This politeness on our part, I must own, 
 was no great merit, being not entirely disin- 
 terested. The costumes of these nymphs of 
 the Wolga were liliewise distinguished by 
 such an originality, that we, on our part, were 
 equally cimous to examine them. In per- 
 mitting them a near approach, we were only 
 pandering to our owti curiosity. Nearly at 
 every succeeding station such a variety of
 
 42 REVELATIONS 
 
 costume was presented to our view, as though 
 we had arrived in quite a different country. 
 The head-coverings of some were in the shape 
 of tablets, falling in a perpendicular line on 
 the forehead. Some were studded with a 
 quantity of silver and gold coins, giving forth 
 a sound at every movement of the head. 
 Others were fashioned in the shape of 
 diadems, cut out at the top in the fonn of a 
 crescent, the ends of which projected on both 
 sides, like two horns. These diadems, as well 
 as the tablets, were adorned with a number of 
 plates and studs of brass and of other metals. 
 Some females had their bosoms and necks 
 covered with silver and gold medals of various 
 si2;es, and a portion being bored and strung 
 together, formed a sort of costly necklace. 
 
 I should not end were I to describe all the 
 costumes which struck me as exceedingly 
 original and remarkable ; and, indeed, all 
 description would fall short of correctness. 
 My impressions, though gathered on the spot, 
 were but momentary, and I noted them only 
 in memory, having neither paper nor ink to 
 make memoranda. 
 
 At one of the post stations between Kazan
 
 OF SIBERIA. 43 
 
 and Perm, a chief of a village, actuated, as I 
 suspected, less by politeness than curiosity, 
 arrived to pay his respects to us. He was 
 no longer young, but looked robust. He was 
 di'essed in a broad kaftan, with a turban on 
 his head, and led his wife by the hand, whom 
 he presented to me. A long veil was thrown 
 over her head, concealing the whole of her 
 waist, and her other di-ess. Her face, how- 
 ever, was uncovered ; but it was honible to 
 look at, so thickly was it overlaid with rouge, 
 white and crimson ; and her eyebrows were 
 painted jet-black. It bore not the least ap- 
 pearance of a human face, but more that of a 
 hideous mask, or a doll made of parchment. 
 Her bedizened visage, and her fantastic cos- 
 tume, made me think that we, at that moment, 
 were at a masquerade, and had one of its 
 most perfect patterns before us. 
 
 It was not, however, long before I repressed 
 my foolish wonder at her figure, and resumed 
 an earnest countenance. Having formerly 
 had frequent opportunities of seeing the 
 Tartars, and not being at aU a stranger to 
 their manners, I entered into conversation 
 with this strange couple.
 
 44 REVELATIONS 
 
 " How many wives have you got?" I 
 asked the Mussulman. 
 
 " Four," replied he. 
 
 " Why did you not bring them all here ?" 
 
 " All the others are old and ugly ; I never 
 take them with me. This one is but thirty- 
 two years, and I am proud of her," answered 
 he, casting a doating glance on his better 
 half. 
 
 " How many children have you ? " 
 
 " Only four sons and nine daughters," re- 
 plied he, with a mournful shake of his head, 
 as if desirous we should pity him. 
 
 To give his sorrow on that account a ludi- 
 crous turn, I continued : 
 
 " They are handsome, lusty maidens, 
 surely, and you will get a good round sum 
 of money for them." 
 
 " But has it not cost me much to rear 
 them ? I much doubt that I shall get back 
 my money," replied he. 
 
 Such was this worthy and calculating 
 pater familias of the Steppe.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 45 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 Perm — Xew villages — Ural Mountains — Ekaterinburg — 
 A roguish innkeeper — Post-carts — Defects of female 
 education — Tumen — Anationalrelic — Tobolsk — Com- 
 patriots in Exile — Devotedness of a young lady — De- 
 parture — Inundation — Bronikov — Counter-order to 
 return. 
 
 From Kazan to Perm, we continued oui- 
 journey amidst a barbarous population, rem- 
 nants of different nations and races, of which, 
 at a period not far distant, the ancient Tartar 
 Khanate of Kazan was composed. We ar- 
 rived at last at Perm, which is now the 
 capital of the Government of that name. It 
 is a mean and poor town, on the river Kama, 
 with a scanty population, amounting to only
 
 46 REVELATIONS 
 
 seven thousand inhabitants. Sixty years ago, 
 it was but a small -village ; but the Eussian 
 Government, finding it necessary to have a 
 central place for the new Government, created 
 it into a city in 1781, since which time it has 
 been materially enlarged. 
 
 Perm may be said to be at the base of the 
 Ural Mountains. On quitting this town, we 
 found ourselves at the foot of those heights, 
 and could behold their stupendous summits. 
 It is here that the earth has opened rich 
 stores of wealth to human laboiu' and industry. 
 We saw large, beautiful, and populous 
 villages, like as many infant towns springing 
 up around, some of them with hundreds of 
 neat, well-built, and comfortable houses. 
 Their rapid growth struck us with amaze- 
 ment, and agreeably engaged oiu* attention. 
 Everywhere we saw industry and labour 
 recompensed by wealth and comforts. The 
 soul seemed to expand at this change from 
 low and miserable hovels by the side of 
 stately and magnificent palaces. Far and 
 near we beheld prosperity, and not a single 
 mean or poor cottage along the whole of the 
 macadamised chaussee.
 
 or SIBERIA. 47 
 
 At the sight of villages of two huncli-ed to 
 three himdi-ed houses, well-built, spacious, 
 and erected not without some display of 
 architectural taste, all equal in dimensions, 
 in regular rows, and new and fresh as though 
 they were constructed at once, and within a 
 single day, my mind was led to consider 
 what this region, not long ago a complete 
 desert, owed to the powerfal hand which re- 
 claimed it — not for gorgeous palaces, to be 
 tenanted by the luxurious and pampered few, 
 or for stupendous monuments to flatter the 
 vanity of the mighty and the proud, but for 
 what is, indeed, far more commendable — hand- 
 some and comfortable dwellings for many 
 thousands of human beings, in reward for 
 their labour. The spot bore the appearance of 
 being on a sudden created by means of a magic 
 power. That creative power is nothing else 
 than industry, directed by intelligence, and 
 combined with labour and perseverance. 
 
 These flourishing villages are occupied by 
 colonies of artisans and miners employed in the 
 mining works. They go by the appellation 
 of Zavody. Some of them are the property 
 of the Crown, others of Eussian nobles.
 
 48 REVELATIONS 
 
 The whole ridge of the Ural Mountains 
 is fuiTowed up by mines, chiefly of iron and 
 copper. Some, however, yield the more 
 precious metals, and also valuable stones. 
 
 On our passage over the heights, at the 
 stations where we changed horses, we fi'e- 
 quently had pictures offered to us for sale — a 
 circumstance I little expected in a region so 
 little famed for the fine arts. They were 
 productions of the villagers ; and the objects 
 represented were, for the most part, the Virgm 
 Mary and the Saints of the Greek Chui'ch 
 — gaudy and coarse daubings on wood, with 
 nothing particular to recommend them. But 
 what attracted my attention far more, was the 
 landscapes, in which these figiu*es, the objects 
 of so much veneration, were represented 
 standing. These landscapes were relievos of 
 mosaic, formed of a multiplicity of various- 
 coloured stones, large and small, not polished, 
 but such as are found in their natural state. 
 Topazes white and pale, amethysts, aqua- 
 marines, cornelians, blood stones, emeralds, 
 chalcedonies, and others, when so combined, 
 produce a wonderful eflect ; and, undeniably, 
 the conception is no less original than striking.
 
 or SIBERIA. 49 
 
 The range of the Uralian Mountains is of 
 enormous extent. The road from Perm to 
 Ekatarinburg runs in an oblique dii'ection, 
 and therefore its real breadth cannnot be 
 exactly defined ; but as the chausee was con- 
 stantly ascending, and we were passing on it 
 from one acclivity to another for several days, 
 the distance may safely be computed at se- 
 veral hundred miles. The road on which we 
 travelled was well made and even, as are, 
 upon the whole, all roads constructed by 
 the Government. 
 
 The mountains are covered with forest, 
 spreading over cliifs of colossal height, which 
 protrude in a fearful manner. These gigantic 
 masses, rising fi-om their bases like so 
 many castellated structures — some con- 
 tiguous, other at greater distances from 
 each other, standing apart solitary, bare and 
 impending, look like giants under the 
 power of enchantment, placed here to combat 
 storms and drifts of snow, which in vain try 
 to shake or entomb them. Others, of a bulk 
 less stupendous, rear their summits one 
 upon another, forming themselves into huge 
 pyramids ; while some are thrown into the 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 REVELATIONS 
 
 most fantastic shapes, as though an invisible 
 hand, playing with their enormous peaks, 
 had scattered them at hazard around. Prime- 
 val forests, and trees of centemiial growth, 
 spread out their broad branches in vain to 
 conceal the nakedness of these giants, tower- 
 ing in the vast desert ; they, thi-ough winter 
 and tlirough summer, ever remain the same — 
 and ever will ! 
 
 Having crossed this sterile tract, we ar- 
 rived at Ekatarinburg, nother beautiful town 
 of the Government of Perm, far superior to 
 the capital of the province. 
 
 This flemishing town lies on the Iset. 
 At the first glance at this river, it became 
 manifest, fi'om the character of its cmTent, 
 that it did not emerge from the Uralian range ; 
 as all rivers originating in these mountains, 
 pursue their course westward, and then, 
 brandling out in southern and northern direc- 
 tions, one set empty their waters into the 
 Caspian Sea, and the other into the Ai'ctic 
 Ocean. We immediately observed that the 
 currents took a contrary, that is, an easterly 
 direction, emptying themselves into the Oby, 
 The latter, one of the grandest rivers of
 
 OF SIBERIA. 61 
 
 Siberia, after taking up its innumerable tribu- 
 taries from the west, the south, and the 
 east — overflo^ving by its ramifications vast 
 countries in its course, falls thi'ough the Oby 
 Gulf into the Ai'ctic Ocean. 
 
 Ekatarinbiu'g is one of the towns founded 
 in 1723, and contains a good number of fine 
 buildings. It is the central point of the ad- 
 ministration of mining, with a mint estab- 
 lished by Government, and is tolerably 
 populous. It is, besides, celebrated for its 
 mines and iron- works, its mineral ores, and 
 its process of polishing precious stones.* 
 Gems of every kind, and all sorts of jewellery, 
 can be had here at a very moderate price. 
 Amethysts, opals, chalcedonies, chiysolites, 
 
 * This town is particularly celebrated for its mala- 
 cliite works, specimens of wHch, as a magnificent 
 folding-door, superb tables, chairs, and vases, were dis- 
 played at the Great Exhibition. The richest mines of 
 malachite are Dimidof's property. On this spot, the 
 rough blocks of malachite, according to CottreU's state- 
 ment, are sold for eight hundred rubles the pud, or 
 about a guinea a-pound. It is not the mineral itself 
 that is expensive ; but, from its extreme hardness, the 
 working and polishing are very difficult, and enhance 
 its value. 
 
 D 2
 
 52 EEVELATIONS 
 
 topazes, aquamarines, emeralds, and a variety 
 of rock-crystals, are exposed for sale in great 
 quantities, polished and unpolished; and 
 some are not inelegantly set. But like a 
 famished Arab, who happened to find in the 
 desert a bag filled with pearls, and kicked it 
 away with his foot, saying : " These were but 
 pearls," so I cast myself a look of complete 
 indifference at them, obliged to move on, on — 
 and still on. Had it depended upon my own 
 will, indeed, I certainly should have stayed 
 awhile longer. The survey I could then have 
 taken of the mining establishments and the 
 different manufactories, as well as the manner 
 of living, and the social condition of the inhabi- 
 tants, would, I am sure, have afforded me 
 much pleasure. The well-being of human com- 
 munities in happy groups, is a matter at once as 
 dear to the heart as instructive to the mind ; 
 but the study of such a picture was not for me ! 
 Up to this time the sledge was our veliicle, 
 and the roads being good and even, we 
 travelled at a tolerably good pace. We were 
 constantly moving in the eastward direction, 
 in wliich we hoped to continue till we should 
 reach Tobolsk. But on our arrival at Ekata-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 53 
 
 riuburg matters changed, and instead of snow 
 and frost, there was a thaw, and the horses 
 waded with oiu- sledge knee-deep in mud and 
 mii'e. 
 
 This was a great disappointment, and a 
 serious aimoyance to us. We were obliged 
 to put up at an inn, and our Sergeant, impa- 
 tient to proceed, went to make inquiries as to 
 the state of the road, and to effect arrange- 
 ments accordingly. On his retui-n, he 
 brought us the disagreeable news, that on the 
 road to Tobolsk no snow was to be found, and 
 therefore it would be necessary to abandon 
 our sledge. 
 
 ]!^othing could be more provoking. Our 
 combined purses being very light, and we 
 having little chance of seeing them soon re- 
 plenished, we found it impossible to procure a 
 spring carriage of the meanest description. 
 In this dilemma we were advised to take a 
 miserable Russian post-waggon (^perek-ladna). 
 
 There was no time to deliberate. Our 
 comfortable sledge became the property of 
 the innkeeper, who, "feeling for our situa- 
 tion, (as he said,) and out of pure magna- 
 nimity," paid a few rubles for it to our
 
 54 REVELATIONS 
 
 Sergeant. Unwilling as we were, we un- 
 packed all, and put our luggage, as well as 
 we could, on the new veliicle, and so set off. 
 
 Here I cannot help saying, without fear of 
 being accused of affectation, that the Eussian 
 post vehicles, or more properly, common carts, 
 sometimes called tarantas^ are insufferable — 
 nay, detestable. For this seeming fastidious- 
 ness, if I should be taxed with it, my sex, my 
 age, and my previous habits, must plead an 
 apology. These carts are high and short, and 
 from this peculiar construction, are exceed- 
 ingly shaky. They are very shallow, and 
 much higher in front than behind, which 
 renders it extremely difficult to sit on them, 
 and keep one's balance. Consequently, at 
 every concussion, I was made to jump up a 
 quarter of a yard liigh, to the complete dislo- 
 cation of my joints. At such jerks and jolts, 
 tears involuntarily gushed fi'om my eyes. 
 
 We gladly left Ekatarinburg, where the 
 streets were all mud and mire, and proceeded 
 on our tedious journey. To our surprise, we 
 had hardly gone one verst from the town, 
 when we found the road again covered with 
 snow. As we went on the snow grew deeper,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 55 
 
 and wherever the eye turned, its white mantle 
 covered the earth. I now entered into con- 
 versation with oni' di'iver {jjamstcliik\ and 
 learnt, to my utter astonishment, that with 
 the exception of Ekatarinburg, we should 
 meet nothing but snow through the whole 
 road to Tobolsk. He also told me that all the 
 people at the post-station had been at a loss 
 to understand how we could wish to ex- 
 change our comfortable sledge for our present 
 odious vehicle. 
 
 Instantly, a thought flashed across my mind, 
 that we were the victims either of some knavish 
 trick, or some misunderstanding, and, order- 
 ing the driver to stop, I called the Sergeant, 
 and communicated to him what I had heard, 
 at the same time inquiring where he had 
 obtained his information that there was no 
 snow on the road to Tobolsk — a report, which, 
 as he himself might see, was not true. 
 
 From the Sergeant's answer, it appeared 
 that his inquiries had been confined to our 
 iim; and the inkeeper, from the paltry motive 
 of profiting by the piu'chase of our sledge, had 
 imposed upon him, and placed us in this 
 dismal plight. Em-aged, however, at such
 
 56 REVELATIONS 
 
 infamous conduct, and ashamed of being so 
 grossly cheated, he instantly despatched two 
 gens-d'armes to Ekatarinburg, with the 
 money which he had got fi'om the innkeeper, 
 to demand the restitution of om^ sledge ; and 
 should this be refused, they were to complain 
 to the authorities. 
 
 Meanwhile, we went on to the next station, 
 there to await the result. On our arrival 
 there, I was so extremely tired, and felt so 
 ill, that I was not very sony at the occasion 
 thus offered for a moment's repose, knowing 
 that the gens-d'armes could not return for 
 some time. 
 
 After long expectation, they at length 
 came back, but brought no sledge. The 
 magnanimous purchaser, who had bought it 
 for several rubles, " in consideration of our 
 j)osition," would on no account part with the 
 excellent bargain he had made ; and the 
 authorities, to whom the case was referred, 
 decided that, as the money had been accepted, 
 and the purchase was made in consequence 
 of a volimtary agreement on both sides, they 
 saw no reason for reversing the transaction. 
 
 Thus having lost our cause, and in addition
 
 OF SIBERIA. 57 
 
 several rubles for the hii'e of horses for the 
 gens-d'armeSj nothing remained but to pro- 
 ceed in our own wretched cart, which, by- 
 the-bye, we could have given us at every 
 post-station, as we had a right to demand it. 
 Instead of this wheel-cart, however, to our 
 great delight, each of the succeeding stations 
 accommodated us with sledges, and hence- 
 forward we found our travelling more 
 comfortable : at least we ran no risk of being 
 shaken to atoms. 
 
 The only inconvenience now was, that on 
 our arrival at each station we had to transfer 
 our luggage from sledge to sledge — an 
 operation which was at first very annoying, 
 as I had no servant. Insignificant as this 
 circumstance may appear, it made me often 
 reflect on the defects of om* system of educa- 
 tion, in consequence of which so large a class 
 of females are made completely dependent on 
 the services of hirelings. I firmly determined 
 for the futm-e to get rid, on my part, of 
 such an injm'ious habit, and did not at all 
 regret that an opportimity was then offered 
 for my entering at once upon that practical 
 coui'se. 
 
 D 3
 
 58 REA^ELATIONS 
 
 At last we amvecl in the Government of 
 Tobolsk. Those only who have had to per- 
 form so long a journey, equally tedious and 
 uncomfortable, can conceive how agreeable it 
 was to be able to contemplate its termination, 
 however unpromising and iminviting might 
 be the spot before us. In painfal situations, 
 change of place gives relief; and it is like 
 that which is experienced by the bed-ridden 
 when they turn on their other side. 
 
 Still, Tobolsk itself was not so near. We 
 had yet to traverse a thousand versts.* 
 Nevertheless, my imagination had abeady 
 become familiarized with great distances. 
 The whole difficulty lies in the termination 
 of the first half of our journey ; and the other 
 half, at every step made in advance, becomes 
 by degrees more endurable. 
 
 A thinly-inhabited steppe, little better than 
 a desert, brought us to the small town of 
 Tumen, situated at 250 versts from Tobolsk. 
 This is the principal town of the district, 
 which is called by the same name, and is di- 
 vided into two parts by the river Tara. I 
 
 * A Russian icerst is equal to about three-quarters of 
 an Ens'lisli mile.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 59 
 
 observed there were some manufactiu^ing es- 
 tablishments here, and among them, a foundry 
 for chm'ch bells. 
 
 On the bank of the Tara I saw a building 
 erected by the inhabitants to preserve the 
 boat in which Alexander, the heir-apparent 
 to the Eussian crown, was fenied across the 
 river, when on his visit to Siberia, if I am 
 not mistaken, in 1835. The boat is lined 
 inside with a green woollen cloth, and is 
 surmounted by a canopy of wood, himg with 
 white curtains. The chaii* of state, in the 
 shape of a throne, is of red damask, and is 
 set with the Emperor's portrait, crowned by 
 his cypher. 
 
 This incidental visit of the Grand Duke 
 is remembered as a great epoch at Tumen . 
 The principal inhabitants of the town es- 
 teemed it an honoui' to be permitted to ferry 
 their august visitor over the river, and the 
 Prince, to mark his sense of the coiu^tesy 
 shown him on that occasion, condescended to 
 leave an autograph of his name on the edge 
 of the boat, and ordered the names of ten of 
 the merchants of Tumen to be added under 
 his o^n. The loyal citizens, to preserve
 
 GO REVELATIONS 
 
 tliese signatures, put tliem under a glass. 
 The boat-house is kept locked up, and shown 
 as a national edifice. 
 
 Starting from Tumen, we arrived in due 
 time at Tobolsk, the capital of Western Si- 
 beria. We had been just a month on our 
 journey, having left Kiov on the 11th of 
 March, and arrived at Tobolsk on the 11th 
 of April. We had tliroughout a very easy 
 sledge journey, there being plenty of snow 
 on the roads, though on approaching Tobolsk 
 it commenced to thaw, and torrents of 
 melted snow were rushing from the hills. 
 Obviously the beams of the vernal sun began 
 to manifest their genial influence. 
 
 Having gone tln-ough all the forms at the 
 police-office, in accordance with the usage on 
 the arrival of passengers, we put up at a 
 guest-house [goscinnica)^ which is an inn ex- 
 clusively destined for the class of exiles to 
 which we belonged, and contains several 
 suites of rooms, in which they are lodged. 
 Worn-out with a whole month's constant 
 travelling, I was delighted to find myself in 
 a comfortable room, where I no longer heard 
 the tinlding of the post-bells, and was not
 
 OF SIBERIA. 61 
 
 pressed to travel on and on, but free to dis- 
 pose of my time as I chose. 
 
 In this delicious state of tranquil repose I 
 almost forgot that I had still a weary journey 
 before me — for I had not yet reached my 
 destination. In the meantime, masses of 
 snow began to melt ; waters to rush in 
 fui'ious torrents along the roads ; and rivers 
 to overflow. In short, everything seemed 
 to prognosticate that all travelling for the 
 present and for some time to come must cease, 
 and the more so as there was no practicable 
 road from Tobolsk to Berezov, except on the 
 river, either through its waters, or over its 
 bridge of ice. Hence I inferred I should 
 most probably remain some time at Tobolsk. 
 
 Very soon after my arrival I gradually 
 began to get an insight into a life new to me. 
 It was not long before I found myself in a 
 circle of new associates, old and new ac- 
 quaintances, some even of our own neigh- 
 bourhood, who had been brought before me 
 to Tobolsk. I there met Major Szi-eder, a 
 native of Grand Poland, and companion-in- 
 anns of Severin Krzyzanowski ; Antony 
 Pawsza, of YoEiynia ; Constantino Wolicki ;
 
 .62 REVELATIONS 
 
 Oniifry Pietraszkiewicz, of Wilria ; Ignatius 
 Strumillo, of Volhyuia ; Stanislaus and 
 Eaphael Xiersnowski, brothers, of the 
 Palatine of IN'ovogrodek. Count Charles 
 Marchocki had arrived only a few days pre- 
 viously. Their company had the effect of 
 at least alleviating, though not dispelling, 
 oui' anxious longings after those at home, 
 whom it was impossible our hearts should 
 ever forget. 
 
 Three days had been agreeably passed in 
 thi s friendly circle, and we had commenced 
 making arrangements for a longer sojourn at 
 Tobolsk, when on the fourth day we were all 
 three unexpectedly summoned to the Civil 
 Governor's, who announced that we had 
 rested long enough, and must prepare without 
 any delay for our onward journey ; I was to 
 proceed to Berezov, the farthest north, and 
 my companions to Tarra, in the south. The 
 destination of the latter was comparatively 
 less imfavoiu*able than mine, Tarra being a 
 district town of Siberia, and like Tobolsk, 
 situated on the Irtish. 
 
 ^N'otwithstanding all the natural advan- 
 tages of the climate, and many other comforts
 
 OF SIBERIA. 63 
 
 Avhich Tarra seemed to afford, and wliich 
 were hardly to be compared with those of 
 Berezov — a town one thousand seven hun- 
 di-ed versts distant fi*om Tobolsk, in the 
 remote north — Miss Josepliine Ezonczewska, 
 who hitherto was thecompanion of my journey, 
 requested permission to exchange the place 
 of her destination for mine, and accompany 
 me to Berezov — a noble proof of her fiiend- 
 ship, which I felt in the depths of my heart. 
 I did my utmost, however, to dissuade her 
 fi-om such sacrifice for me ; but she would 
 not relinquish her determination. Permis- 
 sion was not obtained from the authorities 
 without great difficulty and hesitation, 
 but at last it was granted. 
 
 The 17th of April was fixed for our depar- 
 tm'e; and, after taking leave of our compa- 
 triots, we set out on om' journey, again in 
 sledges, on the river Irtish, which was still 
 all ice-bound. 
 
 We saw the melted snow rushing in tor- 
 rents fi'om the steep banks, and the adjacent 
 hills, into the river, which overflowed to a 
 greatextent, but its ice being thick and strong, 
 and besides still adhering fast to the banks,
 
 64 REVELATIONS 
 
 had not yet sufficiently risen, as it otherwise 
 would, to float high and free on the swollen 
 waters. It was a complete inundation — a 
 deluge ; and in many places our horses had 
 to cross deep and extensive pools. Not 
 seeing his way, our coachman several times 
 ran the risk of drowning his horses in holes 
 cut in the ice, which it is the custom to do in 
 those parts in winter, for the purpose of 
 fishing, or to water the cattle. 
 
 Our danger and difficulties increased the 
 further we proceeded. Often our horses 
 and the sledges sank into such deep hollows, 
 and into pits of melting snow, that it requii^ed 
 a number of people to drag them out. For- 
 tunately two Cossacks of Berezov had been 
 sent with us as guides, and were furnished 
 with a written order fr'om the Governor, 
 authorizing them to ask for any number of 
 hands in case of need ; accordingly we were 
 accompanied from village to village by a 
 convoy of several men on horseback, armed 
 with shovels and poles, who rendered us good 
 service. Notwithstanding the assistance we 
 thus received, we did not on the fii'st day 
 reach even so far as the next post-station, and
 
 OF SIBERIA. 65 
 
 were obliged to pass the night on the 
 road. 
 
 The following day at noon we succeeded in 
 reaching a village called Bronikov, about 
 thii'ty-six versts beyond Tobolsk. Tliis is 
 the remotest station at which the road by 
 land from Tobolsk to Berezov terminates; 
 there being diu'ing the summer no road 
 whatever in that northern direction, but 
 persons who go thither are obliged to proceed 
 by water. Bronikov is coloni^ied by Eussian 
 settlers. 
 
 Our guides, convinced of the utter imprac- 
 ticability of proceeding any fiu'ther, as many 
 other conveyances had been brought to a 
 stand at this place, and were waiting the 
 change of season, came to a halt, and sent a 
 report to the Governor, acquainting him with 
 our detention. 
 
 Unpleasant as it was to remain, perhaps 
 for the space of a whole month, in so desolate 
 a place, consigned to a wretched hovel, mthout 
 any society whatever, and even without the 
 means of procui-ing the most indispensable 
 necessaries of life, we were obliged to resign 
 ourselves to om- fate. Work and reading are
 
 66 REVELATIONS 
 
 the usual resoiu'ces of females iu similar 
 cases, but of these we had but a limited 
 supply. The teuement where we were lodged 
 belonged to the Secretary of the Post, and 
 he had but temporarily conceded it to us, so 
 that we could not employ ourselves in forming 
 a household. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Governor received the 
 intelligence of our detention, and thought it 
 better to countermand our joui'uey, and wait 
 till a more advanced season should render 
 the river navigable. The counter-order was 
 on two accounts highly consolatory to me. 
 Instead of being compelled, as I should have 
 been, to spend my time in kksome solitude, 
 imprisoned within the walls of a miserable 
 hut, in a small and dii'ty village, it promised 
 me the agreeable society of my compatriots ; 
 and after the worry and fatigue I had suffered 
 throughout my progress by land, and its 
 pernicious effect on my health, the prospect 
 of completing my long journey by the river 
 could not but give me great pleasure, as I 
 should no longer be exposed to the severe 
 jolting of the road, and while secure of good 
 rest at night, might sometimes walk on the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 67 
 
 deck during the day, working or reading as 
 I pleased, and so I hoped in time to recruit 
 my strength. 
 
 We retraced om* steps to Tobolsk, not by 
 oiu' previous route on the Irtish, the river 
 being now impassable, but by an ordinary 
 road used in summer. I need not say how 
 delighted we were at finding oiu-selves again 
 amidst our old friends, and how they also 
 rejoiced to welcome us on our retui'n.
 
 68 EE^TILATIOXS 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 Sojourn at Tobolsk — Lower and Upper Town — Edifices 
 — Interview with an exiled Colonel — "Walks on the 
 Irtish — Tobola — Public garden — Yisit from the exile 
 Advance of spring — Breaking of ice on the Irtish — 
 Ai'gali deer. 
 
 As we had to stay several weeks at 
 Tobolsk, it was necessary to look for lodgings. 
 Another of our countrywomen, an old friend 
 and neighboui* of mine, who had arrived 
 shortly before, found herself in the same 
 situation, and we agreed to take a house, and 
 live together. 
 
 Spring now approached with rapid pace. 
 Snow was disappearing from the streets, the 
 fields, and all the environs. We lived in the 
 lower part of the town, which was without
 
 OF SIBERIA. 69 
 
 any pavement ; but as the streets were laid 
 with planks and large trunlvs of trees, we 
 were able, on fine days, to take our walks in 
 town without much inconvenience, and thus 
 make acquaintance with the capital of Siberia. 
 
 Tobolsk lies on the right bank of the Irtish. 
 Most of its houses are built of wood, not 
 painted outside, and only very rarely inside. 
 They look dustj^ and mean, and the town 
 has a sombre uninviting aspect. But a small 
 number of the houses are of brick, and these 
 chiefly belong to a more respectable class of 
 merchants. There are eleven chui'ches, all 
 brick structures. 
 
 Among the principal buildings, the Go- 
 vernor's Palace holds the fii'st place. It is 
 two stories high ; another, and equally stately 
 edifice, was built by Swedish prisoners, 
 taken at the famous battle of Pultawa; a 
 third, is the residence of the Archbishop of 
 all Siberia. These three edifices are all 
 situated on an eminence, and may be said to 
 constitute, as it were, the basis of what is 
 termed the "Higher Town." 
 
 Below on a plain, or more properly a 
 peninsula wliich is formed by a winding of
 
 70 REVELATIONS 
 
 the Irtish, lies the "Lower Town." The 
 site being low, and not much above the level 
 of the river, it is exceedingly damp. Both 
 the towns, as well as all the enwons, are 
 too level to allow of a single fine view ; and 
 the total absence of buildings remarkable for 
 grandeur, either in their dimensions or in 
 architectural beauty, make all the streets 
 look alike. It is not to Tobolsk that the 
 sight-himters should go to gratify their 
 curiosity. Only those who have long been 
 resident in this place, and have become more 
 familiar with the different localities, can 
 point out any difference between one set of 
 streets and another ; such distinctions totally 
 escape the eye of a casual visitor. 
 
 During one of my walks, being accompa- 
 nied by some friends, I paid a visit to Colonel 
 Severin Ki'zyzanowslvi. He was a poor in- 
 valid; both his feet are paralyzed, and he 
 never quits his chamber.* One of our com- 
 
 * Colonel Krzyzanowski is one of the many victims 
 of the reign of the Emperor Nicholas. He had been a 
 most distinguished officer in the Polish army, and fought 
 many battles under Napoleon. He was accused, with 
 other Poles, of complicity in the celebrated Pestel con-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 71 
 
 pany, M, Onufiy Pietraszkiewicz, preceded 
 us to apprise the Colonel of our approach ; 
 and we waited in an outer room while his 
 nurse, a German, prepared for our reception. 
 
 In about a quarter of an hour the Colonel 
 was ready to receive us, and being ushered in 
 we found him sitting in a deep arm-chair, a la 
 Voltaire^ propped up on both sides, his infirm 
 debilitated body requiring those supj)orts. 
 
 His long, thin hair was snow-white — 
 bleached, as it appeared, by premature age, 
 brought on by much suffering, and it fell down 
 
 spiracy in Eussia, but the crime could not be substan- 
 tiated against them, and they were all honourably 
 acquitted by the High Court at Warsaw in 1828. 
 Although a Pole, yet being born in the Ukraine, Colonel 
 Krzyzanowslii was claimed by the Czar as a Eussian 
 subject, and without any trial whatever, transported to 
 Siberia. For nearly twenty years it was not known 
 where he was, or even whether he was dead or alive ; 
 and, but for our author's notice of him, his friends 
 would not, in all likelihood, have heard anything of 
 him to this day. Siberia is a vast prison, and though 
 not walled up, there is no return or escape from its 
 confines. The rest of the unfortunate man's life — his 
 sufferings and his mournful end, as related by our 
 author, will now become clear and intelligible to the 
 readers.
 
 72 REVELATIONS 
 
 on his shoulders, reaching nearly to his 
 elbows. His face was excessively pale, and 
 looked as though it were swollen ; the lustre 
 of his eyes was dimmed, and their old fire 
 quenched. As he saw us enter his lips and eyes 
 trembled convulsively, betraying a strong in- 
 Avard emotion. We perceived that he tried to 
 speak, and could not. He then by a movement 
 of the hand made us a sign to approach his 
 seat, to enable him to shake hands with. us. 
 There were but two of us in his room — Miss 
 Josephine and myself. 
 
 It fortunately happened that atthat moment 
 the Colonel's mind was perfectly lucid, which 
 alas ! was not its ordinary condition ; and we 
 could see that only the excess of emotion 
 deprived his paralyzed tongue of the power of 
 speech. At length he recovered his self- 
 possession, and for some time conversed with 
 us, though not without difficulty, yet with 
 perfect presence of mind. 
 
 Hearing that our destination was Berezov, 
 a place known to him, having himself resided 
 there fourteen months, he recommended 
 ns, when we arrived, to take lodgings at his 
 former landlady's, where he said we should
 
 OF SIBERIA. 73 
 
 be comfortable. He tried to re-assure us with 
 respect to Berezov and the discomforts of that 
 place, and perhaps thinking we should be 
 frightened, lauded the single-heartedness and 
 hospitality of its inhabitants. 
 
 This conversation he maintained with a 
 difficulty painful to witness. We were 
 obliged to gather what he intended to convey, 
 more from his gesticulations and the move- 
 ment of his lips, than from the words he 
 uttered. For some time we went on toler- 
 ably well ; but at last the Colonel's faculties, 
 exhausted by his efforts, began to flag. He 
 stiU continued speaking, but we could not help 
 observing that imagination carried him back 
 to the shores of the Tagus, and the banks of 
 the Seine, the stage of his past military ex- 
 ploits. He then narrated that we could 
 obtain at Berezov plenty of water-melons, 
 grapes, oranges, and a variety of delicious 
 fruits, which we knew were not to be found 
 there, but were the produce of more genial 
 climes. 
 
 This conversation, from its character and 
 the direction it had taken, afi'ected me pain- 
 fully. I was at a loss how to abridge it, 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 74 EEVELATIONS 
 
 otherwise than by taking leave of our un- 
 fortunate compatriot, who, on perceiYing our 
 movement, grasped our hands, and continued 
 uttering beseechingly with his palsied tongue, 
 "Pray stay — still longer — longer." But 
 apprehending lest the effect of our protracted 
 interview should prove injurious to the 
 Colonel's health, we left him, thinking we 
 might yet see him again at some future 
 period. 
 
 On our way home, in order to disembarrass 
 ourselves of the painfal impression produced 
 on our mind, we proceeded in the direction 
 of the Irtish. Arrived on its banks, we saw 
 an immense extent of land, as far as our 
 eyes could reach, imder water, presenting a 
 magnificent spectacle. In gazing upon this 
 expanse of smooth placid water, shining 
 mirror-like before us, our sight seemed to 
 lose itself in its immensity. At its farthest 
 extremity we could likewise discern another 
 distant plain : it was land, across which again 
 another azure-like stream was running, at 
 first so tiny, as to be almost imperceptible, 
 but growing more distinct the nearer it came, 
 gradually widening into something like a
 
 OF SIBERIA. 75 
 
 broad high-road, which, at last iiniting with 
 the river, formed one vast sheet of water. 
 The swollen tributary was the Tobola, 
 coming from the far west, and emptying 
 itself into the majestic Irtish. 
 
 On our way home we passed by what is 
 called here a public garden, and peeped into 
 it. It was a small piece of ground, inter- 
 sected with gravel walks, and containing 
 only birches and a few yellow acacias. Here 
 and there were placed benches to sit upon, 
 and on one side a summer-house constructed 
 of wood. Had the season been more favour- 
 able, I should, perhaps, have seen the place 
 to greater advantage ; but the trees were 
 now bereft of foliage, and the branches so 
 scanty that they could be counted ; besides, 
 the ground was wet and miry, and alto- 
 gether the garden presented a doleful appear- 
 ance. 
 
 On the following day, in the afternoon, being 
 at home, we observed from our balcony a 
 dorozka, with one horse, stop at our door. 
 We were astonished when we saw the occu- 
 pant of it descending. Coimt Marchocki, 
 who was just then with us, from curiosity 
 
 E 2
 
 76 REVELATIONS 
 
 also approached the window, and recognised 
 Colonel Krzyzanowski, who in his state of 
 infirmity could not get out of the vehicle, and 
 was obliged to be carried by two men. 
 It took some time to collect more hands to 
 convey him to our apartment, which was 
 the more difficult from its being on the second 
 iloor. His debility was so excessive that 
 he was carried like a child up stairs. 
 
 We welcomed him with great concern and 
 emotion ; and not having any arm-chair in 
 our room, for the support of his feeble and 
 paralyzed body, we made him sit on the sofa, 
 and propped him up with cushions. 
 
 Dui'ing this visit the Colonel spoke with 
 greater facility than on the preceding day. 
 His conversation was more animated, and he 
 even spoke a great deal more, as if he were 
 determined to make up for the constraint 
 under which he had laboured on the occasion of 
 our visit to him. To-day he would not have 
 his will in the least cramped, nor his tongue 
 silenced, when thoughts flashed like lightning 
 through his brain. 
 
 With inconceivable fire and rapidity, he 
 discoursed on a variety of things and inci-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 77 
 
 dents, plunging by turns into the past and 
 present, and nowhere resting long, as if fore- 
 warned of his lucid moments being num- 
 bered and but scantily granted to him. He 
 seemed therefore the more eager to catch 
 at each moment, as it flew rapidly by. 
 Within half an hour, however, his ideas grew 
 confused, and at last became quite imstrung. He 
 still continued speaking with the same volu- 
 bility as before, but alas ! there was no rea- 
 son in his words. 
 
 I did all I could to bring him back to his 
 former train of associations, but in vain. 
 His thoughts, having once lost theii' pathway, 
 could by no means be brought into it again. 
 
 His servant observing this melancholy 
 state of his master's mind, approached, and 
 signified that it was time to depart, but the 
 Colonel pushed him back. He would not 
 have his visit abridged. He remained several 
 hours longer, sunk in the same distressing 
 state, and without the least shadow of amend- 
 ment. At last, at nightfall, he took leave of 
 us. 
 
 Winter seemed now to be departing, and 
 the weather every day grew finer. Nature
 
 78 REVELATIONS 
 
 awoke from her lethargic sleep, breaking 
 through the icy fetters in which winter had 
 enthi^alled her. The sun shone with more 
 warmth, and the birds carolled gaily in the 
 trees. It was the 10th of May,* when news 
 at last spread that the ice of the Irtish had 
 broken and was floating down the river, 
 which in a few days would be open for navi- 
 gation. This was a warning to us to prepare 
 for departure. 
 
 Our hearts grieved as the old and well- 
 known song recurred to our memory — the 
 song which for one whole month was ringing 
 incessantly in our ears, and still echoed the 
 weary refrain^ " Onward — onward." 
 
 To drive these melancholy anticipations 
 from our mind, we once more repaired to the 
 
 * The loth of May here, be it remembered, is 
 the 22nd of that month, according to the Gregorian 
 Calendar now in general use in Europe : the Eussians 
 still computing the days of the month, and fixing all the 
 festivals of their Church after the old Julian style. This 
 must be allowed for thi'oughout our author's narrative, 
 as that difference — which is twelve days between the 
 two calendars — cannot be unimportant in forming a 
 right estimate of the Siberian temperature at different 
 seasons of the year.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 79 
 
 banJis of the Irtish, to witness its struggle 
 with the parting ice, and almost lament its 
 victory. The view had scarcely anything 
 new in itself, recuiTing as it does every year, 
 and yet it is ever magnificent. 
 
 We foimd the ice abeady broken. It 
 moved on the blue waves of the river in huge 
 masses, slowly and almost solemnly, amidst 
 thundering crashes from far and near. We 
 saw the smaller craft of boats in great number, 
 trying their adventurous coui-se near the 
 shore, which was already clear of all ice-floes ; 
 while the banks of the river were thronged 
 with speculators, yoimg and old, men, women, 
 and children, of all ranks and stations. This 
 was the grandest feature of the spectacle — 
 grand because all were alive to it. 
 
 I witnessed, not without satisfaction, the 
 temerity, the skill, and the courage with 
 which the inhabitants ventured on an element 
 so terrific and perilous — curbed, but not yet 
 conquered, and which still echoed its thun- 
 dering poean of war and defiance. 
 
 I cannot exactly state the reason, but the 
 spectacle of a man who is resolutely braving 
 danger, with nothing to rely upon but his
 
 80 REVELATIONS 
 
 own strength, has always had more chai-m 
 for me, and excited more veneration for the 
 grandeur of his character, than all his indus- 
 trial conquests. This, perhaps, is the foible 
 of our sex. 
 
 On our return home, I saw a most beauti- 
 ful animal, called a moral. I mean no 
 equivoque, for that was its real name. It is, 
 I am told, a native of the Sayan and Altai 
 mountains.* 
 
 I never saw an animal equal it in elegance 
 of shape. It is very much like a deer, or, 
 more properly, like an antelope. It is tall 
 in stature, slender, and exceedingly graceful 
 in its proportions, with thin feet and short 
 tail. It bears its neck high, and the hair is 
 thin and smooth, and of a brown colour. I 
 was informed that it usually had high horns 
 branching out like the antlers of a stag ; but 
 at this season the animal was without any, 
 and on the spot where they grow there was 
 
 * The moral is probably the argali, or capra ammon, 
 whose horns, as mentioned by Mr. Cottrell, are im- 
 mensely large, very spiral, and strong. The moral is 
 very shy, and lives in the most inaccessible spots, like 
 the chamois.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 81 
 
 oiily a soft protuberant excrescence, covered 
 with delicate haii'-like moss. This horny 
 protuberance grew so rapidly, that, in the 
 course of a few weeks, the animal's head 
 was crowned with noble antlers. The moral 
 I have described was kept in the stables of 
 Prince Gortchakoff, Governor -General of 
 West Siberia. It was very tame, and walked 
 freely about the town. 
 
 These animals are generally very easily 
 tamed ; and many people who take a par- 
 ticular liking to them, keep a number of 
 them as domestic cattle.
 
 82 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 Preparations for departure — Spring — The Upper Town 
 — Ceyzik's house — Prince Gortchakoff — His removal 
 to Omsk — Roman Catholic missions — A real solitude 
 — Embarkation — Cabin — Farewells. 
 
 It was on the 12th of May that we re- 
 ceived an official notice from the Governor- 
 General to prepare for departure to Berezov. 
 About this town, though a capital of exten- 
 sive district, and one next to Tobolsk in 
 importance, so little was known here, that 
 everybody with whom we spoke gave us a 
 different account of it. In this one particular, 
 however, all seemed to agree, that we could 
 not expect to meet there any of our usual 
 comforts. The first object, therefore, for our
 
 OP SIBERIA. 83 
 
 consideration was to purchase a stock of 
 commodities for om- futm^e household, as 
 furniture and provisions, such as we thought 
 would keep on oiu' voyage. The whole ot 
 my time was now taken up with making 
 piu'chases, packing and stowing the different 
 articles, in which business I had every 
 possible assistance from my countrymen, to 
 whose kindness I was indeed much indebted. 
 
 The voyage by water would, I thought, 
 after all, be more agreeable than travelling 
 by land, and it mattered little how bulky or 
 heavy were my purchases. The only draw- 
 back was, that I was obliged to limit my 
 wishes from the insufficiency of my means. 
 
 The privation, which, according to all 
 accoimts, I had most to apprehend in my 
 future household, and most wished to avoid, 
 was the supplies of the dairy ; for I was 
 assui-ed that there were no more than two 
 cows in the whole territory of Berezov. As 
 for fruit, salads, and other vegetables, I was 
 pretty sure that from the nature of the 
 climate, they were quite out of the question, 
 and could not at all enter on my list; but milk, 
 cream, and butter — how could I be without
 
 84 REVELATIONS 
 
 them ? From Tobolsk I could only transport 
 melted butter ; and as for tea, which is the 
 sole luxury Imow^i to the Siberians, and 
 next to water is considered by them one of 
 the principal necessaries of life — the very 
 idea of such a beverage, as di-unk by them, 
 frightened me. I well knew that I should 
 have to encounter it at every step, as it is 
 deemed an indispensable item of hospitality ; 
 and I could never drink tea without cream. 
 
 Such are the petty miseries of our life. 
 They are too insignificant to be even per- 
 ceptible amidst strong emotions ; but in the 
 absence of such emotions, and under an utter 
 apathy of life, even they are apt, contemptible 
 though they be, to assume in our fancy the 
 shape of grave and intolerable evils. 
 
 On the 15th of May, spring gladdened us 
 with her first cheerful vernal smile. Warm 
 and genial was her breath, moving the bii'ch 
 trees to spread out their long tresses, and 
 deck themselves with foliage, struggling as it 
 yet was beneath the brown tints of winter. 
 Grass began to sprout, and vernal flowers 
 were peeping timidly forth, and upraising 
 their shy, modest, variously-coloured heads to
 
 OF SIBERLi. 85 
 
 the sun, which tenderly kissed their brows 
 with his beams, and by his penetrating 
 warmth everywhere imparted new life. 
 Gladdened by the changed face of nature, we 
 resolved to turn the last days of our sojourn 
 at Tobolsk to as great an advantage as 
 possible, and to see more of the town and of 
 its vicinity. 
 
 Oiu" fii'st visit was to the Upper Town, 
 which, as I have before remarked, occupies 
 an elevated site, and in so far is drier and 
 more salubrious than the Lower Town, while 
 the view from it over the latter is not alto- 
 gether without interest. The communica- 
 tion between the two cannot be said to be 
 easy, at least it is not such as might be 
 desired ; the new portion, which is on the 
 hill, being separated from the old one below, 
 by a perpendicular high cliff and a deep 
 ditch. There are only two ways, indeed, by 
 which the Upper Town is accessible ; one to 
 passengers on foot, by a flight of many 
 hundred steps leading straight up the hill, 
 which, though the shortest way, is very irk- 
 some for ascent ; and the other for car- 
 riages, by a circuitous and broad road in a 
 ravine, dug for that purpose round the
 
 86 REVELATIONS 
 
 hill, and paved with wood. Evidently, 
 everything that the art of engineering could 
 suggest has been employed to facilitate the 
 communication ; but, in spite of all digging, 
 paving, and bringing, m order to diminish 
 the ascent, the acclivity is too gi-eat not to 
 be most severely felt. One cannot ascend 
 the steps without losing one's breath, and 
 without being obliged repeatedly to stop for 
 rest. 
 
 On reaching the top of the hill, an exten- 
 sive plateau presents itself. It is adorned 
 with a monument raised recently, in the 
 reign of the present Emperor, to the memory 
 of Yermak. The cost of the erection was 
 paid from subscriptions collected for the 
 purpose among the natives of Siberia. 
 
 The appearance of the Upper Town is 
 neat ; the streets are broad ; the air, dry, 
 bracing, and conducive to health. The 
 Government House, the residence of the 
 Archbishop (Archirey), the Greek Church, 
 the barracks, and the military hospitals, con- 
 stitute the principal buildings. The rest of 
 the houses are nearly all constructed of 
 wood.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 87 
 
 Among these, a small but neat cottage 
 had, during my visit, particularly struck me 
 by its European aspect. It was surrounded 
 by a plantation of birch trees, which had a 
 picturesque effect. I inquired whose house 
 it was, and received for answer, that the 
 proprietor's name was Ceyzik, who formerly 
 resided in Poland, and was celebrated for 
 his most exquisite paintings on china and 
 pottery. He had been, as we were told, for 
 upwards of tAVenty years in Siberia, and 
 though aged, he still looked hale and strong. 
 On hearing this, we could not help wishing to 
 see him. 
 
 The snug, comfortable cottage he possessed 
 was his own property, as well as a small garden 
 attached to it. This was very well kept, 
 and was full of various shrubs, with beds for 
 vegetables and flowers, traversed by carefully- 
 raked paths, and even containing some con- 
 servatories, reminding us more of our own 
 country, than of the wilderness of Siberia. The 
 taste for embellishing human habitations, by 
 subjecting nature to the rules of art, has not 
 yet penetrated to this region. And why so? 
 For no other reason that I can imagine, than
 
 88 REVELATIONS 
 
 because all attempts at refinement would 
 appear dwarfish and out of place in the pre- 
 sence of the grandeur and variety of nature, 
 spread out before the threshold of the hum- 
 blest dwelling ; and I might also say because 
 the necessity for any such artificial improve- 
 ments has not yet made itself apparent among 
 these wild people. 
 
 Ceyzik's pottery is much prized, and there 
 was a great demand for it thi'oughout Siberia. 
 During the visit of the heir apparent of the 
 Eussian crown, the citizens of Tobolsk order- 
 ed at Ceyzik's manufactory a china tray, 
 which was presented to their illustrious 
 guest as a fine specimen of Siberian manu- 
 factures, and was graciously received by him. 
 In general, Ceyzik has an excellent market 
 for his wares, and orders are often sent to 
 him from distant parts of Siberia for vases, 
 basins, tureens, bowls, and suchlike, both 
 ornamental and useful crockery. All these 
 articles are recommended for the elegance of 
 their workmanship and their beauty of design, 
 and are indeed entitled to admiration. 
 
 During the week, a gi-eat bustle prevailed 
 at Tobolsk. The mercantile portion of the
 
 OF SIBERIA, 89 
 
 citizens were busied in freighting boats and 
 vessels destined for the Oby Sea, whence, 
 after discharging their cargoes, they bring 
 back loads of fish and fui\ Many of the in- 
 habitants, too, were more or less engaged in 
 preparing for the departm-e of the Governor- 
 General, Prince Gortchakofi", who was on the 
 point of leaving Tobolsk for Omsk.* For 
 some reason or other, difficult to explain, he 
 was ordered to transfer his residence, with 
 
 *Th.e object of this removal of the capital of "Western 
 Siberia southward to Omsk, in the Kirghies Steppes, is 
 to establish a road in a direct line to Thibet, and when 
 Russia shall have acquired a sufficiently firm footing in 
 it, to obtain, across that country, a transit for her mer- 
 chandise to India, if not also for the march of her 
 Kirghies, Tartar, and other Siberian hordes, for the 
 accomplishment of her long-cherished designs on the 
 British possessions in Asia. The distance from Omsk to 
 the frontier of Thibet, is but twelve hundi-ed versts ; 
 and, on the way through the Steppes, most of the 
 natives are on friendly terms with the Russians. At 
 Omsk, a school is established in which a number of 
 young men are instructed in the Mongolish Arabic, and 
 Persian languages, and destined to perform the duties 
 of diplomatic agents in Asiatic countries. The Univer- 
 sity at Kazan is another institution to qualify men far 
 such missions, in furtherance of the Muscovite policy.
 
 90 REVELATIONS 
 
 the whole of his staff, to the latter town, 
 wliich is the capital of the district of that 
 name, belonging in part to the Government 
 of Tobolsk, and in part to that of Tomsk. 
 The town of Omsk, like Tobolsk, lies on the 
 Irtish, in a large Steppe, on the very boundary 
 of the great Kirghies Steppes. 
 
 The inhabitants of Tobolsk were grieved 
 at parting with theii" beloved Governor, whose 
 humane conduct had gained him all hearts. 
 They perfectly knew how much they were 
 losing by his departure. The different func- 
 tionaries connected with his staff and their 
 families, in particular, were sony to relinquish 
 their houses, where they had long been 
 established, as well as the society and com- 
 forts to which they were accustomed. Turn 
 which way you might, this was perceptible. 
 Here a spacious house, which a few days 
 before, we saw furnished and filled with com- 
 pany, stood desolate and dismantled, with but 
 naked walls, doors and windows open, all the 
 furniture in disorder, and the servants wait- 
 ing the arrivals of carts which were to carry 
 them to the river side. In some places friends 
 were bidding each other adieu ; in others,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 91 
 
 they held a last mournful meeting at the 
 social board. 
 
 At the river side all was in activity, and 
 an immense crowd had assembled. It 
 seemed as if the whole population of Tobolsk 
 was at that moment congregated together. 
 Some of the vessels were loaded with furni- 
 ture, and were destined for Omsk ; others, 
 which were to sail in an opposite dii-ection, 
 received on board cargoes of flour and sundry 
 victuals and merchandize for the northern 
 districts of the Government of Tobolsk. 
 
 Tobolsk has one Protestant church, but 
 has not any Eoman Catholic place of worship. 
 Subscriptions were, indeed, some years ago, 
 collected for the erection of a Eoman Catholic 
 chui'ch, but, in spite of the zealous efforts and 
 contributions made by the wealthier portion 
 of the Catholic inhabitants, they were found 
 to be quite inadequate for carrying out that 
 purpose. In the meanwhile, the Dominicans, 
 who are established at Tomsk, occasionally 
 visit Tobolsk to perform divine service for 
 the Eoman Catholic residents. 
 
 At Tomsk, a distance of one thousand four 
 hundred and thirty versts fi'om Tobolsk,
 
 92 REVELATIONS 
 
 there is a Eoman Catholic chui'ch, and this is 
 the only one in the whole of Western Siberia. 
 The priests are sent thither commonly from 
 the Polish provinces; and their duty is to 
 make annually a round of visits to all the 
 principal places situated within that immense 
 diocese, extending fi'om the Ural Mountains 
 to the river Yenisei in the east, and fi'om the 
 Steppes of the Kirghies to the Frozen Sea in 
 the north. A whole year is hardly sufficient 
 for traversing such an immense extent of 
 territory. Indeed, no one who has not spent 
 some time in Siberia, or has not in some 
 degree identified himself with the manner of 
 life of the inhabitants of that country, can 
 possibly have any conception of its vast 
 extent. Europe would appear narrow to the 
 natives of the Siberian wilderness. In the 
 principal towns where the Catholics may be 
 numerous, the priest is allowed to stay a few 
 days longer ; and then the Catholics of all 
 the surrounding places, being informed by 
 circular of his arrival, hasten for the perfor- 
 mance of the rites of their religion, such as 
 baptisms of children, matrimonial vows and 
 confessions. After fulfilling his duty at one
 
 OF SIBERIA. 93 
 
 point, the priest, without a moment's delay, 
 resumes his journey, visiting in that manner 
 all the other places, distant at hundreds 
 and often a thousand versts from each 
 other. 
 
 The town of Tobolsk is the point at which 
 the visitation of the clergy of Tomsk termi- 
 nates. The priest invariably amves there at 
 the close of the winter, and does not, after 
 his long pilgrimage, proceed any farther 
 northwards, but shortly before Easter usually 
 returns to Tomsk, where he waits till the 
 snow has melted, and the season of navigation 
 recommenced, and then again starts on his 
 circuit. 
 
 The 16th of May had been fixed for our 
 departure for Berezov, but the merchant 
 Brahin's vessel, which was to convey us 
 thither, chanced not to be yet ready, or more 
 properly speaking, what, indeed, was the 
 real truth of the matter — it was not suffi- 
 ciently laden, a circumstance for which we 
 were by no means sony. The longer we 
 remained at Tobolsk, the better it was for 
 us ; every moment of our prolonged stay ap- 
 peared to us a gain from those days of soli-
 
 94 REVELATIONS 
 
 tude and pining to wliich we should be 
 doomed in future. 
 
 I had never hitherto considered solitude a 
 grievance ; on the contrary, I felt at all times 
 reconciled to it — nay, foimd a degree of 
 pleasure in it. Though I am fond of society, 
 I somehow could easily replace the want of 
 it, and never felt tired when alone. But 
 the solitude which awaited me at Berezov 
 was something appalling, hanging like a mass 
 of deep darkness over my imagination, 
 through which I could see only horror and 
 despair. Had it been guarded by the thick- 
 ness of a wall, or by locks and bars, it would 
 have caused us little concern ; but it was, 
 in our conception, a total interruption of all 
 relations with the past, and a seclusion from 
 all mankind. 
 
 At last the moment of departure arrived. 
 On the 17th of May we Avere informed by 
 the authorities that the vessel was to sail 
 within three hours, and that we must imme- 
 diately embark. Our things had already 
 been carried on board — thanks to the solici- 
 tude of our friends, who anticipated our 
 wishes and diminished our troubles. Woman
 
 OF SIBERIA. 95 
 
 at all stages of her life, and in all circum- 
 stances, requires protection, and feels grate- 
 ful for it ; and situated as we were, we felt 
 the more a sincere thankfulness for the kind 
 attention we experienced. Taldng leave of 
 all with whom we were acquainted, and ac- 
 companied by a small escort of fiiends, we 
 wended our Avay sorrowfally to the river. 
 The vessel was moored some distance from 
 the shore, in the deepest part of the stream, 
 and we were obliged to take a boat. Several 
 of our company there bade us farewell ; but 
 others, as Charles Marchocki, Constantino 
 Wolicki, and two brothers, the Kiersnowskis, 
 still remained with us, and accompanied us 
 to the vessel. 
 
 The little bark was bound to the Oby Sea, 
 whence it was to fetch back a cargo of fish. 
 It was one of the largest among those which 
 annually go to the Frozen Sea for that pui'pose, 
 and was of ten thousand to eleven thousand 
 puds.* We were shown to a cabin, the only 
 one in the vessel ; it was narrow and dark, 
 and was packed up with a quantity of fur 
 
 * The Russian pud is thirty-six pounds English.
 
 96 REVELATIONS 
 
 and wodka (whisky), wliich rendered it any- 
 thing but odorous. However, we had many 
 reasons for valuing it, as it afforded us a con- 
 venient retreat, and we could claim it as 
 a corner of our own. It at least separated us 
 from a motley crowd of passengers, of whom 
 we knew nothing, and whom we could not 
 possibly make confidants of our thoughts, 
 feelings, or actions. 
 
 Before the signal for departure was given, 
 our kind compatriots were busily engaged in 
 stowing, within the narrow confines of our tem- 
 porary abode, all our luggage, and arrang- 
 ing, as comfortable as could be, our small 
 household. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the 
 sorrowful sweetness of confidential discoui'se, 
 perhaps never to be renewed, and a last ex- 
 change of thoughts and sympatliies, which 
 was to suffice us for years of long seclusion. 
 
 Several hours still elapsed ere all the 
 sailors could be assembled. They were dis- 
 persed on shore, some bidding farewell to 
 theii' families, others transacting business, 
 and some getting tipsy in the company of 
 their friends. But we were not impatient 
 to sail ; we ourselves were beguiling the few
 
 OF SIBERIA. 97 
 
 moments that remained to us in a friendly 
 circle. 
 
 At last, to our great distress, the signal 
 gun was fired thrice. This admitted of no 
 further delay. The anchor was weighed. 
 The ship moved northward, and the boat 
 carried our friends back to the shore. As long 
 as we could see each other, our white hand- 
 kerchiefs waved in the air, wafting our last 
 adieus. God alone could tell whether those 
 sweet accents of my native language were 
 not the last that I should ever hear. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 98 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Journey to Berezov — Mournful train of thoughts — 
 Kutchuni Khan and Termak — Steward — Passengers 
 — Samovar — Boating — Perilous adventure — Gale of 
 wind — Demiansk — Increase of cold — Expanse of 
 the desert — Grandeur of primitive nature. 
 
 It was ten o'clock at night. The green 
 and fresh foliage of birches, jnst then break- 
 ing from their buds, was blended with the 
 darkness of the grey twilight. The splash- 
 ing of the oars, and, at times, the voices of 
 the mariners, interrupted the deep silence of 
 the night. The hills along the banks of the 
 Irtish were disappearitig, one after another, 
 from our sight. Absorbed in my thoughts, 
 I experienced an agony of spmt, and felt
 
 OF SIBERIA. 99 
 
 very ill. At each movement of the oar, I 
 was carried farther and farther from my home 
 and my family, into a region desolate and 
 wdld. We stood, Josephine and myself, silent 
 on the deck ; our eyes involuntarily turning 
 back, as though we were still chasing after 
 the past. Each was following her own 
 train of thoughts. 
 
 All around us was night, silence, and wil- 
 derness. Darkness was gradually growing 
 deeper, and more impenetrable. Still, we 
 exj^erienced no wish to retii-e, or to separate 
 oui'selves from the thoughts which engrossed 
 us. At length, the trees and other objects 
 lost their visible shapes ; and all around was 
 obscurity. In our passage oriward, how- 
 ever, we occasionally perceived twinkling 
 lights along the shore, and, in some places, 
 minarets dimly looming in the dark. These 
 were Tartar villages, and faintly as they ap- 
 peared, they happily brought me some relief, 
 exciting a different train of associations, and 
 leading my memory to the times of Kutchum 
 Khan and Yermak.* 
 
 * Kutclium Khan and Yermak are historical charac- 
 ters of this region — one being the defender, the other the 
 
 F 2
 
 100 REVELATIONS 
 
 Both these men were valiant in the field^ 
 both conquerors. They both fought coui'age- 
 ously, but not with equal success. The 
 former being vanquished and banished fi*om 
 his dominions, became, in his advanced age, 
 an exile ; bereft of his country, his family, 
 his riches, and his sight, he died an un- 
 known death, leaving nothing for posterity 
 but a bright record of the greatness of 
 his soul in adversity. The latter, after 
 a career of wild adventures and bold 
 exploits, being taken by surprise, by those 
 whom he had vanquished, perished on the 
 
 invader of Siberia. Kutchum Khan was a lineal 
 descendant of the great Ghenghis Khan, and in the six- 
 teenth century, the most powerful chief of all the inde- 
 pendent tribes in "Western Siberia. A fort in the vici- 
 nity of Tobolsk, of which some ruins still remain, was 
 his usual place of residence. In the year 1578, that 
 portion of Siberia was invaded by a Cossack of the Don, 
 Timofief Yermak, a freebooter, who, on that account, 
 incurred the ire of the Grand-Duke of Muscovy. Com- 
 pelled with his followers to seek refuge in Siberia, he 
 defeated the Khan, and extended his conquests ; but, 
 being in turn defeated, he sued pardon of his former 
 enemy the Czar, and to obtain protection subjected to him. 
 nominally, Siberia, a country which at that period was 
 so little known, that he was considered its discoverer.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 101 
 
 banks of the Irtish, without the least sign 
 of a tomb to mark the spot where he fell. 
 The mortal remains of both these worthies 
 of yore have, perhaps, found a common 
 grave in the waters of this great river ; yet, 
 how different are the results produced by the 
 achievements of one and the other. The 
 dominions of Kutchum Khan were doomed 
 to bend under the yoke imposed on them by 
 the victor ; his princely family was carried 
 off captive to a foreign land ; while Yermak 
 proceeded from victory to victory, from con- 
 quest to conquest, and subjected so many 
 nations differing in their language, manners, 
 and religions, to one and the same sceptre 
 and the same laws. 
 
 Thus far in the night I protracted my me- 
 ditation, until, benumbed with cold and tired 
 of the melancholy darkness around, we de- 
 scended to the cabin. 
 
 But the extraordinary novelty of my 
 situation, the reminiscences of the past, and 
 the dim vista of the future, blending 
 together, scared sleep from my eyehds. I 
 saw the day dawn without once closing my 
 eyes.
 
 102 EEVELATIONS 
 
 No sooner did the rays of the morning 
 begin famtly to illumine our cabin through 
 its narrow window, than I arranged my 
 toilette and hurried to the deck, anxious to 
 see the country and to learn where we were. 
 The night had seemed long, ha\nLng been 
 sleepless, and the cuiTent of the swollen 
 river appearing not to have suffered any 
 interruption in carrying us onwards, I 
 imagined that we were at an immense dis- 
 tance from Tobolsk ; but, to my astonish- 
 ment, I was informed that we were scarcely 
 twenty versts from the place of our embarka- 
 tion. The surrounding country, as far as 
 could be seen, was on all sides monotonous, 
 uninhabited, and a complete wilderness. 
 Not seeing any inducement to remain any 
 longer, I retu-ed to the cabin. 
 
 The lower part of tliis little retreat was 
 below the level of the water, but this did not 
 apply to the upper part, and a small oblong 
 pane of glass fixed in the side, just beneath 
 the low ceiling, admitted as little light as 
 could be. However, as my berth happened 
 to be uppermost, just at that small opening 
 I could sit and read at the dim light it
 
 OF SIBERIA. 103 
 
 admitted. Thus the berth did a double 
 service for me ; it served me for a sofa 
 during the day, and for a couch at night. 
 
 In the course of two or thi'ee hours we 
 arrived off Bronikov, the very village where, 
 a few weeks previously, the snow had pre- 
 vented us from travelling by land. As we 
 proceeded farther, the whole extent of land 
 appeared a desert ; only at long intervals some 
 solitary small settlements were observable, 
 with patches of tilled ground ; but even such 
 vestiges of cultivation were few and far 
 between. 
 
 But I should now say something of the 
 other persons on board our vessel. Apart 
 from the steward (Prikazbschik), who had 
 the command of the sailors composing 
 its crew, oui* company consisted of two mer- 
 chants retui'uing from Tobolsk to Berezov ; 
 and Mrs. Jaszczenko and her daughter, both 
 going on a visit to her son, who was school- 
 master at the latter town. These passengers 
 were left on board the vessel to manage for 
 themselves as well as they could. They 
 accordingly chose their places amidst the 
 bags of flour destined partly for Berezov, and 
 partly for Obdorsk.
 
 104 REVELATIONS 
 
 The whole of the company, as may easily 
 be imagined, was huddled up pell-mell 
 amongst these sacks : the passengers used 
 them as they liked ; and were, by turns, 
 sitting, sleeping, and eating on them. In 
 the middle, some space was left vacant, which 
 served as a common room. From it one 
 flight of steps led to the deck, and another to 
 the door opening on the water, which, being 
 the only passage through which light could 
 be admitted into the interior, was on that 
 account kept constantly ajar. 
 
 The 19th of May will for ever remain en- 
 graven on the tablet of my memory, as on 
 that day my Ufe was within a hair's breadth 
 of being cut off. At day-break, when the 
 rays of the sun began to pierce our cabin 
 through the small aperture called a window, 
 I got up from my bed, intending to enjoy 
 the fresh air of the morning. Josepliine and 
 the other passengers were still asleep, and 
 only a few sailors were on the deck, watching 
 the progress of the vessel. The two mer- 
 chants of Berezov were below, making pre- 
 parations for their brealtfast, and busily 
 employed at their samovar.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 
 
 105 
 
 Thi-ough the open door, I could see the 
 moiTiing was most beautiful. The sun was 
 rising in all his brilliance, bathing his orb 
 in the miiTor-like waters of the Irtish ; and 
 with his first rays magnificently gilding all 
 the summit of the forests, which extended 
 along the banks ; while the interior of our 
 vessel was filled with a strong stench from 
 skins, whisky, tar, and fish, and was so into- 
 lerable and nauseous, that I felt quite over- 
 come by the different effluvia. To escape 
 them I went on deck ; but even there the 
 smell of tobacco, with the suffocating miasma 
 arising from below, totally desti'oyed the re- 
 freshing quality of the air. At this moment, 
 a boat, such as is commonly attached by a 
 rope to larger vessels, caught my eye, and, 
 tempted to enjoy the morning air in all its 
 freshness, after a short moment of hesitation, 
 I jumped into it, and was delighted at being 
 enabled to breathe freely. 
 
 I remained there sitting quietly for some 
 time, not the slightest idea of danger occui'- 
 ring to my mind, until I perceived that the 
 boat was at some distance ft'om the vessel, 
 and was gradually drifting away. As it was 
 
 F 3
 
 106 REVELATIONS 
 
 tied with a rope, it could not be loosened at 
 once, and in so far I thought I was safe. 
 Still, seeing it in a moment drift rapidly to a 
 considerable distance, a nervous teiTor came 
 over me. It appeared as if really I was 
 completely losing hold of the vessel, and was 
 abandoned to the capricious waves. 
 
 At one moment, however, the boat ap- 
 proached so near, that I thought I had a 
 chance of escape. Seizing a rope, I attempted 
 by a leap to gain a projecting part of the side 
 of the vessel ; but in leaping, I unluckily 
 foiled to reach it, so as to be able to preserve 
 the balance, and by the violent movement I 
 made, the boat being pushed away from be- 
 neath me to a distance of several steps, I was 
 left with the whole weight of my body hang- 
 ing over the water, having for my safeguard 
 nothing but the rope, which I held fast with 
 all my strength. 
 
 Vessels on the Irtish have a quantity 
 of ropes suspended aU round ; they serve 
 both as a convenience for people descending 
 and coming up fi'om the boats, and also, in 
 case of anybody falling overboard, of rescuing 
 them from drowning. At first I endea-
 
 OP SIBERIA. 107 
 
 voiirecl to extricate myself from my perilous 
 situation by my own efforts, but seeing no 
 chance of success, I began to cry for help. 
 But nobody came to my rescue. My screams 
 could scarcely be heard on deck, amidst the 
 continual splashing of the oars ; wliile inside, 
 with the exception of the merchants at their 
 tea, all were asleep. From holding the rope 
 so long, my hands were benumbed, my 
 strength began to fail me, and I feared every 
 moment that I should sink to the bottom of 
 the river. 
 
 In this dreadful suspense I was held for 
 about a quarter of an hour, without any help 
 coming. One of the two merchants, Kore- 
 panow, had indeed heard, as he afterwards 
 stated, some screams, but he had taken them 
 for the cries of the rowers, such as were con- 
 stantly heard on deck, and therefore paid no 
 heed to them, until they struck him as a pro- 
 longed and monotonous wailing, coming from 
 one particular spot, which induced him to 
 look out of the door, and he then perceived 
 my perilous situation. 
 
 The son of this merchant, a youth of twenty, 
 without a moment's hesitation, leapt into the
 
 108 REVELATIONS 
 
 boat, which was at some distance, and shoved 
 it close to the vessel. Taking me then by 
 my arm, he advised me to let go the rope, 
 and fear nothing. However, exhausted, and 
 almost at the last gasp, I feared to relinquish 
 the rope, my last protection, seeing the 
 water yawn beneath me, as I had even doubts 
 lest the young man in such a difficult posi- 
 tion would be able to sustain my weight 
 without losing his balance, especially as he 
 had to stretch across. But my situation was 
 critical, and there was no alternative. With 
 a desperate resolution, I gave up the rope, 
 and he dropped me into the boat, which he 
 had drawn as closely under the vessel as 
 circumstances permitted. Here I stood up ; 
 but from the suspension I had undergone, 
 my feet, my hands, and the whole of my 
 body quivered like one in an ague fit. 
 
 Josephine started fi'om her slumber at the 
 exclamations on deck from many voices : 
 " The Polish lady is drowned ! " In her 
 fright she rushed out of the cabin half- 
 dressed, fancying me abeady dead. 
 
 Nobody, however, was more extravagantly 
 rejoiced at my recovery, and nobody lifted
 
 OF SIBERIA. 109 
 
 up his hands so high to Heaven, in fervent 
 thanksgiving, as the Cossack who escorted 
 us, and who was also aroused from his sleep 
 hy the general uproar and alarm. This sym- 
 pathy shown by the honest Cossack on my 
 behalf moved me deeply ; and I failed not to 
 express to him my sincere thanks. In ex- 
 planation, however, he replied with as great 
 a naivete as could be, but which went far to 
 disenchant me : " Your safety, lady, con- 
 concems me veiy nearly, as, had not God 
 mercifully averted this misfortune, the 
 consequences would have been most fatal 
 to myself." 
 
 The weather next day was very bad and 
 stormy. It was impossible to remain on 
 deck, owing to the excessive cold. The 
 aspect of the country was uninviting and 
 dreary ; no population, no trace of cultiva- 
 tion ; lower grounds densely overgrown with 
 willows, and the uplands crowned with cedar, 
 larch, and fir. At night the wind increased 
 to a perfect hui-ricane. The vessel was an- 
 chored, and remained so during the ensuing 
 day. 
 
 It is a tiresome thing to be moored. The
 
 110 REVELATIONS 
 
 play of the billows may for some time engage 
 our attention; but it soon loses all interest 
 by its monotonous uniformity. We had no 
 other means of dispelling oui* ennui than by 
 shutting ourselves in oui* cabin, and passing 
 away the heavy hours in reading. For- 
 tunately I had a few books with me. 
 
 Towards evening, the storm seemed to 
 abate; the anchor was weighed and we went 
 on. But we had hardly reached the middle of 
 the river, when, owing to the great swell, the 
 vessel began to be tossed to such a degree, 
 that we could not stand on our feet. Some 
 of the passengers being unaccustomed to the 
 motion, experienced sea-sickness. Mrs. Jaszc- 
 zenko felt qualmish, her daughter was ill, 
 Josephine suffered from head-ache ; and at 
 last even I felt faint. "Witnessing the suffer- 
 ings of others, and being at a loss how to 
 prevent them, I now began to think of my- 
 self. I went on deck, where fresh air and 
 cold soon dispelled my illness, and I have 
 ever since, during the strongest gales, 
 remained proof against such qualms. 
 
 Again we were obliged to cast anchor, and 
 wait till the storm ceased. It raged violently 
 for two days.
 
 OF SIBEEIA. Ill 
 
 Poor Mrs. Jaszozenko could not be regarded 
 without pity. During the storms on our 
 voyage, she lay whole days with her face on 
 the ground, almost in a state of insensibility, 
 and as often as she raised up her head, she 
 fainted. On the other hand, the men once 
 used to voyages suffered nothing ; they 
 quietly took their tea, yawned, smoked, or 
 slept. 
 
 On the second day, towards evening, the 
 wind again abated, and though the billows 
 on the river were still running high, we 
 were not in the least sorry to resume our 
 voyage. 
 
 The river Irtish is really magnificent. 
 When at its high tide in spring, it is several 
 versts broad ; the current is extremely rapid, 
 and the river is hemmed in on both sides by 
 elevated hilly banks, covered with primseval 
 forests, for the most part cedar. At the foot 
 of the hills, in the deep glens, and on the 
 islands, grow willows in thick impenetrable 
 masses. The water of the river is very 
 muddy, and on this account cannot be used 
 either for drinking or cooking, without under- 
 going some process of purification. We had
 
 112 REVELATIONS 
 
 happily provided ourselves with a filtering 
 machine for our own use ; but for the accom- 
 modation of the rest of the passengers casks 
 were kept filled with water, and the water 
 only used after the sediment with which it 
 was impregnated had settled. 
 
 The weather continued bad. AH the 
 vernal and pleasant smiles with which the 
 returning season had cheered us up at 
 Tobolsk, had altogether vanished, and a 
 storm compelled us again to cast anchor. 
 Only with great difiiculty could we on the 
 fifth day of our voyage reach Demiansk, one 
 of the villages en route from Tobolsk to 
 Berezov, consisting of about sixty houses. 
 The distance of this village from Tobolsk is 
 stated at two hundred versts; but in my 
 opinion it is rather a guess than certainty, as 
 there exists not a trace of any road by land, 
 nor are there any verst stones. 
 
 Between Tobolsk and Demiansk we could 
 still distinguish some vestiges of agriculture, 
 but beyond that village northward through 
 the whole extent of country, not a speck of 
 tillage was seen. During our onward move- 
 ment, although we were at the close of the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 113 
 
 month of May, all the verdure with which 
 we had observed the woods in the vicinity 
 of Tobolsk, seemed, the further we proceeded, 
 to be diminishing, and gradually disappeared. 
 Willows, which commonly grow densely 
 by each other, and are covered with rich 
 foliage, stood erect mth leafless branches, 
 taU, thin, and grey, presenting the aspect of 
 extensive woods of Italian poplars, when 
 winter has stripped them of their leaves. 
 Cedars, firs, and larches, with their perennial 
 green branches, were the only trees that 
 covered the nakedness of the vast forests. 
 On the other hand, the farther we proceed 
 northwards, the hours of the night rapidly 
 decreased ; so much so that when we were a 
 short distance fi'om Demiansk, we had hardly 
 any night, and the dawn of day followed 
 closely on twilight. 
 
 The weather continued excessively cold, 
 but the atmosphere upon the whole was calm, 
 until we arrived off Samarov. That village 
 is considered the principal station between 
 Tobolsk and Berezov, and is an important 
 point for commerce, being situated on the 
 confluence of two such great rivers as the
 
 114 REVELATIONS 
 
 Irtish and the Oby. It is inhabited chiefly 
 by Eussians, carrying on .trade. Samarov is 
 considered by travellers as lying half-way 
 between the above-named towns, and stands 
 at the point which nnites the districts of 
 Tobolsk and Berezov. 
 
 We had been full eight days on onr 
 voyage. Daring that interval, unmind- 
 ful of my personal sorrows, my attention 
 was engrossed with contemplating the 
 splendid scenery before me. My eyes strayed 
 in turn over the vast expanse of waters, 
 and on the immense virgin forests extend- 
 ing far behind and before me. Their 
 limits the sight strove in vain to reach ; ima- 
 gination alone can supply them, either by 
 stopping, in its soaring flight, on the one 
 side, at the North Pole, the region of eternal 
 ice, and the dreary solitudes of sea monsters ; 
 or on the other, at the rocky wall of the 
 Uralian chain, celebrated far and wide in 
 popular stories and traditions for supernatural 
 agencies and wonders, mere creations of 
 fancy, but which obtain implicit credence 
 from the natives, and are perpetuated by 
 them from generation to generation, as matters
 
 OF SIBEEIA. 115 
 
 of religion and sacred truth. In pursuing 
 the train of my associations farther, I em- 
 braced in them the whole extent of the land 
 from the Oby to the Uralian Islands east- 
 wards. I roamed through wastes of snow, 
 ice, wildernesses, immense rivers, and forests 
 with their lairs of wild and ferocious beasts. 
 It seemed as though I were meeting knots of 
 strangers dispersed here and there on that 
 vast wilderness. Unused to the locality, 
 they were straying amidst its solitudes in a 
 forlorn condition, not unlike solitary groups 
 of mourning orphans, and reduced to the sad 
 necessity of fraternization with the animal 
 tribe, of assimilating their habits to theirs, 
 and even of adopting their manner of living, 
 in order to protract their miserable exist- 
 ence. 
 
 Nature, in all her original gi-andeur and 
 simplicity, such as she presents herself to our 
 view, under her primitive features, with 
 marks typical of those impressed by the hand 
 of the Creator, and as yet untouched and 
 undefiled by man — such Nature has some- 
 thing wonderfully solemn in her aspect. The 
 soul is absorbed in a religious trance, and
 
 116 REVELATIONS 
 
 gliding, as it were, on the intermediate chain 
 by which the Creator is linked with creation, 
 feels itself exalted by contemplating the 
 wonderful works of the creation of God. 
 The heart is then enabled to lift itself in 
 adoration of the Almighty, while at the same 
 time it feels humbled in the presence of such 
 wonders, and of that power which had called 
 them into existence. 
 
 Yet this impression, for the moment ele- 
 vating, at length gave way to melancholy 
 reflections. "What is man?" I asked 
 myself in bewilderment, environed as I was 
 by the stupendous works of the Almighty. 
 " What is his pitiable destiny in the unbroken 
 chain of the creation ? " He is but an atom 
 amidst the component parts of the universe, 
 not unlike a single leaf of those thick and 
 dark forests extending before my eyes, torn 
 down by a whirlwind, and driven to and fro 
 on the face of the earth.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 117 
 
 CHAPTEE VIL 
 
 Confluence of the Irtish and the Oby — Lowland and 
 upland plain — The Tartar and the Ostiak boundary — 
 Storm — Wild Scenery — Stones of various colours in 
 rivers — Kondisk Monastery — Soswa — Distant view 
 of Berezov — Disembarkation — Aspect of the town. 
 
 Having passed Samarov, we entered on the 
 Oby, a magnificent sheet of waters in which 
 the Irtish is engulfed. It does not, however, 
 disappear immediately, but the two rivers, like 
 a wedded couple, after they have united their 
 existence and their estate, and assumed a com- 
 mon name, preserve their individuality for 
 some distance, flowing together in one cur- 
 rent, and being easily distinguished by their
 
 118 EE^rELATIONS 
 
 difference of colour. The \Yatcrs of the 
 Irtish, which are tui'bid and muddy, and on 
 that account bear a brownish tinge, contrast 
 strikingly with the clear, dark, and trans- 
 parent waves of the majestic Oby. 
 
 The latter river, thus swelled by the Irtish 
 and other tributary rivers, and by innumer- 
 able streams of Asiatic Russia and the eastern 
 acclivity of the Uralian range, may be seen 
 flowing below Samarov northwards in all its 
 grandeur, traversing an extensive plain, and 
 then branching into numberless channels, 
 each constituting a great river. 'No mean 
 knowledge is required for its navigation, to 
 avoid being lost in its mazes, though all the 
 currents point one way and tend to a com- 
 mon outlet. 
 
 The tract through which the Oby meanders 
 with outstretched branches, at times extend- 
 ing or narrowing its bed, is about fifty 
 versts in breadth, and is broken by the river 
 into innumerable little islands, overgrown 
 with weeping willows. This extensive plain 
 laved thus by the river, is again enclosed on 
 both sides by high hilly banks, covered with 
 forests of cedar, larch, and fir. From these
 
 OF SIBERIA. 119 
 
 elevated banks begin the liighlands, over- 
 looking, at a great altitude, the winding 
 course of the river. 
 
 The cold was insupportable, and the wind, 
 which blew from the north, brought 
 occasional diifts of snow. At the same time 
 trees without any foliage, and the earth 
 without the least verdure, gave no indication 
 that we were at the close of May, or that we 
 had twelve days before seen the spring, and 
 enjoyed its genial, balmy air. Indeed, 
 another storm now burst forth, deepening 
 the dismal aspect of the picture, and the 
 wind became so boisterous that we were 
 again obliged to lie at anchor. 
 
 Not wishing to pass his time uselessly. 
 Captain, accompanied by several men, 
 barked in two boats for the adjacent shore, 
 where they cut down a beautiful cedar, and 
 brought it off as a mast. They were not 
 long in effecting their object. The cedar 
 being felled on the nearest point of the shore, 
 was di-agged without any difficulty to the 
 river, and then the current carried it without 
 additional trouble alongside the vessel. 
 
 The daughter of Mrs. Jaszczenko, a girl of 
 
 '#
 
 120 EEVELATIONS 
 
 fourteen, went on shore at the same time for 
 a pleasure trip, and on her return, not unlike 
 the dove of Noah's ark, brought back an em- 
 blem of hope. This was not an olive sprig, 
 but a bunch of currants, and a few leaves of 
 crimson peony. Here were indubitable signs 
 of approaching spring. For my part, I 
 greeted the cuiT^nt sprigs and the peony 
 with as tender an affection as I would old 
 acquaintances in a strange land. 
 
 AU the way below Samarov, the country 
 was a wild desert, presenting not a vestige of 
 human habitation ; as though this wilderness 
 was designed to constitute a line of demarc- 
 ation between the settlements of the Tartar 
 race, and those of the nomade Ostiaks. 
 
 Farther north, a few yourtas, a settle- 
 ments of Ostiaks were occasionally observ- 
 able. Whenever we met them, our steward 
 was wont to enter into communication with 
 the inhabitants, going himself on shore, or 
 sending out a boat for the purpose of pro- 
 curing provisions. In this manner, we 
 frequently succeeded in getting ducks, eggs, 
 or fish ; though we were not always so 
 fortunate. Our fare consisted of barley-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 121 
 
 gruel, or dumplings, made of flour, of whicli 
 we had a good provision. 
 
 The stock of bread and meat which we 
 had with us became useless, for what we did 
 not soon consume was spoiled. Loaves of 
 bread turned mouldy; and of the whole 
 only biscuits were eatable. The rest of the 
 passengers, more experienced than ourselves, 
 had no bread, only biscuits, and were better 
 off. 
 
 One day, on approaching an Ostiak colonj-^, 
 we observed our steward maldng preparations 
 for going on shore. I inquired the reason, 
 and was informed that he was desirous of 
 purchasing a cow, to be supplied with milk, 
 during his stay on the wild shores of the 
 Oby Sea. On hearing this, I conceived also 
 a desire to possess a cow for my future 
 housekeeping at Berezov. The steward most 
 willingly undertook the commission ; and in 
 a few hours, to my great satisfaction, a very 
 beautiful dim cow was brought in a boat, with 
 a supply of hay sufficient for several days. 
 For a treat, tea was immediately made. We 
 had no lack of milk and cream, which added 
 greatly to our comforts ; and what was more, 
 
 VOL. I. (J
 
 122 REVELATIONS 
 
 I had no longer a fear of getting consumptive 
 without milk at Berezov, and this comfort, 
 so important for me, I had procured at 
 the expense of only twenty-five paper 
 rubles. 
 
 The morning of the 28th May dawned 
 beautifully, but was followed by a violent 
 storm. Not anticipating this sudden change, 
 the vessel was in the middle of the river. 
 An alarm was raised, and all was tm-moil on 
 board. It was safest to steer for a shallow 
 place and anchor. On one side the bank was 
 high and the current deep, and the gale just 
 carried the vessel towards it ; while it drove 
 it from the other, where the river was less 
 rapid and not so deep, and which seemed the 
 more eligible refuge. The vessel was quite 
 at the mercy of the hurricane. The most 
 experienced men were called to the helm, and 
 all hands to the oars. It was feared that the 
 rudder would break, a circumstance which 
 might have led to a serious catastrophe. 
 Strong poles, and the largest oars, purposely 
 kept for such casualties, were brought forward 
 to strengthen it, and by such efforts at last 
 we succeeded m reaching a bay sheltered
 
 OF SIBERIA. 123 
 
 from the force of the hurricane by a neigh- 
 bouring forest, where we cast anchor. 
 
 We were detained a whole day. The cold 
 was piercing, and the snow fell fast amidst 
 violent gusts of wind. At the dawn of the 
 following day, the gale had lulled and we 
 immediately started on oiu' farther voyage. 
 
 In this part of the world it is only on the 
 shores of the rivers that we find human 
 habitations, for the inland coimtry is entirely 
 uninliabited. But even here the landscape 
 has the appearance of a perfect desert. In 
 our progress we observed but a few solitary 
 yourtas of the Ostiak, and these at a distance 
 of a great many versts from each other. 
 From oui" first entrance on the Oby, the 
 character of the whole country continued 
 unaltered. It was invariably the same 
 expanse of waters, the same kind of forests, 
 with this sole difference, that at every verst 
 onward the country became more dreary and 
 more solitary. Huge masses of rock lay 
 along the shore, and some protruded their 
 rugged, monstrous shapes from beneath the 
 water, while their fantastic forms and 
 gigantic dimensions were perfectly in unison 
 
 G 2
 
 124 EEVELATIONS 
 
 with the wild grandeur of the suiTOimdiiig 
 scenery. 
 
 No small degree of skill and caution was 
 required on the part of the crew, while we 
 continued our voyage, as the vessel had fre- 
 quently hidden rocks to pass, on which, with 
 less caution, she might have gone to pieces. 
 The least jerk, therefore, used to apprise us 
 of danger, and caused perturbation and 
 dismay. 
 
 On the shore! could observe abundance 
 of small stones, diversified in shape and 
 colour, washed by the billows, and shining in 
 the sand. Not understanding mineralogy I 
 could not determine what they were ; and 
 was sorry for it. Some were most beautiful, 
 both transparent and opaque ; some all green, 
 others smooth like marble, with veins of blue, 
 yellow, and other colours running through 
 them; and many, and to my liking the most 
 curious, were those wliich had the appearance 
 of being strewn over with gold and silver 
 sand. Some parts of the shore were mere 
 densely covered with them than others, and 
 the stones wanted only polish to be exqui- 
 sitely ornamental.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 125 
 
 We arrived at last off Kondinsk, a village 
 of about twenty huts, inhabited solely by 
 Russian settlers. This place is insignificant, 
 and remarkable only for its Russo-Greek 
 Monasteiy, transferred hither from Berezov on 
 the destruction of that town by fire in 1798. 
 I had no inducement, had there even been 
 an opportunity, to examine the locality more 
 accurately, the weather being exceedingly 
 unfavoui-able, raw, cold, and stormy ; and 
 both myself and Josephine were indisposed. 
 She caught cold in her face, and I was 
 aftlicted with erysipelas. "We could not, 
 without the danger of aggravating our 
 sufferings, expose ourselves to cold and a 
 bleak wind — we therefore kept to our 
 cabins. 
 
 I was by no means sony that our prolonged 
 voyages, at so inclement a season, when the 
 air could neither be warmed, dried, nor puri- 
 fied, was soon to terminate. Every discom- 
 fort diu-ing the journey is felt the more keenly 
 when persons suffer from illness. 
 
 At last we left the Oby and entered on the 
 Soswa, one of the minor tributaries, though 
 still large enough in its volume of water to
 
 126 REVELATIONS 
 
 surpass the largest rivers of the European 
 continent. It rises in the Uralian mountains, 
 and after absorbing in its course a number of 
 smaller streams and rivers, falls into the Oby 
 at no great distance from Berezov. 
 
 No sooner had we entered on the Soswa, 
 than all eyes tui-ned towards the north ; and 
 it was not long before a shout of joy was 
 raised, ''Berezov ! Berezov !'' 
 
 We had been a fortnight on our voyage. 
 In such cases, the sight of the country to 
 which one is proceeding forms usually an 
 event of no small importance ; and more 
 especially on a voyage which, pleasing as it 
 might in other respects be, caimot after all 
 but prove excessively irksome by its uniform- 
 ity and sameness. An incident like the 
 present, therefore, could not have been felt 
 by us otherwise than as an interruption as 
 gratifying as it was desu'able. When the 
 joyful exclamation of " Berezov !" was raised, 
 no ordinary excitement prevailed on board. 
 All rushed on deck to see it, if possible, with 
 their own eyes, as though they still were in 
 doubt and could not trust to the testimony 
 of others. I myself left my cabin and shared
 
 OF SIBERIA. 127 
 
 in the general impulse, eager to get a distant 
 look of the place destined for my future 
 abode. 
 
 Cui'iosity being at length satiated, tlie 
 next object of every passenger was liis indi- 
 vidual concerns, and to these we all directed 
 oiu- attention, according to the cii'cumstances 
 in wliich we were placed. Some betook 
 themselves to washing and brushing their 
 clothes ; others were busied with packing up 
 their things and surveying their articles of 
 merchandise. Nearly all wished to appear 
 in their best trim. 
 
 It was not until these particular arrange- 
 ments had been duly terminated, that public 
 affairs were thought of. Then, in honour of 
 our vessel, it was determined to announce her 
 arrival by fii'ing three salutes. 
 
 I looked on all these movements with 
 interest, almost envying those passengers 
 who, on shores so remote, could expect to 
 meet with relations and friends — who had 
 somebody to welcome, or at least to receive 
 them at their domestic hearths. I, on the 
 contrary, was neither expected nor had any- 
 hodj to meet me, and having no inducement
 
 128 REVELATIONS 
 
 to change my travelling dishabille, I remained 
 impassable at the door of my cabin, like St. 
 John's statue standing on the edge of splash- 
 ing wells and streams. 
 
 At last, dra\vn along with the rest in the 
 general vortex, I stepped on deck, as I 
 thought I should have a good opportunity to 
 see all the preparations for the salute. I had 
 to wait a few moments, as the thunder-bear- 
 ing machine had not yet been brought 
 forward ; but at length the steward made his 
 appearance, and a ridicidously diminutive 
 camion, of the shape of a good-sized rat, was 
 brought after him. I could not help laugh- 
 ing at liis apology for the war engine. I 
 could not think otherwise than that this was 
 a joke and mystification ; yet the counte- 
 nances of all concerned in the business, were 
 full of gravity. 
 
 As soon as we had arrived near enough to 
 Berezov, three salvos were fired, and I found 
 to my astonishment that the report was far 
 louder than I expected. Thence I could not 
 help drawing this most instructive moral, 
 which is not the worse for being found in 
 many ingenious fables, that "it does not
 
 OF SIBERIA. 129 
 
 require to be great to make much noise in 
 the world." Our vessel at last stopped. 
 The anchor was cast, and passengers thronged 
 to the boats all eager to land. 
 
 The Cossack who escorted us, and whose 
 mother resided at Berezov, was the first that 
 disembarked, having to procui-e for us a tem- 
 porary lodging. Josephine and I remained 
 on board, and we saw no earthly reason why 
 we should be in a hurry to go ashore. 
 
 I experienced not the least impatience for 
 the Cossack's return, and though hours 
 elapsed and he came not, I felt quite uncon- 
 cerned. I employed the interval in taking a 
 survey of Berezov. I could discern two 
 Russo-Greek churches built of brick, and a 
 large house of wood, painted yellow, standing 
 on a hill, that overlooked the river. The rest 
 of the town consisted of small wooden houses, 
 the largest two stories high, and all appearing 
 dingy and blackened with rain. The town 
 was siuTounded, except on the side fronting 
 the river, by a cedar forest, presenting an 
 interminable back-ground of wood. 
 
 The Horodnitchi, who is the highest 
 functionary resident in the town, came along- 
 
 G 3
 
 130 REVELATIONS 
 
 Bide in a large and comfortables boat to 
 convey us to our temporary lodgings, till we 
 could find some more suitable. Notwith- 
 standing this civility, and liis apologies for 
 having kept us waiting two hours, with a 
 pressing invitation to us to go on shore with 
 him in his own boat, I could not leave the 
 vessel without some apprehensions and mis- 
 givings, as Josephine and I were the only 
 persons now on board, all having gone ashore 
 immediately on our coming to anchor, and 
 everything in the bark being left to take care 
 of itself. Without letting a word drop 
 before the functionary, I communicated this 
 fact to our Cossack, but he assured me that 
 there was nothing to fear, as all was perfectly 
 safe. Without more words, therefore, we 
 got into the boat, the Horodnitchi and the 
 Cossack with us, and left the vessel and its 
 contents under the safeguard of the public 
 fliith.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 131 
 
 CHAPTEE YIII. 
 
 The bay— Lodgings — Want of market — Sour clucks — 
 Nights with daylight— Breakfast on water— New 
 Lodgings — Supper — Arrangement of the rooms — 
 Superfluous gifts— The hostess— Sudden summer 
 heat. 
 
 We disembarked at the quay in the bay, 
 and found a crowd of people of all classes, old 
 and young, standing on the shore, the 
 women dressed in gaudy, bright colours, their 
 gowns, pelisses, and handkerchiefs shniing 
 like so many flower beds, as if it were a fair. 
 Seeing this assemblage of people at one point, 
 not on Sunday, but on a working day, I con- 
 ceived quite a different idea of Berezov from 
 what I had previously entertained.
 
 132 EEVELATIONS 
 
 Making oui- way tlii'ough this throng, we 
 proceeded, in company mth the imperial func- 
 tionary, to the lodgings prepared for us. 
 
 After so long a voyage, and confinement 
 in a narrow cabin, where we could scarcely 
 make three steps across, it was quite a relief 
 to enjoy the unconstrained freedom of our 
 feet, and a luxury to be put into possession 
 of two airy, light and cleanly rooms. The 
 only drawback was that the fire being lighted 
 in the stove shortly before our arrival, as is 
 usual on such occasions, there was a suffo- 
 cating smell from it. But the Cossack, who 
 from our guard had become our landlord, 
 suggested we should in the meanwhile occupy 
 the room of his own family ; and according 
 to the custom of the country, we were treated 
 with tea. As we were now, however, close 
 upon St. Peter's Day, a period of strict Lent, 
 the tea was served without milk or cream ; 
 and tea is a beverage which I could never 
 bear without the latter accessories. More- 
 over, we were very hungry. But as it would 
 have been anything but good taste to impose 
 laws on hospitality so courteously ofiered to 
 us, we repressed our desire for more substan-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 133 
 
 tial food, comforting ourselves with the idea 
 of having our own household arranged very 
 speedily, when we could do whatever we 
 wished. When the stove had burnt out, and 
 the rooms were ventilated, we retired to our 
 rooms. 
 
 All our luggage, together with the cow, 
 was still on board the vessel ; and we were 
 told that we could hardly have them this day, 
 as it was difficult to find people who would 
 disembark them; and besides, our present 
 lodging being occupied but temporarily, it 
 was difficult to provide a place for them. 
 Not seeing much reason, therefore, why we 
 should be in a hurry, I asked our landlord if 
 he could procure us some articles of food 
 from the market, when he replied that there 
 was none in the town. 
 
 "No market! Then where do you get 
 youi- food ? " I inquired. 
 
 *' Everybody gets his food where he can," 
 was his reply. 
 
 I never supposed, nor could any such idea 
 have ever entered into my imagination, that 
 a town could exist without a market. Yet 
 such was the case here ; and we saw that we
 
 134 REVELATIOXS 
 
 could not do othermse than accommodate 
 oui'selves to the exigency. 
 
 I inquired of the Cossack whether he 
 could not supply us with something out of 
 his own pantry ; but his reply was, that he 
 had nothing, and all he could give us at that 
 moment was sour ducks, which perhaps would 
 not be to our taste. 
 
 The himgry are never over dainty . Thinking, 
 therefore that the ducks, of which he spoke so 
 disparagingly, might not be so bad, and that 
 hunger might easily reconcile our palates to 
 a worse dish, I requested that they should be 
 served. This being done, we found to our 
 great mortification that " sour " was but an 
 euphonious term for meat absolutely putrid. 
 
 We could not touch even a morsel of such 
 disgusting stuff, and there remained no alter- 
 native but to betake ourselves to bed, without 
 appeasing the cravings of hunger. 
 
 There was no night, but the perfect light 
 of day prevailed the whole time. This differ- 
 ence we could not observe before, while we 
 were on board the vessel, through the narrow 
 window of our cabin, for, though it might 
 have been clear on the deck, the light even
 
 OF SIBERIA. 135 
 
 of noon could but scantily penetrate into our 
 dormitory. But here the case was different ; 
 it was continual daylight, without any dis- 
 tinction between day and night; and this 
 the more visible from the houses in Siberia 
 having an excessive number of windows. I 
 can hardly account for the introduction of 
 such an absurd taste in architectiure, and one 
 so particularly unsuited to a northern climate. 
 
 What with the glare of light streaming 
 upon us, the keenness of hunger, and the 
 novelty of our position, neither Josephine 
 nor myself could for a single moment close 
 our eyes, and we passed the whole night 
 in restless attempts to compose ourselves. 
 
 No sooner did the people of the house 
 awake in the morning, than we saw a tea- 
 urn, with boiling water and milk, figure on 
 our table ; but the good people probably had 
 forgotten that we had neither tea nor sugar, 
 as our things were yet on board the vessel. 
 
 Josephine and I exchanged looks, and 
 easily guessed that, after the last day's fast, 
 we were doomed again to a meagre diet. 
 But we gathered strength fi'om resignation, 
 and the samovar being an-anged by our
 
 136 REVELATIONS 
 
 landlord's daughter, after she left the room, 
 we filled our cups with water and milk, and 
 baby-like partook of this innocent beverage. 
 But, wishing to put a stop to our discomfort, 
 we immediately afterwards went out to look 
 for a lodging where we might in some 
 manner or other establish ourselves. 
 
 In our search after lodgings, we went 
 straight to the house recommended to us at 
 Tobolsk, by Colonel Krzyzanowski, where, as 
 he assured us, he was comfortably lodged 
 for fourteen months. The proprietor was a 
 Cossack, named Kozlow. 
 
 There being no market at Berezov, and not 
 having any servant, it was idle to think of 
 any arrangement for a separate household. 
 We were soon convinced that we could not 
 do otherwise than take board and lodging, as 
 all strangers and even government officials, 
 who arrive here without families, usually do ; 
 and this the more, as no provisions could be 
 got except those supplied at the government 
 contract, and from government stores. Per- 
 suaded, therefore, that this was by far the 
 better course, we made proposals to the 
 Cossack to that effect, and these being agreed
 
 OF SIBERIA. 137 
 
 to, our contract was completed, and people 
 were despatched to fetch our luggage from 
 the vessel. 
 
 Meanwhile our new landlady, on hearing 
 til at we had not yet dined, immediately 
 made arrangements to prepare a repast for 
 us, and in a few moments we saw a dish of 
 excellent gruel, boiled mth milk, placed on 
 our table, together with some cakes. She 
 also promised she would procure us some 
 game, and other more substantial articles of 
 food for our next meal. By this, and several 
 other things that came within our obser- 
 vation, we were soon convinced that the 
 different reports we had heard at Tobolsk, in 
 disparagement of Berezov, were not founded 
 in truth. We saw plenty of cattle, and of a 
 superior breed. Our landlady alone kept 
 ten cows ; and many of her neighbours had 
 as many, and some even a greater number. 
 
 We lost no time in arranging the rooms 
 assigned to us. They were tliree in number, 
 and the floor of each was very clean, and the 
 walls papered . ur things were safely brought 
 from the vessel ; and, having unpacked and 
 put them all in order, we were delighted
 
 138 REVELATIONS 
 
 witli the appearance of oiu' new home. Both 
 the landlord and the landlady were all 
 attention to us, and we could even observe 
 that their civility was not unmixed with 
 a good deal of sympathy for om* fate. 
 Their services, therefore, instead of being 
 mercenary, as they commonly are, seemed 
 rather a protection which they extended to 
 us — a helping hand of kindness in distress 
 and need. They both assisted us in 
 arranging our chambers, and were most 
 anxious to make them as comfortable and 
 snug as possible. 
 
 Thus we were happily settled in our 
 habitation, everything was in its place and 
 in order. We had even more farniture than 
 we could find room for. Among such super- 
 fluities, in particular, were a sofa, a table, 
 and two arm-chaii's, which we had brought 
 from Tobolsk. They had been given us by 
 Onupluy Yietrasz Kiewicz, who, in his 
 excessive anxiety for us, thinking we might 
 want them at Berezov, abridged his o^vn 
 comforts, and packed them with our other 
 effects on board the vessel. His gift, which 
 was a privation to him, now happened to
 
 OF SIBERIA. 139 
 
 prove but an incumbrance to us, as there was 
 enough fumitui-e in the house, which, though 
 not exquisite, and only of rough wood, was 
 yet good enough. These pieces of furniture 
 had however, the most prominent and the most 
 simny position — that is, the place of honour 
 asigned to them, to add as it were some splen- 
 dour to oiu" humble domicile. 
 
 Looking on these objects of superfluity, I 
 often thought how far a noble mind, when 
 not corrupted by fortune, or crushed by 
 adversity — placed though he may be amidst 
 mast trying circumstances — can be useful to 
 others. This certainly was evidenced by the 
 example set by the donor of these souvenirs. 
 I have myself witnessed him struggling with 
 poverty, as he was compelled to maintain 
 himself by the labour of his own hands ; but 
 in spite of his limited means, he was never 
 weary of assisting his compatriots in their 
 difficulties ; by his advice, his intercession, 
 his personal services, and not unfrequently 
 even by his purse. 
 
 Our landlady, who was well off, thrifty 
 and hospitable, though rustic in her man- 
 ners, behaved towards us with great kindness,
 
 140 REVELATIOXS 
 
 not in the manner in which it is customary 
 to treat boarders in our own towns where they 
 have bread dealt out to them by morsels, 
 and every additional comfort calculated and 
 bargained for ; but she considered us rather 
 as guests Avhom Providence had brought 
 under her roof. Whatever her house 
 possessed was placed at our service— as nice 
 cakes, and good cream, and other articles of 
 the best quality, such as made our food not 
 only palatable, but almost luxurious. Yet 
 I cannot say but that the appearance of some 
 of the dishes was very strange, and at first 
 repulsive to us. Such were the roast duck, 
 with a cold sauce prepared of vinegar and 
 cream, and a meat pudding boiled in milk. 
 But amidst a variety of dishes, which were 
 at each meal brought on our table, we had 
 only to choose, and need not be hungry. 
 
 After a day or two, it suddenly became 
 very hot. It seemed as though we had made 
 an abrupt leap from winter to summer. One 
 day we were obliged to have a fii'e in the 
 stove, and on the next day the heat was 
 intolerable. The whole face of the earth was 
 then brown, and the trees naked ; but now
 
 OF SIBERIA. 141 
 
 we saw grass springing up, plants sprouting, 
 trees bursting into leaves ; and the hollyhock 
 appearing in bloom. The change was as 
 sudden as it was marvellous. 
 
 We could scarcely believe that within the 
 short interval of eight hours, Nature had 
 effected such a great change. What had 
 become of spring ! what of that spring in 
 which our senses are filled with such rap- 
 turous delight, and which divides the frost 
 of winter fi'om the sultriness of summer ? 
 Here the leap is instantaneous. Yesterday 
 the warmest clothing hardly sufficed to keep 
 me warm; to-day again, the heat is so 
 intense that we are obliged to cool the water 
 we wish to drink with ice. 
 
 The day was everlasting, and whether we 
 clothed oiu- eyes or awoke from sleep, day- 
 light was constantly streaming in at the 
 windows, and circling over the horizon. No 
 dew was to be met with here ; and the earth 
 had none the whole summer. 
 
 Oh, lovely spring of my country ! how I 
 shall ever remember, and ever long for thee !
 
 142 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 Rapidity of vegetation — Preparations for tlie fisheries 
 in the Oby Gulf — Performance of a religious rite — 
 A family farewell — A touching scene— Site of Berezov 
 —Streets — Structure of the houses — Churches — Burial 
 places — Menzikov's corpse — His grave — Graves of 
 other exiles — Classification of the inhabitants — Pro- 
 visions — A Siberian school. 
 
 With all these drawbacks, however, I 
 must confess that Berezov did not appear to 
 me so terrible as various reports had repre- 
 sented it. There is a proverb which says, 
 " that even the Devil was handsome when 
 he was young ;" and this might be as fitly 
 applied to certain regions in the regenerating 
 season of spring. 
 
 In July, everything around Berezov
 
 OF SIBERIA. 143 
 
 appeared in new and gay apparel. Larch 
 trees were decked with tiny leaves of the 
 freshest verdiu-e, filling the air ^4th sweet 
 perfnme. The grass, qnickened by the 
 moistiu'e of the thawing soil, grew incredibly 
 fast. The river Soswa, overflowing its banks 
 far and wide, presented to the eye an 
 immense expanse of water, encii-cling with 
 her arms numberless islands covered with 
 willows, and disappearing in the distance 
 like a mirror of clear azure. Nearer us, it 
 is rolling and roaring, aixl dashing its foam- 
 ing billows against the precipitous banks of 
 the town. 
 
 Along the shore lay a number of fishing- 
 boats and barges, prepared for a voyage to 
 the Oby sea. They formed a forest of masts, 
 curiously rigged and decked with number- 
 less coloiu'ed flags, which flaunted on the 
 air. Smaller craft were plying to and fro 
 between, the shore, and the larger vessels 
 freighted with stores and provisions. These 
 preparations, unusual in this remote spot at 
 any other season, rendered the town quite 
 animated. 
 
 Our host, though an aged man, had en-
 
 144 REVELATIONS 
 
 gaged to take part with others in a fishing 
 expedition; the fishing season on the Oby 
 sea, being for the inhabitants of this part of 
 the world, what the harvest season is in 
 other countries. Everybody in good health 
 and vigour, not having any more important 
 employment at home, participates in it. 
 The necessary preparations being completed, 
 the scene of taking farewell at home fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 In one of our rooms, screened by ciu'tains, 
 was an image of the tutelar saint of the 
 house, suiTOunded by a number of other 
 images of saints of less dimensions, decked 
 all in gold or silver apparel. On the eve of 
 parting, the aged man, accompanied by all 
 his family, entered the room, and knelt 
 before this shrine, touching the floor several 
 times with his forehead, and repeating a 
 short prayer. All then arose, and the 
 venerable old man, with tpars in his eyes, 
 bade farewell to his wife and cliildi'en, and 
 to us, whom he considered as belonging to 
 his family. At the same time, he addi'essed 
 a few words to his wife, commending us to 
 her particular protection and care. Then
 
 OF SIBERIA, 145 
 
 amidst the tears of all, he proceeded to the 
 place of embarkation. 
 
 He was accompanied by his family, and 
 by a large number of his friends, who waited 
 on the shore till they saw him safe on board 
 the vessel. 
 
 My heart was full, and tears gushed 
 involuntarily from my eyes. For my part, 
 I am not conscious that greatness, or splen- 
 dour, or the contrivances of luxury, have any 
 attraction for me, or that I ever longed for 
 the possession of them; but a neat and 
 cleanly dwelling, however humble, where 
 concord, order, and competence reign, has 
 invariably had an uncommon charm for me. 
 In such a place I have always been desirous 
 to live and die. Throughout my life, feelings 
 of the heart alone constituted my world, and 
 from them alone sprang all my delights and 
 sorrows, my hours of happiness and of pain. 
 I derived my bliss more from the hand of 
 I^ature than from society. But alas ! this 
 was but a dream — an idle reverie. It was 
 just on that point that the thunderbolt had 
 struck, and at one blow demolished all my 
 
 joys. 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 REVELATIONS 
 
 As July advanced, a northern breeze 
 cooled the air, and there were not so many 
 musquitos. I now frequently walked out, 
 in order to get a view of the town, and 
 become acquainted, as far as possible, with 
 its environs. 
 
 Berezov is a distinct town of the govern- 
 ment of Tobolsk, situated in 64*^ latitude, on 
 the left side of the Soswa, which, at a 
 short distance from it, empties itself into the 
 Oby. 
 
 The banks of the river, on which the town 
 is built, are elevated. The soil is sandy, 
 and the streets are always sandy and muddy 
 even during the greatest summer heat. On 
 the surface of the mud, however, during 
 summer, a dry incrustation is formed; but 
 woe to the person who, trusting in its ap- 
 parent solidity and firmness, should venture 
 to direct his unfortunate feet on it, as the 
 deceitful crust would break under him, and 
 he would have hard work to emerge from the 
 quagmire beneath. 
 
 Communication fr'om one house to another 
 is therefore not easy; and boards, large, long 
 wooden planks, and round stems of whole
 
 OF SIBERIA. 147 
 
 trees, are laid across the streets, to facilitate 
 it. In some places, we observed pools of 
 clear water, too deep to be ever dried up. 
 These pools are honoured by the inhabitants 
 with the appellation of ozera, or lakes. 
 
 In our towns such a wi'etched state of 
 things would never be tolerated ; for what 
 inhabitants would like to have theii* houses 
 built in streets which are impassable for any 
 vehicle ? But here, this inconvenience is of 
 no importance. During the whole summer, 
 we did not see one caniage pass through the 
 streets. There are no wheels, no carts, no 
 horses ; and there are, of course, no roads. 
 In town, all communications between the 
 inhabitants are effected on foot, and out of 
 its precincts, by boats on the river. 
 
 The whole sui'face of the district of 
 Berezov has as yet remained untouched by 
 the wheel. No trace of a furrow is seen on 
 it. Nor indeed would a road be of any use, 
 Avhile the whole extent of land is but an 
 uninterrupted track of wilderness. The few 
 inhabitants that belong to this district, are 
 settled only on the banks of rivers ; and it is 
 cliiefly by means of water communication 
 
 H 2
 
 148 REVELATIONS 
 
 that they provide themselves with the neces- 
 saries of life, as wood for fuel and building, 
 and the different articles of food and of 
 barter, which they carry on with the Ostiaks 
 and the Samoieds. The rest of the Upper- 
 lands, stretching as far and as wide as imagin- 
 ation can conceive, has, on its whole extent, 
 not a single town, not a village, nor even a 
 single human hut. It is a complete desert, 
 inhabited only by wild beasts. 
 
 Owing to a complete want of roads from 
 one place to another, the country presents 
 an aspect totally different from other regions. 
 Only when swamps, marshes, and rivers are 
 frozen over, and when their surface can bear 
 the weight of the rein-deer, can any traffic 
 by land be prosecuted, and at that season 
 Berezov may be seen somewhat enlivened by 
 the appearance in the streets of these most 
 useful aninals. 
 
 The town does not consist of more than 
 about two hundi^ed houses, nearly all of 
 which are but a story high. The principal 
 reason for the adoption of this style of build- 
 ing is the humidity of the ground. The 
 ground-floor of a dwelling is appropriated to
 
 OF SIBERIA. 149 
 
 the kitchen, the pantry, and other household 
 offices; the upper part alone is inhabited. 
 I could never explain to myself satisfactorily 
 why Berezov has been commonly described 
 as an island, as it is washed only on one side; 
 hj the river, and on all other sides is con- 
 tinuous land. 
 
 Even the Eussians give the place this false 
 designation, with the difference that they 
 speak of it in the pliu-al number, as Bere- 
 sovski Ostrowa (Berezovian Islands.) The 
 name of Berezovian Isles is meant for the 
 whole flat, extensive plain on the right bank 
 of the Soswa, traversed by that river, and 
 intersected by other tributary rivers and 
 streams, which thus form a sort of con- 
 tinental archipelago of islands, formerly 
 called by the name of Berezovian Islands, 
 and which on that account might have 
 caused Berezov, after its elevation to the 
 rank of a district town, to be called after 
 them. 
 
 Berezov has two churches, one called 
 Spaska, the other Zamczaina, and both are 
 built of brick. The appellation of the latter 
 signifies transfluvian, the chui'ch being situ-
 
 150 REVELATIONS 
 
 ated on the opposite side of a deep ravine, 
 whicli, diu-ing the innndation of the Soswa, 
 is filled Avith vrater from that river. At 
 that time, the chiu-ch is only accessible by a 
 bridge constructed over the ravine. It 
 stands on a hilly bank, from which the "sdew 
 is beautiful. A sombre old forest of larch 
 trees (Pinus cemhra^) surroimds the sacred 
 edifice. 
 
 According to tradition, the larches of this 
 forest are a remnant of a sacred grove, dedi- 
 cated to idolatrous worship by the ancient 
 Ostiaks. Up to the present day, although a 
 considerable number of the Ostiaks have been 
 converted to Christianity, the neophytes have 
 not discontinued the worship of ancient 
 larch trees, which prevailed among their fore- 
 fathers. 
 
 Near the sylvan church is an aristocratic 
 burial-place, adorned with monuments of 
 stone and marble, though the most recent are 
 of iron. Another burial-ground, appropriated 
 to the poor, lies on the other side of the town, 
 in the forest. 
 
 The Spaska church is situated in the oppo- 
 site quarter of Berezov. Formerly there
 
 OF SIBERIA. 151 
 
 was a burial-place adjacent, but by order of 
 the Government this has of late been 
 abolished and another opened in the forest. 
 At a little distance from the latter is the 
 grave of Menzikov. 
 
 This last resting-place of a celebrated man 
 was discovered only a few years ago, whether 
 accidentally, or after a search, nobody can 
 tell. His body was exhumed, and was found 
 clad in the uniform of his time, completely 
 frozen, and in perfect freshness, as though it 
 had been buried but yesterday. The earth 
 near Berezov never entirely thaws, even in 
 summer, when the heat is most intense, but 
 merely on the surface, or to a very superficial 
 depth.* 
 
 * It has been observed that the earth in the northern 
 parts of Siberia is congealed to an extraordinary depth, 
 and probably has ever been so ; but it much varies in 
 degree at different places. Hedenstrom. made several 
 trials at Tomsk, and found the ground only frozen to 
 the depth of thirty-five inches, latitude 56° 50'. At 
 Yakutsk, again, 62° north latitude, the Russian American 
 Company bored for water in the court-yard of their 
 establishment to the depth of three hundred and eighty 
 feet ; and the ground was still frozen and no water found. 
 In that same town the inhabitants have cellars under all
 
 152 REVELATIONS 
 
 The body of the once mighty minister and 
 imperial favourite was again buried, and the 
 grave marked by a small earthen moimd, 
 covered over with turf. It is sun'ounded also 
 by a wooden rail, which does not promise 
 much durability. No stone, no inscription 
 whatever announces who lies beneath ; and 
 in a short time, it is most probable no trace 
 will remain on earth commemorative of a 
 man born under such a singular star — who 
 rose from the humblest class of society to the 
 highest dignities — who held for a long time 
 the balance of nations in his hand — who had 
 placed his descendants within a single foot- 
 step of the throne — and who, rapid as had 
 been his rise, was still more rapidly precipi- 
 tated into the abyss of misery and oblivion. 
 
 The inhabitants of Berezov preserve as yet 
 
 their houses made in the frozen ground, precisely as ice- 
 houses are made in other countries. In summer, when 
 the heat is as excessive as the cold is in winter, they 
 place all their fresh provisions, such as milk, meat, and 
 fish, in these cellars, where everything becomes frozen in 
 two hours. They likewise construct their graves in the 
 same way, except that they make large fires above, and 
 bum the holes in the ground.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 153 
 
 ill theii' memory the particular sjDot where 
 Menzikov, during his baiiishment, lived ; and 
 where stood the hut in which he lodged, near 
 the Spaska chui-ch. The hut, unfortunately, 
 was biu-nt down during the great fire of 1798, 
 by which nearly the whole town was reduced 
 to ashes. 
 
 It is also related, on no other authority 
 than what the people have heard from older 
 persons, that subsequent to his downfall, 
 Menzikov became very religious; that he 
 used to go with his axe to the forest to fell 
 the trees, and that he died a starost, or an 
 elder of the Spaska chui'ch. 
 
 At the Spaska church, a missal is pre- 
 sei-ved, a gift from the Princess Olga 
 Dolgoruki, another gi'eat personage, w^ho was 
 banished to Berezov. I have myself seen the 
 missal, which is inscribed with her autograph. 
 I was also told that in the same church two 
 children of Menzikov's daughter were 
 buried. In what spot Prince Dolgoruki and 
 Osterman were buried nobody could inform 
 me. Berezov might be said to be the Necro- 
 polis of Eussian greatness. 
 
 The population of the town consists chiefly 
 
 H 3
 
 1 54 REVELATIOJfS 
 
 of Cossacks, on whom it is iiicumbont to watch 
 over the security of the covmtiy ; but the 
 whole being in a state of perfect peace, their 
 service is limited to keeping watch at the 
 few Government offices, and carrying official 
 messages from this place to Tobolsk. At other 
 times, they devote themselves to commercial 
 pursuits, which are for the most part carried 
 on with the Ostiaks, and constitute the prin- 
 cipal and almost the sole source of their live- 
 lihood and their wealth. From his infancy, 
 the Cossack of this place is impressed with 
 the idea that he is bom for commerce, and 
 being trained to it by his parents, becomes 
 acquainted with all its details and mysteries. 
 
 There are several shops in the town, in 
 which different articles can be purchased, as 
 calico, tea, sugar, confectionary, wine, &c. 
 Plour and other victuals, or what is commonly 
 termed "the staff of life," are, according to 
 the quantity required for home consumption, 
 bought by the inhabitants from vessels 
 when they arrive, and laid up for the whole 
 winter. 
 
 There being no market, every householder 
 must procure provisions elsewhere, or devise
 
 OF SIBERIA. 155 
 
 some means by which he may be enabled to 
 obtain them himself. The river and the 
 forest thus become the market-place, and skill 
 and perseverance are disbursed in place of 
 money. 
 
 Berezov is divided into two parishes of the 
 Eusso- Greek Church, and is the residence of 
 a Pope and Protopope. It is also the seat of 
 the district government, and of its jurisdic- 
 tion in all its different ramifications, in 
 accordance with the general regulation of 
 the whole Eussian empire, with the sole 
 exception of the so-styled Marshal of the 
 Noblesse, there being nobody here whom 
 that dignitary could represent. The whole 
 duty of the functionaries, after all, is almost 
 nominal, as scarcely any cases come under 
 their consideration. 
 
 In accordance with the general regulations, 
 there is likewise a district school, composed 
 of two classes, where the Cossacks, and 
 nearly all the citizens, send their children to 
 be taught reading and writing. The studies 
 do not, however, extend very far ; for no 
 sooner do the parents perceive that their 
 children have learned reading with facility,
 
 156 REVELATIONS 
 
 and the art of casting up accounts with the 
 Ostiaks, than they take them away from 
 school, as, in their opinion, any further learn- 
 ing would only be a waste of time.
 
 or SIBERIA. 157 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Musquitos — Visits — Bashfalness of a hostess — A mer- 
 chant widow's house — Objects of luxury and European 
 taste — Not at home — Summer heat— Courtesy of the 
 
 Berezovian maids— Flight — Arrival of Madame X 
 
 A Berezovian Bloomer — A Polish maid-servant. 
 
 What a pity that one cannot profit by the 
 fine but short summer moments at Berezov. 
 The sight of a beautiful forest almost touch- 
 ing the threshold of the house, the deep 
 shade beneath the far spreading branches of 
 tall cedars, or of deep green larches, was 
 deliciously inviting, and we often were 
 tempted to seek refuge amidst it from the 
 piercing rays of the sun ; but no sooner did 
 we venture into the shade, than we were
 
 158 REVELATIONS 
 
 surrounded by dense swarms of musquitos, 
 which, starting from their ambuscades, 
 attacked us on all sides. There was no 
 possibility of reiDelling such myriads of blood- 
 thirsty assailants. Yet after covering our 
 faces with visors of hair, with which the 
 lady of General Potemkin had provided us 
 at Tobolsk, and our hands with thick gloves, 
 and being otherwise armed, cap-d-pie, we 
 stoutly marched on, nothing daunted, to the 
 encounter, repelling their attacks as courage- 
 ously as we could ; but all our efforts proved 
 unsuccessful. After a short and desperate 
 combat, we were obliged to beat a retreat, 
 blistered from head to foot. Finding it 
 quite impossible to make excursions in the 
 forest, we resolved to cultivate our acquain- 
 tance with the persons of the place ; and, as 
 the Horodnitchi was the principal inhabi- 
 tant, and had already several times called on 
 us, we thought it would be most becoming 
 to commence our round of visits with him. 
 
 We accordingly called at his house, and 
 were ushered in. Here we were welcomed 
 by a young and handsome lady, who proved 
 to be his wife. She said not a word, but
 
 OF SIBERIA. 
 
 159 
 
 showed by a pleasing smile that she was 
 gratified at our visit. Presently she left the 
 room to look for her husband, who in a short 
 time aiTived. Meanwhile we looked round 
 the apartments, which were particularly neat 
 and clean. 
 
 A few minutes afterwards, the youthful 
 lady of the house re-appeared, more hand- 
 somely dressed. She was preceded by a 
 servant with a tray loaded with a variety 
 of sweetmeats and confectionary, of which, 
 with divers signs and smiles, but not utter- 
 ing a single word, she politely pressed us to 
 partake. The expression of her countenance 
 was that of exceeding bashfiilness ; but as 
 she was very yoimg, handsome, and of a 
 mild disposition, I began to feel an instan- 
 taneous affection for her, such as is fi-equently 
 experienced at the sight of a shy child 
 shrinking at the appearance of strangers, and 
 displaying only to the family cii'cle all the 
 genuine charms and beauty of her character. 
 
 I endeavoured in every possible way to 
 reassure her, and therefore frequently 
 addressed my conversation solely to herself. 
 She appeared, however, scarcely to under-
 
 160 REVELATIONS 
 
 stand my friendly wishes, for her replies to 
 my remarks were whispered in her husband's 
 ears, and he, like an echo, repeated her 
 words aloud. Fearing lest our first visit 
 would prove too severe a task for the young 
 hostess, I rose to take leave, when she sud- 
 denly exclaimed, "Da Kakje? Samovar!" 
 (How can you leave us ? the tea-um !) These 
 were the first words we had heard her utter. 
 
 Thinking that our departure, without com- 
 plying with her request, might be construed 
 by her husband into a want of courtesy, and 
 that she herself might feel grieved, we con- 
 sented to remain to tea, and then separated, 
 as I had good reason to think, on the best 
 possible terms. 
 
 Having once started on our wandering 
 tour, after leaving the Horodnitchi's house, 
 we thought we might at the same time call 
 on a Madame Nizegorodtyow, the relict of a 
 wealthy merchant, to whom we had been 
 furnished with a letter of introduction by 
 her daughter at Tobolsk. This lady's resi- 
 dence was the largest in the town, and by 
 far the finest. On my first arrival at Berezov, 
 I was, as I have already described,
 
 OF SIBERIA. IGl 
 
 particularly struck by its appearance. It 
 comprised a central structure, occupied by 
 herself and her family, and two Avings, each 
 one story high, appropriated to the servants. 
 The coui't-yard was enclosed with a strong 
 wooden fence, which, as well as the whole 
 mansion, was painted yellow; contrasting 
 strongly with the rest of the dingy wooden 
 houses of the town, and the dark forest 
 scenery in the background. 
 
 We were just entering the first open door, 
 when we were met by a young man, who, in 
 a most polite manner, offered to lead us to 
 the mistress of the house. Having conducted 
 us through a suite of apartments, well 
 furnished and exquisitely clean, he showed 
 us to a drawing-room, when, as we looked 
 round, he suddenly disappeared, not unlike 
 an ethereal substance dissolved in space. We 
 had some misgivings — and we were not far 
 wrong — that he was a little annoyed at the 
 incompleteness of his toilet, as he was attired 
 in his di'essing-gown. But we waited and 
 waited, and nobody appeared, though we 
 every moment expected to see the mistress 
 of the house. Meanwhile, we felt not the
 
 1G2 REVELATIONS 
 
 least impatient, as tlie position in which we 
 happened to be placed rather amused us by 
 its novelty. Moreover, everything on which 
 we fixed our eyes struck us with amazement, 
 by its rarity, exquisiteness, and even luxury. 
 In any other part of the world, these objects 
 would certainly not have so absorbed my 
 attention; but to meet such objects of 
 splendour, and of European taste and industry 
 at Berezov, in the land of the wild Ostiaks — 
 at this extremity and last nook of the world 
 — was, I must confess, what I never could 
 have anticipated. 
 
 The mansion — for it might justly be styled 
 such — was spacious and commodious, con- 
 taining stately apartments, with lofty 
 windows, commanding in front a view of 
 the boundless sheet of water and magnificent 
 forest. Every pane of glass was exquisitely 
 clean and spotless ; rows of flower-]3ots stood 
 in the windows, with all sorts of plants, 
 vigorous and fi:esh ; and all the more charm- 
 ing, from their being so rare in that desolate 
 region. Mirrors of enormous size, mahogany 
 furnitm'e, paintings, crystal and china vases 
 and silver plate, bore testimony to the wealth
 
 OF SIBERIA. 163 
 
 of their owner, and to her Eiu'opean taste 
 and refinement. With such things aroimd, 
 one could easily forget that the locality was 
 Berezov ; and forget I did. For a moment, 
 even the purpose of my visit passed fi'om my 
 mind, so completely was I absorbed in 
 delightful recollections. 
 
 At length the door opened, and ,1 was 
 reminded of the object for which I had come. 
 I raised my eyes, but instead of the lady of 
 the house, for whom we had so long been 
 waiting, the young man whom we had first 
 encountered again presented himself, now 
 attired in a stylish velvet dressing-gown. 
 
 This Siberian beau, we now learned, was 
 the widow's son. He said that he came to 
 inform us that his mother was not at home ; 
 but had gone to call on her daughter, the 
 wife of the Du^ector of Police. If we would 
 wait, however, he would immediately send a 
 message to apprise her of our visit, and he 
 was sure she would eagerly return. Of 
 course, we could not consent to such an 
 arrangement, and took leave, promising to 
 call some other day. 
 
 The heat now grew insupportable, and
 
 164 REVELATIONS 
 
 kept us imprisoned in-doors. There was no 
 dew at night, no cooling breeze of sunset, no 
 fresh air of morning; but ever and ever 
 incessant sunshine burning and scorching 
 unremittingly. The sun made scarcely a 
 momentary dip imder the horizon, even then 
 not entirely concealing his burning rays, and 
 soon he lifted up his fiery orb again. It 
 was impossible to breathe — impossible to sit 
 in a chair — impossible to do any work. 
 Utter lassitude crept over the whole frame, 
 repressing all vigour and vital power. I 
 moved from place to place in search of relief, 
 hoping to find some cool spot, but in vain. 
 Sometimes I threw myself on the floor, or 
 dragged my steps to a bath, where I deluged 
 myself with buckets of cold water. This 
 certainly was refreshing, and did me good ; but 
 the benefit derived from even such a mode of 
 cooling would be but momentary, and was 
 far from making me insensible to the over- 
 powering hot blast of the surrounding atmos- 
 phere. From this I became so debilitated, 
 that my feet began to swell, and I grew 
 apprehensive of dropsy. 
 
 We were told that the current of air on
 
 OF SIBERIA. 165 
 
 the river side, was usually far cooler than in 
 other places. Towards evening, when the 
 heat augmented in intensity, we would 
 proceed to this favoured locality. But here 
 we foimd our expectations of relief sadly 
 fi'ustrated, being assailed on all sides by a 
 cloud of merciless musquitos, who could 
 only be repelled by a great amount of 
 exertion. 
 
 On the occasion of our fii'st visit to the 
 river, this was not om* only mischance. The 
 young women of the Berezovian Cossack 
 families — very excellent creatures, but 
 exceedingly eager after novelty, as our 
 sex generally are — seeing in what direction 
 we were walking, being desirous either of 
 making om' acquaintance, or getting a good 
 view of us, followed us in a body. Absolutely 
 running along, they soon overtook us, and 
 though we were perfect strangers to all, 
 covered us with kisses. They were full of 
 commiseration, too, for our solitude, and 
 promised to do all in their power to amuse 
 us diu'ing our sta}^ amongst them, and in 
 proof of the interest they took in us, over- 
 whelmed us with questions on our affairs,
 
 1G6 REVELATIONS 
 
 Having passed through the double ordeal 
 of an attack from the musquitos and the 
 young women, and being persuaded that to 
 run the risk of such encounters in an open 
 field would be anything but agreeable, we 
 beat a retreat, determined to intrench our- 
 selves within the walls of our o-^ti domicile, 
 which we at length reached in safety. 
 
 Not until we saw ourselves within our 
 o^vn threshold, did we begin to breathe with 
 freedom, rejoiced to escape both from the 
 stings of the musquitos and the caresses of 
 the Cossack women. "We made a vow not 
 to go out of doors until our winged assailants 
 should have disappeared, when we might 
 brave the fair Cossacks. Even the enjoy- 
 ment of fresh air, however desirable and 
 necessary, could not compensate for the 
 trouble we had had in battling with the 
 formidable insects ; and glad we were to be 
 again at rest. 
 
 But this day seemed to have been marked 
 in black in the book of our horoscope. On 
 looking round our rooms, where we had ex- 
 pected to find retirement and comfort, the 
 sole consolation we could command, we were
 
 OF SIBERIA. 167 
 
 amazed to observe a scene of complete dis- 
 arrangement and disorder. 
 
 Madame X had amved from Tobolsk. 
 
 We had happened, durmg our stay in that 
 city, to become acquainted with her ; and on 
 the score of that acquaintance, though our 
 interview had scarcely lasted a couple of 
 hours, she had now paid us an uninvited visit. 
 Our surprise may be conceived, when, on 
 opening the door of our apartments, we saw 
 a stranger in a man's dressing-gown and 
 boots, with cropped hair, surmounted by a 
 jockey-cap, sitting on the sofa, smoking a 
 pipe. At the same time, our reception-room, 
 the best we had, was crammed with boxes, 
 large and small, with rifles, yatagans, smoking- 
 pipes, tobacco-bags, and other specimens of 
 man's and woman's chattels blended con- 
 fusedly together. 
 
 I was astounded at this spectacle, and at a 
 loss to comprehend what could have happened. 
 
 Madame X did not let me wait long for 
 
 an explanation. She informed me that her 
 mother and several sisters resided at Berezov, 
 and she had come on a visit to them ; that on 
 all such occasions when she arrived, she in-
 
 168 REVELATIONS 
 
 variably used to lodge in oui* apartments ; 
 and that, but shortly before she set out on 
 her journey, she had sent word to our land- 
 lady, informing her of her intended visit. 
 But although the rooms were occupied by us, 
 she added, there was no reason why she 
 should change her plan, being sui-e that there 
 was room enough for her and for oui-selves, 
 and that it would be even more pleasant for 
 both parties to lodge together. 
 
 I was confounded at the boldness, and still 
 more at the nonchalance with which this pro- 
 position was made, and must confess that I 
 quite lost my presence of mind. I was un- 
 certain whether I should consider her as my 
 guest, or as a fellow-lodger, not clearly com- 
 prehending, in fact, in which light she 
 regarded herself. 
 
 But Madame X , who had no idea of 
 
 any such thing, and to whom all consideration 
 appeared superfluous, only asked: "Which 
 of the rooms are you going to give me ?" 
 
 " If I am to judge by the language in 
 which you have addressed us," I replied, 
 " I suppose you mean to be considered as 
 our guest ; and as you have ah'eady made
 
 OF SIBERIA. ]69 
 
 clioice of the room wliicli appeared to be the 
 most suitable to you, we, of course, must 
 allow you, fi'om the respect we bear to the 
 laws of hospitality, to keep it. We place it, 
 then, at your service." 
 
 This room being the largest of the three, 
 all our efforts were directed to keep it in a 
 tidy, and even ornamental condition; and 
 hitherto it had served us both as a sitting- 
 room and a reception-room. In an apart- 
 ment beyond, which was smaller, and 
 approached by a glass door, we slept ; and a 
 tliii'd, and still smaller room, was appro- 
 priated as a store. 
 
 Flattering myself with the hope that 
 
 Madame X 's coiu'tesy would not allow 
 
 us to remain long in such a straitened dwell- 
 ing, and that her stay would be of but short 
 duration, I resolved to bear with her patiently 
 Meanwhile, however, we were doomed to 
 part with our greatest comfort at Berezov — 
 that of being alone in our domestic retreat. 
 We had a room less, and a companion too 
 
 many, besides Madame X 's pet goose, 
 
 her constant companion, fi-om wliich she 
 could never part, and which she was in the 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 170 REVELATIONS 
 
 habit of caressing, as others do lap-dogs. It 
 is true, the silly animal did not bark, but it 
 made the house resound with its incessant 
 cackling. 
 
 Madame X was a native of Siberia, a 
 
 genuine Siberian breed, and distinguishe d by 
 great originality. She dressed in man's attire, 
 and fired the pistol, went hunting, and kept 
 a collection of arms. She treated all the forms 
 and usages of society with contempt, spurned 
 them as shackles imposed on free-will, fetters 
 on the mind; and considered herself superior 
 to the rest of her sex, in so far as she differed 
 from them by the boldness of her conduct and 
 the singularity of her di-ess and manners. She 
 particularly relished the society of the exiles, 
 and lived much with them. These, well 
 knowing the peculiarities of her character, 
 and being amused with them, instead of 
 restraining her, as they ought, in her hizarre 
 tastes and vagaries, admired her independence 
 of mind, her freedom fi-om restraint, and her 
 strange habits. From self-love and female 
 vanity, she became as emancipated a woman 
 as could well be imagined, and almost 
 maddened her poor husband, who, in spite
 
 OF SIBERIA. 171 
 
 of her eccentricities, loved her despe- 
 rately. 
 
 On the score of this very frame of mind, 
 
 Madame X imagined she was best suited 
 
 to be a natiu'al companion and friend of ours. 
 Her heart was not bad — of that we were 
 assured; and she felt sympathy with our 
 fate. But as she had never been a mother, 
 and had not the least conception of what 
 family ties are, she would hardly have 
 guessed whence most of the sorrows of the 
 heart sprang. Of all the evils which in our 
 situation of exiles we had to suffer, she con- 
 sidered solitude to be the greatest and the 
 only one. All ties which were torn asunder 
 could, in her opinion, be replaced by others ; 
 and she was persuaded that, if she could only 
 make us laugh or otherwise amuse us, she 
 had done all to render our lives happy. 
 
 Such was her conviction ; and she took 
 credit for performing a noble act of humanity 
 by becoming our constant companion, and 
 introducing her acquaintances to us, uncon- 
 scious how she was depriving us of our dearest 
 possession ; and instead of making us thank- 
 ful, as we otherwise should have been, for her 
 
 I 2
 
 172 REVELATIONS 
 
 good intentions, she caused us intolerable 
 constraint and annoyance. We often won- 
 dered how long this state of things would 
 last, and in what manner we should be 
 extricated fi'om the meshes she had woven 
 around us. But this was a problem which 
 we could not fathom !
 
 OF SIBERIA. 173 
 
 CHAPTEE XL 
 
 Inland navigation — The Berezovian district — Population 
 — Scantiness of cultivation — Manners and customs of 
 the inhabitants — Berezovian women — Origin of the 
 Berezovian Cossacks — Causes of their degeneration — 
 Their military services and emoluments — Their mer- 
 cantile spirit and trafl&c with the natives. 
 
 Between Berezov and Tobolsk, whatever 
 direction the traveller may wish to take, the 
 only highway is the river. During the 
 summer, as I have formerly observed, com- 
 munication is carried on by vessels, and in 
 winter, when the river is frozen over, by 
 sledges. In fact, rivers are considered to be 
 the only practicable highroads in this country, 
 those by land being obstructed by immense 
 forests, and intersected by numberless streams,
 
 174 REVELATIONS 
 
 torrents and ravines, with no bridges, and at 
 best but ill-constructed ferries, rendering a 
 journey extremely wearisome and tedious. 
 
 About the middle of June, Madame Daubel 
 arrived at Berezov, and brought with her a 
 Polish maid-servant, whom Count Morchocki 
 had been kind enough to procure for us. 
 Such servants can easily be got at Tobolsk, 
 from amongst the transported convicts, but 
 it is difficult to get a good one. However, 
 we resolved to give our Franciska a fair 
 trial ; though her eyes had a very sly and 
 sharp expression. 
 
 Berezov is the central point of the district 
 of that name, a province so extensive that, 
 were it peopled in any proportion to its size, 
 it might be divided into several powerful 
 nations. Some portions of the frontier are 
 considered to be a distance of three thousand 
 versts from Berezov. The district is bounded 
 by the government of Yenisei in the east, 
 that of Tobolsk in the south, by the Uralian 
 Mountains and the government of Wologda 
 in the west, and by the Arctic Ocean in the 
 north. In the whole of this extensive terri- 
 tory, according to the last census, there are
 
 OF SIBERIA. 175 
 
 not more than fifteen thousand inhabitants. 
 It is however, not easy to vouch for the ac- 
 cui^acy of the census; the tribes of the Ostiaks 
 and the Samoiedes leading a nomade life, 
 and therefore baffling all attempts at regis- 
 tration. 
 
 Even the country on the banks of the 
 larger rivers, on which alone human settle- 
 ments are found, presented to our sight a 
 terrific wilderness. Throughout the district 
 there is not the least trace of cultivation. 
 At Berezov small patches of ground are 
 planted with turnips, radishes, and some 
 cabbages ; the latter, on account of the ex- 
 treme shortness of the summer, growing only 
 into leaves, and never attaining a heart. 
 These cabbage-leaves are chopped small, as 
 are also the leaves of turnips and radishes, 
 and put together into casks, where they are 
 kept until, from fermentation, they turn sour. 
 From this preparation a dish is made called 
 barshtch, which was not at all to my taste. 
 
 Potatoes I thought might, if introduced, 
 grow well here, and be of great use to the 
 inhabitants; though, owing to early frost, 
 they could never grow large. A few have
 
 176 REVELATIONS 
 
 been tried, but only to the extent of from 
 ten to twenty potatoes, and these more as 
 objects of cmiosity than for use. Any one 
 who should attempt planting more, or possess 
 a whole bed of the esculent, would appear, in 
 the eyes of his neighbours, an extraordinary 
 speculator. 
 
 On the whole, indeed, the Berezovians, as 
 I could observe, did not favour this plant. 
 Being accustomed to animal food, chiefly 
 game, easy of digestion and easily obtained, 
 no wonder that they eschew all such simple 
 edibles, particularly as their cultivation re- 
 quires much care and labour, and the fruit 
 yields, after all, but little nourishment. 
 
 Madame X , our fellow lodger — for 
 
 we were still at a loss whether to consider 
 her in the character of a guest or a resident — 
 seldom left us alone, though her mother, 
 brothers, and several married sisters, resided 
 in the town. However, she proved to be 
 less troublesome than we had anticipated 
 after an intrusion so unceremonious. She 
 certainly talked a great deal too much, but 
 she was quite indifferent as to whether we 
 listened, nor was she offended when no an-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 177 
 
 swer was returned to her questions. Often, 
 when intent on our work, we sat in profound 
 silence, she continued her chattering, and 
 was for hours the only speaker, and, I may 
 add, the only auditor. There were moments, 
 however, in which she caught our attention — 
 for she possessed a vast deal of mother- wit — 
 and we heard fi'om her a number of amusini^j 
 anecdotes of persons, whose characters she 
 often admii'ably described. It is true that 
 we were, to a great extent, losers by her in- 
 road on our freedom and solitude, than which, 
 in our situation, nothing could be more pre- 
 cious. If anything could compensate us for 
 this restraint, the accounts she gave of the 
 manners, characters, and opinions peculiar to 
 the people amongst whom fate had thrown 
 us, certainly made up for it, as, but for her, 
 we should have requii-ed many years to have 
 become, in any degree, conversant with the 
 ideas current in such a wild country, or to 
 have imderstood the real condition of the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 Nevertheless, Madame X 's goose 
 
 ceased not to be a great annoyance to m&. 
 It was a real plague in the house. No 
 
 I 3
 
 178 REVELATIOXS 
 
 sooner did it awake from its sleep, which it 
 commonly did between two and thi'ce o'clock 
 in the morning, than it began its disagree- 
 able cackling, rendering sleep on our part 
 impossible. Nor could we bring ourselves 
 to the custom of indemnifying ourselves for 
 tliis loss of om- night's rest, as Madame 
 
 X Avas wont to do, by a nap after 
 
 dinner. 
 
 Throughout Siberia the custom of the so- 
 called siesta, in the afternoon, is as universal 
 as sleep at night in European coimtries. In 
 all houses the window-shutters are closed, 
 and the people go regularly to bed for several 
 hoiu-s. During this interval no visits are 
 made, nor any business transacted. 
 
 At Tobolsk, at these siesta hoiu's, the shops 
 are shut tlii'oughout the town. Business and 
 amusements are, as a consequence, protracted 
 far into the night. Playing at cards is a 
 favourite amusement, and commonly all 
 leisure hours in Siberia are spent in gambling. 
 
 I had to thank Madame X for a few 
 
 acquaintances. In my round calls with her 
 I found more beauties among the women than 
 I anticipated ; and what sui'prised me most
 
 OF SIBERIA. 179 
 
 was, that among them were many brunettes, 
 with jet-black eyes. Fair hair and light blue 
 eyes are admitted to be the exceptional type 
 of the Eussian race ; and I am thus led to 
 conclude that the dark complexion, both in 
 men and women, denotes descent from the 
 Cossacks of the Black Sea, who accompanying 
 Yermak, their chief, on liis excursion into 
 Siberia, settled in the coimtry, and remained 
 a distinct race. 
 
 My conjectiu-e seemed to tally with the 
 account the Cossacks gave of themselves. 
 One portion of them maintained that they 
 sprang from the companions of Yermak, who, 
 after his conquest of Siberia, had left them 
 there as settlers. They principally consisted 
 of volimteers fi'om the Dnieper and the Don, 
 and from Lithuania ; some actuated by the 
 hope of improving their condition, and others 
 by the love of adventure. Another portion 
 of them asserted that they were at a later 
 period added as auxiliaries to the former by 
 the celebrated merchants, Strogonoffs, from 
 their villages beyond the Ural, in order to 
 keep the conquered country in subjection. 
 The latter, as to their external appearance,
 
 180 REVELATIONS 
 
 evidently bear more affinity to the common 
 Kussian type, and in many characteristics 
 much differ from the others. 
 
 The generality of the modem Cossacks of 
 tliis place are a degenerate race, preserving 
 none of the spiiit, courage, and boldness of 
 their valorous ancestors. The constant peace and 
 security which they enjoy, has contiibuted to 
 extinguish among this people all warlike and 
 even manly qualities. Becoming sluggards, 
 they have merely turned merchants and 
 barterers. They languish after their feather 
 beds, and are ready to sacrifice everything 
 for comfort, I saw young men of twenty 
 years cry like babies, when they happened 
 not to get theii' tea at the usual hour. 
 
 The Cossacks of Berezov are subject to 
 the laws common to the rest of the Cossacks, 
 in the Eussian Empire. Every male of that 
 race is bound to serve in the army, fi-om his 
 seventeenth year to an advanced period of 
 life. Even old age does not exempt any one 
 from this servitude, unless his utter incapa- 
 city is attested by the proper military autho- 
 rities. The military duty, however, is usually 
 not very burthensome, and rarely calls them
 
 OP SIBERIA. 181 
 
 far from home. Keeping sentry at a few 
 government offices at Berezov, and service on 
 the general staff of Tobolsk, which a few are 
 obliged to perform annually, by rotation, com- 
 prise the whole routine. As a compensation, 
 they are exempt from payment of taxes, and 
 receive from the Government a certain quan- 
 tity of flour and barley for subsistence. 
 
 Of this class of Cossacks some get promoted 
 to the rank of officers, which, according 
 to the Eussian law, confers nobility on the 
 persons possessing it, though the distinction 
 is in no case hereditary. A colonel's son, 
 therefore, is nothing more than a common 
 Cossack, and if ambitious of promotion, he is 
 obliged to gain it by his own efforts. 
 Formerly the Cossacks were at liberty to 
 enter the civil service, but they do not now 
 possess this privilege. 
 
 In their character of citizens, the Cossacks 
 of Berezov might in many instances be 
 classed with the Jews of my own country. 
 They are traffickers, but not producers ; their 
 occupation is merely trading. Sometimes 
 they go fishing, but never engage in wood- 
 craft or hunting. The usual articles of com-
 
 182 REVELATIONS 
 
 merce, as well as all the necessaries of life, 
 with fish and game, can only be obtained from 
 the Ostiaks. The common daily household 
 business is likewise done by people hired 
 from amidst that tribe. 
 
 The great fishing season commences in the 
 month of June, and lasts till the latter end of 
 August, thus occupying the whole of the 
 summer. A number of vessels sail fi-om 
 Berezov, for the fisheries on the Oby seas, 
 taking away the whole of the well-to-do 
 population, and most of the poorer class. But 
 even on their arrival at the fisheries, the 
 Berezovians pass their time, not so much in 
 fishing, butin the pursuit of trafiic, according 
 to their usual custom. Though their vessels 
 are provided with nets and all the fishing 
 appurtenances, they are for the most part 
 manned by Ostiaks, and the fish they catch 
 compose the least part of their cargoes ; most 
 of it, in fact, is obtained fr'om the Ostiak and 
 Samoiede fishermen. These nomade tribes, 
 knowing the season at which the Eussian 
 fishing vessels arrive on the coast, come in 
 their barges from all quarters, and barter 
 their fish with the Russians for other commo- 
 dities.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 183 
 
 The Ostiaks are as yet unacquainted with 
 the use of money. Skins of animals and fiu' 
 are the customary circulating media, and all 
 agreements in bargains and trade are referred 
 to that standard. A white squirrel skin 
 fUellmJ represents the value of twenty 
 assignat kopeks ; an ermine, forty kopeks ; a 
 skin called piesak bialy (literally, white dog), 
 three assignat rubles ; and a like rate extends 
 fi'om the precious sables do^vn to the com- 
 monest sorts of fur. In changing these 
 commodities for Eussian articles, the Ostiak 
 never makes his agreement for such or such 
 a sum of money, but for so many of the 
 above-named kinds of fur, every one of which 
 has its fixed price. 
 
 The inhabitants of Berezov are, upon the 
 whole, extremely well off, and even might be 
 called wealthy. With regard to the first 
 necessaries of life, they need only stretch out 
 their hand to have them. Providence having 
 prepared for theii* use a plentiful supply ; and 
 on every side are forests full of game, and 
 rivers full of fish. It is requu-ed only to cast 
 a net, or to set a seine, to procure abundance 
 of food for several days.
 
 184 REVI'.LATIONS 
 
 The river Oby abounds in excellent fish, 
 including sturgeon, sterlet, salmon, pike, 
 nuksuni, selga, nelma, mietusi, and a variety 
 of other species. The fish nelma and sterlet 
 are more delicate than the sturgeon, and 
 superior to it in flavour. The fish mietus is 
 caught as large as a pound in weight, but 
 they are inferior in delicacy. The selga is a 
 small fish, but rich and delicious. The pike 
 is least esteemed, and considered but poor 
 eating. The Kussians scarcely touch it, but 
 throw it as food for dogs, foxes, and their 
 Ostiak servants. 
 
 Yarious kinds of birds and wild fowl yield 
 also ample supplies of food. Those found in 
 greatest abundance are wild geese, wild 
 ducks, woodcocks, blackcocks, partridges, 
 and water-fowl. There are also a variety of 
 snipes, but though foimd in the swamps in 
 great number, nobody cares to look for them, 
 as in the opinion of the inhabitants, they are 
 too small to repay the trouble of shooting 
 them, nor are they so easily reached as in 
 hunting larger game. 
 
 Hares exist in great numbers, but nobody 
 hunts them. The Eussians have a religious
 
 OF SIBERIA. 185 
 
 aversion to eating them, as unclean ; and 
 their skins are so cheap that they are con- 
 sidered not worth transporting to Tobolsk, 
 the place where they are tanned. The 
 Ostiaks, on the other hand, reject no 
 sort of food, but eat whatever can be 
 swallowed and digested. In this respect 
 they are not a whit more fastidious than 
 dogs. They eat foxes, crows, bears, and 
 even their entrails ; all meat, fresh or tainted, 
 and stinking fish. They eat theii* food both 
 raw and boded, but chiefly in a raw state. 
 
 The district of Berezov abounds in water. 
 Apart from the stupendous river Oby, at a 
 distance of about one verst from the town, 
 there exist several other rivers, as the 
 Waygulka, the Little and the Great Osti- 
 atska, the Kazienna, the Horodynka, and a 
 number of minor streams not yet designated 
 by any names. All these rivers fall into the 
 Soswa, in the vicinity of the town, with the 
 exception of the Horodynka, and each is 
 large and deep enough to bear vessels of any 
 size.
 
 186 EEVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 My ehild — Visits of guests — The Mzegorodtyow family 
 — Parental authority — Ladies' dresses — Costumes 
 peculiar to each class — Evils arising from change of 
 class. 
 
 The 22 nd of June is memorable to me as 
 the birthday of my eldest daughter, Paulina. 
 The first anniversary of this festival that I 
 passed at Berezov, on awakening in the 
 morning I fervently prayed to God for her ; 
 and whilst my thoughts and feelings were 
 thus hovering over my beloved child, my 
 heart was ready to burst, and scalding tears 
 gushed from my eyes. But mournful as the 
 subject was, I could not tear my soul away
 
 OF SIBERIA. 187 
 
 from reminiscences wliich, though so harrow- 
 ing, were so dear. 
 
 Eccalling to my mind the whole of my 
 daughter's life, I in vain tried to explain to 
 myself why my Paulina, brought up as she 
 had been under the eyes of affectionate 
 parents, and amidst a cii'cle of relatives whom 
 she tenderly loved, had far outstript the 
 joyous age of youth, with all its buoyant 
 freedom, and its playful gaiety, without in 
 the least enjoying it ; though such incidents 
 of the past, even at the most advanced age, 
 are wont to recur fondly to our memories, 
 ever shedding a glo^ving halo over our ex- 
 istence. Although she had scarcely com- 
 pleted ten years, yet she was, I might almost 
 say, mature both in mind and heart. All her 
 thoughts were grave, her sentiments fixed 
 and deep, her judgment clear and pene- 
 trating, so that amidst the most perplexing 
 circumstances she was never at a loss to dis- 
 criminate at the first glance between truth 
 and falsehood. Often have I had occasion to 
 put her childish understanding to the test by 
 consulting her on most delicate questions, 
 and of a nature most intricate and difficult.
 
 188 REVELATIONS 
 
 I found her solve them all with a penetration 
 and correctness I could not but admii^e. 
 Hardly emerged from childhood, with a 
 delicate frame of body, and placed amidst 
 most trying circumstances, God constituted 
 her the sole guardian, with duties of a second 
 mother, to a bereaved family. My Paulina, 
 I am confident, did not shrink fi'om or falter 
 in this great calling ; she fulfilled it at her 
 own great cost, but without even reckoning 
 it a sacrifice. I cannot but think that God, 
 having so prematurely marked her with the 
 emblem of the cross, has thereby destined 
 my child for that important mission which 
 she had in our present trials to accomplish. 
 
 Full of such reflections, I gave them 
 utterance in prayer, exclaiming, "0, merciful 
 God ! if Thou dost take into accoimt the 
 emotions of a mother's heart ; if our 
 sufferings, our sorrows, our tears, and our 
 prayers are beheld with commiseration by 
 Thee ; if innocence and sacrifices have a 
 claim on Thy protection, vouchsafe to listen 
 to the mother's fervent supplication for the 
 happiness of her child." 
 
 Being so deeply moved, I avoided all com-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 189 
 
 pany. At such a moment the presence of 
 any'bne would have been most unwelcome 
 — an unholy inti-usion upon me. 
 
 Contrary to my usual custom, I lay long 
 in bed, pretending to sleep. At last, hearing 
 that oiu" fellow-lodger had dressed and gone, 
 I got up to follow my daily occupations. 
 
 I had intended to spend the whole day 
 by myself, in complete seclusion, communing 
 only with my thoughts and feelings. This 
 pui'pose, however, was completely frustrated; 
 for, all my acquaintances at Berezov, as if 
 they had mutually agreed upon an invasion, 
 which perhaps was the case, came in the 
 afternoon to visit me. 
 
 First of all appeared Madame Ni^egorod- 
 tyow, the rich old dowager, whose house I 
 have akeady described. She Avas the mother 
 of five sons and five daughters, the latter of 
 whom were all bestowed in marriage on the 
 principal government officials of the place. 
 This lady was soon followed by her daughters 
 and sons-in-law, all heads of different and 
 most respected families. It was quite a 
 levee ; and I was obliged to exert myself to 
 do the honours of the house.
 
 190 REVELATIONS 
 
 Madame N^izegorodtyow was about fifty ; an d 
 when young she must have been very hand- 
 some. Even at this time she was very active, 
 and in her conversation evinced a sound, clear 
 judgment in everything. She was the acknow- 
 ledged head of her house, even in its mer- 
 cantile transactions, in the management of 
 which she was assisted by her sons. These 
 young men were far from being emancipated 
 fi'om her control, though the property their 
 father had left was estimated at one million 
 rubles. 
 
 I always derived much pleasm-e fi*om my 
 intercourse with this old lady, for I found it 
 unencumbered by any conventional forms, 
 and her conversation was simple and sincere, 
 and characterized by singular frankness. 
 
 In giving me one day the story of her life, 
 she said that she was married at fifteen. 
 When brought to her mother-in-law's house, 
 she was subjected to a most severe noviciate, 
 was obliged to obey her implicitly, and do 
 the work of the humblest menial. Imme- 
 diately after her wedding, her mother-in-law 
 sent her, when the cold was 40° below the 
 freezing-point, to the river, to wash the linen ;
 
 OF SIBEEIA. 191 
 
 and though at her owii mother's house she 
 had never been required to do any work, and 
 was afraid that, in complying with such a 
 demand, she might lose some of her limbs, 
 she obeyed without a murmur, and happily 
 sustained no injuiy. 
 
 After such perfect obedience to her mother- 
 in-law, and after midergoing this severe 
 discipline diuing several years, Madame 
 Xizegorodtyow succeeded at last in gaining 
 the old lady's favom- ; and, from her reason- 
 ing, I could perceive that she was fii-mly 
 convinced that a patriarchal arbitrary power 
 was the only effectual means for governing a 
 family. Ha^dng been trained in that rigid 
 way from her childhood, she had learnt not 
 to abuse her power as her mother-in-law had 
 done ; but she knew how to impress all the 
 members of her house with such a respect 
 for her authority, that her daughters-in-law, 
 though they belonged to wealthy families 
 and were mothers of several children, used 
 to show so much deference to her will, that 
 on going out on then* visits they would send 
 messages to ask her what dress they should 
 put on. But let it be understood that, in
 
 1 92 EEVELATIOXS 
 
 relating these particulars, I am far from 
 wishing to represent them to the reader as 
 facts of great weight, but merely as pictui-es 
 of the degree of civilization existing in this 
 locality. 
 
 The whole toilette of my lady-^dsitors, con- 
 sidering this was such an out-of-the-world 
 place, was uncommonly costly. Their dresses 
 consisted of velvet and rich silk ; and all the 
 ornaments worn were precious stones. Every 
 one of the ladies, however, wore those pecu- 
 liar to her respective class. The wives of 
 the government employes^ as belonging to the 
 class of blahorodny, (nobles,) wore caps on 
 their heads ; while those of merchants, though 
 the richest, had only silk handkerchiefs for 
 their head-di'ess. These were of various 
 colours, and were tied in a peculiar fashion 
 on the head. 
 
 The inhabitants of Berezov are great 
 sticklers for the distinctive marks of the 
 different classes ; and what surprised me 
 most was, that the inferior orders, as they 
 are commonly termed, betray no desire, as 
 in other parts, to infringe upon the privi- 
 leged costumes belonging to the classes above 
 
 Jk*-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 193 
 
 them. On the contrary, they constituted 
 themselves guardians of such distinctions, 
 decrying any who attempted to transgress 
 these arbitrary lines of demarcation. 
 
 Madame X set herself to oppose this 
 
 feeling. The daughter of a merchant and a 
 merchant's wife, she had, on the death of her 
 husband, devoted all her energies to the 
 accomplishment of female emancipation ; and 
 on coming from Tobolsk to her family at 
 Berezov, in order to render her appearance 
 as striking as possible, she had brought witli 
 her all sorts of caps and bonnets. A rumour 
 of the commodities thus imported having got 
 abroad, the citizens were excited to such a 
 degree at the idea of any attempt at innova- 
 tion, that they let her know immediately 
 that should she dare to appear in public, 
 dressed in her new apparel, she would be 
 hooted ; and that even at church the sanctity 
 of the place should not screen her from their 
 indignation ; nor would they scruple to tear 
 the odious gear fr'om her head and trample it 
 under foot. Having received this timely 
 
 warning, Madame X deemed it more 
 
 prudent to pack up her elegant caps and 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 EEVELATIONS 
 
 bonnets, and without giving them even one 
 day's airing at Berezov, retirni them to her 
 milliner at Tobolsk. 
 
 I highly approved of this strong attach- 
 ment of the Berezovians to the station in 
 which Providence had placed them. For my 
 part, I find such attachment more consistent 
 with the dignity of man ; for in striving to 
 exalt oiu'selves liigher and higher, we do but 
 betray contempt for the rank we are actually 
 occupjdug, and acknowledge the one above 
 us to be more respectable. For, how can it 
 be otherwise than that the classes which are 
 thus deemed to be superior to oiu- own, should 
 despise us, as their inferiors, if we ourselves 
 hold oui" position in such low estimation, and 
 daily attest, by seeking to rise out of our 
 own sphere, how much we admire and envy 
 them ? 
 
 I entertained my guests as well as I could, 
 
 and Madame X was very useful on the 
 
 occasion. Knowing the tastes of the com- 
 pany, she arranged two tables for boston, 
 and distributed packs of cards; and om* guests 
 seemed perfectly gratified. Those who were 
 too young or not clever enough to play boston,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 195 
 
 amused themselves at the kiu-ka (hen), 
 another game of cards, more easy and simple. 
 The inhabitants of Berezov^ both men and 
 women, are passionately fond of cards, and 
 the custom is often very convenient ; more 
 especially when the company have nothing 
 to talk about ; a game at cards then well 
 supplies the place of conversation. 
 
 K 2
 
 196 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 Failing health — A Siberian merchant — Attempts at 
 agriculture — Hostility to improvement — System of 
 trade — Articles of barter — Character of the natives — 
 The culinary art — Young bride's first dinner party — 
 Female education — Facility of marriage — Landed 
 property— Prospects of Berezov. 
 
 One fine morning in June, Madame X 
 
 went out shooting, and brought home a snipe, 
 wliich she said she had herself killed. Her 
 constant presence was by this time not so 
 trying as at first, though still tii^esome enough. 
 Solitude might have proved a solace to me in 
 the seclusion in wliich I was placed, yet I 
 could not but reproach myself for grudging 
 our visitor a corner of our chamber. My 
 health began to fail ; and as my feet swelled.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 197 
 
 I apprehended dropsy, a complaint wliich is 
 hereditary in my family. Yet I thought 
 placidly of my end, as, being far from my 
 dear childi'en, they would be spared the 
 misery of witnessing my sufferings. 
 
 After dinner, Madame X , recruited 
 
 from the fatigue of her shooting excursion, 
 proposed that we should call on Madame 
 Nizegorodtyow. 
 
 Accordingly, we all three went, and met 
 with a most cordial welcome. Various 
 refreshments, including preserves, diy fruit, 
 and cedar-nuts, were brought for us ; fol- 
 lowed by coffee and tea, with delicious home- 
 made cakes, such as could only be had in the 
 affluent house of the Nizegorodtyows. The 
 old dowager's husband had been a great 
 merchant, and, as far as I could judge, a very 
 enterprising man, and a friend to improve- 
 ment. He yearly made joiuneys to the 
 famous fail's at Irbit and Nijni Novogorod ; 
 and there he had a good opportunity of 
 becoming acquainted with all the advan- 
 tages of modern industry and civilization. 
 His object is said to have been to ameliorate 
 the condition of his native town, and to effect
 
 198 REYELATIONS 
 
 such changes as seemed compatible with its 
 climate. Possessing abimdant means, and 
 what is more, a strong will, he attempted 
 even to introduce agriculture, and for that 
 purpose he procured the necessary imple- 
 ments, and brought, at his own expense, 
 people conversant with the tillage of land to 
 commence operations. Up to this time, a 
 field in the neighbourhood of Berezov is 
 shown, cleared of forest, where he used to 
 sow his crops. 
 
 He was not a man to be at all discouraged 
 by failures, which for the first few years 
 were almost unavoidable ; but during some 
 of the hotter summers he was enabled to rear 
 crops, samples of which he found it worth 
 while to send to St. Petersburg for the 
 consideration of the government.* In the 
 
 * This attempt to introduce agriculture at Berezov, 
 64 '^ northern latitude, says a great deal for the enter- 
 prising spirit of the Berezovian merchant, although it 
 completely failed. Owing to excessive cold, agricxilture 
 in Western Siberia ceases at 60° latitude; the cold 
 region embracing the territories between 67° and 57°. 
 Within this circle, various shrubs, bear berries, and 
 garden vegetables are cultivated with success in the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 199 
 
 course of his useful enterprises, however, he 
 experienced the greatest impediments from 
 the inhabitants themselves, whom he found 
 opposed to what they styled innovations ; so 
 much so, that they deliberately destroyed his 
 crops, and when, to prevent his field from 
 being ruined, the worthy merchant caused it 
 to be enclosed with a strong wooden fence, 
 he had the mortification to see the fence 
 reduced to ashes by the hand of an incendiary. 
 I was quite at a loss how to account for such 
 hostility to the introduction of improvement 
 
 more southern parts ; but corn, which in Europe yields 
 a not unprofitable harvest in 65° north latitude, cannot 
 be cultivated with profit in Siberia farther north than 
 55°, and in Kamtschatka, than 51". Below the latter 
 degree, that is in the southern parts of Siberia, where 
 the climate resembles that of Sweden and Northern 
 Russia, corn yields a good harvest ; but even that part 
 is too thinly inhabited to boast of any progress in agri- 
 culture as a science. The intensity of cold is not, 
 however, by any means, equal in the same latitudes 
 throughout the whole continent, the severity of the 
 climate increasing considerably with the extension of 
 the territories eastward. This is an incontestable fact, 
 but as yet the causes of the phenomenon have not been 
 ascertained, and it is uncertain whether it be ascribable 
 to a general law or to local circumstances.
 
 200 REVELATIONS 
 
 from which the inhabitants were to derive 
 all the benefit, until our hostess informed me 
 that a report got afloat, from the unaccount- 
 able ignorance of some person, that the 
 success of agricultui'e would bring ruin on 
 the people, and that they would all be turned 
 Jnto agricultural serfs, and forced to till the 
 gi'ound. 
 
 To what a degree agricultiu-e, by care and 
 perseverance, could be carried in such a 
 locality as Berezov, it is difficult to say. The 
 long illness and subsequent death of its first 
 promoter had put an end to the whole project. 
 Previous to his death, the active and enlight- 
 ened merchant was afflicted with lunacy. 
 His widow attributed this solely to the 
 annoyances he had met with fi'oni a portion 
 of the inhabitants. However this might be, 
 we saw abimdant evidence, wherever we 
 turned our eyes, of Nizegorodtyow's appreci- 
 ation of European industry and advancement. 
 In liis house especially, everything bore 
 testimony to it. The structure itself was 
 commodious, displaying architectural propor- 
 tions, and a great degree of taste. All the 
 frirniture, plate, porcelain, and ornaments,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 
 
 201 
 
 were European ; and what was still more 
 extraordinary, there was a chimney-grate in 
 the house, though it had been blocked up 
 after the death of its master. There were 
 also a billiard-table, a cabinet containing an 
 organ, and a number of pictures, which all 
 sufficiently proved a love for the elegancies 
 as well as the necessaries of life. 
 
 Upon the whole, I observed there was no 
 lack of the world's goods at Berezov, except 
 among the Ostiaks, and no appearance of 
 squalid poverty in the dwellings of the poorer 
 class, as is too fi-equently the case amongst 
 the lower orders elsewhere. In the houses 
 even of the poorest, the table is furnished 
 with good bread, fish, or meat ; and on the 
 days of festivals with meat, puddings, and 
 fish. Their daily drink is tea, though of 
 inferior quality, and they treat their guests 
 with sweetmeats. Their linen is fine and 
 Avhite, not, as in other parts of Eussia, striped 
 and coloured. They regularly have two, if 
 not more, new suits of clothes ; one of good 
 cloth, and one of fine stuff, lined with fur of 
 fox or squirrel, and with sable collars. 
 
 The principal source of wealth of the Bere- 
 
 K 3
 
 202 REVELATIONS 
 
 zovians is derived from traffic in fur and fish 
 with the Ostiaks. Any active and cunning 
 speculator, with a capital of one hundred to 
 two hundred assignat rubles at the first outset, 
 is enabled in a few years to become a rich 
 merchant, the profits fi-om the barter carried 
 on with the Ostiaks being enormous. 
 
 The Ostiaks being totally ignorant of 
 money, and still more of the rate of exchange, 
 readily take in exchange, for their own 
 articles any commodities which they want, 
 or which the Eussian merchants can supply 
 them with. The latter, however, are in the 
 habit of fix:ing the value of their own articles 
 at their own price, before they exchange 
 them for those brought by the Ostiaks to 
 market. According to the old customary 
 standard, a pud (forty pounds EngHsh) of 
 rye-flour used to represent the value of one 
 skin of a white piesak,*' and at that rate they 
 are usually counted when exchanged against 
 each other. But one pud of rye-flour at the 
 market at Tobolsk does not cost more than 
 
 * The piesak is a rein-deer cub, under one year old. 
 The skins are called pieshki, and are highly prized in 
 the Russian fur market.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 2Q3 
 
 fifty assignat kopeks, and fi-equently it can 
 be had for half that sum. The cost of 
 transport fi'om Tobolsk down to Berezov is 
 not more than fifteen assignat kopeks per 
 pud, as a number of vessels are yearly dis- 
 patched empty from that town to the fisheries 
 on the Oby Sea, and theii* owners are always 
 anxious to take on board any cargo, even at 
 a most trifling rate. The whole expense for 
 a pud of floiu' may thus be estimated at from 
 thirty to seventy assignat kopeks ; whereas 
 a skin of a white piesak, which is bought for 
 that same pud of flour from the Ostiak, is 
 sold by the trader to a wholesale merchant 
 of furs at Berezov, at the enormous price of 
 three silver rubles.* 
 
 The wholesale fru* merchants, of whom 
 there are only three at Berezov, are in the 
 habit of going "svith such fru*s to the fairs of 
 
 * One hundred kopeks (copper coin) make one silver 
 ruble (about three shillings and sevenpence English). 
 But the skins being bought, from the Ostiaks and other 
 Siberian tribes, with assignat currency, in which one 
 hundred kopeks are equivalent to about tenpence, or 
 a French franc, the immense profit derived by the 
 Eussian fur dealers from such a barter becomes too 
 obvious to need any further comment.
 
 204 REVELATIONS 
 
 Irbit or Nijiii Novogorod, and after ex- 
 changing them there against articles of 
 European manufacture, import the latter 
 into Siberia for sale, or more properly barter.* 
 The articles in request by the Ostiaks and 
 the Samoiedes, and with which the Russian 
 traders supply them, are flour, knives, axes, 
 ii'on nails, tobacco, various coloured glass 
 beads, small plates of brass, or other shining 
 
 * Many other kinds of Siberian fur are exported to 
 the same fairs, viz., squirrels, martin or sable, mink, 
 chiachilla, kolinski, ermine, beaver, wolf and bear skins; 
 and foxes, red, cross, silveiy, black, white, grey. Part 
 is disposed of for gentlemen s and ladies' wear in Eussia, 
 but a great quantity is exported to China, Persia, 
 Turkey, Leipzic, and London. The trade, however, 
 owing to the knavish practices of the Russian traders, 
 has of late years much fallen off in the English market; 
 and the Russian fur is so much dearer than that which 
 can be procured from the Hudson Bay Company in 
 North America, that Russians themselves prefer to 
 buy fur, if they can, at the London market. This 
 is so much the case, that the superb Russian pelisse, of 
 the skia of the Arctic fox, shown at the late Exhibition 
 in London, which was so fine and soft, that it seemed 
 more like down than fur, and the value of which was 
 set at £3,600, might be had in London, as one of the 
 principal fur merchants stated, for less than half the 
 price, and of quite as good a quality.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 205 
 
 metals for ornament, calicos, cloth, or the 
 like stuifs in figured patterns, and of gaudy- 
 colour. On these commodities the Eussian 
 traders put what prices they like. Wherever 
 they go, they are provided with a quantity 
 of them, and they are, in fact, equivalent to 
 money elsewhere. "Without such supplies, 
 there would be an end to all trade in that 
 part of the world. 
 
 The profits from this barter are so great as 
 to be incalculable ; and they have the 
 advantage of being certain, as there is no 
 competition. 
 
 In order to secure success in trading with 
 these nomade races, several things become 
 indispensable ; namely, knowledge of theii- 
 language, acquaintance with the usages and 
 manners of the different tribes, with their 
 periodical changes of residence, and, if 
 possible, a personal acquaintance with the 
 principal heads of their widely dispersed 
 families. The entire commerce is foimded 
 solely on good faith. Each family of the 
 nomade, whether Ostiak or Samoiede, is in 
 the habit of dealing with only one merchant, 
 and fi'om him everything that is wanted, at
 
 206 REVELATIONS 
 
 all times, is taken on credit to the amount of 
 so many skins. The good faith among these 
 wild races is so great, and so deeply rooted, 
 that a debtor will for no sum of money, how- 
 ever great, sell to another what he had once 
 promised to his creditor. There may indeed 
 occur cases in which on account of an unpro- 
 ductive season in hunting, or the death of 
 the debtor, or of his family, the creditor has 
 not been paid, or the payment postponed to 
 the ensuing year ; but as long as any mem- 
 ber of the family survives, and can take part 
 in hunting and fishing, the creditor may be 
 certain that some period or other his debt 
 will be faithfully discharged. 
 
 Another cause of the prosperity of the 
 Berezovians is the simplicity of their 
 manners ; and in this respect they seem to 
 have solved more wisely than ourselves the 
 question of social welfare. How often are 
 our comforts or ease, and tranquility 
 sacrificed to vanity, to prejudice, and to 
 fashion ? How many superfiuous servants 
 de we pay, not for convenience, but merely 
 to keep our houses on a grand scale, coitcs- 
 ponding to the station we believe oui'selves
 
 OF SIBERIA. 207 
 
 to occupy in society, or the position in wliich 
 we wish our neighbours to see us. Far 
 from ministering to our comforts, this multi- 
 tude of menials is the cause of the greatest 
 discomfort and trouble to us. From sheer 
 idleness, they are disposed to all sorts of 
 mischief ; and to keep them in any sort of 
 order and subordination, we are compelled 
 to augment, at a great expense, the number 
 of overseers over them ; and these, again, 
 diminish our income, and frequently prove a 
 great source of annoyance. 
 
 These, and the like expenses, owing to a 
 much wiser appreciation of social comfort, 
 are unknown at Berezov. The inhabitants 
 are their own servants. No mistress of the 
 house, be she ever so rich, or however high 
 in rank, is ever ashamed of attending to 
 the kitchen, and to the management of her 
 household ; and is content, if, according to 
 the extent of her house, she has one or two 
 servants to aid her in the performance of her 
 household duties. The culinary art consti- 
 tutes the principal branch of education among 
 the fair sex ; and far fi'om blushing when 
 detected in this emplo}ment, they pride
 
 208 REVELATIONS 
 
 themselves on their proficiency in it as the 
 highest of female accomplishments. 
 
 I am far from wishing to offend any of my 
 sex by these remarks. We are all ready to 
 concede precedence to acquirements which 
 attract by their agreeableness : but I beg to 
 be permitted to say a few words in defence 
 of those among us who are cooks. There is 
 something in good motives by which the 
 meanest art may be ennobled. Where is the 
 thrifty housewife, and where the mother, 
 who, in preparing dainty and wholesome 
 dishes for the table, thinks only of her own 
 enjoyment ? Is not the enjoyment, on the 
 contrary, designed for her husband, for her 
 children, or for the friends who happen to be 
 partakers of it ; and to achieve such results 
 is the most gratifying reward she can 
 receive. 
 
 Looking therefore on a kitchen as a very 
 important department of domestic life, the 
 Berezovians have associated its mysteries 
 with the most momentous epoch of woman's 
 life — her early education. 
 
 It is a received custom that every young 
 bride, on arriving at her husband's house,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 209 
 
 must invite guests to a dinner prepared by 
 her own hands, and this repast is considered 
 a test of the education she has received at her 
 parents' house. Shame and disgrace are the 
 consequence, should she be found deficient 
 on such an occasion ; and shame also to the 
 parents who did not attend to that essential 
 branch of her education. Whereas, her 
 success in gratifying her guests is taken as a 
 proof, not only of the young woman's own 
 excellence, but also as no small recommenda- 
 tion of her whole family, among whom she 
 must have had so good an example and 
 received such excellent instruction. 
 
 Livery servants riclily clad, and carriages 
 or grooms, are not known at Berezov. Their 
 absence, far fi'om being a di-awback on the 
 pleasui-es of life, contributes to enhance them, 
 and by not impoverishing families, enables 
 them to live in afiluence and ease. 
 
 How many families may be found in our 
 own country, which, had they but the corn-age 
 to cm-tail their unnecessary expenditm-e — 
 wliicli, while keeping up a specious state of 
 splendom-, proves ruinous to their fortunes, 
 without in the least ministering to comfort —
 
 210 REVELATIONS 
 
 woiild soon discover a new source of gratifi- 
 cation of which they can now form no idea ? 
 Looking at the subject through the glasses 
 of prejudice and habitual conventionalities, 
 our sex would at fii'st, indeed, be but little 
 satisfied at the prospect of such an order of 
 things. They would consider themselves de- 
 graded by performing any household services 
 while in reality they would be gainers by the 
 change. All we need is to get fi'om our 
 early childhood accustomed to domestic occu- 
 pations, and at the same time have our 
 fancies freed from the impression that such 
 di'udgeries were beneath us ; there is no 
 doubt that the duties which now appear so 
 irksome, and even repulsive, would then 
 prove quite the reverse, becoming, as 
 they ultimately would, the soiu'ce of a more 
 lively interest to ourselves, than all the han- 
 kering after artificial amusements, of which 
 the programme of a young lady's early edu- 
 cation is chiefly made up. 
 
 But this laudable custom produces another 
 most salutary effect on the whole com^se of a 
 woman's life. Men, in these parts are not 
 averse to matrimony, and women being
 
 OP SIBERIA. 211 
 
 generally esteemed, are much sought in mar- 
 riage ; as men are convinced by taking a wife 
 she will render herself really useful, and 
 that the management of the house and all 
 domestic comforts will be cared for by her. 
 The service of a hireling, such as would 
 render a bachelor's life less ii-ksome, can 
 not at all be obtained here ; and the conse- 
 quence is, that though daughters even of the 
 richest parents do not bring their husbands 
 any fortunes imless there is no male issue, 
 an old maid is quite a rarity ; at least I never 
 met one, with the exception of the infirm and 
 the deformed. With the Berezovians, females 
 are invaluable, and it is they who make 
 their choice of a husband, instead, as with us, 
 of the husband choosing the wife. 
 
 I haA^e seen instances of poor giiis, 
 daughters of parents of the humblest 
 class, refusing government functionaries of 
 the higher class, when the man was found to 
 be stained by vices ; and this was considered 
 so natural that nobody wondered at it. With 
 us, on the contrary, no sooner is a position 
 in society offered, than a yoimg, beautiful, 
 and lovely female is thi'ust into the arms of
 
 212 REVELATIONS 
 
 a reprobate, be he ever so corrupt and bru- 
 talized ; and very often by a compact secretly 
 formed between the parents themselves, 
 under the plausible, but wicked plea, that 
 they are promoting her happiness. 
 
 Apart fi'om this, there is still another cir- 
 cumstance materially contributing to the 
 well-being of the inhabitants of this part of 
 the world, namely, that they are not desirous 
 of acquiring any landed property ; there 
 being, in fact, no opportunity for the acqui- 
 sition of such possession. In our country, 
 on the contrary, every active and thrifty 
 man, as soon as he has succeeded by his in- 
 dustry and good management in acquiring 
 some capital, regularly laj^s it out in the 
 purchase of land, to insui-e, as the phrase 
 goes, a competence for his children, which 
 means a livelihood without the necessity of 
 labour. By that plan, the worthy man»is in 
 the first instance losing at least one half of 
 his life amid toil and anxieties before he is 
 enabled to acquire such a property, while he 
 commonly loses the other half in improving 
 it; and thus dies without having derived 
 any advantage for himself; and what is worse,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 213 
 
 leaves his successors the means of living in 
 idleness. Nothing of the kind is done in 
 this locality, where the earth is considered 
 the common property of all : and every one 
 possessing some amount of capital turns it 
 as often as he can in trade, at the same time 
 enjoying all the advantages and comforts 
 which his accumulating income can procure. 
 Even avarice, a vice innate in some nations, 
 has here less scope than in other places. 
 Commerce, as I have stated, is indeed fol- 
 lowed by all ; but the amount of capital 
 requisite is necessarily apportioned to the 
 exceedingly small population. The only 
 soiu'ces of wealth vouchsafed by Providence 
 to the inhabitants, are fish and the skins of 
 animals, and these articles are yearly dis- 
 posed of at the iiiirs of Irbit or of Makariev ; 
 but whatever amount of money merchants 
 may realise for them, they cannot import 
 more Em-opean manufactiu-es than is abso- 
 lutely required for the consumption of the 
 population. Consequently, the surplus of 
 their capital cannot be employed for anything 
 else than the comforts of life ; or, if anything 
 be spared, it is laid out in the purchase of
 
 214 REVELATIONS 
 
 costly furniture, and expensive dresses or 
 ornaments. All the comforts the inhabitants 
 of Berezov enjoy, all their well-being, and 
 even a degree of luxury and splendoui* which 
 I saw in their houses, were solely o^ving to 
 their exertions in commerce. Finally, I 
 may add that the very facility with which 
 competence can be obtained by industry, 
 relieves the parents from any anxieties about 
 the future lot of their children. Daughters, 
 though without rich dowries, are sure of 
 being married, and their husbands secure 
 them subsistence; while sons need only 
 moderately exert themselves to obtain 
 affluence. 
 
 As for the education of children, which in 
 general entails so much expense in other 
 countries, and which, even when finished, 
 fails to answer any purpose, and in most 
 cases continues to lie a dead capital without 
 being available in practical life, it does not 
 in the least trouble parents at Berezov. They 
 can scarcely conceive what use there can be 
 in filling the heads of children with so much 
 learning, which they cannot turn to any 
 account, and most of which they soon forget.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 215 
 
 They send their chilcli-en to school, merely 
 that they may learn to read and write, and 
 so be competent to keep accounts with the 
 Ostiaks. In acquiring this instruction, they 
 put their parents to no expense, as it is im- 
 parted gratuitously at the Government School. 
 By some even this degree of learning is 
 deemed superfluous, as sums can be cast up 
 just as well mechanically on their slitclioby ; 
 and many therefore exempt their children 
 from attending school. The rest of the edu- 
 cation of the boys is practical ; each accom- 
 panying his father in his business expeditions, 
 and sharing his labour, as soon as his age 
 enables him to engage in trade. 
 
 As for girls, they learn from their mothers 
 housekeeping, regularity, cleanliness, and 
 cookery. If any one should combine with 
 these attainments, proficiency of reading and 
 of writing, it would be considered a great 
 accomplishment, though it can be acquired 
 by all young girls at the cheapest rate 
 imaginable. 
 
 The inhabitants of Berezov have not yet 
 any exact notion of what is called a fixed 
 fee or salary, payable for personal services.
 
 216 REVELATIONS 
 
 If any female is found in the place proficient 
 enough in reading, and she happens to be 
 disengaged from other occupations at home, 
 the mothers agree among each other to send 
 their daughters to her for instruction. Stipu- 
 lation for any remuneration by the teacher 
 forms no part of the transaction ; but the 
 mothers of the pupils, to evince their grati- 
 tude to her, are in the habit on the days of 
 festivals, and on her own name's-day, of 
 sending her presents, which, however, would, 
 even in the course of the year, hardly amount 
 in value to a few rubles. Eventually, how- 
 ever, a permanent friendship is established 
 between all the parties for mutual kindnesses 
 and obligations, by which the instructress is 
 never a loser. 
 
 Amidst such primitive manners, the life 
 of the Berezovians passes on easily and 
 agreeably, without any great anxieties for 
 the future, and without heavy labour, but 
 at the same time not in idleness. And in 
 that blissful state they probably will con- 
 tinue, until the introduction of foreign 
 manners shall have awakened around them 
 imaginary wants. Then, perhaps, they will,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 217 
 
 when too late, sigh after what is termed 
 among us the golden age of the past. 
 
 At Berezov different classes are not sepa- 
 rated from each other by insurmountable 
 barriers. The Government employes live on 
 a footing of perfect equality Avith merchants, 
 citizens, and even Cossacks. They inter- 
 marry, and associate with all. Wealth alone 
 constitutes some distinct sections ; the fami- 
 lies of the rich naturally preferring to 
 associate with those who are rich ; wliile the 
 poorer, on the other hand, seek the society 
 of their equals in condition. As regards 
 marriages, no distinction of class is observed ; 
 and sons of the richest parents take wives, 
 if it pleases them, from the daughters of the 
 poorest. The whole population is in a most 
 prosperous condition, and in consequence the 
 town of Berezov is every year increasing in 
 new buildings. Improvements and domestic 
 comforts are keeping pace with the augmenta- 
 tion of wealth and means. Immense forests 
 fui'nish abundance of materials for the 
 construction of edifices. In lime, mortar, 
 and masons they are deficient, but these are 
 supplied from Tobolsk. 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 218 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE XIY. 
 
 St. Peter's festival — Waygulka pic-nics — Sudden cold — 
 Traces of a road — Govenunent magazines — An Ostiak 
 encampment — Description of an Ostiak youi-ta — Smell 
 peculiar to the Ostiaks — Their diet — Ostiak beggars. 
 
 The 29tli of June was a great festival, the 
 day of St. Peter, and the end of a fast of 
 many weeks. For the &st time since our 
 anival, we saw meat on our table. There is 
 no slaughter-house in the whole town ; but 
 prior to each great festival some of the richer 
 citizens kill an ox in their house, and 
 distribute the meat among their friends and 
 neighbours. At other festivals the latter 
 do the same, and then the compliment is 
 returned. The festive fare of this day 
 commenced with poultry, pie, and a dish of 
 minced beef; such dishes being always 
 symbolical of a grand fete.
 
 OP SIBERIA. 219 
 
 The weather having been cold, with heavy 
 rain, and Josephine being indisposed, I 
 stayed the whole day in doors. The public, 
 however, nothing daunted by the inclemency 
 of the weather, carried on their festivi- 
 ties according to usual and immemorial 
 custom. 
 
 On St. Peter's day it is customary for the 
 Berezovians to make an excursion on the 
 banks of the river Waygulka, and there to 
 assemble on an extensive meadow in front 
 of the government magazines. Parties of 
 gaily-attired men, women, and children, 
 press forward from town in this direction, 
 and on arriving at the spot, congregate in 
 merry cu'cles and in different groups. 
 Eatables and dainties are brought fr'om home 
 by thrifty housewives, and the exercise of 
 mutual civilities and hospitalities on the 
 occasion becomes universal. The jDoorer 
 classes regale themselves with scantier fare 
 of cedar nuts. The meadow is the only 
 public promenade in the environs, and is 
 visited but once in the year. In general 
 the Berezovians are not fond of promenades ; 
 the musquitos, as I believe, desti'oying all 
 
 L 2
 
 220 REVELATIONS 
 
 enjoyment. The good people, too, prefer 
 boating to land excursions. 
 
 The cold was so piercing on this day, that I 
 was obliged to put on warmer clothing. It 
 gradually grew more intense, blowing from 
 the Frozen Ocean, and continuing in this 
 quarter for several days. Musquitos dis- 
 appeared; and the earth, which had been 
 soaked with rain, again became dry. Still 
 I resolved to take a walk, in order to see 
 something of the neighboiu'hood. Josephine 
 
 and Madame X offered to accompany 
 
 me, and we sallied forth. This time no 
 musquitos aimoyed us ; but the atmosphere 
 was fiill of iiuiumerable small gnats and flies, 
 more venomous even than musquitos. They 
 flew straight into one's eyes, ears, and mouth, 
 and their bites produced a painful swelling. 
 Josephine could not bear them, and soon 
 returned home ; but T could not prevail on 
 Madame X to do the same. She re- 
 mained with me, and was bent on the walk ; 
 and as she enjoyed no walk when alone, for 
 her sake I was obliged to keep her company 
 in the dirty and muddy streets, leaping 
 fi'om plank to plank, from stem to stem,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 221 
 
 the wooden substitutes here for a pave- 
 ment. 
 
 Having made the round of the principal 
 streets and places, and happening to pass by 
 
 the house of Madame X 's sister, my 
 
 companion stepped in and remained there, 
 leaving me at liberty to dispose of myself as 
 I liked. I took the advantage of this mo- 
 ment of freedom, and with hurried steps left 
 the town and entered the adjacent forest. 
 Here, after a short walk, I found, to my great 
 astonishment, a narrow road, with traces of 
 wheels, and this was the first road I had seen 
 since I left Tobolsk. The sight, insignificant as 
 under other circumstances it might have 
 seemed, was to me one of the most endearing 
 ones that I remember. Wonderful is the power 
 of associations, but only they whom the force 
 of cii'cumstances has thrown into a distant 
 and strange country, and who remember the 
 impression they received when seeing a 
 national costume or national colours, or when 
 hearing strains of a song once familiar to 
 them in their native land, can form a concep- 
 tion of what I at that moment felt. Thoughts 
 of home, and all its endearments rushed upon
 
 2^22 
 
 REVELATIONS 
 
 my memory ; the past started up, as in a mirror 
 before my mind, and my hcai*t clung fast to its 
 shadow. Without a moment's reflection I 
 followed the course of the nan'ow road as 
 though clasping the hand of a dear and long 
 unseen friend. But alas ! the illusion soon 
 vanished, and the road terminated in fi'ont of 
 the government magazines. Grievously dis- 
 appointed, I remained fixed on the spot, with 
 feelings like those experienced by a child 
 riuming after a bubble wliich bui-sts before 
 her eyes. 
 
 I determined, nevertheless, to continue my 
 walk ; but this time diverging from my pre- 
 vious route, I proceeded along the banks of 
 the river Waygulka. Before, however, I 
 had proceeded very far, I came upon several 
 Ostiak families, who had recently arrived at 
 the place, and foimed a summer encampment. 
 Women and children were sitting at a large 
 blazing fire, baking their bread of rye-flour, 
 a sort of kettle-bread, such as is sometimes 
 baked with us in the ashes.* The men, I 
 
 * The Polish term for it is wychopienieh , from the 
 bread being baked quickly, eras it were caught out of 
 the ashes. The bread so baked is by no means bad ; it
 
 OF SIBERIA. 223 
 
 found, had embarked on board the merchant 
 vessels at Berezov, and gone to fish in the 
 Oby gulf. Theii* families had settled but tem- 
 porarily here, to be near the town, whence 
 they could more easily prociure provisions for 
 their subsistence. 
 
 Small huts constructed of the bark of the 
 birch, not imlike the booths of our wandering 
 gipsies, but without either doors or windows 
 are the summer dwellings of the Ostiaks. 
 They are watched by dogs, their only guar- 
 dians and protectors. Nor do they need 
 even this protection, unless, perhaps, to repel 
 the attack of a bear. Xo article of their 
 property would tempt anybody in the world. 
 Accustomed as we are to heaps of fiu-niture, 
 and considering each of the articles indispen- 
 sable, we can hardly conceive how little is 
 here needed by man. A bucket, made of 
 the bark of the bii'ch, for carrying water, a 
 basin formed of the same rude material, a few 
 wooden spoons, and some skins of the rein- 
 deer, are all that is required to supply the 
 wants of an Ostiak family. 
 
 has a peculiar, and even superior flavour to that obtained 
 by the usual baking process.
 
 I 
 
 224 REVELATIONS 
 
 I did not tarry long on the river side. I 
 was panting for a more extended view of 
 nature and longed for solitude. I turned to 
 the right, and entered the forest, to examine 
 the trees and plants. They were all different 
 from ours, insomuch that it seemed as though 
 I had died in one world, and was now born 
 anew in another. Everything around me 
 was new and changed; nature, mankind, 
 objects, usages, ideas; all presented an altered 
 aspect. Had it not been for the feelings still 
 burning deep in my bosom ; had it not been 
 for the mirror of memory reflecting the past 
 with colours as vivid as ever ; what could 
 have borne testimony to my existence ? 
 
 Here a question suggested itself to my 
 mind. Whether the faculty, with which 
 man is endowed, of preserving the memory of 
 past impressions in the recesses of his soul, 
 be a benefit to him or the contrary ? But as 
 soon as the question arose, that very moment 
 I suppressed it, as something blasphemous, 
 with which I feared to taint my thoughts. 
 The past, if at all dead, becomes, by means 
 of our memory, so riveted to the soul as to 
 be one with it, and is incapable of being torn
 
 OF SIBERIA. 225 
 
 from it. God, in his inscrutable wisdom, is 
 leading his creatures to ends known only to 
 Himself, and often on such paths as they 
 would of themselves shrink fi'om. ]N^ever- 
 theless, the results of this guidance prove in 
 the end beneficial to us. Weak and blind 
 as we are, let us submit and rely on Him. 
 
 I wandered for some time alone in the 
 forest ; but was afi-aid to penetrate too far 
 into it, lest I should lose my way. I came 
 within sight of an Ostiak youi'ta, much larger 
 and more extensive than any I had seen 
 before. The door stood ajar, as though 
 inviting my notice, and I entered. The hut 
 was constructed of large trunks of wood, 
 half sunk in the earth and without windows. 
 The roof was likewise covered with logs of 
 wood, heaped with earth. In the middle of 
 the roof was an opening for emitting smoke, 
 and at the same time serving, in conjunction 
 with the door, to admit the light of day. In 
 one of the corners was a fire-place, and a fire 
 was continually kept up for the double pui-- 
 pose of cooking and keeping off musquitos. 
 Over the fire, which was blazing fiercely, 
 hung an ii'on kettle, with fish boiling in 
 
 L 3
 
 226 REVELATIONS 
 
 water sprinkled with rye-flour, the customary 
 dish of the Ostiaks, and which is called 
 hurdiuk. They eat it without the addition 
 of either salt or bread. 
 
 At the ftu-thest side, by the wall, lay logs 
 of wood, cut equally, and arranged regularly 
 in the shape of sofas or benches. This rough 
 fui'uiture was covered with rein-deer skins, 
 and evidently served as seats and couches for 
 the residents. Near the wall on the right 
 stood a capacious chest, protected all over 
 with a covering of tin, and beside it, two 
 coffers of similar shapes, but smaller in size, 
 containing probably all the wealth of the 
 master of the house. With the exception of 
 these articles, the domestic utensils were 
 nearly the same as those described in the 
 yourta of the poorer Ostiaks. In a comer 
 stood a bucket made of the bark of the birch, 
 a wooden basin, spoons, ladles, and some 
 plates and tubs, likewise of wood. I found 
 in the yourta a man and a gii'l ten years old, 
 both in a nude state. The man perceiving a 
 tranger coming in, di'ew over his shoulders, 
 as quickly as he could, his malca;* but the 
 
 * The malca is a sliii't of rein-deer skin, worn by the 
 Ostiaks inside out.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 227 
 
 gM made not the slightest attempt to arrange 
 her toilet. I could take but a hasty survey 
 of the interior of the miserable hut, as the 
 intolerable and suffocating stench made me 
 soon retreat into the open aii\ The Ostiaks 
 smell atrociously, and this with a smell 
 peculiar to them. After staying in a house 
 for awhile, the rank effluvium an Ostiak 
 leaves behind, despite airing and fimiigation, 
 is sure to remain for a whole day. His dress 
 of rein-deer skin, prepared by a certain pro- 
 cess with the fat of the fish, which even in its 
 freshest state is very unpleasant, together 
 with his rancid food and the constant smoke 
 in which he is enveloped day and night, form 
 such a combination of odours as is sufficient 
 to infect the whole atmosphere aroimd him. 
 
 The abominations wliich he employed as 
 his food, sm'pass all description. 'Not to 
 mention raw fish, which is considered a great 
 dainty by all the people of that region, they 
 eat raw meat, the blood and the entrails of 
 any animal, whether alive or dead, and fish 
 in a putrid state. They devour also foxes, 
 crows, magpies and squirrels. 
 
 The Ostiak settlers in the vicinity of
 
 228 REVELATIONS 
 
 Berezov, when pressed by hunger, come into 
 the town with a lukosnek* in their hand, or 
 with a kettle hanging on a stick from their 
 shoulders, and beg at the houses of the 
 Eussians. The women of Berezov, from 
 whose threshold a poor person is never 
 sent away without relief, but by whom 
 the Ostiaks are regarded as the lowest 
 order of mankind, give the scraps remaining 
 from yesterday's meal, mouldy bits of 
 bread, handfiils of flour, entrails of animals 
 and all sorts of offal, with dish-water or 
 water in which ducks and fish have been 
 washed, and all these disgusting things are 
 equally acceptable to the himgry Ostiak. 
 After he has collected a sufficient budget, he 
 commonly takes his seat in the street, and 
 witiiin sight of the public greedily devours 
 the mess. I have sometimes happened to 
 pass rather close to some of these poor 
 creatures, and the smell of the feast has been 
 perfectly poisonous. My only resource was to 
 stop my nose with my hand, and run away as 
 fast as I could. 
 
 * The lukosnek is a kind of wicker hamper, or basket, 
 made of the bark of the birch.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 229 
 
 Here I cannot help saying, that the Bere- 
 zovians in general, of Eussian extraction, 
 and even the richest not excepted, are by no 
 means fastidious in reference to smell, as if 
 suffering under a complete obtuseness of the 
 olfactory organ ; for however careful they may 
 be in keeping theii* dwellings, and especially 
 their upper apartments, aiiy and clean, they 
 do not extend the same care to their kitchens. 
 They are not particular in clearing the meal 
 of yesterday from the saucepans and other 
 cooking utensils, but put in fresh meat on the 
 remains, and so they go on from day to day ; 
 and if remonstrated with on this point, they 
 say only that it is just the same, and quite as 
 clean. Nor do they evince any aversion to 
 eating the rankest dishes, such as have 
 become quite unbearable by their corruption 
 and smell, and call them only hwasnoy (soiu').
 
 230 EEVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 Terrific storm — Thoughts of Home — A Siberian Soiree 
 — Sumptuous supper — The Stirrup Cup. 
 
 Among such people, and in this solitary 
 place, I watched eagerly for some intelligence 
 from my loved and distant home, but post 
 after post arrived, and brought me only dis- 
 appointment. Was it that no echo could reach 
 me any more from the world of my soul ? 
 Perhaps those whom I so tenderly loved, did 
 not even know in what part of the world I 
 existed. Perhaps they know not whither to 
 waft to me their regrets and sighs. I let no 
 post quit without writing to them, but could 
 not be certain whether a single word of mine 
 would ever reach their hands. But to wait
 
 OF SIBERIA. 231 
 
 and to liope were not without a solace amid 
 the agony of my longings. 
 
 As July opened, the air again grew very 
 sultry. And what deluges of rain came down ! 
 Never in any country have I seen such tre- 
 mendous ton-ents. The rain poured down 
 like a water-spout, and without intermission. 
 The lightning and thunder were terrific, and 
 the deep-resounding explosions inspired an 
 intense feeling of awe. But here all is 
 extreme : extreme heat and extreme cold ; 
 extreme darkness, and extremes of light ; 
 and so even rain and thunder and lightning. 
 While the storms raged, the whole family of 
 our host assembled in our drawing-room, 
 because in it were the images of their house- 
 hold saints. Before these they ranged 
 lighted tapers, and addressed the saints with 
 bows and supplications. Our host's daughter, 
 a yoimg girl of foui'teen, read the Gospel ; 
 the aged father communed in his mind, and 
 prayed in silence ; his wife from time to 
 time looked through the window to see 
 whether the neighbom-ing edifices were not 
 blazing in fire. Her face was impressed with 
 solicitude, not unmixed with apprehension ;
 
 232 REVELATIONS 
 
 and at every clap of thunder, the heads of 
 all were bowed down to the ground. It was 
 evident that they trembled for the life which 
 was dear to them ; and as fearing to lose 
 what they most prized. Alas ! why did this 
 feeling not agitate me? At these awful 
 moments, I could only feel that if the sun 
 and the stars were to be Avi'enched fi'om their 
 places and the whole wonderful fii'mament 
 dislocated, it would scarcely rouse me fi'om 
 my apathy and torpor. Could even this 
 revolution of the whole of nature in any way 
 affect me ? Did the world in wliich I still 
 existed belong to me ? or had I anything to 
 do with it ? No, save the soothing hope of, 
 perhaps, pressing my dear children once 
 more to my breast, save that sole, fondly- 
 cherished hope, which it pleased God in His 
 great mercy to infuse into my heart, I had 
 nothing to live for. 
 
 Oh ! could I have been but certain that my 
 soul, when emancipated from the bonds of 
 this body, would soar on its well-known 
 track to those who are so dear ; could I but 
 be sure that it would share in common with 
 them the same emotions, reveal itself by the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 233 
 
 same aspirations, ward off from them all 
 dangers, fortify them in the struggles of life, 
 or comfort them in adversity — the prospect 
 of death would have been indeed welcome to 
 me. It would then have proved but a 
 guiding star to Hope, now alone illumining 
 with her soft light the dark path of my cheer- 
 less existence. ! Heavenly Father ! pardon 
 thy child's thought, and be it far fi'om any 
 intent of offending thy Divine Majesty. 
 
 The thimders gradually hushed ; lightning 
 no longer rent the heavens ; the black clouds 
 were swept away, although they still hung 
 darkly over the lower part of the horizon ; 
 and distant thunders, rolling deep, still 
 awakened dread, bu.t grew fainter and fainter 
 with every clap. Taking advantage of the 
 first moments after the tremendous rain had 
 ceased, I went out for a walk. "Water was 
 running fr'om the hills in torrents and 
 streamed down fr^om the roofs of houses in 
 thick crystal ropes ; while trees and plants 
 drooped their heads under the big drojDS, as 
 if beneath a weight of tears. Leaping from 
 stem to stem, and ft-om one plank on to 
 another, I traversed the town and some of
 
 234 REVELATIONS 
 
 its cnvii'ons; and, after gratifying my 
 ciuiosity, returned home wet through. 
 
 We received an invitation from the du^ector 
 of the police (Sprawnik), to an evening party 
 at his house, on the occasion, as we after- 
 wards learned, of his wife's name's-day. "We 
 
 had to thank Madame X , who was our 
 
 mentor here, that we did not commit a 
 breach of etiquette in the matter. Our invi- 
 tation came early in the morning, which we 
 thought strange ; but she informed us, that 
 the first note of invitation meant nothing, 
 but was merely intended as an announce- 
 ment, to enable the guest to be prepared 
 for the occasion. Between six and seven 
 o'clock another messenger arrived, called the 
 " Zazywatz," or reminder ; and he delivered 
 us another more formal invitation. We went 
 at ten o'clock, and found a numerous com- 
 pany. The male portion amused themselves 
 in the first suite of rooms, by playing boston, 
 or partaking of refreshments ; the ladies sat 
 in the drawing-room, richly attired in dresses 
 of most expensive stuff's, decorated with gold 
 chains, necldaces, and brooches of precious 
 stones and Oriental pearls. The only dif-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 
 
 235 
 
 ference observable was in their head-dresses, 
 by which the wives of the functionaries or 
 nobles (blahorody) could be distinguished 
 from those of the citizens. The fii'st wore 
 caps, the latter colom-ed silk kerchiefs, tied 
 in a manner to make the head appear in the 
 shape of a melon. But even the head -gear 
 was beginning, I could observe, to lose its 
 original simplicity, as the ends of the kerchiefs 
 tied on the top of the head, were trimmed 
 with blond, and adjusted with pins of pre- 
 cious stones by way of supporting their 
 weight; but which, evidently, were but 
 pretensions on the part of some of the young 
 women, to assimilate their head-dresses as 
 near as possible to those worn by the ladies 
 of the noble class. The maidens occupied 
 seats in the most conspicuous part \>f the 
 drawing-room, under the images of the 
 Saints. This is considered a place of honour, 
 and is never forgotten by the hostess ; and 
 the highest person in rank, or whom she 
 wishes to honour most in her house, is always 
 led to it. 
 
 Here I was struck with a custom which is 
 quite at variance with our own manners. At
 
 236 REVELATIONS 
 
 Berezov, unmarried women, even the young- 
 est giiis have the fii-st honours paid them at 
 parties. To them tea, cakes, and sweetmeats 
 are offered fii'st, and then they arc first pre- 
 sented to the rest of the company, and have 
 the highest seats assigned to them. It is 
 rather odd to see a girl not yet in her teens 
 taking precedence of eklerly mothers, and 
 quite confident it belongs to her as a right. 
 
 Before a sofa stood a table covered with all 
 sorts of confectionary, preserves, dried fruit, 
 and cedar nuts, and every now and then the 
 hostess went round to present some of these 
 to the ladies. Each of the ncAv-comers, 
 on her entrance had, by Avay of welcome, a 
 plate of sweetmeats presented to her ; and it 
 was regularly fi-om her that the new round 
 commenced. Gentlemen seemed to take nO 
 delight in these delicacies, but made up for 
 their abstinence in tliis respect by partaking 
 of the wine and liquors. 
 
 When we arrived, it appeared that nearly 
 all the guests were assembled, for the ser- 
 vants commenced carrying round their coffee, 
 and afterwards tea. Coffee is not used at 
 Berezov except on extraordinary occasions, and
 
 OF SIBERIA. 237 
 
 the inhabitants scarcely know how to prepare 
 iti Usually it is boiled on the preceding day 
 and left through the night to clear ; then it 
 is poiu-ed into the coffee lu-n, and boiled again. 
 Wlien handed round, the cups are filled to 
 the very brim, and it is customary to pour in 
 a little raw, cold cream, as we are wont to do 
 with tea. 
 
 Though the coffee was but indifferent, the 
 cakes were extremely good, and indeed the 
 Berezovian women excel in theii* pastry. 
 They are celebrated for their sweet biscuits, 
 crumpets, muffins, waffle, almond cakes, and 
 a variety of Frencli confectionary. They 
 present these dainties, however, only to ladies; 
 gentlemen are excluded from partaking of 
 them, as well as the other sweetmeats, and 
 are restricted to the drinking part of tlie en- 
 tertainment. 
 
 Through the manoeuvring of Madame 
 X , a boston table was made up, and 
 
 another portion of the company sat down to 
 the easier game of hen. They who disdained 
 to take part in either the one game or the 
 other, amused themselves with cracldng 
 cedar nuts.
 
 238 REVELATIONS 
 
 The Berezovian women take no pleasure 
 in conversation. The whole stock of their 
 conversational powers is limited to a few 
 formal interrogations about the health of the 
 members of their families, on which occasion 
 every one of the members must be sj)ecified 
 by both his Christian and sm^name. With 
 these simple inquiries their conversation ter- 
 minates. The answer is equally simple 
 and brief, namely, " Slawa Bohu," (Glory be 
 to God), and thus the formality is ended. 
 
 At midnight we wished to take leave; 
 but our amiable hostess would not hear of it. 
 She would not let us go before supper, and 
 gave orders that it should be instantly served. 
 At about two o'clock the supper came, and 
 consisted of an immense variety of dishes, 
 amounting, without exaggeration, to full a 
 hundred. And as every fete at Berezov offers 
 opportunities for a similar display of eatables, 
 I will, to gratify the curiosity of gourmands, 
 give a description of at least some of them. 
 
 Every grand feast commences withapirog, 
 a raised cake, usually with a French crust. 
 On the occasion of name's-day festivals, this 
 figures on the table as one of the standing
 
 OF SIBERIA. 239 
 
 dishes. Ko grand fete takes place without 
 it. The whole supper is a la fourchette. 
 Everybody takes what he likes best, and 
 eats where and with whom he pleases. 
 
 Due honour being done to the pirog, the 
 first entry came in, and the whole table was 
 entirely covered with it. It would be no 
 small task to enumerate the variety of dishes. 
 There were ducks, smoked and fresh — geese 
 fresh and pickled, and stuffed with various 
 ingredients, and set round with jellies ; 
 tongues of oxen and reindeer, prepared 
 in a pecidiar manner ; heads and heels of the 
 same animals, and coloured jellies, ornameU' 
 ted on the top, with a variety of neat, shining 
 embellishments, and proudly reposing on 
 layers of lemon peel, geranium leaves, and 
 flowers. Little satisfied with the provisions 
 which the place could afi'ord, the lady in 
 whose honour the day was celebrated, had 
 procured supplies from distant parts of the 
 country ; and among these figui-ed a splendid 
 ham, and a roast pig, cold, but both imported 
 from Tobolsk. 
 
 The first entree having been removed, the 
 second was served. This was not so abun-
 
 240 REVELATIONS 
 
 dant as the first, and consisted chiefly of 
 cutlets and game, with but one sweet, in which 
 the taste of onion and palm predominated. 
 As for sauces, this part of the culinary art 
 might be declared to be still in its infancy at 
 Berezov. 
 
 The third entree was made up wholly of 
 roast meat, and it would be difficult to des- 
 cribe all the dishes, so great was their variety. 
 Every kind of game that the woods and 
 forest contained, was brought on the table, 
 and it almost groaned beneath the heap of 
 geese, ducks, woodcocks, partridges, and 
 various species of snipes. Amidst this 
 grand array, roast veal occupied the place of 
 honour. 
 
 Subsequently to this course, rice pudding 
 was ushered in, with a white sauce poured 
 over it. This is the only one of our puddings 
 known to the Berezovians, and at no enter- 
 tainment is it forgotten. 
 
 These principal courses were succeeded by 
 sweet jellies, clear and transparent, and orna- 
 mentally served up. They would have been 
 unexceptionally good, only for the quantity 
 of wine and spices in them, which rendered
 
 OF SIBERIA. 241 
 
 them, rather too pungent for the palate. At 
 last several sorts of cakes were brought in, 
 and with these the fete ended. 
 
 In looking on such a quantity of food, I 
 could not but murmur to myself, " c'est une 
 mer a boii-e." It seemed impossible that so 
 much could be at once consumed by a com- 
 pany of forty or fifty persons ; but to my 
 great astonishment, I observed that the 
 dishes, which appeared first at the ladies' 
 table, being afterwards handed to that of the 
 gentlemen, all retiu^ned empty. 
 
 After the last course, the lady of the house 
 entered the room, carrying a tray, with a 
 bottle and glasses, such as are used for 
 champagne. She went round to every one 
 of the guests, beginning with the ladies, and 
 requested them to drmk a glass. This could 
 not, of course, be declined, as it was drunk 
 to the health of the hostess. 
 
 Even the ladies were obliged, more or less, 
 to drink. The liquor was a home-made 
 wine, which every lady at Berezov knows 
 how to prepare. It was of a red colour, 
 effervescent, and frothy, very much like 
 champagne mousseux. It can be made of 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 242 REVELATIONS 
 
 raspberries or of currants, with the addition 
 of sugar and French brandy ; and is sweet 
 and agreeable to the taste. It goes by the 
 name of apogare. 
 
 This was the stirrup-cup, the watchword 
 to depart. After drinking it, every one ex- 
 pressed his thanks to the hostess for her hos- 
 pitality, and without a moment's delay left 
 the house. 
 
 On going out all at once, we formed quite 
 a crowd in the street, but as we proceeded, we 
 gradually diminished in number, the com- 
 pany dispersing in different directions. All 
 accelerated their steps homewards, and 
 though highly delighted at the entertain- 
 inent, everybody, including the most 
 vivacious, seemed to be thoroughly wearied, 
 and at so late an hour to long for rest.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 243 
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 Marriage ceremony — Death of Colonel Krzyanowski — 
 News from home — Paulina's letter — Impressions 
 during a walk. 
 
 One morning we had a plateful of hniazniki 
 (princelings), considered a great treat at that 
 period of the season. They are a kind of 
 berry, peculiar to this place, and quite un- 
 known in our country. They grow on a high, 
 hard stalk, like raspberries, but nearer the 
 ground. When blooming, theii* blossom is 
 of the coloiu- of a rose. Indeed, they re- 
 semble raspberries both in colour and shape, 
 only that they are browner and less suc- 
 culent. Their juice, though somewhat pun- 
 gent, is by no means disagreeable. They 
 have a sweet, pine-apple scent, and make 
 most delicious preserves. The woods near 
 
 M 2
 
 244 REVELATIONS 
 
 Berezov teem with these berries ; but though 
 plentiful they cannot be easily got, as nobody 
 is willing for the sake of a few kopeks, to 
 expose himself to the necessity of a fierce 
 fight with the musquitos. 
 
 There is another berry, called the morozJca^ 
 in shape not unlike our wild mulberry, and 
 growing, like the kniazniki, on a stalk, 
 though it is a much higher one. This berrj^ 
 is of an orange colour, deepening into a red 
 on the side exposed to the sun. It is much 
 harder and less juicy than the kniaznild and 
 on that account is less esteemed. 
 
 A few raspberries may also be found here ; 
 but being rather rare, the people think them 
 not worth the trouble of seeking. They 
 attach more value to the currants, though 
 they are exceedingly sour, and their kernel 
 hard and large. But in a place like this, 
 Avhere neither vegetables nor fruit can grow, 
 every berry, be it ever so poor, is made a 
 great deal of. 
 
 Hearing that a wedding was to take place 
 in the town, we were curious to witness the 
 ceremony ; and seizing time by the forelock, 
 went early to church, to be there before the
 
 OP SIBERIA. 245 
 
 yoiing bride arrived. It is customary here 
 to go to church on foot, but on the present 
 occasion the bride departed from time- 
 honoured fashion, and went in a telega — a 
 common Eussian cart— adorned, however, 
 with a rich carpet, which was spread over 
 it, yet the whole aspect of the vohicle pre- 
 sented the appearance of a frnieral bier, 
 rather than the car of the God of Hymen. 
 
 The bridegroom, whom we found waiting 
 in the chui-ch, went to meet his betrothed at 
 the door, where they repeatedly kissed one 
 another. After this they were both led to 
 tho altar, prepared for the occasion in the 
 middle of the chui'ch. Here the priest read, 
 and the diak (deacon) sung about the re- 
 ciprocal duties of the married. There were 
 no vows, but simply an exchange of offerings 
 by the bride and the bridegroom. After 
 this, crowns were placed on their heads, 
 and, thus adorned, they were led thi*ee times 
 round the altar. This done, the ceremony 
 terminated in the wedded couple again 
 saluting each other with a kiss. 
 
 On my return fr-om chiu'ch, I received the 
 moiu'nful news of the demise of Colonel
 
 246 REVELATIONS 
 
 Krzyzanowski, which took place on the 1st 
 of July. I felt sore at heart ; but, upon re- 
 flection, found my grief was as inopportune 
 as it was useless. Why mourn over a man 
 who had outlived the best part of himself ? 
 What had remained to him to render life de- 
 sirable ? Nothing— absolutely nothing! Even 
 the memory of the past, the sole treasure of 
 the unfortunate, afforded no solace to him in 
 his adversity. Krzyzanowski had long since 
 ceased to live. His bodily frame, once 
 tenanted by so ardent a soul, had indeed, as 
 far as the ordinary law of nature allowed, 
 retained its vitality, but it did not represent 
 himself. Peace be to his ashes ! everlasting 
 honour to his name ! 
 
 But notwithstanding these reflections, I 
 could not avoid feeling mournful ; grief hung 
 heavily over me, and would not quit me. I 
 longed for repose, for solitude, but could not 
 obtain it. Solitude fortifies the soul as 
 repose recruits the failing strength of the 
 body. In oui' own country, when we are in 
 grief, night at least can take us under its 
 protection, throwing its dark mantle over us ; 
 but here, they who suffer are bereft of this
 
 OP SIBERIA. 247 
 
 trusty friend. Day, unceasing day, is, 
 whether they would weep or laugh, con- 
 stantly staring them in the face. The heart 
 closes before this impassive witness, who, 
 devoid of all sympathy, intrudes with his 
 bright gaze on the privacy alike of our tears 
 and oui' joys.* 
 
 In the midst of this grief, the post arrived 
 and brought me letters, amongst wliich I 
 instantly recogni2;ed the writing of my dear 
 Paulina. What emotion did it awaken within 
 me ! a dizziness seized my head, and several 
 minutes elapsed ere I dared to touch the 
 
 * These reflections of our authoress remind us of a 
 malignant device of the Grand-Duke Constantine, the 
 elder brother of the Czar's, which he practised on some 
 of his victims at "Warsaw, confined in the dimgeons of 
 the Carmelite Convent. In addition to the ordinary 
 strong guard at this prison, some of tlie Cossacks of his 
 body guard, with particularly bright eyes and savage 
 countenances, were placed with the prisoners in their 
 cells, to stare at them continually. One of my friends, 
 whose life is preserved, had the misfortune, while thus 
 confined, to have such a companion sitting day and 
 night by his side, looking at him without intermission, 
 and the agony he endiu'ed, as he told me, was inde- 
 scribable. So inventive is tyi-anny in the contrivance 
 of torture ! — Ed.
 
 248 REVELATIONS 
 
 long-covetcd letter. I had most solemnly 
 vowed, that during my absence from home, 
 I would bear patiently whatever might 
 happen to me, and would not pray to God 
 for anything for myself, but only for the 
 health and welfare of my dear children. 
 Paulina's letter, therefore, would contain for 
 me a sentence of life or death. 
 
 How hesitatingly I broke the seal ! They 
 were all living, thanks be to Thee, God ! 
 But how was it that my heart did not burst 
 with joy whilst I was reading the letter of my 
 poor beloved Paulina ? — treasuring up every 
 word in which she so forcibly described her 
 own sufferings, the intensity of her love, and 
 the sacrifice which she was ready to make for 
 me. She wished — she longed to join me 
 here. Could I accept such an offer ? or, ought 
 she, actuated by so noble a motive, to be 
 refused this solace ? Could I push away a 
 delightful child, when, tossed about and 
 struggling amidst the stormy billows of life, 
 she extended her arms towards me, praying 
 for a refuge on her mother's bosom ? 
 Heavenly Father ! to thee I look to dii-ect me 
 what to do !
 
 OP SIBERIA. 249 
 
 Other letters arrived witli Paulina's, 
 
 strongly dissuading me from compljdng with 
 her request, but the words of my child were 
 still bui'ning in my heart. 
 
 '^ I can hardly comprehend," she wrote, 
 '' all that is going on here, or what we do 
 and what we ought to do, A crowd of con- 
 flicting interests and occuiTcnces, changes of 
 place, and variety of opinions and counsels, 
 have completely confused my poor head, and 
 I can scarcely arrange my ideas. 0, my 
 dearest mother, what a heavy part has God 
 assigned me on the earth ! But I will not 
 murmiu', nor will I complain of the grievous 
 weight, which surpasses my comprehension, 
 and is beyond my strength. It has pleased 
 God to impose this burden upon me, and I 
 accept it. One wish only I breathe to Him, 
 and that is my constant prayer that His 
 protecting hand may at all times be extended 
 over all our family, and that I may be one 
 day allowed to unite with you. I call God 
 to witness, how ardently I wish for the 
 happiness of all my relatives, and that I am 
 ready to devote to them all my thoughts, as 
 I am even now doing. Yet, to strengthen 
 
 M 3
 
 250 REVELATIONS 
 
 my fortitude, I indulge the hope that I may 
 he one day permitted to join you. With 
 what inexpressible delight, with what ecstasy 
 do I contemplate this prospect ! Then, my 
 dearest mother, I shall on your bosom breathe 
 freely, after all my troubles and anxieties. 
 But the moments in which I can di^eam of 
 this happiness are imfortunately few ; other 
 thoughts, and my daily duties, allow me no 
 leisure. And then I am haunted by the 
 hoiTible thought that I may not be able to 
 accomplish my project, but be doomed to be 
 for ever deprived of you. Oh, how unfortu- 
 nate should I be, were I bereft of that only 
 consolation on earth ! 
 
 '* Write me, dearest mother, that it is your 
 wish that I should join you, and be assured 
 that I am incapable of making a bad use of 
 your permission. For even if all obstacles 
 to my departiu"e should be removed, and I 
 should see that the well-being of my dear 
 relatives required my presence here, I would 
 then, of myself, willingly renounce the under- 
 taking ; but, for the present, should the plan 
 be found feasible, your consent to it is 
 indispensable, both to the peace of my mind
 
 OF SIBERIA. 251 
 
 and our common action, by which alone my 
 life is sustained. 
 
 " Can you imagine, mother, you who are 
 my only felicity, that there exist people here, 
 who say that I should be committing the 
 greatest folly if I were to go, and that you 
 would yourself consider such a step a piece of 
 madness ? Beloved mother ! I am sure this 
 could never be so. Such a speech can pro- 
 ceed only from people who have no conception 
 of the affection and love we bear towards 
 each other. They do not know how much 
 you love me, and I love you. 
 
 " They say that you will never permit my 
 youth to be buried at Berezov. But you 
 must know, dearest mother, how feeble have 
 ever been the bonds that imited me with the 
 world here, and how all here are strangers to 
 me, and I to them ; and so even now I can 
 say I live here comfortless, unconsoled, but 
 with the hope that I may be enabled soon to 
 depart hence, and exchange this part of the 
 world, which is but a desert to me, for another 
 desert, but which, when with you, will prove 
 a world to me. 0, my beloved mother! 
 wherever destiny may cast us, if we only are
 
 252 REVELATIONS 
 
 together, there will be a world — there a dear 
 native land to us. 
 
 " Do not, however, suppose, dearest mother, 
 that in thinking of myself I am immindful of 
 my duties towards others, or forgetful of your 
 own peace of mind and tranquillity. I am 
 not ignorant that it is not I only who am 
 bereaved here. You know how much I feel 
 for the happiness of my relations ; and if for 
 them a sacrifice on my part were required, 
 were it even the renunciation of the hope of 
 ever joinmg you, I should not for a moment 
 hesitate, but submit to so imperative a call 
 upon me — submit to it, perhaps, with a pang 
 as to a great hardship, but yet always 
 willingly, as far as my strength would per- 
 mit. Three months have elapsed since we 
 were informed of what was to be om* own 
 destination, and yet my thoughts continue so 
 confased, that I knew not what account to 
 give you of our projects, or what arrange- 
 ments we are to make with the children." 
 
 After reading my daughter's letter, and 
 perusing the letters of my fiiends, my mind 
 was absorbed by the most conflicting emo-
 
 OP SIBERIA, 253 
 
 tions. Tliouglits the most opposite, the most 
 harassing, tore my heart with every breath, 
 yet left me quite perplexed as to what course 
 I should take. On the one side, when my 
 Paulina's image presented itself before me — 
 when I fancied my dear child, young as she 
 ^yas, struggling amidst such adverse circum- 
 stances, and opposed by a weight of misfor- 
 tune far beyond her strength, then regardless 
 of the distance, and of the almost insur- 
 mountable obstacles in her way, and actuated 
 solely by the instiacts of my heart, I stretched 
 out my arms to press her again and again to 
 my bosom ; I felt that 1 could shield her 
 tender age by my protection, and guard her 
 young life from the blasts of adversity. But, 
 on the other hand, when I considered the 
 immensity of distance she would have to 
 travel, and reflected on a multitude of inci- 
 dents that miglit occm* during so long a 
 journey, I was frightened at the very thought, 
 and doubted whether my o^^^l heart wos not 
 misguiding me. I remembered, too, the rest 
 of my children, and reflected on their help- 
 less situation. In the state of complete 
 bereavement in which they were deprived of
 
 254 REVELATIONS 
 
 their parents and their patrimonial estate, 
 and separated from their natural protectors, 
 they had but Paulina to depend upon — her 
 heart and her devotedness. Feeble and in- 
 sufficient as that support was, in such trying 
 circumstances, it was still all they had. 
 Could I, by sanctioning Paulina's project, 
 deprive them of this ? No, no ! 
 
 None knew so well as myself how dispro- 
 portioned was the energy of her mind to the 
 constitutional delicacy of her frame. Natures 
 of this kind are more easily broken than bent. 
 I was afraid that my refusal to comply with 
 her request might be attended with fatal 
 consequences. 
 
 Pondering on arguments so conflicting, I 
 began almost to despair. I had not even 
 power to hold up my head, and it sunk help- 
 lessly on the pillow. A stupor such as I had 
 never before experienced quite overpowered 
 me, and thus I remained for several hours. 
 Gradually, however, the violence of my first 
 emotions made way for impressions less pain- 
 ful. I remembered that the Father of the 
 fatherless watched over my children ; and 
 had He not hitherto protected them with his
 
 OF SIBERIA, 255 
 
 Almighty hand, better than I could do with 
 my utmost solicitude ? 
 
 They who have never been in situations 
 similar to mine, will hardly understand the 
 degree of consolation 1 received from reli- 
 gious resignation. I knelt down and raised 
 my soul to God, and as I prayed I grew 
 more calm. Even my letters, though con- 
 taining some things that harrowed up my 
 soul, afforded me, in others, a great measure 
 of comfort. 
 
 I learnt that my infirm and bed-ridden 
 mother, for a long time the object of my 
 greatest anxiety, had recovered from her 
 lingering illness, and with the resignation of 
 a true Chiistian, outlived the storms which 
 had gathered with so much fury over our 
 domestic hearth for the destruction of our 
 family. I was informed that my children 
 were not only in the enjoyment of health, 
 but that the very disasters which had bereft 
 them of parental protection, so necessary at 
 theii' age, and destroyed all their prospects 
 of the future, had only resulted in bringing 
 their understanding to an early maturity ; 
 insomuch that my heart throbbed with a
 
 256 REVELATIONS 
 
 mother's pride when I read the account of 
 theu' conduct. To God alone is known what 
 will be their destiny ! 
 
 Towards evening I took a walk with Jose- 
 phine. A strong gale of wind had cleared 
 the atmosphere of musquitos, flies, and gnats; 
 and, though still suffering from violent 
 headache, I felt refreshed. This was the 
 first promenade I had had at Berezov without 
 being either troubled by insects or inter- 
 rupted by intruders. Silence, solitude, the 
 calm of the twilight hour, and the freslmess 
 of the air contributed to soothe and cheer me. 
 The pleasing aspect of natui'c, whose genial 
 influence I had for some time been prevented 
 from fully and fr-eely enjoying, tended in a 
 great degree to revive in my bosom reliance 
 on God, and trust in His infinite bounty — 
 impressing me with a beHef that I was not 
 yet His disinherited child. The very fact 
 that my children were allowed to commu- 
 nicate with me and I with them, though at 
 such a distance, and the glimpse of hope that 
 flashed thi'ough my mind — uncertain and 
 faint, yet arising spontaneously — that God 
 might yet enable me to press at least one of
 
 OF SIBERIA. 257 
 
 my cliildi'cn to my bosom, thi-ew light on 
 the overcast horizon, and all the objects 
 around, houses, woods, and water, appeared 
 gladdened and cheerful. 
 
 Loitermg along the river side we proceeded 
 as far as the "Waygulka. So delightful and 
 snug did I find that secluded place, that I 
 was quite sorry to leave it. Poor Josephine, 
 who had received no news from home, was, 
 however, too depressed to enjoy it. It is 
 commonly said that the unhappy are apt to 
 feel more deeply for the sufferings of others 
 than those who are in fortunate cii'cum- 
 stances. I have no wish to dispute the pro- 
 position, but I may observe that my own 
 personal experience does not confii-m it, as, 
 in comparison with my own, the misfortunes 
 of all other people seem light and insig- 
 nificant. 
 
 I am, however, ready to admit, that to be 
 able to enter fully into the state of mind of 
 others, we must ourselves have first passed 
 tlu^ough many trials. 
 
 We lingered in our pleasant retreat as long 
 as the lateness of the hour allowed, but we 
 were at last obliged to wend our way home.
 
 258 REVELATIONS 
 
 We had scarcely crossed the threshold, when 
 we came upon Madame X , who com- 
 menced upbraiding us severely for not having 
 taken her with us ; and as if to add to our 
 distraction, the whole house seemed in an 
 uproar. The landlady was scolding her 
 children, the children were crying, and a 
 smell of stale meat at once destroyed all the 
 agreeable impressions we had derived from 
 
 our walk. I bade Madame X good 
 
 night, and hastily retired, seeking on my 
 pillow quietness and seclusion. 
 This night we had the fii'st frost.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 259 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 Early Autumn — "Water excursion — Sand-banks — High 
 tides — Autumnal aspect of Bcrezov — Solitary walk 
 in the forest — Shamanic worshippers of larch-trees — 
 Account of a woman who lost her way in the forest. 
 
 With the opening of August, the environs 
 of Berezov assumed an autumnal air. Frost 
 already nipped the more delicate plants, the 
 leaves of trees were seared and yellow, and 
 fell on the ground with the least breath of 
 wind ; the waters shrunk in volume, and the 
 grass shrivelled. In a word, it was far ad- 
 vanced in autumn. It is, perhaps, as well, 
 that summer here leaves not much to regret. 
 
 It was now much colder, especially at 
 night ; but the air was more bracing. The 
 nights were also longer. 
 
 Autumn brought one welcome gift — the
 
 260 EEVELATIONS 
 
 goluhica* a berry, exactly like our own 
 blackberry, the szernice^-\ only somewliat 
 larger. It is found in abundance in the 
 woods. "We had a dish of these berries with 
 cream, and foimd their flavour very pleasant. 
 
 Madame X arranged a water excur- 
 sion on the Soswa, and being fond of water 
 and boating, I gladly accepted her invitation 
 to accompany the expedition. The lady of 
 the director of the police promised to be one 
 of the party. 
 
 After oui- preparations were completed, and 
 we were on the point of starting, we found 
 that, in spite of all Madame X 's exer- 
 tions, no man could be secured either to steer 
 or to row ; but not in the least discouraged 
 by this difficulty— for she never flinched from 
 the execution of a plan on which she had 
 
 fixed her mind—Madame X decided to 
 
 dispense entu-ely with the male sex, and 
 ens-ao-ed the services of two stout women as 
 substitutes. I must confess for myself that 
 
 * The goluUca is derived from the Slavonic, goUih, a 
 dove, by which term, in ^wpular language, everything 
 lovely and precious is designated. 
 
 I French mirtelles.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 261 
 
 I should have preferred the assistance of a 
 single man, even if he had been an Ostiak ; 
 but I would not throw cold water on the 
 party, and I let things take their course. 
 
 Madame X 's servant, as the most ex- 
 perienced amongst us, was placed at the helm, 
 while that lady and myself, with another 
 woman, took the oars. The weather was 
 calm, and we crossed the river in safety, and 
 disembarked on the opposite bank, on a dry, 
 sandy spot, covered with thin grass and 
 willows. On landing we lighted a large fire, 
 and as we had not forgotten to bring with us 
 a samovar^ that indispensable companion of 
 the Berezovians on every occasion, we took 
 it fi'om oiu' boat, filled it with water, and 
 waited till it ^^as boiling on the glowing 
 embers. Up to that moment, eveiything 
 appeared favoui-able ; but in a few minutes a 
 swarm of musquitos alighted like a thick cloud 
 on the place, attacking us with the greatest 
 fury. Having exhausted every means of 
 defence, I seated myself on the groimd, drew 
 my feet imder me, and threw my handker- 
 chief over my head ; but though somewhat 
 protected, the position was neither convenient
 
 2G2 REVELATIONS 
 
 nor pleasant, and I looked with impatience 
 for our pic-nic to end. Tea having at last 
 been prepared, we hastily partook of it, when 
 the things were again packed up, and we set 
 off homeward. 
 
 Arrived in the middle of the river, we 
 found ourselves entirely freed from the mus- 
 quitos, and we began to have a sense of 
 enjoyment — this being in fact the only spot 
 where we could obtain fresh air dui'ing the 
 
 sultry season. As usual, Madame X 
 
 arbitrarily assumed dictatorship on the occa- 
 sion, and prevented om' boat from landing 
 at the customary place in the bay, assuring 
 us that she knew another much shorter way, 
 and that by rowing in that dii-ection, we 
 should be disembarked close to our own 
 house. I had never much confidence in her, 
 as I had fi-equent experience of the absurdity 
 of her pretensions ; but there were no means 
 of dissuading her, and we were obliged to 
 proceed in the direction indicated. Mean- 
 while the water having fallen low, as is 
 commonly the case in autumn, and we 
 not being sufficiently acquainted with navi- 
 gation, the boat stranded on a sand-bank.
 
 OF SIBERIA. 263 
 
 It was no easy task to get it afloat again, 
 and reach a deeper part of the stream. 
 This, however, was not our last mischance. 
 
 Madame X determined to have it all her 
 
 oAvn way, and still persisted in carrjdng us 
 home by the shortest passage ; and we had 
 not gone far when we got on another sand- 
 bank, and we were this time several hours 
 before we could get clear of it. The sun, 
 indeed, was now sinking below the horizon, 
 and we could not help murmui'ing at the 
 imprudence of our obstinate guide, fearing 
 that we should be detained on the river all 
 
 night. At length Madame X consented 
 
 to abdicate her authority ; and profiting by 
 our fi'eedomwe retiu'ned into the mid-channel, 
 and pushed for the usual landing, which to 
 oui- great delight we soon reached, and just 
 at twilight arrived home. 
 
 When safely seated, Madame X 
 
 declared that it was not owing to her want 
 of skill, but to a series of extraordinary acci- 
 dents, that we encoimtered so many unex- 
 pected obstacles during oui' expedition. I 
 did not say a word in reply, but let her 
 speak as she chose, only making a silent
 
 264 REVELATIONS 
 
 resolution never to vcntui'e again on any 
 water excursion with women, unless under 
 the protection of men. My only souvenir of 
 the trip was miserably galled hands and an 
 excruciating pain in all my limbs, which 
 prevented my sleeping all the night. 
 
 The water of the Soswa had considerably 
 decreased at this time, so that where a few 
 days before large vessels were freely plying, 
 we now saw either continuous dry land or 
 countless islands. The bed of the river was 
 not navigable throughout on account of the 
 shallowness of the water. The mid-stream 
 alone, except in a few deeper channels, could 
 be safely navigated. 
 
 In the vicinity of Berezov the river rises 
 to such a height during the spring, that 
 on meadow land where grass is growing 
 during summer, large vessels of many hun- 
 dred tons are safely carried by the current on 
 their distant voyages. "What however struck 
 me as most remarkable was, that the highest 
 tides should prevail till the beginning of 
 August, and after that period gradually 
 diminish until they reached the lowest water- 
 mark in the bed of the river. As will readily
 
 OF SIBERIA. 265 
 
 be conceived, the immense forests, stretch- 
 ing far and near, all containing vast masses 
 of snow, pour into the Soswa and its tribu- 
 taries a large volume of water ; but snow 
 commonly disappears before the end of June. 
 
 On the Ural mountains, and more particu- 
 larly on the northern chain, snow remains 
 indeed throughout the summer ; but from 
 this source, as it lies below Berezov, we can 
 scarcely suppose that the Soswa derives any 
 supply. For my own part I attribute the rise 
 of its waters to so extraordinary a height, to 
 the circumstance that the earth in those parts 
 of Siberia never thaws to any depth, and 
 being frozen even in summer is deprived of 
 the power of absorption, so that the water 
 is consequently carried in undiminished volume 
 to the sea of Oby. Another reason for the high 
 tide may be the prevalence of the north wind 
 from the Arctic Ocean. When this wind 
 prevails even in summer, vast tracks of land 
 near the river become inundated, whilst 
 masses of snow and di-ifting ice are driven 
 into the mouth of the river, obstructing its 
 passage and so raising the water above its 
 natural level. 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 266 REVELATIONS 
 
 As the time di'cw near for the despatch of 
 the post, I devoted a day to WTitmg letters. 
 Unable to help my children in anything, I 
 resolved not to impose restraints on their 
 actions. To my daughter I sent my consent 
 to do what she thought best, convinced that 
 the obstacles to her project of joining me, 
 which, I foresaw, would arise from other cir- 
 cumstances rather than my refusal, would 
 render her lot easier to bear. Cherishing 
 the hope of one day joining me here, she 
 would be more reconciled to our present 
 separation. 
 
 Having finished my letters, I sent them to 
 the Horodnitchee to be forwarded by the 
 post, and went out myself for a walk. The 
 aspect of everytliing was as dismal as can be 
 imagined. The ground was strevm with 
 autumnal leaves; the grass had timied yellow 
 and was perfectly mthered ; the river had 
 sunk into a narrow channel, leaving behind 
 on either side extensive banks, which but a 
 few weeks previously had formed its bed. 
 Such features imparted to the environs of the 
 town a most melancholy character. Berezov, 
 indeed, was now entii^cly disrobed even of
 
 OF SIBERIA. 267 
 
 those scanty festive habiliments under which, 
 duiiug the summer months, it had partially 
 concealed its repulsiveness ; and I could not 
 but liken it to an ungainly old actress, who, 
 after performing the part of a young and 
 beautiful princess on the stage, returns to her 
 dismal lodgings in her own attire. Ha\dng 
 thrown off her borrowed tinsel and wiped- off 
 the rouge from her sluivelled cheeks, she 
 sits tired to death at the fire in her garret, in 
 her ragged nightgown, and broods over the 
 vanity of worldly distinctions. 
 
 But even the worst thing is not without 
 its good side. The aii-, though cold, was 
 now more pleasant than in the sultry summer. 
 Musquitos had disappeared, and we were 
 enabled to enjoy without inconvenience our 
 out-of-doors promenade. 
 
 One day I went alone to the forest. On 
 its outskirts I found a few fine mushrooms, 
 which encouraged me to search for more. I 
 proceeded farther, and at length, on looking 
 round did not know where I was. As the 
 sun was not shining, I was deprived of the 
 only beacon, by which I could safely direct 
 my steps. I began to fear that I should 
 
 N 2
 
 268 REVELATIONS 
 
 be lost, a casualty that not un frequently 
 happens to the natives, these vast forests 
 affording no clue to an outlet. At first I 
 had taken my direction, as it seemed to me, 
 towards the river — though even of that I was 
 not sure — and as usual with those who know 
 not theii' way, the imagination representing 
 objects according to its particular bent, 
 increased my perplexity. At every step I 
 made, the forest appeared denser, wilder, and 
 more sombre ; and a deep monotonous sound 
 of ^olian harmony alone broke the solemn 
 silence. I would have given worlds, could I 
 have seen anything animate or inanimate, 
 that would have indicated to me the dii'ec- 
 tion of the town, but each moment only- 
 bewildered me more. But convinced that a 
 passive state of despondency would be of no 
 avail, I continued advancing further and 
 further. Uncertainty and consternation made 
 the time appear exceedingly long, insomuch 
 that it seemed as though I had been 
 wandering for many weary hours. At 
 length, emerging from the thicket, I saw 
 before me a ravine intersecting the forest. 
 I considered this a most fortunate discoverj^,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 269 
 
 and hastened to see whether some traces of 
 water could not be found, and if so, in what 
 direction it proceeded. In pursuing this track 
 I perceived at the bottom of the defile a small 
 streamlet, and presuming that it would 
 sooner or later bring me to the river, I 
 folloAved its course, as my only chance of 
 escaping from the forest. At first I advanced, 
 for some time on the sloping side of the 
 ravine, but finding my progress impeded at 
 each step by thickets, and trunks of large 
 trees, many of which, fallen from decay, lay 
 rotting on the ground, I descended to its 
 lowest part, where I found the passage less 
 encumbered with obstacles. After a distance 
 of about five hundred yards, I arrived at a 
 point where the ravine began to widen, ter- 
 minating in an open green plot of ground. 
 Screened on three sides by lofty hills, this 
 secluded spot yet preserved the verdm-e of 
 summer, and contrasted strangely with the 
 naked riven cliffs around. It was sm-rounded 
 with a number of stately old larch trees, 
 overshadowing the lonely nook with their 
 sombre ever-green branches. So picturesque 
 was this sequestered place, that I would
 
 270 EEVELATIONS 
 
 gladly have remained there awhile to rest 
 myself, only for my anxiety to get out of 
 the dreadful forest, and, therefore, mthout 
 tarrying a minute, I hm-ried onward. 
 
 In continuing my way thi'ough the defile I 
 followed its meandering turns, and kept close 
 to my best guide, the streamlet ; constantly 
 looking forward to see whether I could not 
 catch a glimpse of open ground, when, turning 
 a sharp angle, to my great astonishment — I 
 cannot say satisfaction — I found myseK on a 
 sudden in the presence of a number of 
 Ostiaks, with theu' faces turned towards the 
 largest of the larch trees, and with strange 
 gesticulations addressing the ancient trunk, 
 in a language to me utterly unintelligible. 
 
 Knowing perfectly well that the Ostiaks, 
 according to theii* Shamanic religion, wor- 
 shipped the larch tree [modrzessie), I instantly 
 divined the reason why they were assembled 
 here ; but this, far from reassuring me, only 
 increased my apprehension. "They will 
 perhaps mm'der me," was my involuntary 
 thought, " that I may not betray their 
 secret ; " for having accepted — or rather been 
 compelled to accept; — Christianity; they were
 
 OF SIBERIA. 271 
 
 performing the rites of their idolatrous 
 worship in secret ; and being wholly ignorant 
 of their customs, I did not know to what 
 extent I might not have offended them. 
 
 Had I seen any possibility of escaping, I 
 should certainly have seized it, but aware 
 that I was already observed, and that there 
 was no chance of my getting past the assem- 
 blage without going close to them, and still 
 less of being able to retreat by the ravine, 
 which, besides being deep was enclosed by 
 high cliffs, I made a virtue of necessity, and 
 assuming a mien of utter unconcern, though 
 inwardly trembling with fear, I boldly 
 advanced towards the tlu'ong, and passed 
 tlu'ough the midst of them. 
 
 The astonishment of the Ostiaks, which I 
 saw depicted on their faces, was only equal 
 to my own, when I found myself in their 
 ranks. Not a word was addressed to me by 
 any one of them ; and I was not disposed, 
 as may be imagined, to break the silence. 
 I pursued my way unmolested, and it hap- 
 pened, just as I had hoped, that the ravine 
 brought me to the banks of the river Soswa, 
 at no great distance from Berezov, In these
 
 272 REVELATIONS 
 
 parts, losing one's way is an occurrence at- 
 tended not rarely with loss of life. I became 
 acquainted with the wife of a Russian 
 employe^ whose mother one day went out 
 with some friends to seek berries, and wan- 
 dering away from her party, got entangled 
 in the forest, and notwithstanding the 
 strictest search, not a trace of her was ever 
 discovered. I know not how it was, but 
 after my own misadventure, I could never 
 meet this lady without conjui'ing up a most 
 horrible pictui'e of her mother's sufferings — 
 how she must have perished either by dying 
 a lingering death, or from famine and ex- 
 haustion, or by falling a prey to wild beasts. 
 
 I will here relate one of the shocking ac- 
 cidents which but a few years ago happened 
 in this very district. I give it on the autho- 
 rity of a lady who acted a principal part in 
 it, and herself related it to me. The occur- 
 rence took place at Kondisk, on the river Oby. 
 
 At the season of gathering berries, a party 
 of young females of that village went to pick 
 them in a neighbouring forest. One, in her 
 search, unhappily separated herself from the 
 rest of the company, and some time elapsed
 
 OF SIBERIA. 273 
 
 before they became aware that she was mis- 
 sing. They then shouted and hallooed as 
 loud as they could, but all their calling was 
 in vain. No answer was heard from any 
 direction. 
 
 Meanwhile, the straggler, perceiving when 
 too late that she had wandered so far from 
 her companions, and all her efforts to rejoin 
 them proving unsuccessful, thought to make 
 her way home. Accordingly, she took what 
 she thought the right track, but night came 
 on, and she was still in the forest. When 
 it grew quite dark, and she had lost all hope 
 of retracing her way home, she climbed a 
 tree, to be out of the reach of wild animals 
 and snakes, and so passed the night. 
 
 The whole of the following day was spent 
 in seeking to emerge from the forest, but 
 with as little success as the preceding, and 
 the poor creature only penetrated further 
 into its depths. Hunger and exliaustion 
 came on, and wild berries were the only 
 sustenance she could obtain. In vain she 
 called for aid ; the wilderness, as if in mock- 
 ery, echoed her cry on every side, but bore 
 it to no human ear. Her strength was alto- 
 
 x\ 3
 
 274 REVELATIONS 
 
 gether foiling, and she considered herself 
 utterly lost, while death, apparently ine^dta- 
 ble, presented itself to her imagination in a 
 thousand horrible shapes. Now she fancied 
 herself dying from hunger, as the berries on 
 which she still subsisted would soon disap- 
 pear, or from cold, or under the claws of 
 some rapacious beast. 
 
 Soon she lost her voice, and could no longer 
 call for help, but became with despair pros- 
 trate alike in body and mind. She sat for 
 whole days cooped up and immoveable on 
 the same spot, with patience awaiting her 
 end. Want of food, as a mere craving of 
 instinct, was alone able to arouse her for a 
 moment from her torpor. Even when thus 
 urged she unwillingly di'agged her heavy 
 limbs along, and having advanced a few 
 steps from the spot, no sooner appeased her 
 hunger with a few berries, than she relapsed 
 into her previous apathy. In this condition 
 she remained for no less than eight days. 
 
 On the ninth day, while snatching some 
 berries from a tree, she heard at a distance a 
 rustling sound, like that made by a person 
 making his way among dry branches. She
 
 OF SIBERIA. 275 
 
 listened, and as the sound fell on her ear 
 more and more distinctly, she began to hope 
 that it di-ew nearer. How full of moment to 
 her was the anxious interval, as with each 
 sound a distracting hope of deliverance rose 
 in her mind ! 
 
 After some minutes of intense expectation, 
 alternating between hope and despair, the 
 branches of the thicket parted, and she 
 beheld a bear. Her fii-st emotion was intense 
 terror. Had she possessed sufficient strength 
 she would have taken flight, but this desii-e 
 instantly gave way to a different sensation : 
 "God, in His great mercy," she murmured, 
 "perhaps sends me a speedy end, instead of 
 a protracted lingering death," and possessed 
 by this impression she resigned herself to 
 her fate. 
 
 The huge beast of the forest came within 
 a few paces of the spot where she was. 
 Calm and immoveable, agitated by no earthly 
 desire, and nothing daunted, she stood 
 resigned before him, a perfect statue of 
 patience. After contemplating her a moment, 
 the animal with an air of gravity turned 
 away, and resumed his progress through the
 
 276 REVELATIONS 
 
 wood. The consternation which the incident 
 
 had inspired was now dispelled, and was 
 
 succeeded by reflection. The fii'st idea that 
 
 rose in her mind was the belief prevailing 
 
 among the natives, that a bear appearing to 
 
 a wanderer is sure to lead him in the right 
 
 path. This flashed across her brain with the 
 
 velocity of lightning. Hope revived, and 
 
 with it her courage ; and as the bear moved 
 
 on with slow steps, she followed him as close 
 
 as her debilitated state would allow. The 
 
 bear continued his rambling walk, casting at 
 
 times his look behind, but though he saw 
 
 her following, he neither increased nor 
 
 diminished his pace. At last her strength 
 
 completely failed, and the unhappy woman 
 
 felt that she could go no further, and would 
 
 be obliged to relinquish her guide. After a 
 
 few tottering steps in advance, she was so 
 
 overpowered with fatigue as to be compelled 
 
 to sit down, and at this instant she saw the 
 
 bear suddenly trot away, and disappear in 
 
 the thicket. 
 
 Grief too keen to describe now over- 
 whelmed her, as she was thus deprived of 
 her last hope. The exti'eme exhaustion of
 
 OF SIBERIA. 277 
 
 physical powers was rendered more insup- 
 poi-table by great thirst, and to allay it she 
 was compelled to look round for some ber- 
 ries. As she did so, she perceived through 
 the branches of the trees something shining 
 like water. She drew nearer, and with joy 
 saw a stream of running water at a short dis- 
 tance. She knew well that by following the 
 course of the stream she would finally arrive 
 at a larger river, and human settlements 
 being always on the banks of rivers, wouM 
 have a chance of being saved. The hope 
 gave her sti*ength, and gathering a few ber- 
 ries to refresh her, she proceeded onwards. 
 
 Mght once more overtook her in the 
 forest ; but on the morning of the next day 
 she succeeded in reaching the spot where the 
 stream emptied itself into the river. Not 
 knowing now what dia'ection to take, she 
 sate on the shore, hoping that sopie boat 
 might pass fi'om which she could obtain help. 
 In this expectation, she watched the whole 
 day, but in vain ; no boat was to be seen. 
 
 On the following day, the twelfth since she 
 had left home, she heard to her great joy the 
 barking of dogs and occasional volleys of fire-
 
 278 REVELATIONS 
 
 arms. Fain would she have shouted for 
 assistance, but she had altogether lost her 
 voice, and even at a few paces distance no 
 one could hear the loudest cry that she could 
 utter. ]\Iustering all her remaining powers, 
 she endeavoured to reach the spot from 
 which the fii-iug seemed to proceed, and 
 which appeared to be near at hand. But 
 she was not so fortunate as to meet any of 
 the hunting-party; as the hunter, after he 
 has fired, never remains in the same place, 
 but advances to another, and thus, instead of 
 meeting him where she expected, the faint, 
 helpless woman could scarcely detect the scent 
 of the gunpowder, and was again perplexed 
 as to what direction she should pursue in 
 search of him. 
 
 At last even the report of fire-arms grew 
 more and more faint. From fear of losing 
 sight of the river, she did not venture to go 
 any farther, but returned to her former rest- 
 ing-place. Finally, ail aroimd relapsed into 
 deep silence, and hope seemed to vanish for 
 ever. In this painfid condition, mourning 
 bitterly that fate should so tantalize her, 
 holding out a prospect of rescue and then
 
 or siBEEiA. 279 
 
 destroying it, her eyes, languid and faint, 
 involuntarily turned to the river, as if from 
 that quarter alone she could hope for suc- 
 cour. How great, how- unspeakable was her 
 joy, when she descried a boat ! She made an 
 effort to shout, to apprise its inmates of her 
 forlorn condition, but without success, as her 
 voice was powerless. Her despair was now 
 indescribable, as she thought that the last 
 opportunity of deliverance would pass by, 
 and leave her to a most horrible death. In 
 this dilemma she tore branches from the 
 trees, and flung them in the water, hoping 
 to attract attention by the splash ; but 
 thrown by so feeble a hand, this was not to 
 be expected. She would have readily flimg 
 herself into the stream, if she had thought 
 that the splash would have been heard, but 
 a moment's reflection convinced her that the 
 boat was at too great a distance for this to be 
 possible. 
 
 The boat was now nearly abreast, and in 
 another minute would pass by, when an idea 
 struck her, which she instantly proceeded to 
 realise. She had a red silk kerchief on her 
 head, and this she immediately pulled off,
 
 280 REVELATIONS 
 
 and tying it on a long stick, waved it in the 
 air. Most fortunately, the signal was per- 
 ceived. The boat made for the shore, and 
 took her on board. 
 
 The boatmen belonged to the same party 
 as the huntsmen, whose firing she had so 
 recently heard, and both had been sent out 
 in search of her. Her husband, children, 
 and relatives had, from the moment of her 
 disappearance, been imi'emitting in exploring 
 the forest; and when all their exertions 
 proved unavailing, the whole population of 
 Kondisk had been called upon to continue 
 the search. Friends, neighboui's, and ac- 
 quaintances turned out in a body to scour 
 the inmost recesses of the forest. One party 
 penetrating the thicket, shouted and dis- 
 charged their guns, to apprise her of their 
 presence, and in what direction she should 
 seek them. Another went on the river, as 
 the universal highway, and the safest, to 
 which all who happened to lose themselves 
 were accustomed to tiu:n their steps, as their 
 only trustworthy path in this vast wilder- 
 ness. But, as if fortune were adverse, just 
 at the moment when the unliappy woman
 
 OF SIBERIA. 281 
 
 perceived the boat, the boatmen were obliged, 
 from the peculiar character of the navigation, 
 to keep on the opposite side of the river at a 
 considerable distance from her ; and had they 
 not been so unremittingly vigilant, looking 
 for her in every possible direction, she must 
 have miserably perished. 
 
 In this extraordinary maimer, after twelve 
 days' absence from home, the poor woman 
 was restored to her family, and, I might 
 almost say, to life. Famished and worn out, 
 she was also so altered in appearance as to be 
 scarcely recognisable, and looked more like 
 a skeleton than a living being.
 
 282 REVELATIONS 
 
 CHAPTEE XVIII. 
 
 The library at Tobolsk — Popularity of novels at Berezor 
 — Tale-tellers— Samoiedes— Their tents, habits, and 
 religion— Tragic incident at Samarov — Kapustka fete 
 — Anna Piotrowna — Public opinion on seduction — 
 Alarm at the appearance of a bear. 
 
 Eainy days were raw and cold within, and 
 out of doors made everything look gloomy 
 and morunful. Fortunately for me in such 
 weather I had become passionately fond of 
 working on canvas ; and to this occupation, 
 trifling as it may seem, I was indebted for the 
 most agreeable hours spent at Berezov. This 
 kind of work concentrated my ideas, so that 
 they diverged neither to the past nor the 
 future, but were all directed to the task 
 before me. The counting of threads, the 
 stitching, and the sorting of the colours, do 
 not allow leisure for abstraction ; and the
 
 OF SIBERIA. 283 
 
 increase of the work beneath one's fingers 
 gives an impulse to perseverance. 
 
 It is twilight. Eeluctantly I rise from my 
 workiiig-ft\amo. I cannot take any out-door 
 exercise to close the weary day— nor can I 
 for a moment stii* fr-om my chamber. The 
 heavy rain falls with increased violence, and 
 the streets stream with mud. I pass the 
 " grey hour " of twilight in pacing the room 
 in silent meditation. Ah, my meditations 
 that I revolve in my solitude, they bring a 
 whole world into my soul, calling into my 
 presence, to this my lonely abode, glimmer- 
 ing with the last faint light of parting day, 
 so many dear reminiscences, appearing for a 
 moment, and then vanishing like shadows of 
 a magic lantern. 
 
 Light is brought in. 1 must again think 
 in what manner I may best spend the evening. 
 Then sleep, that beneficent refr-esher, with 
 its enchanting wand, may close my eyes, and 
 conjure up, perhaps, in its bold pencillings 
 and vivid colom's, all the images which I so 
 fondly cherish, and can only smrender with 
 my existence. 
 
 In a country where there is no develop-
 
 284 REVELATIONS 
 
 ment of mind, and no intellectual way of 
 passing the time, it was a most fortunate cir- 
 cumstance for me, that, after all, I had a 
 tolerable supply of books at my command. 
 These are procured from Tobolsk, where there 
 is a small library consisting of Polish, French, 
 and other works. It was founded by Count 
 Peter Moszynski, who, having possessed a co- 
 pious collection of books, left it on his return 
 from banishment, for the use of those who 
 might be similarly situated. The original col- 
 lection has been enlarged by yearly accessions 
 of new publications, which are procured from 
 St. Petersburg by means of voluntary sub- 
 scriptions for that purpose, made among the 
 few Tobolsk literati, according to their ability. 
 
 The books are kept in a building assigned 
 to them, forming as it were a public property; 
 and every subscriber has a right to take home 
 such works as he may choose. In case of 
 any one desiring to withdraw his contribu- 
 tion from the establishment, he is at liberty 
 to take from the library books to the value of 
 the amount. It is, however, seldom, that 
 any subscriber, on quitting the place, avails 
 himself of this liberal regulation. 
 
 I found more books at Berezov than I had
 
 OF SIBERIA. 285 
 
 at first anticipated. They consisted chiefly of 
 novels wiitten originally in Eussian, and 
 also translations from other foreign languages. 
 It may be true, that these works had found 
 their way here accidentally, and that love of 
 literatiu-e had nothing to do with their impor- 
 tation. Still they met with an hospitable re- 
 ception, and I have observed that the taste of 
 the inhabitants for romantic tales and stories of 
 life is more general than is imagined, perhaps. 
 They derive such a relish from all that is won- 
 derful and extraordinary, that there is not a 
 family that has not its favourite haiar (story- 
 teller), for the amusement of the domestic 
 circle during the long winter evenings. 
 No sooner does this story-teller make his 
 appearance, and take his privileged seat, than 
 all the inmates of the house — master, chil- 
 dren, servants, — often even ncighboui's, old 
 and young — hasten to gather roimd him. 
 They take then' places as they best can — 
 some on chairs, some on benches, or on the 
 floor, eager not to lose a word of the coming 
 recital. By dint of constant repetition, the 
 stories and fables related are not unloiown to 
 the assembled audience ; and indeed they
 
 28G REVELATIONS 
 
 know tliem almost by heart, insomucb, that, 
 ill case of any passages being omitted, or any 
 deviation made from the well-known text, the 
 narrator is often con-eoted even by children. 
 Nevertheless, these familiar tales are listened 
 to with as much attention and delight, as 
 though they were entirely new. 
 
 Most of the stories are of Russian origin ; 
 and when told, portions are accompanied, 
 like the different stanzas in some songs, by a 
 sort of uniform refrain composed chiefly of 
 words without any meaning, but which, after 
 some parts of the narration, are constantly re- 
 peated, and even the more frequently from 
 being more absurd. With respect to the novels, 
 the more exaggeration and wonders, and the 
 less probability they contain, the more are 
 they admired. Some that I read, I found to 
 be such a combination of absurdity and non- 
 sense, that I was amazed how, in the j)resent 
 age, such trash could be written or thought 
 worth j)ublishing. 
 
 Of modern novels, the best were translations 
 from foreign languages. Their cii'culation, 
 however, was limited, as but a small number 
 of the fair sex were able to read with any
 
 OF SIBERIA. 287 
 
 fluency — reading being an accomplishment 
 rarely met with here even among men, and 
 still more rarely among women. As to the 
 fair readers, they were considered great 
 luminaries, though really incapable of either 
 reflection or argument. Any passages in 
 their books having sublimity or delicacy of 
 sentiment are skipped, and can neither warm 
 their imagination nor touch their hearts. 
 What is called platonic love, or the senti- 
 ment of honour in the sense understood by 
 us, is entirely beyond the limits of their 
 comprehension. They may excite ciu-iosity, 
 but awaken no sympathy. A man capable 
 of staking his life in order to redeem his 
 pledged word, though pledged, as is often the 
 case, inconsiderately ; or a woman ready to de- 
 vote the whole of her life to the man she loves, 
 and maintaining that love sacred because she 
 has inwardly vowed it in her heart, are 
 accounted by them to be merely visionary 
 conceptions, or at best incidents long banished 
 from this sublunary world. Totally unable to 
 understand howsuchhigh sentiments canbe- 
 come the mainspring of action, they consider 
 them fabulous, like the histories of the Pala-
 
 288 REVELATIONS ^ 
 
 dins of old, who, single handed, encountered 
 armies of forty thousand men in battle, or who 
 could take strong fortresses without the aid of 
 a single soldier. Literary productions of this 
 and the like romantic stamp, are eagerly de- 
 voured and much admired by the Berezovians, 
 and are also judged, as I have just hinted, 
 not after our European, but by their own pe- 
 culiar standard of criticism. 
 
 On paying a chance visit to a Siberian 
 lady, and finding her sitting with a book by 
 Chateaubriand or D'Arlincourt in her hand, 
 as I have frequently done, I at fii'st felt the 
 greatest astonishment. But when I heard this 
 same literary lady, whom I found poring over 
 the pages of these authors, address her waiting- 
 maid in a torrent of coarse, abusive language, 
 which no market-woman in our towns would 
 use without blushing, I felt that she could not 
 possibly understand what she was reading. 
 
 The Samoiedes, from the shores of the 
 Frozen Ocean, arrive here in August, to 
 fetch corn-brandy or whisky. Berezov is the 
 last northern point in the government of 
 Tobolsk, where that article can be obtained 
 from the government stores. All the inhabi-
 
 OF SIBERIA. 289 
 
 tants of this cold clime betray an excessive 
 proneness for intoxication, and therefore the 
 Government deem it right to restrict the use 
 of ardent spirits as much as possible, by 
 means of most stringent regulations framed 
 for that purpose. Illicit importation of 
 whisky into the interior is severely forbidden, 
 except what can be bought from the stores 
 of this place, and it is even fixed by law, 
 what quantity of spirits can be obtained 
 from the stores, either for private use or for 
 sale. But, as it commonly happens in 
 Eussia, the intention of the law is set aside, 
 and its best provisions defeated. The passion 
 of the Ostiaks and Samoiedes for intoxication 
 is so strong, that they will travel a himdred 
 versts for no other pui'pose than to muddle 
 their heads with whisky, and thus large 
 cargoes of it are smuggled to their settlements 
 from other parts. 
 
 The Samoiedes* are taller and much finer 
 men than the Ostiaks. Their hair and eyes 
 
 * The term Samoied is Slavonic, and signifies self- 
 eater. But whether these people were ever cannibals is 
 not ascertained; now, at least, no such crime can be 
 laid to their charge. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 290 EEVELATIONS 
 
 are black, which is rather uncommon in the 
 population of these parts. They shave their 
 heads below, leaving some haii- on the top, and 
 tliis they comb down on the forehead. They 
 do not allow their beards to grow, and it is 
 customary both with themselves and their 
 neighbours, the Ostiaks, to tear their hair 
 out by the roots while it is young, and then 
 it does not grow again. Their language is 
 different fi'om that of the Ostiaks. They 
 speak with a nasal twang, and very indis- 
 tinctly ; not from any defect in their organs 
 of speech, but fi*om a peculiarity in their 
 idiom. In their costume, the Samoiedes do 
 not much differ from the Ostiaks. Theii- 
 dress consists of reindeer skin, with the only 
 difference that that of the Samoiedes is 
 arranged with more care and taste. 
 
 The Samoiedes occupy the principal part 
 of Western Siberia, extending their nomade 
 settlements along the shores of the Frozen 
 Ocean, from the TJralian Mountains to the 
 river Lena. The whole extent of the terri- 
 tory inhabited by their tribes is marshy to 
 such a degree, that it is devoid of all forests, 
 as none of the larger trees, with the exception
 
 OF SIBERIA. 291 
 
 of osiers, can grow on the boggy ground. In 
 this respect they are far worse off than the 
 Ostiaks, who are favoui'ed with plenty of 
 fuel, and are protected by large forests from 
 the cold. The miserable osiers and low 
 brushwood are all that the Samoiedes have 
 for fuel, while small tents of reindeer skins, 
 pitched on snow, are their only refuge from 
 the weather. These tents are of a conical 
 shape, and in their language are called 
 tchoum. They are transportable fi'om place 
 to place, which ojDeration is performed several 
 times in the course of the year, or rather as 
 frequently as the necessity of hunting or 
 fishing may requu-e. Under such wretched 
 shelter, children are born and brought up; 
 and what is most wonderful, they are healthy 
 and robust. Fishing and hunting are the 
 Samoiedes' only means of subsistence. They 
 sometimes keep a considerable number of 
 reindeer, which, in years when the chase and 
 fishing fail, are appropriated for food. 
 
 It is on the extensive marshy plains along 
 the shores of the Frozen Ocean, occupied by 
 the Samoied tribes, that the valuable white rein- 
 deer are found in greatest number, and they
 
 292 REVELATIONS 
 
 constitute the principal object of commerce 
 in that region. The natives hunt these 
 animals, and their skins represent money, by 
 means of which all other commodities are 
 obtained. Various specimens of foxes, which 
 fetch high prices, also come from this district, 
 as do blue cams lopagas, ermine, and ducks 
 called gagarki, the down of whose necks is 
 very much prized for its exquisite beauty, 
 and, after undergoing a certain process, is 
 used to ornament pelisses. 
 
 The costume of Samoied women is, with 
 some trifling distinctions, nearly the same as 
 that of the Ostiak women. They wear gii'dles 
 round the waist, ornamented in front with large 
 plates of brass, emblazoned with various 
 figures. The plates are commonly of a cir- 
 cular form, and broad enough to cover nearly 
 the whole of the chest. From these hang 
 strings of beads and sounding pieces of metal, 
 which dangle about in front. Bells of metal 
 are often fastened as ornaments to the elbows. 
 
 The Samoiedes are to this day idolaters, 
 following the tenets of their ancient Shamanic 
 religion. They worship the sun, the moon, and 
 the works of natui-e, in so far as these engage
 
 OF SIBERIA. 293 
 
 their attention, either by their uses or their 
 beauty. A beautiful tree, a stone, a river, 
 or a lake, if it captivates their eye, at once 
 secui'es their reverence and adoration. 
 Their religion has little spiiituality. It 
 teaches that the gods of their race are sojourn- 
 ing amidst them, and often show themselves 
 in human form, in the Samoiedan costume. 
 These divinities take every possible interest 
 in the earthly concerns of the tribes, warning 
 them whether they will succeed or fail in 
 then* fisheries ; whether the hunting season 
 will be prosperous, or the reverse ; and 
 whether this year will be one of famine or plenty. 
 This faith is far from being based exclu- 
 sively on ancient traditions ; it forms part of 
 their actual life. At the commencement oi 
 every year, a rumour is mysteriously circu- 
 lated amongst them of an augury presaging 
 what is to occur in the ensuing twelve months, 
 which is said to have been announced to some 
 one by the national deity in person. The 
 revelation is usually made on the banks of a 
 river, or in the depths of a forest. The 
 Eussians themselves, notwithstanding their 
 
 profession of Christianity, do not refuse belief 
 
 2
 
 294 REVELATIONS 
 
 in these progDOstications, and admitting that a 
 Samoied god may appear to a Samoicd, they 
 urge only that he is interior to the Chris- 
 tian God. In proof of this, many most 
 absurd stories are cii'culated, and foolishly 
 received as gospel truths. Among these is 
 one relating how an Ostiak god, meeting a 
 Christian priest, challenged liim to a contest 
 of skill in working miracles, which was 
 accepted by the priest ; and after many mar- 
 vellous efforts on the part of the Ostiak god, 
 he was, of course, to his great vexation and 
 shame, completely discomfited by the priest. 
 
 On the last day of August, the frost was 
 so intense that the ground was frozen as 
 hard as it is in Europe in the month of 
 December. Vessels which had been out to 
 the sea fisheries began to retui-n home ; and 
 among the arrivals was our landlord, who, I 
 expected, would have brought a large cargo 
 of fish ; but all that he had caught had been 
 salted and sold to the merchants of Tobolsk. 
 The Berezovians never eat salt fish, and 
 speak of it "with disgust. 
 
 The returned ships brought intelligence of 
 one of the most tragic events that had
 
 or siBERLi. 295 
 
 occured here within memory, and it en- 
 grossed the whole attention of the public for 
 some time. A merchant of Samarov, a place 
 I have before mentioned, was with his ves- 
 sel at the fisheries in the Oby Gulf, and was 
 returning home with a cargo of salt fish, 
 with the intention of proceeding afterwards 
 to Tobolsk, according to liis annual custom, 
 to dispose of it. Arrived, however, within a 
 short distance of Samarov, his vessel stranded 
 on a sand-bank, and from want of proper 
 succour was wrecked, and all the cargo lost. 
 The merchant and crew were saved, and came 
 on in two small boats to their native village. 
 To give him a good reception on his 
 return, his wife, according to the custom of 
 the country on similar occasions, had the 
 samovar and tea awaiting him, and his 
 neighbours came in a body to join in the 
 welcome. The arrival of a vessel in so 
 lonely a locality is always reckoned among 
 important events, and usually attracted the 
 cuiiosity of everybody in the neighbourhood. 
 But all this cmiosity and friendly demonstra- 
 tion of sympathy had no efi'ect on the mer- 
 chant. They could not dispel from his mind
 
 296 REVELATIONS 
 
 the dark melancholy caused by the loss he 
 had sustained. In vain his affectionate wife 
 tried to cheer, his neighbours to console him ; 
 in vain his little son, a boy of three years, 
 fondly crept round his knees, to soothe his 
 grief. He looked on with tears in his eyes, 
 and remained silent and disconsolate. Before 
 the tea was poiu-ed out he left the room, and 
 only a few minutes had elapsed when a 
 servant rushed in, and announced the dismal 
 intelligence that his master had hung himself. 
 On hearing this, the guests, struck with 
 horror, hurried to the spot wliere the suicide 
 was committed. They saw the merchant 
 hanging, and instantly cut the rope ; and as 
 he was not entirely strangled, succeeded in 
 recalling life. The disturbance caused by 
 the event having somewhat subsided, the 
 company were returning to the apartment 
 they had just left, when a horrible spectacle 
 burst upon them. The samovar had upset, 
 and the little boy of three years falling under 
 it, was deluged with boiling water, and was 
 rolling on the floor, his whole body a perfect 
 blister. The next day the child died. The 
 merchant, who previously had not sufficient
 
 OF SIBERIA. 297 
 
 fortitude to bear up against the loss of his 
 cargo of fish, was strangely enough able to 
 drain this cup of bitterness, looking on his 
 beloved child — ^his only son — dying in this 
 dreadful agony. 
 
 I received an invitation to an horticultural 
 ftte^ called kapustka (cabbage), from which it 
 will be seen that that vegetable has found its 
 way to Berezov, but though planted here, ow- 
 ing to the shortness of the summer, the bulb 
 does not attain any perfection. It is gathered 
 in leaves, which are chopped in thin pieces, 
 and a dish called harshtch preparedfi'om them. 
 
 The usual season for gathering cabbage is 
 when frost sets in. At that time, it is cus- 
 tomary for every lady who possesses a cab- 
 bage-garden, to choose some day which may 
 be most convenient for her female relations 
 and friends to come and work in her garden. 
 The whole task being accomplished in one day, 
 the fair labourers go in turn on succeeding days 
 to other fields to perform the same. In my 
 own case, having intimated to my landlady 
 my willingness to assist in the work, I was 
 invited with the rest of her female friends. 
 
 We all proceeded to the cabbage-field, and
 
 298 REVELATIONS 
 
 there cut the leaves from the tiny stalks with 
 knives, and deposited the whole of the crop 
 in a room. Large troughs were then brought, 
 and filled with the leaves which we had first 
 chopped and salted, layer after layer. This 
 done, we carried the salted cabbage to a cellar, 
 and packed it in wooden tubs. While the 
 process of chopping was in progress, one 
 of the party sang a lively song. Our 
 work completed, Ave had tea and other re- 
 freshments. Then followed dancing, but with- 
 out music, or the attraction of male partners, 
 though the good-heartedness and cheerful 
 disposition of the company made amends for 
 all other deficiencies. 
 
 As I took no part in the dancing, I accosted 
 one of my fellow-reapers, whose expressive 
 countenance and delicacy of demeanour had 
 particularly struck me. She was probably 
 past thirty ; but she was still a handsome 
 young woman. Her pale, delicate face, and 
 her black eyes, full of sweetness and melan- 
 choly, possessed a charm which I could not 
 resist. I took a seat at her side, and, to open 
 a conversation, asked her why she did not dance. 
 
 " It is not for me to dance,'' answered Anna
 
 OF SIBEHIA, 299 
 
 Piotrowna. '' I must husband my strength, 
 that I may be able to work for my two childi'en, 
 who are maintained by my labour." 
 
 This answer made me feel still greater in- 
 terest in her. '^ Are you a widow ?'' I in- 
 quii'ed. 
 
 " No ; I am married," said she. '' My 
 husband is in the employ of the Governor- 
 General at Omsk, and, as I am told, very well 
 off." 
 
 " What occasion can there be, then, for you 
 to work for your children ?" I asked. 
 
 Mournfully shaking her head, Anna Pio- 
 trowna replied in a tone of sorrow: " What 
 can a woman do with a husband who is for- 
 getful of his duty ? For two years he remem- 
 bered the children, and sent us some money, 
 but he has since entii'ely forgotten me and 
 them. Por twelve years I have been left 
 without any resources, compelled to provide 
 for the subsistence of my family ; and until 
 my eldest son grows up, my labour can know 
 no intermission. Prom my needle-work I 
 have contrived to give him such education as 
 can be had in this town. A good and intelli- 
 gent boy he is, employing his time at school
 
 300 REVELATIONS 
 
 in the best manner. He has learnt to read 
 and to write, and I have procured him the 
 post of clerk in the government office at 
 Tobolsk, where he is already in a fair way of 
 gaining his livelihood ; and when he writes 
 letters to me the people wonder at his beauti- 
 ful writing, and say that it looks like an en- 
 graving. I have besides to maintain my 
 aged father, who is not able to do any work. 
 My daughter is approaching womanhood ; 
 and ere long she may be married, when she 
 will need some dowry. So much is expected 
 from the exertions of one poor woman !" 
 
 '' Why do you not write to your husband ?" 
 said I. '' It is impossible that he should with- 
 hold from his family the support and protec- 
 tion he is bound to give." 
 
 " Do you think he does not know how we 
 are situated?" was her reply. " I wrote to 
 him indeed several times ; but when I found 
 that he would not answer ray letters, I ceased 
 to trouble him, trusting that God would take 
 us under His protection." 
 
 " H your husband refuses you and your 
 children voluntary assistance, you might ob- 
 tain it by law. You have only to di-aw up
 
 OF SIBERIA. 301 
 
 a complaint against him, and the Govern- 
 ment would order a deduction of a portion of 
 his salary for the maintenance of his 
 family.'' 
 
 " Many times have I received this advice, 
 but the idea of such a course is too repulsive 
 to me," she replied. 
 
 "No doubt, that is a noble sentiment; 
 but for the sake of the children, you should 
 not shrink from taking this step. With a 
 larger income, you might give your son a 
 better education, and even get your daugh- 
 ter better married." 
 
 " All you say is perfectly true ; yet, apart 
 from the aversion I feel to any such measure, 
 there is another obstacle connected with it — 
 and that is, my husband and myself were not 
 lawfully married." 
 
 My cheek crimsoned on hearing this con- 
 fession ; I was confounded, and did not know 
 how to continue the conversation, not from 
 any undue prudery, which at my age would 
 have ill become me, but from the conscious- 
 ness of the pain which I thought that I must 
 have caused this poor woman, in forcing her, 
 by my untoward questions, to so unwelcome 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 302 REVELATIONS 
 
 an avowal, wliicli, as I imagined, could not 
 be made by any woman without the greatest 
 anguish. Happily, the daughter of oiu' land- 
 lady at that very moment accosted us, and 
 diverted the conversation into a different 
 channel. I cast a timid look at Anna 
 Piotrowna, but, to my siu'prise, did not per- 
 ceive in her features any of that confusion 
 which I experienced myself. 
 
 This circumstance gave me much to think 
 of. I was, I confess, quite at a loss to re- 
 concile the severe propriety observed in our 
 landlord's family with the respect shown by 
 them to Anna Piotrowna, who was, in fact, 
 the chosen friend of all. There was not a 
 festival to which she was not invited, and no 
 incident happened in the family, in which 
 she, as a friend, did not participate. 
 
 In the evening of the following day I in- 
 vited our landlord to play chess with me — a 
 game of which he was extremely fond. As 
 our game progressed, I purposely led the con- 
 versation to the subject of Anna Piotrowna, 
 and at the same time stated how much our 
 Eui'opean opinions would condemn her con- 
 duct. From his reply, I discovered that,
 
 OF SIBERIA. 303 
 
 while we visit an imprudent woman, seduced 
 from the path of virtue, "with irrevocable con- 
 demnation, ejecting her from society as one 
 branded with indelible dishonour, without 
 considering the extenuating circumstances 
 which might be adduced to diminish her 
 guilt, the Siberians, with primitive feelings 
 of justice, lay all the blame on the seducer. 
 If the woman has sought the mere gratifica- 
 tion of her passion, and not a matrimonial 
 alliance ; or, in other words, when both par- 
 ties are not free, and could not by any means 
 have seriously contemplated marriage ; or 
 when the man has not held out a promise of 
 this kind, public opinion treats the unhappy 
 woman with inexorable severity. But if, on 
 the other hand, a young woman has the mis- 
 fortune to be abandoned, and her lover deserts 
 her without any fault on her part, she 
 becomes rather an object of commiseration 
 than of reproof, and the man alone is con- 
 demned. In such cases, the woman loses as 
 little in the opinion of the public as would 
 a creditor who, in all good faith, has intrusted 
 his capital to a man who turns out a bad 
 debtor. With respect to Anna Piotrowna, 
 as no levity could be laid to her charge, and
 
 304 REVELATIONS 
 
 no fault could be found with her conduct ; 
 and as she was scrupulously discharging the 
 duties of a mother, maldng every possible 
 sacrifice for her children, she received from 
 all the greatest sympathy. Far from perse- 
 cuting or despising her, the good people here 
 commiserated her hard lot, and, as far as they 
 could, helped her to bear up against it. 
 
 Before we had finished our game at chess, 
 
 Madame X rushed almost breathless 
 
 into the room, with the intelligence that her 
 brother, a young merchant, had just returned 
 from the forest where he had been hunting ; 
 and while traversing the thickets, had seen, at 
 a few steps from the spot where he stood, a 
 huge bear tearing to pieces a dark cow. Panic- 
 stricken, as may easily be imagined, he had 
 instantly taken to his heels, and coming into 
 town, thrown every one into the greatest alarm. 
 
 The bear immediately became the only 
 topic of conversation among the inhabitants. 
 Everybody gave his own version of the inci- 
 dent, and the young merchant was congratu- 
 lated on his good luck in having escaped from 
 the animal unhurt. 
 
 END OF VOL. I.
 
 NEW LIBRARY EDITION, WITH PORTRAITS, OF 
 
 PEPYS' DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Now ready, elegantly printed, in Four Volumes, demy octavo, a new and 
 improved Library Edition, including all the late important MS. Additions, 
 and upwards of Two Hundred additional Notes, and Letters, Index, ^"C., 
 price \ Os. 6d. per Volume, handsomely bound, of the 
 
 DIABY AND CORIIESPONDENCE OP 
 
 SAMUEL PEPYS, F.R.S., 
 
 SECRETAHY TO THE ADMIRALTY IN THE REIGNS OF CHARLES II. AND JAMES 11. 
 
 EDITED BY RICHARD LORD BRAYBROOKE. 
 
 The authority of Pepts, as an historian and illustrator of a con- 
 siderable portion of the seventeenth century, has been so fully 
 acknowledged by every scholar and critic, that it is now scarcely 
 necessary even to remind the reader of the advantages he possessed 
 for producing the most complete and trustworthy record of events, 
 and the most agreeable pictm-e of society and manners, to be found 
 in the literature of any nation. In confidential communication 
 with the reigning sovereigns, holding high official employment, 
 placed at the head of the Scientific and Learned of a period re- 
 markable for intellectual impulse, mingling in every circle, and 
 obsei-ving everything and everybody whose characteristics were 
 worth noting down ; and possessing, moreover, an intelligence 
 peculiarly fitted for seizing the most graphic points in whatever he 
 attempted to delineate, Pepts may be considered the most valuable 
 as well as the most entertaining of our National Historians. 
 
 A New Library Edition of this work, comprising all the re- 
 stored passages and the additional annotations that have been 
 called for by the vast advances in antiquarian and historical know- 
 ledge d\iring the last twenty years, will doubtless be regarded as 
 one of the most agreeable additions that could be made to the 
 library of the general reader. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 FROM THE EDINBUKGH REVIEW. 
 
 " Without making any exception in favour of any other production of 
 ancient or modern diarists, we unhesitatingly characterise this journal as the 
 most remarkable production of its kind which has ever been given to the 
 world. Pepys' Diary makes us comprehend the great historical events of the 
 age, and the people who bore a part in them, and gives us more clear glimpses 
 into the true English life of the times than all the other memorials of them 
 that have come down to our own."
 
 2 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON PEPYS' DIARY — continued. 
 
 FROM THE QUARTERLY REVIEW. 
 
 " There is much in Pcpys' Diary tliat tlirows a distinct and vivid h'^ht over 
 the picture of Enghmd and its trovernnient (hirinj; the jioriod succeeding tlie 
 Restoration. If, (juittino: the broad path of history, we look for minute in- 
 formation concerning ancient manners and customs, the progress of arts and 
 sciences, and tlie various branches of antiquity, we liave never seen a mine so 
 rich as these volumes. The variety of I'epys' tastes and pursuits led him into 
 almost every dej)artment of life. lie was a man of business, a man of informa- 
 tion, a man of whim, and, to a certain degree, a man of pleasure. He was a 
 statesman, a bcl espj-it, a virtuoso, and a connoisseur. His curiosity made him 
 an unwearied, as well as an universal, learner, and whatever he saw found its 
 way into his tables." 
 
 FROM THE ATIIEN;EDM. 
 
 " The best book of its kind in the English language. The new matter is 
 extremely curious, and occasionally far more characteristic and entertaining 
 than tlie old. The writer is seen in a clearer light, and the reader is taken into his 
 inmost soul. Pepys' Diary is the ablest picture of the age in which the writer 
 ived, and a work of standard imi^ortance in English literature." 
 
 FROM THE EXAMINER. 
 
 " We place a high value on Pepys' Diary as the richest and most delightful 
 contribution ever made to the history of English life and manners in the latter 
 half of the seventeenth century." 
 
 FROM TAIT's magazine. 
 
 "We owe Pepys a debt of gratitude for the rare and curious information he 
 has bequeathed to us in this most amusing and interesting work. His Diary 
 is valuable, as depicting to us many of the most important characters of the 
 times. Its author has bequeathed to us the records of his heart — the very 
 reflection of his energetic mmd ; and his quaint but happy narrative clears 
 up numerous disputed points— throws light into many of the dark corners of 
 history, and lays bare the hidden substratum of events which gave birth to, 
 and supported the visible progress of, the nation." 
 
 FROM THE MORNING POST. 
 
 " Of all the records that have ever been published, Pepys' Diary gives us the 
 most vivid and trustworthy picture of the times, and the clearest view of the 
 state of English public affairs and of English society during the reign of 
 Charles II. We see there, as in a map, the vices of the monarch, the intrigues 
 of the Cabinet, the wanton follies of the court, and the many calamities to which 
 the nation was subjected during the memorable period of fire, plague, and 
 general licentiousness." 
 
 FROM DOUGLAS JERROLD's WEEKLY NEWSPAPER. 
 
 "The great charm of the book we take to be the imconscious revealment of a 
 thoroughly worldly character, and as such, we know nothing in Shakspeare, 
 Cervantes, or Moliere, more deliciously developed. The only thing at all like it 
 is Boswell's Life of Johnson. But it must be acknowledged that Pepys' Diary 
 has numerous charms in addition to the transcendent one of characterisation — 
 its numerous anecdotes; its endless illustrations of old nationalities, localities, 
 and customs; a sort of picturesque tone which time has lent to it; and a con- 
 tinuous human interest. Pepys had a wondrous tact in giving broadly, and yet 
 sharply, the sensations and pictures of the time. The reader is made one of his 
 strange, fantastic group, and we follow him to the king's presence-chamber, or 
 the ordinary at the Dog or Mitre, to Whitehall or Seething-lane, with almost a 
 bodily reality. It is superfluous to dilate on a work which every one, pretend- 
 ing to any regard for belles lettres, has read or will read."
 
 CHEAP EDITION OF MISS BURNEY'S DIARY. 
 
 With the Magazines, on the \st March, 1854, loas published 
 
 {to he completed in Seven Mmithly Volumes, small 8to, Embellished wtth 
 
 Portraits, price only 3*. each, elegantly hound) the First Volume of the 
 
 DIARY AND LETTERS 
 
 OF 
 
 MADAME D'ARBLAY, 
 
 AUTHOR OF " EVELINA," " CECILIA," &c. 
 
 INCLUDING THE PERIOD OF 
 
 HER KESIDENCE AT THE COURT OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE. 
 
 In announcing a new and cheap edition of Madame D'Arblay's 
 celebrated Diary, the publishers cannot convey a better idea of the 
 nature of the work, to those who are unacquainted with it, than by 
 extracting the opening passage of Miss Burney's Journal, which 
 was commenced in 1 768, and continued, with but few interruptions, 
 during the greater portion of the winter's long and eventful life : — 
 
 " To have some account of my thoughts, actions, and acquaintance, when the 
 hour arrives when time is more nimble than memory, is the reason which induces 
 me to keep a Journal — a Journal in which I must confess my every thought — 
 must open my whole heart." 
 
 When we call to mind that the person who formed this resolution, 
 and adhered to it during the most important period of her brilliant 
 career, was one of the most remarkable and justly celebrated women, 
 not merely of her own, but of any time or country — that her family 
 position, no less than her celebrity, commanded for her an intimate 
 intercourse with all who were illustrious in English Literature and 
 Art during then' most illustrious era, and that the results of such 
 resolution are here given to the world precisely as they left the hand 
 of their writer (the omissions required by personal and family con- 
 siderations being alone excepted), the interest this work must ex- 
 cite, can scarcely be increased ; yet it ought to be stated, that, 
 shortly after the publication of her second work, " Cecllia," she 
 was spontaneously oifered by Queen Charlotte a situation about 
 her Majesty's person, which brought her into daily intercourse 
 with every individual forming the Court of George III. During 
 this remarkable period of her life, Miss Burney never omitted to 
 note in her Journal such events and conversations of the past day 
 as she deemed worthy of record, and might be given without any 
 violation of confidence ; and these sketches of the Court of George III. 
 during the important era in question form part of the work now 
 announced.
 
 MISS BURNEY'S DIARY. 
 
 The Correspondence, whicli takes its place chronologically with 
 the DiART, includes, besides a large number of Madame D'Arblay's 
 own Letters, a selection from those addressed to her by the various 
 distinguished literary and other persons with whom she was intimate. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 EDINBURGH KEVIKW. 
 
 " Madame D'Arbky lived to be a classic. Time set on her fame, before she went 
 hence, that seal which is seldom set except on the fame of the departed. All 
 those whom we have been accustomed to revere as intellectual patriarchs seemed 
 children when compared with her ; for Burke had sat up all night to read her 
 writings, and Johnson had pronounced her superior to Fielding, when Rogers was 
 still a schoolboy, and Southey still in petticoats. Her Diary is written in her 
 earUest and best manner ; in true woman's English, clear, natural, and lively. It 
 ought to be consulted by every person who wishes to be well acquainted with the 
 history of our Uterature and our manners." 
 
 TIMES. 
 
 " Miss Bumey's work ought to be placed beside Boswell's ' Life,' to which it 
 forms an excellent supplement." 
 
 LITERARY GAZETTE. 
 
 " This publication will take its place in the libraries beside Walpole and 
 Boswell." 
 
 NAVAL AND MILITARY GAZETTE. 
 
 " A work unequalled in literary and social value by anything else of a similar 
 kind in the language." 
 
 MESSENGER. 
 
 " This work may be considered a kind of supplement to Boswell's ' Life of 
 Johnson.' It is a beautiful picture of society as it existed in manners, taste, and 
 literature, in the reign of (jeorge the Third, drawn by a pencil as vivid and 
 brilliant as that of any of the celebrated persons who composed the circle." 
 
 POST. 
 
 " Miss Bumey's Diary, sparkling with wit, teeming with lively anecdote and 
 delectable gossip, and fiill of sound and discreet views of persons and things, will 
 be perused with interest by all classes of readers." 
 
 COURT JOURNAL. 
 
 "This work presents an unrivalled combination of attraction. That extra- 
 orduiary man Johnson is painted far better than he is by Boswell." 
 
 WEEKXiY CHRONICLE. 
 
 " We know not when we have been so delighted with a book as with Miss 
 Bumey's Diary. Every page teems with interest." 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR HENRY COLBURN, 
 BY HIS SUCCESSORS, HURST & BLACKETT, 
 
 GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 MESSRS. HURST AND BLACKETT, 
 
 SUCCESSORS TO Ml). COLBURN, 
 
 HAVE LATELY PUBLISHED 
 
 €^i /nllnining linu i^nrlti 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 COURT AND CABINETS 
 
 OF GEORGE THE THIRD, 
 
 FROM ORIGINAL FAMILY DOCUMENTS. 
 
 BY THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS, K.G., &c. 
 
 Second Edition, Revised. 2 vols. 8vo., with Portraits. 30s. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 " These volumes contain much valuable matter. The letters which George, 
 first Marquis of Buckingham, laid by as worthy of preservation, have some claim 
 to see the light, for he held more than one office in the State, and consequently 
 kept up a communication with a great number of historical personages. He 
 himself was twice Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; tirst, under Lord Rockingham, and 
 secondly, under Pitt; his most constant correspondents were his two brothers, 
 William and Thomas Grenville, both of whom spent the chief part of their lives 
 in otficial emjiloyments, and of whom the former is sufficiently knov.'n to fame 
 as Lord Grenville. The staple of the book is made up of these family documents, 
 but there are also to be found interspersed with the Grenville narrative, letters 
 from every man of note, dating from the death of the elder Pitt to the end of 
 the century. There are three periods upon which they shed a good dpal of light. 
 The formation of the Coalition Ministry in 1783, the illness of the King in 1788, 
 and the first war with Republican France. Lord Grenville's letters to his brother 
 afford a good deal of information on the machinations of the Prince's party, and 
 the conduct of the Prince and the Duke of York during the King's illness." — The 
 Times. 
 
 " A very remarkable and valuable publication. The Duke of Buckingham has 
 himself undertaken the task of forming a history from the papers of his grand- 
 father and great-uncle, the Earl Temple (first Marquis of Buckingham), and Lord 
 Grenville, of the days of the second Wm. Pitt. The letters which are given to 
 the public in these volumes, extend over an interval commencing with 1782, and 
 ending with 1800. In that interval events occurred which can never lose their 
 interest as incidents in the history of England. The Coalition Ministry and its 
 dismissal by the King — the resistance of the Sovereign and Pitt to the efforts of 
 the discarded ministers to force themselves again into office — the great con-
 
 HURST AND BLACKETT S NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE COURT AND CABINETS OF GEORGE III. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS CONTINUED. 
 
 stitutional question of the Regency which arose upon the King's disastrous malady 
 — the contest upon that question between the heir apparent and the ministers 
 of the Crown — the breaking out of the French Revolution, and the consequent 
 entrance of England upon the great European war, — these, with the union 
 with Ireland, are political movements every detail of which possesses the deepest 
 interest. In these volumes, details, then guarded with the most anxious care 
 from all eyes but those of the privileged few, are now for the first time given to 
 the public. The most secret history of many of the transactions is laid bare. 
 It is not possible to conceive contemporary history more completely exemplitied. 
 From such materials it was not i)ossible to form a work that would not possess 
 the very highest interest. The Duke of Buckingham has, however, moulded his 
 materials with no ordinary abihty and skill. The connecting narrative is written 
 both with judgment and vigour — not unfrequently in a style that comes up to 
 the highest order of historical compositian — especially in some of the sketches of 
 personal character. There is scarcely a single individual of celebrity throughout 
 the period from 1782 to 1800 who is not introduced into these pages ; amongst 
 others, besides the King and the various members of the royal family, are Rock- 
 ingham, Shelburne, North, Thurlow, Loughborough, Fox, Pitt, Sheridan, Burke, 
 Portland, Sydney, Fitzwilliam, Tierney, Buckingham, Grenville, Grey, Malmes- 
 bury, Wilbei-force.Burdett, Fitzgibbon, Grattan, Flood, Coruwallis, the Beresfords, 
 the Ponsonbys, the Wellesleys, &c." — Morning Herald. 
 
 " These memoirs are among the most valuable materials for history that have 
 recently been brought to light out of the archives of any of our great families. 
 The period embraced by the letters is from the beginning of 1782 to the close 
 of 1799, comprising the last days of the North Administration, the brief life of 
 the Rockingham, and the troubled life of the Shelburne Ministry, the stormy 
 career of the Coalition of '83, the not less stormy debates and intrigues which 
 broke out on the tirst insanity of the King, the gradual modifications of Pitt's first 
 Ministry, and the opening days of the struggle with France after her first great 
 revolution. Of these the most valuable illustrations concern the motives of Fox 
 in withdrawing from Shelburne and joining with North against him, the desperate 
 intriguing and deliberate bad faith of the King exerted against the Coalition, and 
 the profligacy and heartlessness of the Prince of Wales and his brother all through 
 the Regency debates. On some incidental subjects, also, as the affairs of Ireland, 
 the Warren Hastings trial, the Fitzgerald outbreak, the Union, the sad vicissitudes 
 and miseries of the last days of the old French monarchy, &c., the volumes supply 
 illustrative facts and comments of much interest." — Examiner. 
 
 " This valuable contribution to the treasures of historic lore, now for the 
 first time produced from the archives of the Buckingham family displays the 
 action of the different parties in the State, throws great light on the personal 
 character of the King, as well as on the share which he took in the direction of 
 public affairs, and incidentally reveals many facts hitherto but imperfectly known 
 or altogether unknown. In order to render the contents of the letters more 
 intelligible, the noble Editor has, with great tact and judgment, set them out in 
 a kind of historical framework, in which the leading circumstances under which 
 they were written are briefly indicated — the result being a happy combination of 
 the completeness of historical narrative with the freshness of original thought 
 and of contemporaneous record." — John Bull. 
 
 " These volumes are a treasure for the politician, and a mine of wealth for the 
 historian." — Britannia.
 
 HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 LOEl) GEORGE BENTINCK 
 
 A POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 BT THE EIGHT HON. B. DISRAELI, M.P. 
 
 Fifth and Cheaper Editiox, Revised. Post 8vo. 10s. Gd. 
 
 From Blackwood's Magazine. — " This biography cannot fail to attract the 
 deep attention of the public. We are bound to say, that as a political biography 
 we have rarely, if ever, met with a book more dexterously handled, or more 
 replete with interest. The history of the famous session of 184G, as written by 
 Disraeli in that brilliant and pointed style of which he is so consummate a master, 
 is deeply interesting. He has traced this memorable struggle with a vivacity and 
 power unequalled as yet in any narrative of Parliamentary proceedings." 
 
 From The Dublin University Magazine. — " A political biography of 
 Lord George Bentinck by Mr. Disraeli must needs be a work of interest and 
 importance. Either the subject or the writer would be sufficient to invest it 
 with both — the combination surrounds it with peculiar attractions. In this 
 most interesting volume Mr. Disraeli has produced a memoir of his friend in 
 which he has combined the warmest enthusiasm of affectionate attachment with 
 the calmness of the critic." 
 
 From The Morning Herald — " Mr. Disraeli's tribute to the memory of 
 his departed friend is as graceful and as touching as it is accurate and impartial. 
 No one of Lord George Bentinck's colleagues could have been selected, who, 
 from his high literary attainments, his personal intimacy, and party associations, 
 would have done such complete justice to the memory of a friend and Parlia- 
 mentary associate. Mr. Disraeli has here presented us with the very type and 
 embodiment of what history should be. His sketch of the condition of parties 
 is seasoned with some of those piquant personal episodes of party manoeuvres 
 and private intrigues, in the author's hajtpiest and most captivating vein, which 
 convert the dry details of politics into a sparkling and agreeable narrative." 
 
 LOED PALMERSTON'S OPINIONS 
 
 AND POLICY; 
 
 AS MINISTER, DIPLOMATIST, AND STATESMAN, 
 
 DURING MORE THAN FORTY Y'EARS OF PUBLIC LIFE. 
 
 1 V. 8vo., with Portrait, 12s. 
 
 "This work ought to have a place in every political library. It gives a com- 
 plete view of the sentiments and opinions by which the policy of Lord 
 Palmerston has been dictated as a diplomatist and statesman." — Chronicle. 
 
 " This is a remarkable and seasonable publication ; but it is something more — 
 it is a valuable addition to the historical treasures of our country during more 
 than forty of the most memorable years of our annals. We earnestly recommend 
 the volume to general perusal." — Standard.
 
 4 HURST AND BLACKETT S NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 TllF. LIFE OF MAKIE DE MEDICIS, 
 
 QUEEN OF FRANCE, 
 
 CONSORT OF HENRY IV., AND REGENT UNDER LOUIS XIIL 
 
 BY MISS PAKDOE, 
 
 Author of "Louis XIV. and the Court of France, in the 17th Century," &c. 
 
 Second Edition. 3 large vols. 8vo., with Fine Portraits. 
 
 " A fascinating book. The history of such a woman as the beautiful , impulsive, 
 earnest, and atTectionate Marie de Medicis could only be done justice to by a 
 feniiile pen, iiiii)elled by all the sympathies of womanhood, but strengthened by 
 an erudition by wliicli it is not in every case accompanied. In Miss Pardoe the 
 unfortunate Queen has found both these requisites, and the result has been a 
 biography combining the .attractiveness of romance with the reliableness of his- 
 tory, and which, taking a place midway between the ' frescoed galleries' of 
 Thierry, and the 'philosophic watch-tower of Guizot,' hasall the pictorial brilliancy 
 of the one, with much of the reflective speculation of the other." — Daily Netvs. 
 
 " A valuable, well-written, and elaborate biography, displaying an unusual 
 amount of industry and research." — Morning Chronicle. 
 
 "A careful and elaborate historical com])osition, rich in personal anecdote. 
 Nowhere can a more intimate acquaintance be obtained with the principal events 
 and leading personages of the first half of the 17th century." — Morning Post. 
 
 " A work of high literary and historical merit. Rarely have the strange 
 vicissitudes of romance been more intimately blended with the facts of real 
 history than in the life of Marie de Medicis ; nor has the difficult problem of 
 combining with the fidelity of biography the graphic power of dramatic delineation 
 been often more successfully solved than by the talented author of the volumes 
 before us. As a personal narrative. Miss Pardoe's admirable biography possesses 
 the most absorbing and constantly sustained interest ; as a historical record of the 
 events of which it treats, its merit is of no ordinary description." — John Bull. 
 
 " A life more dramatic than that of Marie de Medicis has seldom been written ; 
 one more imperially tragic, never. The period of French history chosen by Miss 
 Pardoe is rich in all maimer of associations, and brings together the loftiest 
 names and most interesting events of a stirring and dazzling epoch. She has 
 been, moreover, exceedingly fortunate in her materials. A manuscript of the Com- 
 mandeur de Rambure, Gentleman of the Bedchamber under the Kings Henry IV., 
 Louis XIII., and Louis XIV., consisting of the memoirs of the writer, with all 
 the most memorable events which took place during the reigns of those three 
 Majesties, from the year 1594 to that of 1660, was placed at her disposal by 
 M. de la Plane, Member of the Institut Royal de la France. This valuable 
 record is very voluminous, and throws a flood of light on every transaction. Of 
 this important document ample use has been judiciously made by Miss Pardoe; 
 and her narrative, accordingly, has a fulness and particularity possessed by none 
 other, and which adds to the dramatic interest of the subject. The work is very 
 elegantly written, and will be read with delight. It forms another monument to 
 the worthiness of female intellect in the age we live in." — Illustrated News
 
 HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 MEMOIRS OF THE 
 
 B A E N E S S 1) ' B E R K I R C H, 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SECRET HISTORY OF 
 
 THE COURTS OF FRANCE, RUSSIA, AND GERMANY. 
 
 "WRITTEN BY HERSELF, 
 
 And Edited by Her Grandson, the Count de Montbrison. 
 
 3 vols. Post 8vo. 31s. 6d. 
 
 The Baroness d'Oberkirch, being the intimate friend of the Empress of Russia, 
 wife of Paul I., and the confidential companion of the Duchess of Bourbon, 
 her facilities for obtaining information respecting the most private affairs of the 
 principal Courts of Europe, render her Memoirs unrivalled as a book of interest- 
 ing anecdotes of the royal, noble, and other celebrated individuals who flourished 
 on the continent during the latter part of the last century. Among the royal per- 
 sonages introduced to the reader in this work, are Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette, 
 Philip Egalite, and all the Princes of France then living— Peter the Great, the 
 Empress Catherine, the Emperor Paul, and his sons Coustantine and Alexander, 
 of Russia — Frederick the Great and Prince Henry of Prussia — The Emperor 
 Joseph II. of Austria— Gustavus III. of Sweden — Princess Christina of Saxony — 
 Sobieski, and Czartoriski of Poland — and the Princes of Brunswick and Wurtem- 
 berg. Among the remarkable persons are the Princes and Princesses de Lamballe, 
 de Eigne and Galitzin — the Dukes and Duchesses de Choiseul, de Mazarin, de 
 Boufflers, de la Valliere, de Guiche, de Penthi^vre, and de Polignac — Cardinal de 
 Rohan, Marshals Bii-on and d'Harcourt, Count de Staremberg, Baroness de 
 Krudener, Madame Geoffrin, Talleyrand, Mirabeau, and Necker — with Count 
 Cagliostro, Mesmer, Vestris, and Madame Mara; and the work also includes 
 such literary celebrities as Voltaire, Condorcet, de la Harpe, de Beaumarchais, 
 Rousseau, Lavater, Bernouiili, Raynal, de I'Epee, Huber, Gothe, Wieland, Male- 
 sherbes, Marmontel, de Stael and de Genlis ; with some singular disclosures 
 respecting those celebrated Englishwomen, Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of 
 Kingston, and Lady Craven, Margravine of Anspach. 
 
 " The Baroness d'Oberkirch, whose remarkable Memoirs are here given to the public, saw 
 much of courts and courtiers, and her Memoirs are tilled with a variety of anecdotes, not 
 alone of lords and ladies, but of emperors and empresses, kings and queens, and reigning 
 princes and princesses. As a picture of society anterior to the French Revolution, the hook 
 is the latest and most pertett production of its kind extant ; and as such, besides its minor 
 value as a book of amusement, it possesses a major value iis a work of information, which, in 
 the interest of historical truth, is, without exaggeration, almost incalculable." — Observer. 
 
 "Thoroughly genuine and unaffected, these Memoirs display the whole mind of a woman 
 who was well worth knowing, and relate a large part of her experience among people with 
 whose names and characters the world will be at all times busy. A keen observer, and by 
 position thiown in the high places of the world, the Baroness d'Oberkirch was the very 
 woman to write Memoirs that would interest future generations. We commend these 
 volumes most heartily to every reader They are a perfect magazine of pleasant anecdotes 
 and interesting characteristic things. We lay down these charming volumes with regret. 
 They will entertain the most fastidious readers, and instruct the most informed." — Examiner. 
 
 "An intensely interesting autobiography." — Morning C/irunicle. 
 
 " A valuable addition to the personal history of an important period. The volumes deserve 
 general popularity." — Daily News. 
 
 " One of the most interesting pieces of contemporary history, and one of the richest 
 collections of remarkable anecdotes and valuable reminiscences ever produced." — John Bull.
 
 HURST AND BLACKETTS NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 MEMOIRS or JOHN ABEMETIIY, P.E.S., 
 
 WITH A VIEW OF HIS WRITINGS, LECTUUES, AND CHARACTER. 
 
 BY GEOBGE MACIL\^AIN, F.R.C.S., 
 
 Author of " Medicine and Surgery One Inductive Science," &c. 
 
 Second Edition. 2 v. post 8vo., with Portrait. 21s. 
 
 " A memoir of high professional and general interest." — Morning Post. 
 
 " These memoirs convey a graphic, and, we believe, faithful picture of the 
 celebrated John Al)ernethy. The volumes are written in a jjopular style, and will 
 afford to the general reader much instruction and entertainment." — Herald. 
 
 ♦' This is a book which ought to be read by every one. The professional man 
 will tind in it the career of one of the most illustrious professors of medicine of 
 our own or of any other age — the student of intellectual science the progress of a 
 truly profound philosopher — and all, the lesson afforded by a good man's life. 
 Abernetby's memory is worthy of a good biographer, and happily it has found 
 one. Mr. Macilwain vn-ites well; and evidently, in giving the history of his 
 deceased friend, he executes a labour of love. The an-angement of his matter is 
 excellent : so ha])i)ily interwoven with narrative, anecdotes, often comical enough, 
 and de?p reflection, as to carrj' a reader forward irresistibly." — Standard. 
 
 THE LITERATURE AND ROMANCE 
 
 OF NORTHERN EUROPE: 
 
 CONSTITUTING A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE LITERATURE OF SWEDEN, 
 DENMARK, NORWAY, AND ICELAND, WITH COPIOUS SPECIMENS OF THE 
 MOST CELEBRATED HISTORIES, ROMANCES, POPULAR LEGENDS AND TALES, 
 OLD CHIVALROUS BALLADS, TRAGIC AND COMIC DRAMAS, NATIONAL SONGS, 
 NOVELS, AND SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF THE PRESENT DAY. 
 
 BY "WILLIAM AIsTD MARY HCWITT. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " English readers have h^ng been indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Howitt. They 
 have now increased our obligations by presenting us with this most charming and 
 valuable work, by means of which the great majority of the reading public will 
 be, for the first time, made acquainted with the rich stores of intellectual wealth 
 long garnered in the literature and beautiful romance of Northern Europe. 
 From the famous Edda, whose origin is lost in antiquity, down to the novels of 
 Miss Bremer and Baroness Knorring, the prose and poetic writings of Denmark, 
 Norway, Sweden, and Iceland are here introduced to us in a manner at once 
 singularly comprehensive and concise. It is no dry enumeration of names, but 
 the very marrow and spirit of the various works displayed before us. We have 
 old ballads and fairy tales, always fascinating ; we have scenes from plays, and 
 selections from the poets, with most attractive biographies of great men. The 
 songs and ballads are translated with exquisite poetic beauty." — Sun. 
 
 " A book full of information — and as such, a welcome addition to our literature. 
 The translations — especially of some of the ballads and other poems — are exe- 
 cuted with spirit and taste." — Athen<Bum.
 
 HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE OE 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL SIR W. NOTT, G.C.B., 
 
 ENVOY AT THE COURT OF LUCKNOW. 
 
 EDITED BY J. H. STOCQUBIiBK, ESQ,., 
 
 At the request of the Daughters of the late General, from Private Papers and 
 Official Documents iu their possession. 2 vols. 8vo., with Portrait. 
 
 MILITARY LIEE IN ALGERIA. 
 
 BY THE COUBTT P. DE CASTELLANE. 2 vols. 21s, 
 
 " We commend this book as really worth perusal. The volumes make us 
 familiarly acquainted with the nature of Algerian experience. Changarnier, 
 Cavaignac, Canrohert, Lamoriciere, and St. Aruaud are brought prominently 
 before the reader." — Examiner. 
 
 " These volumes will be read with extraordinary interest. The vivid manner 
 in which the author narrates his adventures, and the number of personal anecdotes 
 that he tells, engage the reader's attention in an extraordinary manner." — 
 Sunday Times. 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 AN ENGLISH SOLDIER 
 
 IN THE UNITED STATES' ARMY. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " The novelty characterising these interesting volumes is likely to secure them 
 many readers. In the first place, an account of the internal organization, the 
 manners and customs of the United States' Federal Army, is in itself, a novelty, 
 and a still greater novelty is to have this account rendered by a man who had 
 served in the English before joining the American army, and who can give his 
 report after having every opportuniiy of comparison. The author went through 
 the Mexican campaign with General Scott, and his volumes contain much descrip- 
 tive matter concerning battles, sieges, and marches on Mexican territory, besides 
 their sketches of the normal chronic condition of a United States' soldier in time of 
 peace," — Daili/ News. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 BRITISH CONQUESTS IN INDIA. 
 
 B Y HORACE ST. JOHISr. 2 vols. 21s. 
 " A work of great and permanent historical value and interest." — Post. 
 " The style is graphic and spirited. The facts are well related and artistically 
 grouped. The narrative is always readable and interesting." — Athencenm. 
 
 HISTORY OEToRFU; 
 
 AND OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS. 
 
 BY LIEUT. H. J", ysr. JERVIS, Royal ArtiUery. 1 vol. 10s. 6d. 
 " Written with great care and research, and including probably all the 
 particulars of any moment in the history of Corfu." — Athenaum.
 
 CLASSIC AND HISTORIC TOliTRAITS. 
 
 BY JAMES BBUCE. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 This work comprises Biographies of the following Classic and Historic Per- 
 sonages: — Sap])ho, .'Esop, Pythagoras, Aspasia, Milto, Agesilaiis, Socrates, Plato, 
 Alcibiades, Helen of Troy, Alexander the Great, Hemelriiis Poliorcctes, Scipio 
 Africanus, Sylla, Cleopatra, Julius Caisar, Augustus, Tii)erius, Gennanicus, 
 Caligula, Lollia Paulina, Ciesonia, IJoadicca, Agrippina, J'app;ca, Otho, Corn- 
 modus, Caracalla, lleliogabalus, Zenohia, Julian the Apostate, Eudocia, Theodora, 
 Charlemagne, Abelard and Heloise, Elizabeth of Hungary, Dante, Robert Bruce, 
 Ignez de Castro, Agnes Sorel, Jane Shore, Lucrezia Borgia, Anne BuUen, Diana 
 of Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis, Queen Eli/.abeth, Mary Queen of Scots, 
 Cervantes, Sir Kenelni Digby, John Sobieski, Anne of Austria, Ninon de 
 I'Enelos, Mile, de Montpensier, the Duchess of Orleans, Madame de Maintenon, 
 Catharine of Russia, and Madame de Stacl. 
 
 " A Book which has many merits, most of all, that of a fresh and unhacknied 
 subject. The volumes are the result of a good deal of reading, and have besides 
 an original spirit and flavour about them, which have pleased us much. Mr. 
 Bruce is often eloquent, often humorous, and has a proper appreciation of the 
 wit and sarcasm belonging in abundance to his theme. The variety and amount 
 of information scattered through his volumes entitle them to be generally read, 
 and to be received on all hands with merited favour." — E.raminer. 
 
 " We tind in these piquant volumes the liberal outpourings of a ripe scholarship, 
 the results of wide and various reading, given in a style and manner at once plea- 
 sant, gossippy and picturesque." — Athcnceum. 
 
 " A series of biogi'aphical sketches, remarkable for their truth and fidelity. The 
 work is one which will please the classical scholar and the student of history, 
 while it also contains entertaining and instructive matter for the general reader." 
 — Literary Gazette. 
 
 RULE AND MISRULE OF 
 
 THE ENGLISH IN AMERICA. 
 
 BT THE AUTHOR OP " SAM SLICK," 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " We conceive this work to be by far the most valuable and important Judge 
 Haliburton has ever written. While teeming with interest, moral and historical, 
 to the general reader, it equally constitutes a philosophical study for the politician 
 and statesman. It will be found to let in a flood of light upon the actual origin, 
 formation, and progress of the republic of the United States." — N. and M. Gaz. 
 
 THE SONG OE ROLAND, 
 
 AS CHANTED BEFORE THE BATTLE OE HASTINGS, 
 
 BY THE MINSTREL TAILLEFER. 
 
 TRANSLATED BY" THE AUTHOR OF "EMILIA "WTrNDHAM." 
 
 Small 4to., handsomely bound, gilt edges, 5s. 
 
 " ' The Song of Roland' is well worth general perusal. It is spirited and 
 descriptive, and gives an important, and, no doubt, faithful picture of the chivalric 
 manners and feelings of the age." — Herald.
 
 HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 THE JOUENALS AND CORKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 GENERAL SIR HARRT CALVERT, 
 
 BART., G.C.B. and G.C.H., 
 
 ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE FORCES UNDER H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK. 
 
 COMPRISING THE CAMPAIGNS IN FLANUERS AMD HOLLAND IN 1793-94; 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING HIS 
 
 PLANS FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COUNTRY IN CASE OF INVASION. 
 
 EDITED BY HIS SON", SIR HARRY" VERNEY, BART. 
 
 1 vol. royal 8vo., •n'ith large maps, 14s. bound. 
 
 "Both the journals and letters of Capt. Calvert are full of interest. The 
 letters, in particular, are entitled to much praise. Not too long, easy, graceful, 
 not without wit, and eveiywhere marked by good sense and good taste — the 
 series addressed by Capt. Calvert to his sister are literary compositions of no 
 common order. With tlie best means of observing the progress of the war, and 
 with his faculties of judgment exercised and strengthened by experience — a quick 
 eye, a placid temper, and a natural aptitude for language rendered Capt. Calvert 
 in many resi)ects a model of a militaiy critic. Sir Harry Verney has performed 
 his duties of editor very well. The book is creditable to all parties concerned in 
 its production." — Athenaum. 
 
 COLONEL LANDMANN'S ADVENTURES 
 
 AND RECOLLECTIONS. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " Among the anecdotes in this work will be found notices of King George 111., 
 the Dukes of Kent, Cumberland, Cambridge, Clarence, and Richmond, the Princess 
 Augusta, General Garth, Sir Harry Mildmay, Lord Charles Somerset, Lord Edward 
 Fitzgerald, Lord Heathfield, Captain Grose, &c. The volumes abound in inte- 
 resting matter. The anecdotes are one and all amusing." — Observer. 
 
 " These ' Adventures and Recollections' are those of a gentleman whose birth 
 and profession gave him facilities of access to distinguished society. Colonel 
 Landmann writes so agreeably that we have little doubt that his volumes will be 
 acceptable. ' ' — Athenceum . 
 
 ADVENTURES OF 
 
 THE C N N A U G H T RANGER S. 
 
 SECOND SERIES. 
 BY "WILLIAM GRATTAN, ESQ., 
 
 LATE LIEUTENANT CONNAUGHT RANGERS. 2 VOls. 21s. 
 
 " In this second series of the adventures of this famous regiment, the author 
 extends bis naiTative from the first formation of the gallant 88th up to the 
 occupation of Paris. All the battles, sieges, and skirmishes, in which the regi- 
 ment took part, are described. The volumes are interwoven with original anec- 
 dotes that give a freshness and spirit to the whole. The stories, and the sketches 
 of society and manners, with the anecdotes of the celebrities of the time, are told 
 in an agreeable and unatfected manner. The work bears all the characteristics 
 of a soldier's straightforward and entertaining narrative." — Sunday Times.
 
 THE MAHVELS OF SCIENCE, 
 
 AND THEIR TESTIMONY TO HOLY WRIT; 
 
 A POPULAR MANUAL OF THE SCIENCKS. 
 
 BY S. ■W. FULLOM, ESQ. 
 
 DEDICATED nv PERMISSION TO THE KING OF HANOVER. 
 
 Sixth Edition, with Numerous Illustuations. Post 8vo. 7s. 6d. 
 
 " This work treats of the whole origin of nature in an intelligent style ; it puts 
 into the hands of every man the means of information on facts the most subhme, 
 and converts into interesting and eloquent description problems which once 
 perplexed the whole genius of mankind. "We congratulate the author on his 
 research, his information, and his graceful and happy language." — Briiaania. 
 
 " The skill displayed in the treatment of the sciences is not the least marvel in 
 the volume. The reasonings of the author are forcible, fluently expressed, and 
 calculated to make a deep impression. Genuine service has been done to the 
 cause of Revelation by the issue of such a book, which is more than a mere 
 literary triumph. It is a good action." — Globe. 
 
 " Its tone is grave, grand, and argumentative, and rises to the majesty of poetry. 
 As a commentary upon the stupendous facts which exist in the universe, it is 
 truly a work which merits our admiration, and we unhesitatingly refer our readers 
 to its fascinating pages." — Dispatch. 
 
 " Without parading the elaborate nature of his personal investigations, the 
 author has laid hold of the discoveries in every department of natural science in 
 a manner to be apprehended by the meanest understanding, but which will at the 
 same time command the attention of the scholar." — Messenger. 
 
 " A grand tour of the sciences. Mr. Fullom starts from the Sun, runs round 
 by the Planets, noticing Comets as he goes, and puts up for a rest at the Central 
 Sun. He gets into the Milky Way, which brings him to the Fixed Stars and 
 Nebulae. He munches the crust of the Earth, and looks over Fossil Animals and 
 Plants. This is followed by a disquisition on the science of the Scriptures. He 
 then comes back to the origin of the Earth, visits the Magnetic Poles, gets 
 among Thunder and Lightning, makes the acquaintance of Magnetism and Elec- 
 tricity, dips into Rivers, draws science from Springs, goes into Volcanoes, through 
 which he is drawn into a knot of Earthquakes, comes to the surface with Gaseous 
 Emanations, and sliding down a Landslip, renews his journey on a ray of Light, 
 goes through a Prism, sees a Mirage, meets with the Flying Dutchman, observes 
 an Optical Illusion, steps over the Rainbow, enjoys a dance with the Northern 
 Aurora, takes a little Polarized Light, boils some Water, sets a Steam-Eugine in 
 motion, witnesses the expansion of Metals, looks at the Thermometer, and 
 refreshes himself with Ice. Soon he is at Sea, examining the Tides, tumbling 
 on the Waves, swimming, diving, and ascertaining the pressure of Fluids. We 
 meet him next in the Air, running through all its properties. Having remarked 
 on the propagation of Sounds, he pauses for a bit of Music, and goes otf into the 
 Vegetable Kingdom, then travels through the Animal Kingdom, and having 
 visited the various races of the human family, winds up with a demonstration of 
 the Anatomy of Man." — Examiner.
 
 VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. 11 
 
 NARRATIVE OF A 
 
 JOURNEY ROUND THE WORLD 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 A WINTER PASSAGE ACROSS THE ANDES TO CHILI, 
 
 WITH A VISIT TO THE GOLD REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA AND AUSTRALIA, 
 THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS, JAVA, &C. 
 
 BY F. GERSTAECKER. 
 3 vols, post 8vo. 31s. 6d. 
 
 " Starting fiotu Bremen for California, the author of this Narrative proceeded 
 to Rio, and thence to Buenos Ayres, where he exchanged the wild seas for the 
 yet wilder Pampas, and made his way on horseback to Valparaiso across the 
 Cordilleras — a winter passage full of difhculty and danger. From Valparaiso 
 he sailed to California, and visited San Francisco, Sacramento, and the mining 
 districts generally. Thence he steered his course to the South Sea Islands, 
 resting at Honolulu, Tahiti, and other gems of the sea in that quarter, and from 
 thence to Sydney, marching through the Murray Valley, and inspecting the 
 Adelaide district. From Australia he dashed onward to Java, tiding tlirough the 
 interior, and taking a general survey of Batavia, with a glance at Japan and the 
 Japanese. An active, intelligent, observant man, the notes he made of his adven- 
 tures are full of variety and interest. His descriptions of places and persons are 
 lively, and his remarks on natural productions and the phenomena of earth, sea, 
 and sky are always sensible, and made with a view to practical results. Those 
 portions of the Narrative which refer to California and Australia are replete with 
 vivid sketches ; and indeed the whole work abounds with living and picturesque 
 descriptions of men, manners, and localities." — Globe. 
 
 " The author of this comprehensive narrative embarked at Bremen for Cali- 
 fornia, and then took ship to the South Sea Islands, of which and of their inhabit- 
 ants we have some pleasant sketches. From the South Sea Islands he sailed to 
 Australia, where he etfected a very daring and adventurous journey by himself 
 through the Murray Valley to Adelaide. lie then proceeded to Java, the interior 
 of which he explored to a considerable distance. Before he departed for Europe, 
 he remained some time at Batavia, and was so fortunate as to witness the arrival 
 of the Japanese vessel bringing her annual cargo of goods from Japan. Inde- 
 pendently of great variety — for these pages are never monotonous or dull — a 
 pleasant freshness pervades Mr. Gerstaecker's chequered narrative. It offers much 
 to interest, and conveys much valuable information, set forth in a very lucid and 
 graphic manner." — Athen<Bum. 
 
 " These travels consisted principally in a ' winter passage across the Andes to 
 Chili, with a visit to the gold regions of California and Australia, the South Sea 
 Islands, Java, &c.' In the present state of things and position of affairs, no more 
 desirable book can he imagined. It carries us at once to the centre of attractions 
 — it conveys us to the land of promise to expectant thousands. We behold, face 
 to face, the mighty regions where so many of our countrymen have gone, that 
 it seems almost a second home. We are informed, in minute details of the life 
 that is led there. There is no false glitter thrown over the accounts ; the author 
 evidently strives to raise no false hopes, and excite no unreasonable expectations. 
 The accounts given of California are particularly explicit. The description of 
 Sydney during the excitement prevailing on the discovery of new mines is very 
 interesting." — Sun.
 
 12 HURST AND BLACKETT's NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 AUSTRALIA AS IT IS: 
 
 ITS SETTLEMENTS, FARMS, AND GOLD FIELDS. 
 BY F. LANCELOTT, ESQ., 
 
 MINERALOGICAL SURVEYOR IN THK AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 
 
 Second Edition, revised. 2 vols, post Svo. 21s. 
 
 "This is an unadorned account of tlie actual condition in which these colonies 
 are found hy a professional surveyor and mineralogist, who goes over the ground 
 with a careful glance and a reniarkahle aptitude for seizing on the i)ractical por- 
 tions of the suhjcct. On the climate, the vegetation, and the agricultural 
 resoui'ces of the country, he is copious in the extreme, and to the intending 
 emigrant an iuvaluahle instructor. As may he expected from a scientific hand, 
 the suhject of gold digging undergoes a thorough manipulation. Mr. Lancelott 
 dwells with minuteness on the several indications, stratifications, varieties of soil, 
 and methods of working, experience has pointed out, and oH'ors a perfect manual 
 of the new craft to the adventurous settler. Nor has he neglected to provide 
 him with information as to the sea voyage and all its accessories, the commodities 
 most in request at the antipodes, and a general view of social wants, family 
 management, &c., such as a shrewd and observant counsellor, aided by old 
 resident authorities, can atford. As a guide to the auriferous regions, as well as 
 the pastoral solitudes of Australia, the work is unsurpassed." — Globe. 
 
 "This is the best book on the new Ei Dorado; the best, not only in respect to 
 matter, style, and arrangement, in all of which merits it excels, but eminently 
 the best because the latest, and the work of a man ])rofessionally conversant with 
 those circuiustances which are charming hundreds of thousands annually to the 
 great Southern Continent. The last twenty years have been prolific of works 
 upon Australia, but they are all now obsolete. Every one who takes an interest 
 in Australia would do well to possess himself of Mr. Lancelott's work, which 
 tehs everything of the social state, of the physiology, and the precious mineralogy 
 of the gokl country." — Standard. 
 
 " We advise all about to emigrate to take this book as a counsellor and com- 
 panion." — Lloyd's Weekly Paper, 
 
 A LADY'S VISIT TO THE GOLD DIGGINGS 
 
 OF AUSTRALIA IN 1852-3. 
 
 BY MRS. CHARLES CLAOY. 1 voL 10s. 6ci. 
 
 " The most pithy and entertaining of all the books that have been written on 
 the gold diggings." — Literary Gazette. 
 
 " Mrs. Clacy's book will be read with considerable interest, and not without 
 profit. Her statements and advice will be most useful among her own sex." — 
 AthencEum. 
 
 " Mrs. Clacy tells her story well. Her book is the most graphic account of the 
 diggings and the gold country in general that is to be had." — Daily New.i. 
 
 " One of the best guides to Austrahan emigrants yet issued." — Messenger. 
 
 " Wo recommend this work as the emigrant's vadc mecum." — Home Companion.
 
 VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. 13 
 
 A S K E T C H E E'S TOUR 
 
 ROUND THE WORLD. 
 
 BY ROBERT ELWES, ESQ,. 
 
 1 vol. royal 8vo., with 21 Coloured Illustrations from Original Designs by the 
 Author. 21s. elegantly bound, gilt edges. 
 
 " Combining in itself the best qualities of a lil)rary volume, with that of a gift- 
 book, is Mr. Elwes' ' Sketcher's Tour.' It is an unaffected, well-written record 
 of a tour of some 36,000 miles, and is accompanied by a number of very beautiful 
 tinted Uthographs, executed by the author. These, as well as the literary 
 sketches in the volume, deal most largely with Southern and Spanish America, — 
 whence the reader is afterwards taken by Lima to the Sandwich Islands, is carried 
 to and fro among the strange and exciting scenes of the Pacific, — thence sails to 
 the AustraUan coast, — passes to China, — afterwards to Singapore and Bombay, — 
 and so home by Egypt and Italy. The book is pleasantly written throughout, 
 and with the picturesque variety that cannot but belong to the description of a 
 succession of such scenes, is also full of interesting and instructive remarks." — 
 Examiner, 
 
 " This is a delightful book. Mr. Elwes, in his Tour through America, Aus- 
 tralia, India, China, Turkey, Egypt, and Europe, lias chosen the grandest and the 
 most beautiful scenery for the exercise of his pencil. To the illustrations he has 
 added descriptions so vivid that his pen makes the work of the pencil almost 
 imnecessary. It is hard to say to what class of works the book must be assigned. 
 The beauty of the engravings, and the handsome s-'Ctling-up, make it an extremely 
 elegant book for the table of the drawing-room. The abundance of lively 
 remarks and anecdotes, and the extent and variety of information, make it an 
 equally admiralile book of learning and amusement." — Standard. 
 
 " The garment in which this book comes forth seems to point out the drawing- 
 room table as its place of destination. The nature of its contents — cheerful, 
 hvely letter-press — will assure it a ready welcome there. Yet it is not, therefore, 
 ineligible for the library shelf — even for that shelf which is devoted to ' Voyages 
 Round the World.' Pleasanter reading, we repeat, need not be offered than our 
 sketcher brings." — Athenamm. 
 
 " In every respect a most charming volume, abounding with exquisite coloured 
 engi'avings — an elegant gift-book for the season." — Messenger. 
 
 A TOUE OE INQUIRY 
 
 THROUGH FRANCE AND ITALY, 
 
 ILLUSTEATING THEIR PRESENT 
 
 SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION. 
 
 BY EDMUND SPENCER, ESQ., 
 
 Author of "Travels in European Turkey," " Circassia," &c. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " Mr. Spencer has travelled through France and Italy, with the eyes and feelings 
 of a Protestant ])hilosopher. His vohimes contain much valuable matter, many 
 judicious remarks, and a great deal of useful information." — Mortiing Chro- 
 nicle.
 
 14 HURST AND liLACKETT S NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 TRAVELS IN EUROPEAN TURKEY : 
 
 THROUGH BOSNIA, SERVIA, BUI GARIA, MACEDONIA, ROUMKLIA, ALBANIA, AND 
 EPIKUS; WITH A VISIT TO GllKECE AND THE IONIAN ISLES, AND A HOME- 
 WARD TOUR THROUGH HUNGARY AND THE SCLAVONIAN PROVINCES 
 OF AUSTRIA ON THE LOWER DANUBE. 
 
 BY EDMUND SPENCER, ESQ., 
 
 Author of " Travels in Circassia," &c. 
 
 Second anrl Cheaper Edition, in 2 vols. 8vo. with Illustrations, and a valuable 
 
 Jlap of European Turkey, from the most recent Charts in the possession of 
 
 the Austrian and Turkish Governments, revised by the Author, 18s. 
 
 " These important volumes appear at an opportune moment, as they desciibe 
 some of tliose countries to which public attention is now more particularly 
 directed : Turkey, Greece, Hungary, and Austria. The author has given us a 
 most interesting picture of the Turkish Empire, its weaknesses, and the em- 
 barrassments from which it is now sutfering, its financial difiiculties, the discon- 
 tent of its Christian, and the turbulence of a great portion of its Mohammedan 
 subjects. We are also introduced for the first time to the warlike mountaineers 
 of Bosnia, Albania, Upper Moesia, and the almost inaccessible districts of the 
 Pindus and the Balkan. The different nationalities of that Babel-like country, 
 Turkey in Europe, inhabited by Sclavonians, Greeks, Albanians, Macedonians, 
 the Roniani and Osmanli — their various characteristics, religions, superstitions, 
 together with their singular customs and manners, their ancient and contem- 
 porary history are vividly described. The Ionian Islands, Greece, Hungary, and 
 the Sclavonian Provinces of Austria on the Lower Danube, are all delineated in 
 the author's happiest manner. We cordially recommend Mr. Spencer's valuable 
 and interesting volumes to the attention of the reader." — U. S. Magazine. 
 
 " This interesting work contains by far the most complete, the most en- 
 lightened, and the most reliable amount of what has been hitherto almost the 
 terra incognita of European Turkey, and supplies the reader with abundance of 
 entertainment as well as instruction." — John Bull. 
 
 ARCTIC MISCELLANIES, 
 
 A SOUVENIR OF THE LATE POLAR SEARCH. 
 BY THE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN OF THE EXPEDITION. 
 
 DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY. 
 
 Second Edition. 1 vol. with numerous Illustrations, 10s. 6d. 
 
 From the " Times." — This volume is not the least interesting or instructive 
 among the records of the late expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, com- 
 manded by Captain Austin. The most valuable portions of the book are those 
 which relate to the scientific and practical observations made in the course of the 
 expedition, and the descriptions of scenery and incidents of arctic travel. From 
 the variety of the materials, and the novelty of the scenes and incidents to which 
 they refer, no less than the interest which attaches to all that relates to the 
 probable safety of Sir John Franklin and his companions, the Arctic Miscellanies 
 forms a very readable book, and one that redounds to the honour of the national 
 character.
 
 VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. 15 
 
 THE ANSYREEH AND ISMAELEEH: 
 
 A VISIT TO THE SECRET SECTS OF NORTHERN SYRIA, 
 
 WITH A VIEW TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS. 
 
 BY THE BEV. S. LYDE, M.A., 
 
 Late Chaplain at Beyrout. 1 vol. 10s. 6d. 
 
 " Mr. Lyrle's pages furnish a very good illustration of the present state of some 
 of the least known parts of Syria. Mr. Lyde visited the most important districts 
 of the Ansyreeh, lived with them, and conversed with their sheiks or chief men. 
 The practical aim of the author gives his volumes an interest which works of 
 greater pretension want." — AthencBum. 
 
 " By far the best account of the country and the people that has been presented 
 by any traveller." — Critic. 
 
 TRAVELS IN INDIA AND KASHMIR. 
 
 BY BABOlSr SCHONBEKG. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 "This account of a Journey through India and Kashmir will be read with 
 considerable interest. Whatever came in his way worthy of record the author 
 committed to writing, and the result is an entertaining and instructive miscellany 
 of information on the country, its climate, its natural productions, its history and 
 antiquities, and the character, the religion, and the social condition of its inhabi- 
 tants. The remarks on these various topics possess additional interest as the 
 author views India and our rule over that country with the eye of an impartial 
 observer." — John Bull. 
 
 KHARTOUM AND THE NILES. 
 
 BY GEOBG-E MELLEY, ESQ. 
 
 Second Edition. 2 v. post 8vo., with Map and Illustrations, 21s. 
 
 " Mr. Melly is of the same school of travel as the author of ' Eothen.' His 
 book altogether is very agreeable, comprising, besides the description of Khartoum, 
 many intelligent illustrations of the relations now subsisting between the Govern- 
 ments of the Sultan and the Pacha, and exceedingly graphic sketches of Cairo, 
 the PjTamids, the Plain of Thebes, the Cataracts, &c." — Examiner. 
 
 ATLANTIC & TRANSATLANTIC SKETCHES. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN MACKINNOIT, B.N. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " Captain Mackinnon's sketches of America are of a striking character and 
 permanent value. His volumes convey a just impression of the United States, a 
 fair and candid view of their society and institutions, so well written and so 
 entertaining that the effect of their perusal on the public here must be con- 
 siderable. They are light, animated, and lively, full of racy sketches, pictures of 
 life, anecdotes of society, visits to remarkable men and famous places, sporting 
 episodes, &c., very original and interesting." — Sunday Times.
 
 16 IIURST AND BLACKETT's NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 REVELATIONS OE SIBEUIA. 
 
 BY A BANISHED LADY. 
 Third and Cheapkr Edition. 2 vols. IGs. 
 
 " A thorouglily good book. It cannot be read by too many people." — Dickens^a 
 Ilowichold Jf'on/s. 
 
 "The authoress of these volumes was a lady of quality, who, having incurred 
 the displeasure of the Russian Government for a political offence, was exiled to 
 Siljcria. The ])lace of her exile was Berezov, the most northern ]iart of this 
 northern penal settlement; and in it she spent about two years, not un])rofitably, 
 as the reader will find by her interesting work, containing a lively and graphic 
 pictiu'e of the country, the people, their manners and customs, &c. The book 
 gives a most ini[)ortant and valuable insight into the economy of what has been 
 hitherto the terra incognita of Russian despotism." — Daift/ News. 
 
 " Since the publication of the famous romance the ' Exiles of Siberia,' of 
 Madame Cottiii, we have had no account of these desolate lands more attractive 
 than the present work, from the pen of the Lady Eve Feliiiska, which, in its )m- 
 pretending style and truthful simplicity, will win its way to the reader's heart, 
 and compel him to sympathise with the fair sufferer. The series of hardships 
 endured in traversing these frozen solitudes is affectingly told ; and once settled 
 down at one of the most northern points of the convict territory, Berezov, six 
 hundred miles beyond Tobolsk, the Author exhibits an observant eye for the 
 natural phenomena of those latitudes, as well as the habits of the semi-barbarous 
 aborigines This portion of the book will be found by the natui'alist as well as 
 ethnologist full of valuable information." — Globe. 
 
 '' These ' Revelations' give us a novel and interesting sketch of Siberian life — the 
 habits, morals, manners, religious tenets, rites, and festivals of the iidiabitants. The 
 writer's extraordinary powers of observation, and the graceful facility with which 
 she describes everything worthy of remark, render her ' Revelations' as attractive 
 and fascinating as they are original and instructive." — Britannia. 
 
 FOREST LIEE IN CEYLON. 
 
 BY "W. KIsTIGHTOlSr, M.A., 
 
 Formerly Secretary to the Ceylou Branch Royal Asiatic Society. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " A very clever and amusing book, by one who has lived as a planter and 
 journalist many years in Ceylon. The work is filled with interesting accounts of 
 the sports, resources, productions, sceneiy, and traditions of tlie island.^ The 
 sporting adventures are narrated in a very spirited manner." — Standard. 
 
 EIGHT YEARS 
 IN PALESTINE, SYRIA, AND ASIA MINOR. 
 
 BY F. A. NEALE, ESQ., 
 
 LATE ATTACHED TO THE CONSULAR SERVICE IN SYRIA. 
 
 Second Edition, 2 vols., with Illustrations, 21s. 
 " A very agreeable book. Mr. Neale is evidently quite familiar with the 
 East, and writi-s in a lively, shrewd, and good-humoured manner. A great 
 deal of information is to be found in his pages." — AfhencBum.
 
 VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. 
 
 17 
 
 TEAVELS IN BOLIVIA; 
 
 WITH A TOUR ACROSS THE PAMPAS TO BUENOS AIRES, &c. 
 BY L. HUGH DE BONELLI. 
 
 OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTy's LEGATION. 2 VOls. 2l8. 
 
 EIGHTEEN YEARS ON THE 
 
 GOLD COAST OF AFRICA; 
 
 INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIVE TRIBES, AND THEIR 
 
 INTERCOURSE WITH EUROPEANS. 
 
 BY BUDDIE CEUICKSHAM-K, 
 
 MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, CAPE COAST CASTLE. 2 VOls. 21s. 
 
 " This is one of the most interesting works that ever j-et came into our hands. 
 It possesses the charm of introducing us to habits and manners of the human 
 family of which before we had no conception. Before reading Mr. Cruiclvshank's 
 volumes we were wholly unaware of the ignorance of all Europeans, as to the 
 social state of the inhabitants of Western Africa. Mrs. Beecher Stowe's work 
 has, indeed, made us all familiar with the degree of intelligence and the disposi- 
 tions of the transplanted African ; but it has been reserved to Mr. Cruickshank 
 to exhibit the children of Ham in their original state, and to prove, as his work 
 proves to demonstration, that, by the extension of a knowledge of the Gospel, and 
 by that only, can the African be brought within the pale of civilization. We 
 anxiously desire to direct public attention to a work so valuable. An incidental 
 episode in the work is an affecting narrative of the death of the gifted Letitia 
 Elizabeth Landon (L.E.L.), written a few months after her marriage with 
 Governor Maclean. It relieves the memory of both husband and wife from all 
 the vile scandals that have been too long permitted to defile their story." — 
 Standard. 
 
 " This work will be read with deep interest, and will give a fresh impulse to 
 the exertions of philanthropy and religion." — John Bull. 
 
 LIFE IN SWEDEN, 
 
 WITH EXCURSIONS IN NORWAY AND DENMARK. 
 BY SELINA BUNBUKY. 2 vols, 21s. 
 
 " The author of this clever work never misses a lively sketch. Her descriptions 
 of life in Sweden and Norway are all piquant, and most of them instructive, 
 illustrating northern life in all its phases, fi'om the palace to the cottage. The 
 work is well calculated to excite in the English pul)lic a desire to visit scenes 
 which have as yet been exposed to the view of few travellers." — Daily News. 
 
 " Two delightful, well-informed volumes, by a lady of much acuteness, lively 
 imagination, and shrewd observance. The work can be safely recommended to 
 the reader, as the freshest, and most certainly the truthfullest publication upon 
 the North that has of late years been given to the world." — Observer.
 
 HURST AND BLACKETT S NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 NARRATIVE OF A 
 
 FIVE YEAKS' l^ESIDENCE AT NEPAUL. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN THOMAS SMITH, 
 
 Late Assistant Political-Hksident at Nepaul. 2 v, post 8vo. 21s. 
 
 "No mail could be better qualified to describe Ncpaul tban Captain Smith; 
 and his concise, but clear and grapiiic account of its history, its natural produc- 
 tions, its laws and customs, and the chaiacter of its warlike inhabitants, is veiy 
 agreeable and instructive reading. A separate chapter, not the least entertaining 
 ill the book, is devoted to anecdotes of the Nepanlese mission, of whom, and of 
 their visit to Eurojjc, many remarkable stories are told." — Post. 
 
 CANADA AS IT WAS, IS, AND MAY BE. 
 
 By the late Lieutenant-Colonel Sir R. Bonnycastle. 
 
 "With an Account of Recent Transactions, 
 
 BY SIR J. E. ALEXAKTDEB, K.L.S., &c. 2 v. with Maps, &c. 21s. 
 
 " These volumes offer to the British public a clear and trustworthy statement 
 of the affairs of Canada, and the effects of the immense public works in progi'css 
 and completed; with sketches of localities and scenery, amusing anecdotes of 
 personal observation, and generally every information which may be of use to the 
 traveller or settler, and the military and political reader. The information ren- 
 dered is to be thoroughly relied on as veracious, full, and couclubive." — Mes- 
 senc/er. 
 
 FIVE YEAIIS IN THE WEST INDIES. 
 
 BY CHAELES "W. DAY, ESQ,. 2 vols. 21s. 
 
 " It would be unjust to deny the vigour, brilliancy, and varied interest of this 
 work, the abundant stores of anecdote and interest, and the copious detail of 
 local habits and peculiarities in each island visited in succession." — Globe. 
 
 SCENES FEOM SCHIPTURE. 
 
 BY THE BEV. G. CBOLY, LL.D. 10s. 6d. 
 
 " Eminent in every mode of literature, Dr. Croly stands, in our judgment, first 
 among the living poets of Great Britain — the only man of our day entitled by his 
 power to venture within the sacred circle of religious poets." — Standard. 
 
 "An admirable addition to the library of religious families." — John Bull. 
 
 THE AUTOBIOGHAPHY OF A MISSIONARY. 
 
 BY THE BEV. J. P. ELETCHEB, 
 
 Curate of South Harapstead. Author of " A Residence at Nineveh." 2 v. 21s. 
 
 " A graphic sketch of missionary life." — Examiner. 
 
 " We conscientiously recommend this book, as well for its amusing character 
 as for the spirit it displays of earnest piety." — Standard.
 
 FAMILY ROMANCE; 
 
 OR, DOMESTIC ANNALS OF THE ARISTOCEACY. 
 BY J. B. BTJBKE, ESQ,., Author of " The Peerage," &c. 2 v., 21s. 
 
 Among the many other interesting legends and romantic family histories com- 
 prised in these volumes, will be found the following: — The wonderful narrative 
 of Maria Stella, Lady Newborough, who claimed on such strong evidence to be a 
 Princess of the House of Orleans, and disputed the identity of Louis Philippe — 
 The story of the humble marriage of the beautiful Countess of Strathmore, and 
 the sufferings and fate of her only child — The Leaders of Fashion, from Gramont 
 to D'Orsay — The rise of the celebrated Baron "Ward, now Prime Minister at 
 Parma — The curious claim to the Earldom of Crawford — The Strange Vicissitudes 
 of our Great Families, replete v/itli the most romantic details — The story of the 
 Kirkpatricks of Closeburn (the ancestors of the French Empress), and the re- 
 markable tradition associated with them — The Legend of the Lambtons — The 
 verification in our own time of the famous prediction as to the Earls of Mar — 
 Lady Ogilvy's escape — The Beresford and Wynyard ghost stories, correctly told — 
 &c.,"&c. 
 
 " It were impossible to praise too highly as a work of amusement these two most 
 interesting volumes, whether we should have regard to its excellent plan or its 
 not less excellent execution. The volumes are just what ought to be found on 
 every drawing-room table. Here you have nearly fifty captivating romances, with 
 the pith of all their interest preserved in undiminished poignancy, and any one 
 may be read in half an hour. It is not the least of their merits that the 
 romances are founded on fact — or what, at least, has been handed down for truth 
 by long tradition — and the romance of reality far exceeds the romance of fiction. 
 Each story is told in the clear, unaffected style with which the author's former 
 works have made the public familiar, while they afford evidence of the value, 
 even to a work of amusement, of that historical and genealogical learnino- that 
 may justly be expected of the author of 'The Peerage.' The aristocracy and 
 gentry owe, indeed, a great debt to Mr. Burke as their family historian." — 
 Standard. 
 
 " The very reading for sea-side or fire-side in our hours of idleness." — Athe- 
 ruBum, 
 
 SPAIN AS IT IS. 
 
 BYG. A. HOSKINS, ESQ. 2 vols. 21s. 
 " To the tourist this work will prove invaluable. It is the most complete and 
 interesting portraiture of Spain that has ever come under our notice." — John Bull. 
 
 NAVAL ARCHITECTURE: 
 
 A TKEATISE ON SHIP-BUILDING, AND THE RIG OF CLIPPERS, 
 
 WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR A NEW METHOD OF LAYING DOWN VESSELS. 
 
 BY LORD ROBERT MONTAGU, A.M. 
 
 Second Edition, with 54 Diagrams. 6s. 
 
 " Lord Montagu's work will be equally valuable to the ship-builder and the 
 ship-owner — to the mariner and the commander of yachts." — U. S. Magazine.
 
 20 HURST AND BLACKETT's NEW PUBLICATIONS, 
 
 SAM SLICK'S WISE SAWS 
 AND MODERN INSTANCES; 
 
 OR, WHAT HE SAID, DID, OR INVENTED. 
 
 Second Edition. 2 vols, post 8vo. 21s. 
 
 " We do not fear to predict that these delightful volumes will be the most 
 popular, as, bej'ond doubt, they are the best of all Judge llalilturton's admirable 
 works. The ' Wise Saws and Modern Instances' evince powers of imagination 
 and expression far beyond what even his former publications could lead any one 
 to ascribe to the author. We have, it is true, long been familiar with his quaint 
 humour and racy narrative, but the volumes before us take a loftier range, and 
 are so rich in fun and good sense, that to offer an extract as a sample would be 
 an injustice to author and reader. It is one of the pleasantest books we ever 
 read, and we earnestly recommend it." — Standard. 
 
 " Let Sam Slick go a mackarel fishing, or to court in England — let him venture 
 alone among a tribe of the sauciest single women that ever banded themselves 
 together in electric chain to turn tal)les or to mystify man— our hero always 
 manages to come off with flying colours — to beat every craftsman in the cunning 
 of his own calling — to get at the heart of every maid's and matron's secret. 
 The book before us will be read and laughed over. Its quaint and racy dialect 
 will please some readers — its abundance of yarns will amuse others. There is 
 something in the volumes to suit readers of every humour." — Athenceum. 
 
 " The humour of Sam Slick is inexhaustible. He is ever and everywhere a 
 welcome visitor ; smiles greet his approach, and wit and wisdom hang upon his 
 tongue. The present is altogether a most edifying production, remarkable alike 
 for its racy humour, its sound philosophy, the felicity of its illustrations, and the 
 delicacy of its satire. Whether he is making love to Sophy, or chatting with the 
 President about English men and manners, or telling ghost stories, or indulging in 
 day-dreams, or sketching the characters of Yankee skippers, or poaching in our 
 fisheries, or enticing a British man-of-war on to a sand-bar, he is equally delightful ; 
 charming us by the graphic vivacity and picturesque quaintness of his descriptions, 
 and, above all, by his straightforward honesty and truth. We promise our 
 readers a great treat from the perusal of these ' Wise Saws and Modern Instances,' 
 which contain a world of practical wisdom, and a treasury of the richest fun." — 
 Morning Post. 
 
 " As a woi'k embodying the cynicism of Rochefoucault, with the acuteness of 
 Pascal, and the experience of Theophrastus or La Bruycre, it may be said that, 
 except Don Quixote, the present work has no rival." — Observer. 
 
 TRAITS OF AMERICAN HUMOUR. 
 
 EDITED BY THE AUTHOB OF " SAM SLICK," 3 vols. 31s. 6(L 
 
 "We have seldom met with a work more rich in fun or more generally 
 delightful." — Standard. 
 
 " No man has done more than the facetious Judge Haliburton, through the 
 mouth of the inimitable ' Sam,' to make the old parent country recognise and 
 appreciate her queer transatlantic progeny. His present collection of comic 
 stories and laughable traits is a budget of fun full of rich specimens of American 
 humour." — Globe.
 
 WORKS OF FICTION. 21 
 
 FLORENCE, THE BEAUTIFUL. 
 
 BY A. BAILLIE COCHRANE, ESQ. 2 vols. 
 
 THE E S E S. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP " THE FLIRT," &c. 3 vols. 
 
 " The author of ' The Flirt' is ever welcome as a writer. ' The Roses' is a 
 novel wliich cannot fail to charm." — Observer. 
 
 " ' The Roses' displays, with the pohsh always attending a later work, all the 
 talent which appeared in ' The Flirt,' and ' The Manoeuvring Mother.' It is a 
 book which no one would lay down unfinished." — Stawlard. 
 
 " In this charming novel the author has brought out the female character in 
 three well-chosen contrasts. The whole tale is a history of sweet and tender 
 hearts to which the reader cannot refuse his sympathy." — John Bull. 
 
 ELECTRA : A STORY OF MODERN TIMES. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP "ROCKINGHAM." 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY LORD GERALD FITZGERALD. SECOND EDITION, 3 V. 
 
 From the Times. — " The author of ' Rockingham' holds always a vigorous 
 pen. It is impossible to deny him the happy faculty of telling a pleasing story 
 vrith ability and power. His characters are the tlesh and blood we meet in our 
 daily walks; their language is natural, appropriate, and to the purpose. We are 
 bound to extend our highest praise to the skill with which the several characters 
 in ' Electra' are pourtrayed, and with which the interest of the story is sustained 
 to the very last chapter. Lady Glenarlowe and her daughter. Lord Glenarlowe 
 and Electra, are all finely-drawn pictures, and are full of touches by a master 
 hand." 
 
 AILTEFORT): A FAMILY HISTORY. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OP " JOHN" DRAYTON." 3 v. 
 " A work abounding in fascination of an irresistible kind." — Observer. 
 '' A most charming and absorbing story." — Critic. 
 " The book throughout excites the interest of reality." — Spectator. 
 " ' Ailieford' is the biography of the clever writer of ' John Drayton.' It is 
 a deeply interesting tale." — Britannia. 
 
 CHARLES AUCHESTER. 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE RIGHT HON. B. DISRAELI. 3 Vols. 
 
 " The author has originality and a strong imagination." — Times. 
 
 " Music has never had so glowing an advocate as the author of these volumes. 
 There is an amazing deal of ability displayed in them." — Herald. 
 
 " The life of an enthusiast in music, by himself. The work is full of talent. 
 The sketches of the masters and artists are life-like. In Seraphael all will recog- 
 nize Mendelssohn, and in Miss Benette, Miss Lawrence, and Anastase, Berlioz, 
 Jenny Lind, and another well-known to artist life, will be easily detected. To 
 every one who cares for music, the volumes will prove a dehghtful study." — 
 Briian?iia.
 
 / 
 
 H A U E Y M U I II; 
 
 A STORY OF SCOTTISH LIFE. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF "MARGARET MAITLAND." 
 Skcond Edition. 3 vols. j)ost 8vo. 
 
 "We prefer ' Harry Muir' to most of the Scottish novels that have appeared 
 since Gall's domestic stories. This new tale, by the author of ' Margaret Maitland,' 
 is a real picture of the weakness of man's nature and the depths of woman's kind- 
 ness. The narrative, to repeat onr praise, is not one to be entered on or parted 
 from without our regard for its writer being increased." — J(/ieHceum. 
 
 " A picture of life, everywhere genuine in feeling, perfect in expression." — 
 Examiner. 
 
 " This is incomparably the best of the author's works. In it the brilliant 
 promise afforded by ' Margaret Maitland' has been fully realised, and now there 
 can be no question that, for graphic pictures of Scottish life, the author is 
 entitled to be ranked second to none among modern writers of fiction." — Cale- 
 donian Mercury. 
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOK. 
 
 ADAM GRAEME 
 
 OF MOSSGRAY. 
 
 Second Edition. 3 vols. 
 
 " A stoi-y awakening genuine emotions of 
 interest and delight by its admirable pictures 
 of Scottish life and scenery." — Post. 
 
 CALEB FIELD. 
 
 A TALE OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Cheaper Edition. 1 v. 6«. 
 
 " This beautiful production is every way 
 worthy of its author's reputation in the 
 very tirst rank of contemporary writers." — 
 Standard. 
 
 MEIEN; OR, THE MERCHANT PRINCE. 
 
 BY ELIOT "WARBURTON. Second Edition. 3 vols. 
 
 " The scheme for the colonization of Darien by Scotchmen, and the opening 
 of a communication between the East and West across the Isthmus of Panama, 
 furnishes the foundation of this story, which is in all respects worthy of the 
 high reputation which the author of the ' Crescent and the Cross' had already 
 made for himself. The early history of the Merchant Prince introduces the 
 reader to the condition of Spain under the Inquisition ; the portraitures of 
 Scottish life which occupy a prominent i)lace in the narrative, are full of spirit ; 
 the scenes in America exhibit the state of the natives of the new world at that 
 period ; the daring deeds of the Buccaneers supply a most romantic element in 
 the story, and an additional interest is infused into it by the introduction of 
 various celebrated characters of the period, such as Law, the French financier, 
 and Paterson, the founder of the Bank of England. All these varied ingredients 
 are treated with that brilliancy of style and powerful descriptive talent, by which 
 the pen of Eliot Warburton was so eminently distinguished." — John Bull. 
 
 THE EIRST LIEUTENANT'S STORY. 
 
 BY IiADY CATHARINE LONG. 3 vols. 
 
 " As a tracing of the workings of human passion and principle, the book is full 
 of exquisite beauty, delicacy, and tenderness." — Daily Neivs.
 
 WORKS OF FICTION. 
 
 23 
 
 REGINALD LYLE. 
 
 BY MISS PARDOE. 3 v. 
 
 HIGH AND LOW; 
 
 OR, LIFE'S CHANCES AND CHANGES. 
 
 BY THE HON. HENRY COKE. 3 v. 
 
 THE YOXJWG HEIRESS. 
 
 BY MRS. TROLLOPE. 3 v. 
 
 " The knowledge of the world which Mrs* 
 Trollope possesses in so eminent a degree is 
 strongly exhibited in the pages of this 
 novel." — Observer. 
 
 The DEAN'S DAUGHTER, 
 
 OR, THE DAYS WE LIVE IN. 
 
 BY MRS. GORE. 3 v. 
 " One of the best of Mrs Gore's stories. 
 The volumes are strewed with smart and 
 sparkling epigram." — Morning Chronicle. 
 
 CASTLE AVON. 
 
 By the Author of 
 " EMILIA WYNDHAM," &c. 3 v. 
 "One of the most successful of the au- 
 thor's works." — Post. 
 
 LADY MARION. 
 
 BY MRS. W. FOSTER. 3 v. 
 " This fascinating novel needs not the 
 attraction of the name of the late Duke of 
 Wellington's niece upon the title-page to 
 commend it to the novel readers of the 
 fashionable world. The work gives evidence 
 of talent of no common order." — John Bull, 
 
 THE LONGWOODS 
 OP THE GRANGE. 
 
 By the Author of 
 " ADELAIDE LINDSAY." 3 v. 
 
 " 'The Longwoods' are a family group, in 
 the story of whose life romance readers will 
 find a charm and an interest similar to that 
 which attends the annals of the ' Vicar of 
 Wakefield.' " — Daily News. 
 
 UNCLE WALTER. 
 
 BY MRS. TROLLOPE, 3 v. 
 
 "' Uncle Walter' is an exceedingly enter- 
 taining novel. It assures Mrs. Trollope more 
 than ever in her position as one of the ablest 
 fiction writers of the day." — Morning Post. 
 
 ALICE WENTWORTH. 
 
 3 v. 
 "A novel of exciting interest " — Post. 
 
 THE KINNEARS. 
 
 A SCOTTISH STORY. 3 v. 
 
 " KVe heartily commend this story to the 
 attention of our readers for its power, sim- 
 plicity, and truth. None can read its impres- 
 sive record without interest, and few without 
 improvement." — Morning Post. 
 
 BROOMHILL ; 
 
 OR, THE COUNTY BEAUTIES. 
 
 " ' Broomhill' is a tale of life in polite I 
 society. The dialogue is easy — the interest 
 is well sustained." — Athenaeum. 
 
 MARY SEAHAM. 
 
 BY MRS. GREY, 
 Author of " The Gambler's Wife." 3 v. 
 " Equal to any former novel by its author." 
 — Athenceum. 
 
 ANNETTE. A Tale. 
 
 BY W. F. DEACON. 
 With a Memoir of the Author, bv the 
 Hon. Sir T. N. Talfourd, D.C.L.' 3 v. 
 "'Annette' is a stirring tale. The 
 prefatory memoir by Sir Thomas Talfourd 
 would be at all times interesting, nor the less 
 so for containing two long letters from Sir 
 Walter Scott to Mr. Deacon, full of gentle 
 far-thinking wisdom." — Examiner. 
 
 CONFESSIONS OF AN 
 
 ETONIAN. 
 
 BY C. ROWCROFT, ESQ. 3 v. 
 
 "The life of an Etonian — his pranks, his 
 follies, his loves, his fortunes, and misfor- 
 tunes — is here amusingly drawn and hapjji'.y 
 coloured by an accomplished artist. The 
 work is full of aneediite and lively painting 
 of men and manners." — Globe. 
 
 THE BELLE OF THE 
 VILLAGE. 
 
 Bv the Author of 
 " The Old English Gentleman." 3 v. 
 
 " An admirable story. It may take its 
 place by the side of 'The Old English Gen- 
 tleman.' " — John Bull. 
 
 The LADY and the PRIEST. 
 
 BY MRS. MABERLY. 3 v.
 
 THE ARMY AND NAVY. 
 
 Published on the 1st of every Month, Price 3s. Gd. 
 
 COLBUEN'S UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE, 
 
 AND 
 
 NAYAL AND MILITARY JOURNAL. 
 
 This popular periodical, which has now been established a quarter of 
 a century, embraces subjects of such extensive variety and powerful 
 interest as must render it scarcely less acceptable to readers in general 
 than to the members of those professions for whose use it is more par- 
 ticularly intended. Independently of a succession of Original Papers 
 on innumerable interesting subjects, Personal Narratives, Historical 
 Incidents, Correspondence, &c., each number comprises Biographical 
 Memoirs of Eminent Officers of all branches of service. Reviews of New 
 Publications, either immediately relating to the Army or Navy, or in- 
 volving subjects of utility or interest to the members of either. Full 
 Reports of Trials by Courts Martial, Distribution of the Army and Navy, 
 General Orders, Circulars, Promotions, Appointments, Births, Marriages, 
 Obituary, &c., with all the Naval and Military Intelligence of the Month. 
 
 "This is confessedly one of the ablest and most attractive periodicals of which 
 the British press can boast, presenting a wide field of entertainment to the 
 general as well as professional reader. The suggestions for the benefit of the 
 two services are distinguished by vigour of sense, acute and practical observation, 
 an ardent love of discipline, tempered by a high sense of justice, honour, and a 
 tender regard for the welfare and comfort of our soldiers and seamen." — Globe. 
 
 " At the head of those periodicals which furnish useful and valuable information 
 to their peculiar classes of readers, as well as amusement to the general body of 
 the public, must be placed the ' United Service Magazine, and Naval and Military 
 Journal.' It numbers among its contributors almost all those gallant spirits who 
 have done no less honour to their country by their swords than by their pens, 
 and abounds with the most interesting discussions on naval and military affairs, 
 and stirring narratives of deeds of arms in all parts of the world. Every informa- 
 tion of value and interest to both the Services is culled with the greatest diligence 
 from every available source, and the correspondence of various distinguished 
 officers which enrich its pages is a feature of great attraction. In short, the 
 ' United Service Magazine' can be recommended to every reader who possesses 
 that attachment to his coinitry which should make him look with the deepest 
 interest on its naval and military resources." — Sun. 
 
 " This truly national periodical is always full of the most valuable matter for 
 professional men." — Morning Herald. 
 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 
 IS, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
 
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