Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

CHAR XVIII.

DISTURBANCES IN RUSSIA. PARALLEL BETWEEN FRENCH AND

RUSSIAN CRIMES AND CRUELTIES.CHARACTERISTICS OF REVOLT

IN RUSSIA. ORDER IN DISORDER.DANGER OF INCULCATING

LIBERAL IDEAS AMONG IGNORANT POPULATIONS. REASONS FOR

RUSSIAN SUPERIORITY IN DIPLOMACY. HISTORY OF THELENEF,

A TALE OF MODERN RUSSIA.

Tnis morning, early, I received a visit from the individual whose conversation is recounted in the last chapter. He brought me a French manuscript, written by the young prince, the son of his patron. It is the relation of an occurrence, only too true, that forms one of the numerous episodes of the yet recent event with which all feeling and thoughtful minds are still silently and secretly occupied. Is it possible to enjoy, without any feelings of uneasiness, the luxury of a magnificent abode, when one thinks that, at a few hundred leagues from the palace, murder is rampant, and society would fall to pieces, were it not for the terrific means employed to uphold it ?

The young Prince, who has written this story,

would be ruined if it could be discovered that he was the author. It is on this account that he has confided his manuscript to me, and entrusted me with its publication. He permits me to insert the account of the death of Thelenef in the text of my travels, where I shall faithfully give it, without, however, compromising the safety of any one. I am assured of the accii-