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

ГНЕ MINISTER OF WAR.169

THE MINISTER OF WAR, AN EVASION. THE FORTRESS OF

SCHLUSSELBURG.FORMALITIES.TROUBLESOME POLITENESS.

HALLUCINATIONS.—K.OTZEBUE IN SIBERIA.THE FELDJÄGER.

MANUFACTORIES OF PETERSBURG. HOUSES OF RUSSIAN PEA

SANTS. A RUSSIAN INN. — DIRTINESS OF THE PEOPLE. THE

COUNTRY WOMEN.—BAD ROADS.—THE ENGINEER AND HIS WIFE.

THE SLUICES OF SCHLUSSELBURG.UNION OF THE CASPIAN

AND BALTIC. —THE SOURCE OF THE NEVA. INUNDATIONS OF

PETERSBURG. THE INTERIOR OF THE FORTRESS OF SCHLUSSEL

BURG. THE TOMB OF IVAN.ANGER OF THE COMMANDANT.

STATE PRISONERS. — A DINNER WITH THE MIDDLE CLASSES IN

RUSSIA.NATURAL CAUSTICITY OF THE PEOPLE.POLITE CON

VERSATION.—MADAME DE GENLIS.—FRENCH MODERN LITERA

TURE PROHIBITED. A NATIONAL DISH. — DIFFERENCE IN THE

MANNERS OF THE HIGHER AND MIDDLE CLASSES.RETURN TO

PETERSBURG.

On the day of the fete at Peterhoff, I had asked the minister of war what means I should take in order to obtain permission to see the fortress of Schlusselburg.

This grave person is the Count Tchernieheff. The brilliant aide-de-camp, the elegant envoy of Alexander at the court of Napoleon, is become a sedate man, a man of importance, and one of the most active ministers of the empire. Not a morning passes without his transacting business with the emperor. He replied, " I will communicate your desire to his majesty." This tone of prudence, mingled with an

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