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

CHAPTER XXXV.

Assassination of a German Landholder. — Russian Aversion to

Innovations. — Consequences of the established State of

Things. — Servility of the Peasants. — Exile of M. Guibal.—

A Muscovite Witch. — A sick Man among his Friends in

Russia. — Russian Charity. — A Passion for Tombs. — Noc

turnal Lessons in Etiquette. — Gipsies at the Fair. — The

Virtues of Outcasts. — Victor Hugo. —Project of visiting

Kazan abandoned.—Medical Advice.—Ideas of the Russians

respecting Free Governments. — Vladimir. — The Forests

of Russia. — The Use of a Feldjäger. — False Delicacy im

posed upon Foreigners.—Centralisation.— Rencontre with an

Elephant. — An Accident. — Return to Moscow. — A Fare

well to the Kremlin. — Effeet produeed by the Vicinity of

the Emperor.— Military Fete at Borodino. — The Author's

Motives for not attending.—Prince Witgenstein.—Historical

Travesty.Page 236

Return from Moscow to Petersburg. — History of M. Pernet, a French Prisoner in Russia. — His Arrest. — Conduct of his Fellow Traveller. — The French Consul at Moscow.

Effects of Imagination. — Advice of a Russian. — Great Novgorod. — Souvenirs of Ivan IV. —Arrival at Petersburg.

M. de Barante. —Sequel of the History of M. Pernet. — Interior of a Moscow Prison. — A Visit to Colpina. — Origin of the Laval Family in Russia. —The Academy of Painting.

The Arts in Russia. — M. Brulow. — Influence of the North upon the Arts. — Mademoiselle Taglioni at Petersburg. — Abolition of the Uniates. — Superiority of a Representative Form of Government. — Departure from Russia.— The Feelings of the Author. — A sincere Letter. — Reasons for not returning through Poland. .... 270