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

PECULIARITIES IN ТПЕ RUSSIAN CHARACTER. 49

CONVERSATION AT LUBECK ON PECULIARITIES IN THE RUSSIAN

CHARACTER.JOURNEY FROM BERLIN TO LUBECK.IMAGINARY

EVILS. TRAVEMUNDE. CHARACTER OP NORTHERN LAND

SCAPES.HOLSTEIN FISHERMENSUBLIMITY OF FLAT SCENERY.

NIGHTS OF THE NORTH. IT IS CIVILISATION WHICH

HEIGHTENS ADMIRATION OF THE SCENES OF NATURE. THE

STEPPES OF RUSSIA.BURNING OF THE STEAMER NICHOLAS I.

ROAD FROM SCH`\VERIN TO LUBECK. A GERMAN STATESMAN.

THE FAIR BATH-`\VOMAN OF TRAVEMUNDE. REFLECTIONS.

This morning, at Lubeck, the landlord of the hotel, hearing that I was going to embark for Russia, entered my room with an air of compassion which made me laugh. This man is more clever and humorous than the sound of his voice, and his manner of pronouncing the French language, would at first lead one to suppose.

On hearing that I was travelling only for my pleasure, he began exhorting me, with the good-humoured simplicity of a German, to give up my project.

"You are acquainted with Russia ? " said I to him.

" No, sir ; but I am with Russians ; there are many who pass through Lubeck, and I judge of the country by the physiognomy of its people."

" What do you find, then, in the expression of their countenance that should prevent my visiting them ? "

" Sir, they have two faces. I do not speak of the valets, who have only one; but of the nobles. "When tliev arrive in Europe they have a gay, easy, contented

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