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

justify your rancour, you accuse the victims, and search, in every misfortune that happens to them, some pretext for laying your yoke more heavily upon adversaries whose ancient glory is an unpardonable crime; the more so, as it must be owned that Polish glory was not very modest."

" Not a wit more so than French glory," maliciously responded my friend, whom I had known in Paris.: ff but you judge unfairly of our policy, because you neither understand the Russians nor the Poles."

" This is always the burden of your countrymen's song whenever any one ventures to tell them unpleasant truths. The Poles are easily known ; they are always talking: I can trust in boasters better than in those who say nothing but what we do not care to know."

" You must, however, have a good deal of confidence in me !"

í( In you, personally, I have: but when I recollect that you are a Russian, even though I have known you ten years, I reproach myself with my imprudence — 1 mean my candour."

" I foresee that you will give a bad account of us, on your return home."

" If I write, I perhaps may; but, as you say, I do not know the Russians, and I shall take care not to speak at random of so impenetrable a nation."

" That will be the best course for you to pursue."

" No doubt: but do not forget, that when once known to dissimulate, the most reserved men are appreciated as if already unmasked."