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

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tchinn; I am not a private servant; I am in the employ of the emperor."

í( I care very little what you are; though I never said to you that you were a servant."

¢¢ I should have the appearance of being one, were I to sit in that place when you take a ride in the city. I have been many years in service; and, as a recompense for my good conduct, they hold out to me the prospect of nobility: I am endeavouring to obtain it, for I am ambitious."

This confusion of our old aristocratic ideas with the new vanity instilled by despots into a people diseased with envy, took me by surprise. I had before ine a specimen of the worst kind of emulation — that of the -parvenant already giving himself the airs of the parvenu I

After a moment's silence, . answered: " I approve your pride, if it is well founded; but being little acquainted with the usages of your country, I shall, before allowing you to enter my coach, submit your claims to the governor. My intention is to require nothing from you beyond what you owe me in accordance with the orders given you when you were sent to me : in my uncertainty as to yoiir pretensions, I dispense with your services for to-day; I shall proceed without you."

I felt inclined to laugh at the tone of importance with which I spoke; but I considered this dramatic dignity necessary to my comfort during the rest of the journey. There is nothing, however ridiculous, which may not be excused by the conditions and the inevitable consequences of despotism.

This aspirant to nobility, and scrupulous observer