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

MEDICAL ADVICE.251

pillars and a pediment; decorations even more out of place in a Tartar than in a Russian town; barracks, cathedrals in the style of temples; nothing, in short, was wanting; and I felt that the whole tiresome architectural repetition was not worth the trouble of prolonging my journey two hundred leagues in order to visit. But the frontiers of Siberia and the recollections of the siege still tempted me. It became necessary, however, to renounce the journey, and to keep quiet for four days.

The governor very politely came to see me in m) humble bed. At last, on the fourth day, feeling my indisposition increase, I determined to call in a doctor. This individual said to me,—

" You have no fever, you are not yet ill, but you will be seriously so if you remain three days longer at Nijni. I know the influence of this air upon certain temperaments; leave it; you will not have travelled ten leagues without finding yourself better, and the day after you will be well again."

" But I can neither eat, sleep, nor walk, nor even move without severe pains in my head: what will become of me if I am obliged to stop on the road ? "

" Cause yourself to be carried into your coach: the autumn rains have commenced: I repeat, that I cannot answer for you if you remain at îsijni."

This doctor is scientific and experienced : he has passed several years at Paris, after having previously studied in Germany. His look inspired me with confidence ; and the day after I received his advice I entered my carriage, in the midst of a beating rain and an icy wind. It was unpleasant enough to discourage the strongest traveller: nevertheless, at. the M 6