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

Sir, and his physician's wife, a Lady; but, although his powers of comprehension were good, he died without being able to understand our explanations, or the value of the new dignity conferred upon his medical man."

" The ignorance of the Emperor Alexander," I replied, "is justified by that of many well-informed men: look at the greater mmiber of novels in which foreigners attempt to depict English society." This discourse served as a prelude to a most agreeable conversation, which lasted several hours. The tone of society among the higher ranks in Russia is marked by an easy politeness, the secret of which is almost lost among oiu`selves.

Every one, not even exchiding the French secretary of Prince K., appears modest, superior to the little cares and contrivances of vanity and self-love, and consecpiently, exempt from their mistakes and mortifications. If it is this that one gains from living under a despotism, vive la Russie!* How can polished manners subsist in a country where nothing is respected, seeing that l·on ton is only discernment in testifying respect. Let us begin again by showing respect to those who have a right to deference, and we shall again become naturally, and so to speak, involuntarily polite.

Notwithstanding the reserve which I threw into

* The author here requests a liberal construction on the part of the reader, in order to reconcile his apparent contradictions. It is only from a frank statement of the various contradictory views that present themselves to the mind that definitive conclusions are eventually to be attained.

VOL. I.E