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

thinks of avoiding it: such a thought never occurs to persons perfectly sure of their own good breeding.

"When the gaiety of the ex-lancer becomes rather too exuberant, the Russian ladies moderate it by singing, in their turn, some of those national airs of which the melancholy and originality greatly charm me.

The Princess L has sung to us some airs of

the Russian gypsies which, to my great surprise, bring the Spanish boleros to my mind. The Gitanos of Andalusia are of the same race as the Russian gypsies. This population dispersed, one knows not by what agency, throughout all Europe, has preserved in every region, its manners, its traditions and its national songs.

The sea voyage, so much dreaded in prospect, has proved so agreeable, that I look forward to its termination with real regret. Besides, who does not feel some sense of desolation in arriving in a large city, where one has no business and no friends. My passion for travel cools when I consider that it consists entirely of departures and arrivals. But what pleasures and advantages does not man purchase by this pain ! Were it only that he can by this means obtain information without laborious study, it would be well thus to turn over, as the leaves of a book, the different countries of the earth.

When I feel myself discouraged in the midst of my pilgrimages, I say to myself, " If I wish for the result, I must take the means," and under this thought I persevere. I do more, — scarcely am I again in my own abode, than I think of recommencing my travels. Perpetual travel would be a delightful way of passing