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

FICKLENESS OF NORTHERN PEOPLE. 127

hearts ; their affections, like the faint rays of their sun, are always dying. Remaining fixedly attached neither to persons nor to things—willingly quitting the land of their birth—born for invasions—these people appear as though merely destined to sweep down from the pole, at the times and epochs appointed by God, in order to temper and refresh the races of the South, scorched by the fires of heaven and of their passions.

On arriving at Petersburg, my friends, favoured by their rank, were speedily liberated from their floating prison, in which they left me bound by the irons of the police and the eustom-house, without so much as bidding me adieu. Where would have been the use of adieus ? I was as dead to them. AYhat are travellers to mothers of families ? Not one cordial word, not one look, not one thought was bestowed on me. It was the white curtain of the magie lantern, after the shadows have passed. I repeat that I had expected this denouement, but I had not expected the pain which it caused me ; so true it is that within ourselves exists the source of all our unforeseen emotions.

Only three days before landing, two of our fair and amiable travellers had made me promise to visit them in Petersburg, where the court is now assembled.