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

" I invariably speak my real opinions."

" Truth, then, is still thought something of in France ? "

" I cannot tell; but I know that it ought to be loved for its own intrinsic merits."

" Sitch love does not belong to our age."

" In Russia ? "

S( `No where; and especially in no country governed by newspapers."

I was of the same opinion as the lady, which made me desirous of changing the conversation, for I would not speak contrary to my own sentiments, nor yet acquiesce with those of a person who, when she even thought with me, expressed her views with a causticity that was capable of disgusting me with my own.

An incident occurred very a-propos to turn the conversation. A sound of voices in the street attracted everybody to the window : it was a quarrel among boatmen, who appeared outrageous in their anger. The conflict was likely to become bloody, when the engineer showed himself upon the balcony, and the sight alone of his uniform produced a miraculous effect. The rage of these rude men calmed, without its being necessary to address them a single word; the courtier, the most perfectly broken in to falsehood, could not have better disguised his resentment.

" What an excellent people !" cried the lady who had undertaken to entertain me.

" What pitiable beings," I thought, as I re-seated myself, for I shall never admire the miracles of fear. However, I deemed it wiser to be silent.

" Order is not so easily re-established in your