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

dotes of her times, can only, it appears to me, be interesting to the French."

" You do not wish that Ave should make much of you and your writers."

k¢I wish that we should be valued for our real merit."

" If the influence that you have exercised over Europe in matters of social intercourse were taken from you, what would be left you ? "

I felt that I had to deal with a powerful adversary. " There would remain to us the glory of our history, and even that of the history of Russia; for this empire owes only its new influence in Europe to the energy with which it avenged itself for the conquest of its capital by the French."

•' It is true that you have immensely aided us, without wishing to do so."

" Did you lose any dear friend in that Avar ? "

" No, monsieur."

I had hoped that the aversion against France, which Avas betrayed by every word in the conversation of this rude lady, avou1c1 be explained to me by some too legitimate cause of resentment, but my expectation Avas deceived.

The conversation, which could not become general, Avas carried on in this manner until dinner. I sought to turn it to our new school of literature, but Balzac alone had been read. He was infinitely admired, and fairly judged. Almost all the works of our modern authors are prohibited in Russia, which proves the influence attributed to them. At last, after a long delay, Ave seated ourselves at table. The lady of the house, ever faithful to her part as a statue, made