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

EVIL OF THE MORAL ATMOSPHERE.277

obtained are peopled with peasants purposely established there to attend to the posting. Upon the arrival of a carriage, the imperial director sends from house to house to seek for horses and a disengaged coachman. Sometimes the distances are great enough to cause a considerable delay to the traveller. I should prefer more promptness in the changing of horses, and a little less speed in the driving. At the moment of leaving the broken-down foal and the forlorn young postillion, I felt no remorse; it came only upon reflection, and especially upon recording the circumstances in writing : shame then awoke repentance. Thus easily may those who breathe the air of despotism be corrupted. What do I say ? In Russia, despotism is only upon the throne, but tyranny pervades the country.

Education and circumstances considered, it must-be acknowledged that a Russian lord, the most accustomed to submit to, and to exercise arbitrary power, could not have committed, in the seclusion of his province, an act of cruelty more blamable than that of which I yesterday evening rendered myself guilty by my silence.

I, a Frenchman, who believe myself to possess a naturally kind disposition, who have been educated under a civilisation of ancient date, who travel among a people of whose manners I am a severe observer,— lo ! even I, upon the first opportunity for practising a petty act of unnecessary cruelty, yield to the temptation. The Parisian acts like a Tartar ! The evil is in the atmosphere.

In France, where they respect life, even that of the brute creation, if my postillion had not thought