Travels in Siberia

Preface

. The following pages contain a narrative of incidents and adventures during travels which occupied three years, and were extended round the world. The reason why this particular portion has been selected for pub lication is, chiefly that it embraces some account of those countries concerning which the author has found the least genuine information current in Europe, and about which he has been most frequently interrogated since his return. All the dates have been set doAvn in conformity with the old calendar, because this is exclusively used throughout the Russian empire. But Avherever it has appeared especially necessary to avoid error, attention has been called to the difference betAveen the old and the new style. For the same reason, it has been thought advisable to use the thermometer graduated according to the scale of Reaumur, and in matters of importance to refer to the difference between this scale and that of Fahrenheit, which is in use among ourselves.

The apparently extraneous matter which will be found in some of the earlier chapters, has been introduced under the impression that the book would be rather read by those who are unacquainted with the more important institutions of the empire generally, A

PREFACE.

. IV than by those who are familiar with them, and in the conviction that no portrait of the people could be fairly exhibited to a reader, who might not be acquainted with such of their institutions as in all countries must have more or less contributed to form the national manners and character. The book appears, under the disadvantage of having been written during peace, and published after the virtual commencement of war with the country of whose inhabitants it solely treats. Yet, as its contents have no relation to changeable and moving events, it will not be mistaken for a publication adapted or intended to suit the present epoch better than any other time. If the style of its composition be found sometimes departing from that simplicity which is doubtless best suited to every mere narrative of events, this must be attributed to the author's great desire to impress upon his readers the true character of what he has endeavoured to describe. CONTENTS ro THE FIRST VOLUME.