Nazar and a Kirghiz interpreter who spoke
Russian, and occasionally by means of a moullah, who was acquainted
with Arabic, and had spent some time in Egypt.

_THE TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY_

_WILLIAM DURBAN_

The general characteristics of the Trans-Siberian Railroad may
be described in a few words. It is by far the longest railway on
earth. It is very much more solidly constructed, for the most part,
than is generally supposed. The road bed is perfectly firm, and
the track is well ballasted. Though in certain of the sections
far to the east great engineering difficulties had to be contended
with, the gradients on the greater part of the route are remarkably
easy.

Uniformity of gauge is the keynote of Russian railway engineers.
Accordingly in possessing a five-foot guage, the Great Siberian
is uniform with all the railroads throughout the Russian Empire.
Thus, the ample breadth of the cars harmonizes with the luxury
which astonishes the traveller who visits Russia for the first time,
no matter in what region of the Empire he happens to be touring.
The great height of the carriages, proportionate with the width,
adds to the imposing aspect of the trains. It is necessary to bear
these considerations in mind, for the idea prevails throughout the
world outside Russia that this colossal road was carried through,
not only with great haste, but also on a flimsy and superficial
system. The bridges are necessarily very numerous, for Siberia
is a land of mighty rivers with countless tributaries. All the
permanent bridges are of iron. Those which were temporarily made
of timber are being in every case reconstructed, and the Great
Siberian includes some of the most magnificent bridges in the world.

The bridge over the Irtish is unrivalled. Being nearly four miles
long, it is on that account phenomenal; but its stupendous piers,
designed specially to resist the fearful pressure of the ice, would
alone convince any sceptic of the determination of the Russian
administration to spare none of the resources of the Empire in order
to make this railway absolutely efficient, alike for mercantile
and military purposes. The Trans-Siberian Railway is intended to
create a new Siberia. It is already fulfilling that aim, as I shall
show. The most potent of the civilizing factors of the Twentieth
Century is in this enterprise presented to the world, and in a very
few years people will realize with astonishment what this railway
means