at by
writing down everything they were told, whether true or false, and
comparing the various statements they received, they were enabled
through time to separate truth from fiction, and the practice was very
improving. At the close of almost every examination, the bunyo
exhorted them not to despair, but to offer up prayers to Heaven, and
patiently await the emperor's decision.

Presently new work was found for them. An intelligent young man was
brought to their prison, to be taught the Russian language. To this
the captain consented, having no confidence in the Kurile Alexei as an
interpreter, and being desirous himself to gain some knowledge of
Japanese. Teske made rapid progress, and soon became a most useful and
kindly companion to the captives. Books, pens, and paper were now
allowed them in abundance; and their mode of treatment was every way
improved. But by and by, they were threatened with more pupils; a
geometrician and astronomer from the capital was introduced to them,
and would gladly have been instructed in their mode of taking
observations. Other learned men were preparing to follow, and it was
now evident that the intention of the Japanese government was to
reconcile them to their lot, and retain them for the instruction of
the nation. Indeed, this appears to be the great secret of the policy
of detaining for life instead of destroying the hapless foreigners
that light on these shores; as the avowed motive for tolerating the
commercial visits of the Dutch is, that they furnish the only news of
public events that ever reach Japan. Fearful of becoming known to
other nations for fear of invasion, they are yet greedy of information
respecting them, and many were the foolish questions they asked
Golownin about the emperor of Russia, his dress, habitation, forces,
and territories.

Golownin, on his part, endeavoured to elicit all the information he
could gain with respect to the numbers, resources, government, and
religion of this singular people. He found it impossible to ascertain
the amount of the population; indeed, it seems it would be very
difficult for the government itself to obtain a census, for millions
of the poor live abroad in the streets, fields, or woods, having no
spot which they can call a home. Teske shewed a map of the empire,
having every town and village marked on it; and though on a very large
scale, it was thickly covered. He pointed out on it a desert, which is
considered immense, b