sent by
the Government from Archangel, to assist in increasing the
population; but she thanked God, at the same time, that she had
not been banished for misconduct. She told me she had always
lived much better than she did in Russia, and had been so
happily situated as to have never felt a wish to return. Having
received from her a fine fat fowl, some cream, vegetables, &c.
I asked her in the morning what I must pay for them. She
replied, 'a little tea and sugar, a piece of soap, and above
all, a few glasses of watky--though I would not have you
suppose I am addicted to liquor, for I only take a little now
and then to preserve my health.' Her emaciated frame and sallow
countenance belied her assertion. Complying with her request, I
begged her to preserve her health by using as little of the
spirit as possible, as it often had the opposite effect to that
of assisting the health. She laughed, and drinking a bumper to
my advice, wished me a safe journey."

Passing Veeteem and Kiringee, two considerable towns on the Lena, Mr.
Dobell found the country improve gradually, and the post-houses
throughout comfortable, clean, and convenient; much more so than could
have been expected in remote Siberia. The horses were also furnished
with great alacrity, and the inhabitants generally were kind and
hospitable. On the 30th of October he passed Katchuk, the place where
all the merchandise is embarked in the spring for Yakutsk and other
towns on the Lena. The river is generally free enough from ice by the
5th to the 12th of May, and but fourteen days are required for the
voyage. From Katchuk to Irkutsk, the road leaves the Lena, and passes
through a fine extensive plain, bounded on either side by well
cultivated hills, and having villages and farm houses dispersed over it
in all directions. This plain is principally inhabited by a horde called
Burettas, who are, for the most part, Christians, and have taken to
agriculture with a great deal of industry and zeal. The richer class
live in log houses, but the great part dwell in cabins, similar to the
winter jourtas of the more eastern hordes. Their clothing consists of a
pelisse of dressed goat or sheep skin, with the wool inside, trimmed
with fur, and painted in black and white stripes round the shoulders.

Irkutsk, the capital of eastern Siberia, is in latitude 52 deg. 16' 41", and
east longitude from St.