y to carry convicts and stores to Nerchinsk, where there are
mines of silver, gold, and precious stones, as well as a fine grain
country. The neighbourhood of Irkutsk is fertile and prolific, and the
population increasing. The climate is the mildest of Siberia, the
thermometer of Reaumur seldom exceeding 30 deg. to 34 deg. of cold, and that but
for short intervals.

On the 25th of November, having taken leave of his hospitable
acquaintances, Mr. Dobell left Irkutsk on his journey towards St.
Petersburg. He had fresh occasion to notice the kindness and simplicity
of the people, which his subsequent visits to the country tended to
confirm. On one occasion, at the village of Krasnoyesk, in this
province, he took, at the recommendation of the governor, instead of the
usual Cossack guides, two soldiers, one a grenadier of the guards of the
regiment of Moscow, and the other of the Semenofsky, who, having been
allowed a certain time to go and see their friends in Siberia, from whom
they had been absent eleven years, were anxious to return to St.
Petersburg, and had not money to hire a conveyance.

"They had travelled from Russia on foot, near five thousand
versts, to see their relations. The elder of the two had a wife
and two children. He related to me that when he returned to his
family, his wife, who knew him immediately, was so frightened
that she fell into a swoon; and it was nearly an hour before
she recovered her senses. His parting with his wife and
children again affected us exceedingly; but he seemed to bear
it with firmness, and said, 'God bless you, put your trust in
God: I shall return to you.' Both those men, but particularly
the married one, were the most faithful, obedient, well-behaved
men I ever saw, and proved of infinite service to me on the
road, as I travelled not with the post-horses, but with those
of the common peasants. This gives me an opportunity of
expatiating again on the moral and religious character of the
Siberians, as well as their intelligence, generosity, and
hospitality. I found on the road, even amongst the peasants, a
sympathy, a kindness and attention to the wants of my family
and myself, and a disinterestedness, that I have no where else
experienced. Many times it occurred that we lodged in a house
for the night, were furnished with bread, milk, cream, and a
supper for four servant