ever, was not put into execution.

M. H., 1918.

A JOURNEY IN RUSSIA IN 1858.

At the urgent request of our worthy and most active President, I have
been induced to follow the example of several other friends of this
Institution, and bring before you some account of a short visit to St.
Petersburg and Moscow.

I may premise that about fourteen years ago, on our return from Egypt,
via Constantinople, I and my companion, Mr. Charles Darbishire, were
placed in quarantine at a station overlooking the Black Sea. Along with
us we had a Russian nobleman[1] and his tutor, who were returning from a
pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

During the fifteen days' confinement, whilst occupying separate
apartments, we frequently interchanged visits, and on such occasions the
manners and condition of our respective countries became the frequent
subject of conversation.

Such discussions did not terminate without receiving urgent invitations
to visit Russia, offering, at the same time, to procure for us every
facility for seeing the cities to advantage; and also an order from the
gentleman's father,[2] who was at the head of the postal department,
which would command for us horses and conveyances through every part of
Russia.

Since that time I have frequently contemplated visiting the north of
Europe, but, from various causes, have deferred such undertaking till
the last summer, when, finding my fellow traveller unwilling to leave
home, I induced another individual[3] to accompany me after much
difficulty in reconciling herself to so long an absence from attractions
usually found at home.

We set off on the 17th of June, and sailed the following day from
Grimsby for St. Petersburg in the "Atlantic," a fine screw steamer,
1,600 tons burden, 284 feet long, and engines of 400 horse power, with
thirty passengers.

On setting out the weather was delightful, with a smooth sea, so that we
remained on deck all day, enjoying the promenade, though it was somewhat
restricted by numerous bales of cotton.

The following day proved cloudy and much colder, followed by a stiff
breeze through the night, rocking some of us without getting us to
sleep.

On the 20th we rejoiced to see _terra firma_, and about ten in the
evening landed a passenger at Elsinore.

Here the sea becomes much narrower, bringing into view more than fifty
vessels, no longer delayed by the payment of Sound dues which were
compounded for some years ago with the kingdom