with peaks, and military ones; over there a billiard-table was depicted with two players wearing swallow- tailed coats, such as visitors to the theatres put on when they intend to go behind the scenes after the last act. The players were painted with their cues in position, with their arms somewhat drawn back, and with crooked legs which had just executed a flourish in the air. Beneath all this was written, “Here’s the Establishment.” Here and there tables stood in the street, bearing nuts, and soap, and gingerbread which looked like soap; in other places there were eating-houses, with pictures of a fat fish, and a fork thrust into it. Most frequently of all, one noticed darkened figures of the imperial two-headed eagle, nowadays replaced by the laconic inscription, “Drinking-house.”³ The pavement was everywhere in a bad condition.

The traveller glanced at the city-garden, which was planted with sickly trees, and after catechising the sentry there as to the nearest way of reaching the cathedral, the courts, and the governor’s house, in case of need, he went to survey the river, which flowed through the middle of the city. On the way he tore down a theatrical poster from the pillar to which it was attached, in order that he might read it thoroughly on his return home; stared intently at a rather pretty woman who passed along the sidewalk, followed by a little boy in military livery, with a package in his hand; and then he went home and to his room, being assisted upstairs by the servant of the inn. After drinking his tea, he seated himself at the table, ordered a light to be brought, pulled the poster out of his pocket, held it near the candle, and began to read it, half shutting his right eye as he did so. The poster contained but little of interest: a drama of Kotzebue’s was to be performed at the local theatre, Mr. Poplevin playing the part of Rolla, and Miss Zyablova that of Cora. The rest of the characters were of no consequence, nevertheless he read all the names, and even got as far as the prices for the pit, and learnt that the poster was printed at the Government printing-office. He then, it appears, wound up the day with a plateful of cold veal, some sour cabbage-soup, and a sound sleep—a regular bear sleep, as people say in some localities of the vast Russian empire.

The whole of the following day was devoted to visits. The new-comer set out to call upon all the official hierarchy of the town. He paid his respects to the governor, who, like himself, was neither fat nor lean in person. The governor wore the order of St. Anna⁴ dangling from his neck, and was said to be down on the list for a star; he was a very good-natured man, moreover, and sometimes embroidered on tulle. Then the traveller called upon the vice-governor, the procurator, the president of the court, the chief of police, the farmer of the brandy revenues, the director of the imperial factories—indeed, suffice it to say that he displayed unusual activity in the matter of calls.

In his conversations with the ruling personages, he contrived to flatter each in a very artful way. He hinted to the governor, as though cursorily, that to visit his government was like entering Paradise. The roads were everywhere like velvet, he said; and he added that the rulers who appointed wise officers were worthy of the greatest praise. To the chief of police he said something extremely flattering about the watchmen of the town; and in the course of conversation with the vice-governor and the president of the court, who were as yet only state councillors, he twice addressed them as “Your Excellency”⁵ by mistake, which pleased them greatly. The result of this was that the governor asked him to honour him that same evening with his company at a family party; the other officials did the same on their part, one asking him to dinner, another to a game of Boston,⁶ and a third to drink a cup of tea.

The stranger appeared to avoid saying much about himself; but when he did say anything, it consisted of commonplace remarks, uttered with evident discretion. He had gone through a great deal in his time, he said. He had suffered for the sake of Right; he had many enemies, who even sought his life; and now, feeling desirous of settling down in peace, he was seeking a place of residence. Having reached that town, he added, he had regarded it as his positive duty to pay his respects to the principal officials. Such was all that people learned regarding this new arrival, who did not fail to make his appearance promptly at the governor’s assembly. His preparations for this party occupied him more than two hours, for he paid unwonted attention to his toilet.