1 this time with me. I was to have gone there by steamer early
2 in the morning, but a thic k fog hovering in the atmosphere,
3 rendering it impossible to start at the appointed hour, the crew
4 waited for dearer weather. As it did not change, We departed
5 at. nine o’clock, but not far from the harbour we ran on a sand
6 bank, and were not able to move any further. Happily there
7 appeared an euipty steamer coining up the river from Kronstadt,
8 as if sent by Providence to our rescue. We went on hoard, and
9 proceeded, after a short delay, to the place of our destination.
10 On the steamer there was a respectably dressed young man, who
11 spoke German, and whose behaviour demonstrated him to he
12 of jrixrd breeding. After a conversation, in which he learned
13 that my intention was to stay only that day and one night
14 at Kronstadt, he proposed to me, in a very engaging manner,
15 to take up my quarters in his house, an offer wdiich I heartily
16 accepted. On our arrival at Kronstadt, I accompanied him
17 home ; but the first sight of his rooms produced in me a very
18 repugnant sensation; for everything in his abode indicated dis-
19 ovdor and uncleanliness. My displeasure increased still more,
20 when, after a short stay in his hospitable abode, he declared to
21 me that he was ruined, having just lost in three days fdl his loi-
22 tvine by card-playing at 1'etersbnrgh. We had not finished our
23 conversation, which took place close to the window that looked
24 into the yard, when on a sudden the gate opened, and a troop of
25 chimney-sweepers rushed in, whom my host informed uie were
26 his own servants. I looked for an excuse to leave as soon aa
27 possible the house of the chimney-sweeper; and afterwards L
28 was informed that this profession is a very lucrative one in
29 Russia, and that those who follow it are generally ricli and
30 respectable men.
31 Of wlmt further occurred to me after my return to St. Petcrs-
32 burgh, I have nothing to relate, fori left thecapital immediately
33 after my arrival there, and set off for Moscow. Ihe ariange-
34 ment of uiy affai.s having now been completed, I felt no stronger
35 desire than that of again seeing toy native country. It was in
36 the winter season, and the ground was covered with snow, when