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2 furs, decided the matter in my favor. Lomoff would have been
3 obliged to return the money had he not in the interval become
4 bankrupt, but one of his relatives received the skins and paid me
5 a part of the amount. During the settlement of the above
6 transaction, I made an excursion to St. Petersburgh, of which
7 city I had heard so much, and what I saw there exceeded my
8 expectations. I will not mention the delightful situation of this
9 city, nor speak of its magnificent palaces, churches, and public
10 buildings; neither will I depict the imposing aspect of the
11 majestic-flowing waters of the Neva; nor describe the various
12 other external objects which have already been painted by others.
13 I will only mention one particular circumstance, which rendered
14 my stay in the metropolis, although for a very short time, most
15 agreeable. It was the kind reception I met with among all
16 classes of the inhabitants, from the highest to the lowest;
17 especially among the former. I still retain in my memory one
18 angel-like image, which appeared to me in the person of the
19 Grand Duchess Helena. This intellectual and illustrious lady
20 invited me to call on her, when she heard of my arrival, because
21 she had been informed that I had seen at Lahore Victor
22 Jaquemont, whose correspondence she was then reading. Her
23 Imperial Highness conversed with me about different matters for
24 two hours. She inquired principally about Cabul, Bokhara, and
25 India, their political, physical and moral condition, and even
26 the minutest particulars concerning those countries. Neither
27 can I omit here to mention one circumstance, trifling as it is,
28 for which I feel myself grateful even now. AVhen I was on the
29 following day on my way to see the Mint, as my oriental cos-
30 tume made me known everywhere, when I met the carriage of
31 the Grand Duchess, that noble lady saluted me very kindly the
32 instant she perceived me.
33 Being a native of Kronstadt in Transylvania, I thought it but
34 right while in the vicinity of the Russian town of the same name,
35 to visit it, a desire which must be excused, as that place enjoys a
36 reputation for its nautical importance ; but it happens very often
37 during life that difficulties oppose our plans, and thus it was