CHAP. XIII.

CONVICT SERVANTS.

283

awaiting his trial. To look at the man no one could have thought he was such a desperate character: he had an exceedingly pleasing and mild face.

The history of these people would really be curious. I was sorry we made such a short stay, or I might have collected a host of facts relating to them.

CHAPTER XIV.

A Birthday Ball-Singular Wedding Custom-Excitement amongst the Exiles-Anticipated general Pardon-An Escape and RecaptureThe poor German Exile and his Wife-Attempted Reform in Dress, and Check on Habits of Intemperance-A drunken Dignitary of the Church-Projected Visit to Kiachta.

Irkoutsk, January 1852.

BEFORE saying what we are doing, I must thank you for being so kind as to execute my commissions. I find everything very nice, the mantillas I consider beautiful; and, still better, they are pronounced to be so by all the ladies in Irkoutsk. The gloves I am very glad to have. I cannot procure any here for less than two silver roubles per pair; thus I save on each pair three quarters of a rouble so the gloves alone more than pay for the postage.

I dare say you will be surprised at the difficulty there is in procuring good tea here. Many persons send to Petersburg for it, whence they have it cheaper and better; and yet we are close to the great mart, but it is only those who have acquaintance in Kiachta who can procure it from there. I have a friend here who receives it in large quantities, and who is good enough to supply my wants. I expect we are going to Kiachta, where I mean to provide myself with a goodly quantity.

Thanks also for the present you sent to Alatau. Since

CHAP. XIV.

A CHRISTMAS PUDDING.

285

his birth he has cost me nothing more for clothing than the one piece of silk I bought in Kopal. In Barnaoul he was loaded with material for dresses, and amongst the prettiest were some of white linen, edged and embroidered with red, with red silk belts; they are in the Russian peasant style, which I think beautiful. Here it is the same; the only articles I buy are shoes and socks, and these come from Petersburg; and, besides, S has sent him many dresses. I can assure you my son is a most fashionable young gentleman. One dress presented to him by Mme. Zarine, the wife of the civil governor, was of a most beautiful Chinese material, called granitoor, it is a rich thick silk, but curled like crape. This was the boy's visiting costume, which he wore with the black velvet cap you sent him; it corresponds prettily with the dress, which is pink trimmed with silver lace and buttons; he has been greatly complimented on his appearance.

He has had a ball to celebrate his third birthday. All his little companions were invited, this is the second one he has had, and right merrily have they enjoyed themselves: such romps, and dancing too; the musician being a musical box. I gave them a surprise at supper, viz. a Christmas pudding. How the little eyes were dilated when they saw it come flaming into the room! It produced a grand effect, but the flavour was more appreciated by the elders than by the babies. It is the first plum-pudding ever made in Irkoutsk. The following day I had numbers who came for a taste, and all regretted they had not seen the grand sight.

There has been no end of balls and evening parties,

to go.

which differ only in not being in full ball costume; formerly I excused myself by saying I had a baby; but now there is no such excuse, and I am obliged There have been several weddings, and these cause them to be gayer. I must tell you that, when Mme. Zarine's niece was married, I knew the day they were going to make me a visit, so bade the nurse girl not to take the child away, as they would like to see him. She was on the balcony with him, when suddenly she rushed into the room and screamed out, "Here they are!' "Who?' I asked. "The new-married people,' she replied.

I must tell you that it is customary in Siberia for the newly married couple to go round to all their friends, accompanied by a band of musicians. In each house they stop at a room is quickly made ready, when all join in a dance; this ended, the hosts present champagne, and should they be poor, the wedding party have a supply with them; the health of the newly married couple is drunk, another dance is gone through, then off they are to some other place. They are probably joined by some one from each house they stop at, till at length there is a long line of carriages and droshkys, and the evening concludes with a supper. If the acquaintance is numerous, this lasts for two or three weeks.

Now my maiden had seen a military band accompanied by some droshkys, and in the simplicity of her heart imagined it must be the governor's niece. When they really did come, she was sadly put out, expecting to have seen a very grand affair, considering their position, and moreover residing in the house of the governor. She thought Siberian fashions far superior to

CHAP. XIV.

THE ESTAFETTE.

287

those of Petersburg, where nobody could see there was anything uncommon, and she had always been told that where the Tzar lived everything was very fine; she used to wish to see Petersburg, but now she had no such wish.

A circumstance connected with the exiles has caused an immense sensation in Irkoutsk. For the last two months they have been in a great state of excitement. Amongst their intimate friends the conversation has constantly run on the subject nearest their hearts, viz. their liberation from exile, which it was firmly hoped and believed would take place on the 25th anniversary of the emperor's ascending the throne. All expected an estafette to that effect, and as the day drew near it was painful to observe the anxiety depicted on each countenance: some believed a courier would be sent express, others that it would come through the post; but none doubted the fact, that the joyful intelligence would eventually arrive. At length the day of accession came and passed, damping in some degree their hopes, still not altogether extinguishing them; as they now believed that only on the anniversary would the order for their freedom be despatched. They became in a measure more tranquil, as a fortnight must elapse ere a courier could reach Irkoutsk. The fortnight passed, but without bringing the long-looked-for pardon; still they clung like drowning people to a straw. Perhaps something had happened to the courier which might have delayed him; but time passed, and post after post arrived without bringing the earnestly desired announcement; and unwillingly they were forced to abandon the last hope. Sad though all were, by degrees they ceased talking on