ST. PETERSBURG. 85 



Gliding in on noiseless tread is an old Russian man of 

 science. He dines daily at this table. Why, no one 

 knows, for the English alone frequent it. " The Pro- 

 fessor" is upwards of seventy, but is still hale and 

 active. What has he not seen ? Whom does he not 

 know ? What scientific meeting of savans was ever held 

 in Europe without " our distinguished friend from St. 

 Petersburg ' being among them ? What invention of 

 any great importance was ever patented, that the in- 

 ventor did not find a card and letter of introduction pre- 

 sented by " Professor " from St. Petersburg ? Is 



the Great Eastern commenced, finished, launched the 

 Professor is there at each of these moments of her 

 existence. Is the Transatlantic telegraph laid ? He is 

 the first at Valentia, and the last to leave. "Please 

 transmit the names of the Royal Family of Russia," he 

 whispers to the clerks. He is sure to receive one of 

 the first messages transmitted, and shows it to the 

 Emperor, 



Oh, how simple he is a child mere scientific 

 curiosity ; but is he not wide awake ! He knows far 

 more of persons and things in every part of Great 

 Britain than any inhabitant of the nation does. Yet 

 ask that man one question about Russia try, if you 

 can, and screw one ounce of information out of him 

 interrogate him about serfage, the political liberty, or 

 any other question oh, what ignorance seizes him I 

 How defective his memory becomes ! He does not 

 know ; he does not remember. He regrets to be unable 



