42 MEMOIR OF PALLAS. 



have been most flattering to me ; and I can affinn 

 that the only knowledge I have of them is from their 

 works and general reputation. I regard their suf- 

 frage as a most ample reward for all my fatigue and 

 suffering, though at the expense of my health ; and 

 I am content, because I have fulfilled the wishes of 

 my sovereign and the Academy." His own apology, 

 and his plan, must we think be satisfactory to every 

 one : " I shall mention only what appears to me the 

 most necessary, and I shall do it as laconically as I 

 can. I have bestowed the most scrupulous care on 

 all my observations ; in my estimation, truth is the 

 first requisite of the traveller, and it has been my 

 principal object in my own remarks, and in all the 

 observations of others which I repeat. If I had 

 had time at my disposal, and a library at my back, 

 my work would have been more beautiful and 

 richer. I may possibly have inserted some remarks 

 which will be regarded imperfections by many, but 

 I owe them to a class of readers who find them 

 agreeable : I have only had two months to prepare 

 this great volume, and I therefore anticipate indul- 

 gence." 



Probably the most satisfactory method of enabling 

 the reader to form his own estimate of the style and 

 merit of this work will be to present him with some 

 extracts ; and though these must be necessarily few 

 and short, yet from the pervading uniformity, they 

 may prove sufficient. " This day the ice broke up on 

 the Samara (a tributary of the Volga) ; on the 9th 

 of April the waters began to rise, and on the 11th 



