TKAVELS IN ASIATIC RUSSIA. 375 



In addition to these financial arrangements, the minister made 

 the most careful and systematic preparations for the comfort of 

 the travellers. In an autograph memorandum furnished to 

 Humboldt under date of January 1829, there occurs among 

 other entries the following : c I will arrange to send with you 

 a mining official l speaking either French or German, as well 

 as a courier, one, if possible, acquainted with German, or by 

 his majesty's gracious permission a rifleman, for the purpose 

 of transacting the details of the journey, such as the ordering 

 of post-horses, arranging for hotel accommodation, &c. These 

 attendants will be in receipt of a daily allowance. . . . The 

 expenses of post-horses, gratuities, and carriage repairs, will 

 be defrayed by the officer accompanying you from the Mining 

 Department, for which purpose a sum of money will be placed 

 at his disposal, for which he will be held responsible. The cost 

 and trouble of such arrangements will in this way be spared you. 

 The route to be taken in the journey, and the objects to be 

 attained, will be left entirely to your selection. The aim of 

 Government is solely the advancement of science, and, as 

 far as it is practicable, the increase of the Imperial revenue by 

 the extended working of the mines in Kussia. All governors, 

 vice-governors, mining officials, shall receive instructions to 

 further in every way the object of your journey. Suitable 

 quarters will be assigned to you when visiting the mines, and 



on the refusal of the Government to accept its return, Humboldt devoted it 

 to a scientific journey, conducted by two young mineralogists, Von Helmer- 

 sen and Hofmann, who had been commissioned by Government to join 

 his party at Miask. 



1 The mining official selected for this office was Von Menschenin, a 

 manager of smelting works, and subsequently overseer of mines. He 

 was always alluded to by Humboldt in favourable terms, although 

 Helmersen, while admitting him to be a very well-informed man, spoke 

 of him as having frequently forgotten his subordinate position. This 

 gave rise to many uncomfortable scenes, which were always passed over by 

 Humboldt with friendly patience. His consideration for his ill-humoured 

 and often not very courteous travelling companion was carried so far that 

 lie would never sit down to dinner without waiting his arrival, however 

 tardy that might be. Soon after his arrival at Berlin, Humboldt addressed 

 several friendly letters to Herr von Menschenin, one of which was accom- 

 panied by the gift of a small but beautifully executed universal instrument. 

 As he received no answer even to this letter, Humboldt inquired from Herr 

 von Helmersen, * What is the reason of this anger ? ' 



