PREFACE xi 



When it seemed that we were in difficulties, Her 

 Majesty's Foreign Office and the Russian authorities used 

 every effort possible in our behalf. The Royal Geogra- 

 phical Society opened a subscription list, and more friends 

 than I knew I had responded with wonderful kindness. 

 The Committee of the Savage Club were active in making 

 our position known in the proper quarters. The Press, 

 too, most generously gave much room to our case. And 

 in this connection I should like to thank my brother, who, 

 from pleasant country pursuits, was called back to London 

 and plunged into a merciless correspondence on my 

 behalf. Fortunately the event proved these measures 

 unnecessary. But I put these efforts on record not only 

 because I am grateful, but because it is right that I should 

 do so. There is much happiness in the fact that the 

 idea of an Englishman abroad in danger is itself a 

 claim sufficient upon the practical sympathies of all 

 Englishmen at home. Mr. Henry Arthur Cooke, 

 British Vice-Consul, who has proved himself often 

 before a kind friend to any who visits the remote town 

 in which he lives, not only undertook a voyage in the 

 hope of relieving us, but showed us constant kindness 

 during the whole of our stay in Archangel. I cannot 

 thank him sufficiently. 



One of the great charms of travelling in Russia is the 

 kindness of the Russian officials. From the highest 



