258 FROM LONDON TO OMSK 



through before the roads became impassable, we made as 

 short a delay in Moscow as possible. A few hours rest 

 gave us an opportunity of visiting the British Consul and 

 of enjoying the hospitality of a wealthy Russian merchant 

 of the name of Trapeznikoff. The latter gentleman 

 entertained us in his splendid mansion, and we had a very 

 interesting conversation with him. We had now fairly 

 turned our backs upon Europe and European politics, 

 and discussed Siberian topics only. Mr. Trapeznikoff is 

 a Siberiak, born at Irkutsk, and takes a prominent part 

 in the efforts which the Moscow Geographical Society 

 are making to rival the attempts of Captain Wiggins to 

 open up sea communication between Europe and Siberia. 

 Mr. Trapeznikoff was one of the comparatively few 

 Russian merchants with whom we came in contact who 

 were able to converse in German. The more we heard 

 of Irkutsk the more disappointed we were that we had 

 not time to make a ddtour to this interesting town. It 

 is not a large place, but we were told that the population 

 was upwards of 30,000. Though situated in the heart of 

 Siberia, it is said to be the most European town of all 

 the Russias. We were informed that in Irkutsk we 

 should find the freest thought, the highest education, the 

 most refined civilisation, the least barbarous luxury of 

 any Russian town. 



We reached Nishni Novgorod on Saturday the loth 

 of March, and were officially received at the railway 

 station by the chief of police, who was kind enough to 

 conduct us across the Volga to a hotel. We devoted 

 the morning to the purchase of a sledge, and spent some 

 time in buying a stock of provisions for the road, but 

 evening saw us fairly under way. We had a long and 

 adventurous affair before us, a sledge journey of more than 

 three thousand miles. We hoped to cross the meridian of 



