42 MEMOIR OF PALLAS. 
have been most flattering to me; and I can affirm 
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 llth 
