MOSCOW. 
55 
was by this time entirely melted; and the 
sledge upon which our carriage moved was 
dragged over the stones by six horses, with so 
much difficulty, that at last the drivers gave 
it up, and declared the carriage would break, 
or the horses drop, if we compelled them to 
advance. The dragoon said we must take 
every thing, exactly as we arrived, to the 
Commandant's ; and proceed sitting in the 
carriage. At the same time he threatened the 
peasants with a flagellation; and giving one 
of them a blow over his loins, bade him halt 
at his peril. Another effort was of course 
made, and the sledge flew to pieces. It was 
highly amusing to observe the dilemma into 
which the dragoon was now thrown ; as it was not 
probable either his menaces or his blows would 
again put the carriage in motion. A droshy 
was procured, on which we were ordered to 
sit ; and thus we proceeded to the Comman- 
dant. From the Commandant we were next 
ordered to the Intendant of the Police: and 
all this did not save us from the visits and 
the insolence of two or thi’ee idle officers, 
lounging about as spies, who entered our apart- 
ments, examined every thing we had, and asked 
a number of frivolous and impertinent questions, 
with a view to extort money. Some of them 
found their way even into our bed-rooms, when 
CHAP. 
hi. 
