them," the emperor demanded of his prime
minister.

"Nothing is better, sire," replied that official, "than to tell them
the cost of the Imperial railway."

One hears more about stealing and bribe taking in Russia than in any
other country I ever visited. The evil is partly on account of low
salaries and great expense of living, and partly due to ancient
custom. The emperor has endeavored to establish a reform in this
particular, but the difficulties are very great because of the secret
character of "palm-greasing," It is related that a German _savant_
once remarked to Nicholas that he could do Russia a great service by
breaking up the system of financial corruption. "To get such a project
in action," replied the emperor, "I must begin by bribing my prime
minister."

Of the country between the capitals I saw very little. In the cars the
double windows, covered with frost, were about as transparent as a
drop curtain. We stopped at a great many capacious and well built
stations, where there was abundant opportunity for feeding and
drinking. The journey commenced at two in the afternoon, and was
finished at ten on the following morning. The distance, according to
official measurement, is four hundred and three miles.

The train halted at the station nearest St. Petersburg, and as we
stood a moment upon the platform, we saw the great, gilded dome of St.
Isaac's cathedral rising over the city. In St. Petersburg my first
duty was to take breakfast, a bath, and a change of clothes at a
hotel, and then, to drive to the banker's for letters from home. I had
not seen an American for five months; as I alighted from my droshky, a
well-dressed individual looked at me, and not to be outdone I returned
his glance. Our eyes peered over two fur collars that exposed very
little of our faces. After a moment's hesitation each of us spoke the
other's name, and I experienced the double pleasure of meeting in one
individual a countryman and an old friend.

[Illustration: TAIL PIECE--MEETING AN OLD FRIEND]

[Illustration: MAP _to accompany_ THOS. W. KNOX'S "Overland through Asia"]

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OVERLAND THROUGH ASIA; PICTURES OF
SIBERIAN, CHINESE, AND TARTAR LIFE***

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