try, but how to get it into Russia was the question. To effect
this, logs of wood were hollowed out, filled with tea, and floated down
the streams. Carts loaded with casks of apples entered the country;
inside the casks were chests of tea. This sort of smuggling just suited
the taste and enterprise of a Russian peasant.

Once upon a time, the cart of an unfortunate smuggler broke down in
front of the Emperor's palace. Not only did the cart break, but so did
the casks of apples, and out rolled the chests of tea. The affrighted
smugglers fled, and left their property to the police, whose samovars
did not probably smoke the less merrily in consequence. At all events,
the _contretemps_ opened the eyes of the Emperor somewhat to the folly
of having high restrictive duties with a frontier so enormous as that of
Russia; but, whatever were his plans of reform, the war and death cut
them short. Large quantities of tea are at the present time imported
into the neighbouring German ports, for the acknowledged object of
sending them into Russia.

Of course, as is to be expected, there is much bribery and corruption in
all departments of Government. An officer of the Guards, Count ---, was
appointed chief of the Custom-house. He had not much practical
knowledge of business, but he resolved to make amends for his deficiency
in that respect by looking into things with his own eyes. Once upon a
time the daughter of one of his subordinates was married, and he was
invited to the feast. Now, on so important an occasion, if a man has
not a house of his own large enough to entertain his guests, he borrows
one from a friend. On this occasion the father of the bride borrowed
one from an official in his own department. When Count --- entered, he
admired the furniture and the rooms, and everything in it.

"Of course you have hired this; to whom does it belong?"

"It belongs to my friend So-and-so; he has lent it to me," was the
answer.

"Ho, ho!" thought the Count. "So-and-so must have a fine private
fortune, or else he must have the knack of fingering large bribes."

He consequently watched the unsuspecting So-and-so very narrowly, and
soon discovered that he had fingers of a most tenacious description,
which easily accounted for his handsome income. So-and-so, to his
surprise, found himself one fine morning dismissed from his office, and
compelled to retire into well-merited poverty and disgrace.

The Russians are at all