HOME LIFE IN RUSSIA,
BY
A RUSSIAN NOBLE.
(Nikolai Gogol)
REVISED
BY THE EDITOR OF
REVELATIONS OF SIBERIA.
(Krystin Lach-Szyrma)
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS,
SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN,
13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
1854.
PREFACE.
In laying before English readers a Work, of which the scene isexclusively laid in Russia, and which, it is confidently anticipated,will be recognised as furnishing a most interesting and graphic accountof the manners and customs of a very extraordinary nation, the Editorconsiders it his duty to devote a few words to an explanation of thecircumstances connected with the publication of these volumes.
The Work is written by a Russian nobleman, who offered the MS. inEnglish to the publishers, and the Editor's task has been confined toaltering such verbal errors as might be expected, when we bear in mindthat the Author has written in a language which is not his own.
The story may be said to be unique. It gives us an insight into theinternal circumstances and relations of Russian society, which only aRussian could afford us. The Nosdrieffs are an exceptional class, whosetype is peculiar to a half-civilization where a blow is accounted asno disgrace, and "giving the lie" imparts no stigma. And yet men whoquietly pocket such insults, we find are tolerated in good society,and, strange to say, are not thought the worse of on that account. TheNapoleonic dictum, "grattez le Russe, et vous trouverez Tartare,"is in this instance most fully verified. But we will not spoil thereader's enjoyment by any further intimation of the persons, whoseacquaintance he will make while perusing the following pages. Theauthor affirms that the story is true, and that the main facts are wellknown in Russia. There is hardly a class of Russian life and societywhich is not introduced upon the scene, and the Author displays theirfoibles with an unsparing hand. Still he must not be regarded as anenemy to his Fatherland: he acts under a salutary impression that theexposé can do no harm, and may possibly effect some good: and ifhe have such good fortune that his book obtains access into his owncountry, we feel sure that its truth will be immediately recognized,and its severity pardoned, at least by those not in authority, onaccount of the Author's strenuous exertions to do his part manfully inameliorating the condition of his fellow sufferers in Russia.
In conclusion, we may regret that we are not at liberty to mentionthe author's name—not that the work itself requires any furtherverification, for its genuineness is avouched by almost every line—butthe truth is, that the writer is still anxious to return to his nativecountry, and is perfectly well aware that the avowal of his handiworkand such a display of his satirical powers, will not serve as a specialrecommendation, except, possibly, as a passport to the innermostregions of the Siberian wilds.
With these preliminary remarks, the Editor begs to offer "Home Lifein Russia" to the English reader, as a worthy companion to the"Revelations of Siberia," and as adding one more to our scanty list ofbooks which throw light upon the domestic life of our 'ancient allies'and present foes.
LONDON, 1854.