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the Flour Mills &c., and next broke his journey at Irkutsch, where he was kindly received by the Civil Governor, and granted a pass to visit the Convict Settlement at Alexandrowski - Mr Barker spent 3 days on this visit, and was most courteously received by Director Leontoskovitch, and he formed a most favourable impression of both the Director and the establishment. After a week at Irkutsch, spent in visiting its Schools and other establishments, Mr Barker proceeded to Tomsk and Omsk, visiting the University, Schools and Commercial depots there. After a week in Moscow and St Petersburg, where he was received by, amongst others, the British Minister (Sir Charles Scott), and Prince Khilkoff, Mr Barker returned to this country and continued his work and interest in Russian matters. On his recommendation a Russian Class was founded in connection with the School of Commerce and a Russian native appointed as teacher. The Russian Section also continued its work with his assistance and on a recent visit of Mr Bernard Pares to Russia, Mr Barker suggested to him and to others the formation of a British Chamber of Commerce at St Petersburg, with correspondents in other parts of Russia. Mr Barker is a Member of the Liverpool Committee for the Development of Russian Studies, formed by Mr Pares. Mr Barker was represented by the Assistant Secretary at the recent visit to Liverpool of Members of the Russian Dumo, owing to an attack of illness, but was appointed a Delegate of the Chamber to attend the recent interview of a Deputation from that Chamber with His Majesty the Emperor of Russia on board the "Standart", at Cowes, when Mr Barker was presented with the Order of St Anne.
