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THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST.
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not the best opinion of my character, on account of the bad reports which had reached him. I met with the same fate at Count Benkendorf's, on whom I called when he was there with the suite of the Emperor. It is impossible to conceive the difficulties I had to struggle with in getting a passport for the continuation of my journey to St. Petersburgh, as they had retained mine at Nowgorod. As I was naturally extremely desirous to restore my injured reputation, I required that a commercial jury should be summoned to decide between me and Lomoff. Several months passed away fruitlessly, but at last that jury, consisting of two Russians, two Germans, and two Greek merchants dealing in furs, decided the matter in my favor. Lomoff would have been obliged to return the money had he not in the interval become bankrupt, but one of his relatives received the skins and paid me a part of the amount. During the settlement of the above transaction, I made an excursion to St. Petersburgh, of which city I had heard so much, and what I saw there exceeded my expectations. I will not mention the delightful situation of this city, nor speak of its magnificent palaces, churches, and public buildings; neither will I depict the imposing aspect of the majestic-flowing waters of the Neva ; nor describe the various other external objects which have already been painted by others. I will only mention one particular circumstance, which rendered my stay in the metropolis, although for a very short time, most agreeable. It was the kind reception I met with among all classes of the inhabitants, from the highest to the lowest ; especially among the former. I still retain in my memory one angel-like image, which appeared to me in the person of the Grand Duchess Helena. This intellectual and illustrious lady invited me to call on her, when she heard of my arrival, because she bad been informed that I had seen at Lahore Victor Jaquemont, whose correspondence she was then readineg. Her Imperial Highness conversed with me about different matters for two hours. She inquired principally about Cabul, Bokhara, and India, their political; physical and moral condition,