could not be mended, because there was no foundry in
the district. I asked as to the possibility of getting
a photograph of the spot, had the Russian epitaph
copied into my note-book, and then, without loss ot
time, hastened away.
We presented ourselves next at the palace ol the
Archbishop, whose good-will I was anxious to gain
with reference to the books I had left to be distributed
at Tiumen ; for, although his Eminence might not have
absolute power to forbid their dissemination, he might
put difficulties in the way, and it was in any case better
that we should have his benediction. Having sent in
my card, we were shown into a chamber spacious and
lofty, with shrubs and flowers in the windows, reminding
me, in one respect at least, of Lambeth Palace, in
that the walls were hung with portraits of Archbishops
for many generations, though the number at Tobolsk
was much fewer, and the pictures mere daubs compared
with some of the portraits at Lambeth. I learned that
the present Archbishop of Tobolsk had only recent y
been appointed, and that it was not he who approved
my books and tracts as left before. I had,
therefore, to explain the object and character of my
mission, and told him of the books I had left for distribution
He seemed at first to be somewhat suspicious
that we were actuated by sectarian motives, but ultimately
expressed his pleasure at what we were doing,
and wished us God-speed !
We then drove to the park close by to peep at
Siberia’ s one monument— that of Yermak, the ro er
chief who added Siberia to the Russian Empire, i he
present monument is a stone column standing in a
garden. The former one consisted of a wooden figure,
to which the Tatars set fire out of revenge ; but the
remains of it are still preserved in a shed within the
grounds.
We afterwards descended the hill to look at a private
collection of copper coins and medals, the value of
which, however, we thought exaggerated, and hurried
on to the boat to find that the captain had kindly been
waiting only for us.
Thus far my journey from London had been over
old ground, save that in 1879 I followed the post-road
from Tiumen to Tobolsk. I was now to wander into
fresh fields, and make way up the Irtish to Omsk, a
voyage that occupied five days. The regular service
of steamers running fortnightly, or thereabouts, from
Tiumen to Omsk, and (when the water is sufficient)
to Semipolatinsk,* had been started about two years
only, the chief demand for it being the annual transport
of young soldiers on their way to Turkistan. T hey
travel on a large barge tugged astern of the passenger
steamer, both proceeding slowly, and helping to make
a dull journey somewhat tedious.
* The following is a table of stations between Tiumen and Semipolatinsk,
with approximate distances between, together with the fares for
first, second, and third-class passengers and b a g g a g e
D is t a n c e s . P a s s e n g e r ’s F a r e s . Ba g g a g e .
Tiumen—
Versts. Miles. First.
s. di
Second.
s. d.
Third.
s. d.
Per cwt.
s. d.
Artamanova . 233 15 6 6 0 4 0 2 8 I 6
Tobolsk . J 73 1 1 5 12 0 8 0 4 5 2 3
Ust-Ishim 336 224 16 0 12 5 6 5 2 9
Tara 354 230 22 0 18 0 9 3 3 0
Kartashevo 1 70 1 1 3 26 0 20 10 10 8 3 9
Omsk 203 135 30 0 24 0 12 0 4 0
J eliezenka > 293
1 5 5
19 5 36 0 28 10 H 8 4 3
Peschanoe 103 39 0 3 1 0 15 8 4 6
Pavlodar 169 J I 3 4 2 , 0 33 5 16 10 5 3
Semiyarsk 24 1 I6 I 47 0 37 5 *9 0 5 9
Semipolatinsk 2 1 1
2.538
141
1 ,6 9 2
50 0 40 0 21 0 6 0