An English gentleman and lady, the latter speaking Russian fluently, lived in Siberia several years.  During their sojourn a son was born to them.  It was a long time before he began talking, so long in fact, that his parents feared he would be dumb.  When he commenced he was very soon fluent in both English and Russian.  His long hesitation was doubtless caused by the confusion of two languages.

[Illustration:  QUEEN OF GREECE.]

The present emperor is an accomplished linguist, but no exception in this particular to the Imperial family in general.  The Queen of Greece, a niece of the Emperor of Russia, is said to be very prompt to learn a new language whenever it comes in her way, and when she was selected for that royal position she conquered the greek language in a very short time.  French is the leading foreign language among the Russians, and the second rank is held by the German.  Of late years English has become very popular, and is being rapidly acquired.  The present entente cordiale between Russia and the United States is exerting an influence for the increased study of our language.  Why should we not return the compliment and bestow a little attention upon the Slavonic tongue?

Most persons in society at Irkutsk were from European Russia or had spent some time in Moscow at St. Petersburg.  Of the native born Siberians there were few who had not made a journey beyond the Ural Mountains.  Among the officials, St. Petersburg was usually the authority in the matter of life and habit, while the civilians turned their eyes toward Moscow.  Society in Irkutsk was not less polished than in the capitals, and it possessed the advantage of being somewhat more open and less rigid than under the shadow of the Imperial palace.  Etiquette is etiquette in any part of the empire, and its forms must everywhere be observed.  But after the social forms were complied, with there was less stiffness than in European Russia.

Some travelers declare that they found Siberian society more polished than that of Old Russia.  On this point I cannot speak personally, as my stay in the western part of the empire was too brief to afford much insight into its life.  There may be some truth in the statement.  Siberia has received a great many individuals of high culture in the persons of its political exiles.  Men of liberal education, active intellects, and refined manners have been in large proportion among the banished Poles, and the exiles of 1825 included many of Russia’s ablest minds.  The influence of these exiles upon the intelligence, habits, and manners of the Siberians, has left an indelible mark.  As a new civilization is more plastic than an old one, so the society of Northern Asia may have become more polished than that of Ancient Russia.