Steamboats have ascended to Omsk, but there is not sufficient traffic to make regular navigation profitable.  We crossed the Irtish two hundred and seventy versts south of Tobolsk, a city familiar to American readers from its connection with the “Story of Elizabeth.”  The great road formerly passed through Tobolsk, and was changed when a survey of the country showed that two hundred versts might be saved.  Formerly all exiles to Siberia were first sent to that city, where a “Commission of Transportation” held constant session.  From Tobolsk the prisoners were told off to the different governments, provinces, districts, and ‘circles,’ and assigned to the penalties prescribed by their sentences.

Many prominent exiles have lived in the northern part of the government of Tobolsk, especially at Beresov on the river Ob.  Menshikoff, a favorite of Peter the Great, died there in exile, and so did the Prince Dolgorouki and the count Osterman.  It is said the body of Menshikoff was buried in the frozen earth at Beresov, and found perfectly preserved a hundred years after its interment.  In that region the ground never thaws more than a foot or two from the surface; below to an unknown depth it is hardened by perpetual frost.  Many Poles have been involuntary residents of this region, and contributed to the development of its few resources.

North of Tobolsk, the Ostiaks are the principal aboriginals, and frequently wander as far south as Omsk.  Before the Russian occupation of Siberia the natives carried on a trade with the Tartars of Central Asia, and the abundance and cheapness of their furs made them attractive customers.  Marco Polo mentions a people “in the dark regions of the North, who employ dogs to draw their sledges, and trade with the merchants from Bokhara.”  There is little doubt he referred to the Ostiaks and Samoyedes.

A Polish lady exiled to Beresov in 1839, described in her journal her sensation at seeing a herd of tame bears driven through the streets to the market place, just as cattle are driven elsewhere.  She records that while descending the Irtish she had the misfortune to fall overboard.  The soldier escorting her was in great alarm, at the accident, and fairly wept for joy when she was rescued.  He explained through his tears that her death would have been a serious calamity to him.

“I shall be severely punished,” he said, “if any harm befalls you, and, for my sake, I hope you won’t try to drown yourself, but will keep alive and well till I get rid of you.”

Tobolsk is on the site of the Tartar settlement of Sibeer, from which the name of Siberia is derived.  In the days of Genghis Khan northern Asia was overrun and wrested from its aboriginal inhabitants.  Tartar supremacy was undisputed until near the close of the sixteenth century, when the Tartars lost Kazan and everything else west of the Urals.  During the reign of Ivan the Cruel, a difficulty arose between the Czar and some of the Don Cossacks, and, as the