The railway between St. Petersburg and Moscow is a government affair, and forms nearly a direct line from one city to the other.  It is said that the emperor Nicholas placed a ruler on the map and drew a line from one capital to the other to mark the route the engineers must follow.  Notwithstanding the favorable character of the country the cost of the road was enormous, in consequence of alleged peculations.  There is a story that the government once wished to make a great impression upon a Persian embassy.  All the marvels of St. Petersburg and Moscow were exhausted, but the oriental embassadors remained serene and unmoved.

“What shall we do to surprise them,” the emperor demanded of his prime minister.

“Nothing is better, sire,” replied that official, “than to tell them the cost of the Imperial railway.”

One hears more about stealing and bribe taking in Russia than in any other country I ever visited.  The evil is partly on account of low salaries and great expense of living, and partly due to ancient custom.  The emperor has endeavored to establish a reform in this particular, but the difficulties are very great because of the secret character of “palm-greasing,” It is related that a German savant once remarked to Nicholas that he could do Russia a great service by breaking up the system of financial corruption.  “To get such a project in action,” replied the emperor, “I must begin by bribing my prime minister.”

Of the country between the capitals I saw very little.  In the cars the double windows, covered with frost, were about as transparent as a drop curtain.  We stopped at a great many capacious and well built stations, where there was abundant opportunity for feeding and drinking.  The journey commenced at two in the afternoon, and was finished at ten on the following morning.  The distance, according to official measurement, is four hundred and three miles.

The train halted at the station nearest St. Petersburg, and as we stood a moment upon the platform, we saw the great, gilded dome of St. Isaac’s cathedral rising over the city.  In St. Petersburg my first duty was to take breakfast, a bath, and a change of clothes at a hotel, and then, to drive to the banker’s for letters from home.  I had not seen an American for five months; as I alighted from my droshky, a well-dressed individual looked at me, and not to be outdone I returned his glance.  Our eyes peered over two fur collars that exposed very little of our faces.  After a moment’s hesitation each of us spoke the other’s name, and I experienced the double pleasure of meeting in one individual a countryman and an old friend.

[Illustration:  TAIL PIECE—­MEETING AN OLD FRIEND]

[Illustration:  MAP to accompany THOS.  W. KNOX’S “Overland through Asia”]