These sidelights being the reflections of fugitive phases, I have made no attempt to introduce an element of consistency into them, nor have I in the light of subsequent events tried to modify the effect of the hopes which proved to be illusory or of the fears which were groundless—hopes and fears which I myself shared with those by whom I heard them expressed. To those who take a serious interest in the Russian evolution I would suggest two valuable books, “The Crisis in Russia,” by Professor Milioukov (London: Fisher Unwin, 1905), and “La Crise Russe,” by Maxime Kovalevsky (Paris: Giard & E. Brière, 16, Rue Souflot, 1906). “Modern Customs and Ancient Laws of Russia,” by the same author (Nutt, 1891), will be useful to the student of the past history of Russia. Nor can one too often recommend “L’Empire des Tsars,” by M. Leroy-Beaulieu. Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace’s work on Russia needs no recommendation. All these books, which deal with the past of Russia, will help the student to understand what is happening at present; for without some knowledge of the past history of Russia, what is now taking place cannot but be incomprehensible. ST. PETERSBURG CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE ix INTRODUCTION xiii CHAPTER I. ST. PETERSBURG TO GODZIADAN 1 II. JEN-TZEN-TUNG 11 III. THE STRIKE AND THE MANIFESTO OF OCTOBER (30TH) 17TH 21 IV. MOSCOW AFTER THE MANIFESTO 31 V. ST. PETERSBURG BEFORE THE SECOND STRIKE 39 VI. MOSCOW—THE DECEMBER RISING 43 VII. MOSCOW—AFTER THE RISING 63 VIII. THE “INTELLIGENZIA” 75 IX. THE BEGINNING OF THE REACTION 84 X. CURRENT IDEAS IN ST. PETERSBURG 97 XI. DOSTOIEVSKI’S ANNIVERSARY 121 XII. THE POLITICAL PARTIES 128 XIII. IN THE COUNTRY 137 XIV. THE ELECTIONS 152 XV. EASTER AT MOSCOW—THE FOREIGN LOAN 162 XVI. THE AGRARIAN QUESTION—ON THE EVE OF THE DUMA 178 XVII. THE OPENING OF THE DUMA 191 XVIII. FURTHER IMPRESSIONS OF THE DUMA 202 XIX. THE DEADLOCK 212 XX. CURRENT IDEAS ON THE DUMA 225 XXI. THE BEGINNING OF DISORDER 233 XXII. PRINCE URUSSOFF’S SPEECH 250 XXIII.