His literary career began in 1842 with the publication of an essay, in Russian, on _Dilettantism in Science_, under the pseudonym of "Iskander," the Turkish form of his Christian name--convicts, even when pardoned, not being allowed in those days to publish under their own names. His second work, also in Russian, was his _Letters on the Study of Nature_ (1845-1846). In 1847 appeared, his novel _Kto Vinovat?_ (Whose Fault?), and about the same time were published in Russian periodicals the stories which were afterwards collected and printed in London in 1854, under the title of _Prervannuie Razskazui_ (Interrupted Tales). In 1850 two works appeared, translated from the Russian manuscript, _Vom anderen Ufer_ (From another Shore) and _Lettres de France et d'Italie_. In French appeared also his essay _Du Developpement des idees revolutionnaires en Russie_, and his _Memoirs_, which, after being printed in Russian, were translated under the title of _Le Monde russe et la Revolution_ (3 vols., 1860-1862), and were in part translated into English as _My Exile to Siberia_ (2 vols., 1855). From a literary point of view his most important work is _Kto Vinovat?_ a story describing how the domestic happiness of a young tutor, who marries the unacknowledged daughter of a Russian sensualist of the old type, dull, ignorant and genial, is troubled by a Russian sensualist of the new school, intelligent, accomplished and callous, without there being any possibility of saying who is most to be blamed for the tragic termination. But it was as a political writer that Hertzen gained the vast reputation which he at one time enjoyed. Having founded in London his "Free Russian Press," of the fortunes of which, during ten years, he gave an interesting account in a book published (in Russian) in 1863, he issued from it a great number of Russian works, all levelled against the system of government prevailing in Russia. Some of these were essays, such as his _Baptized Property_, an attack on serfdom; others were periodical publications, the _Polyarnaya Zvyezda_ (or Polar Star), the _Kolokol_ (or Bell), and the _Golosa iz Rossii_ (or Voices from Russia). The _Kolokol_ soon obtained an immense circulation, and exercised an extraordinary influence. For three years, it is true, the founders of the "Free Press" went on printing, "not only without selling a single copy, but scarcely being able to get a single copy introduced into Russia"; so that when at last a bookseller bought ten shillings' worth of _Baptized Property_, the half-sovereign was set aside by the surprised editors in a special place of honour. But the death of the emperor Nicholas in 1855 produced an entire change. Hertzen's writings, and the journals he edited, were smuggled wholesale into Russia, and their words resounded throughout that country, as well as all over Europe. Their influence became overwhelming. Evil deeds long hidden, evil-doers who had long prospered, were suddenly dragged into light and