The vehicle in which this great mission was to be performed, was a humble family affair called a _Tarantas_.[1] After a series of adventures—but which did not furnish Ivan a single _impression_ for his note-book—they arrive at Vladimir, the capital of a province or ‘government.’ Here the younger traveller meets with a friend, to whom he confides his intention of visiting all the other Government towns for ‘Young Russia’ purposes. His friend’s reply is dispiriting to the last degree:— Footnote 1: For further particulars of this comfortable conveyance, its occupants, and their adventures, we must refer the reader to Count Sollogub’s amusing little book, to which he has given the name of ‘The Tarantas.’ “There is no difference between our government towns. See one, and you’ll know them all!” “Is it possible?” “It is so, I assure you, Every one has a High-street; one principal shop, where the country gentlemen buy silks for their wives, and champagne for themselves; then there are the Courts of Justice, the assembly-rooms, an apothecary’s shop, a river, a square, a bazaar, two or three street-lamps, sentry-boxes for the watchmen, and the governor’s house.” “The society, however, in the government towns must be different?” “On the contrary. The society is still more uniform than the buildings.” “You astonish me: how is that?” “Listen. There is, of course, in every government town a governor. These do not always resemble each other; but as soon as any one of them appears, police and secretaries immediately become active, merchants and tradesmen bow, and the gentry draw themselves up, with, however, some little awe. Wherever the governor goes, he is sure to find champagne, the wine so much patronised in the province, and everybody drinks a bumper to the health of the ‘_father of the province_.’ Governors generally are well-bred, and sometimes very proud. They like to give dinner parties, and benevolently condescend to play a game of whist with rich brandy-contractors and landowners.” “That’s a common thing,” remarked Ivan Vassilievitsch. “Do not interrupt me. Besides the governor, there is in nearly every government town the governor’s lady. She is rather a peculiar personage. Generally brought up in one of the two capitals, and spoiled with the cringing attentions of her company. On her husband’s first entry into office, she is polite and affable; later, she begins to feel weary of the ordinary provincial intrigues and gossips; she gets accustomed to the slavish attentions she receives, and lays claim to them. At this period she surrounds herself with a parasitical suite; she quarrels with the lady of the vice-governor; she brags of St. Petersburg; speaks with disdain of her provincial circle, and finally draws upon herself the utmost universal ill-feeling, which is kept up till the day of her departure, when all goes into oblivion, everything is pardoned, and everybody bids her farewell with tears.”