We are so near to Russia that it seems foolish to pass it by, though I feel it is a difficult country to deal with. The history of Russia is dealt with in the “Story of the Nations” Series. Mr. A. J. C. Hare has given us _Studies in Russia_, and the R.T.S. a charming _Russian Pictures drawn by Pen and Pencil_. Mr. W. S. Ralston’s _Songs of the Russian Peasantry_ contains an excellent account of the social life of Russia. In the way of poetry, the Rev. T. C. Wilson has translated for us _Russian Lyrics into English Verse_, which gives specimens of all the best recent poets, and there are translations of the works by most of the Russian novelists, as well as of Tolstoi’s books. But I do not feel inclined to advise you to enter on this troubled sea of thought. As a mere traveller you will not need to do so. Turner’s _Studies in Russian Literature_, and his _Lectures on Modern Novelists of Russia_, are quite enough for you, I fancy. The latter were delivered at the Taylor Institute, Oxford, and are pleasant and instructive, both. An _Art Tour to the Northern Capitals of Europe_, by Atkinson, includes those of St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kiel. In Germany the poets are our best travelling companions. I remember Nuremberg best through the medium of Longfellow, and its history through the historical tales of Mühlbach, Auerbach, and Marlitt. The Baroness Tautpheous, the Howitts, and even Hans Christian Andersen, and Grimm, have all, too, lent a magic to the land. The literature that has arisen with Wagner and Bayreuth, for a centre, is very wide, and begins with the _Arthurian Legends_ and the _Nibelungen-Lied_. Of the first you will have some knowledge from our own Tennyson and the _Idylls of the King_, even if you do not go as far as the _Mabinogion_, which was edited and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, of which there is an abridged edition. We have a translation of the _Nibelungen-Lied_ by W. N. Lettsom, and another by A. G. Foster-Barham, in the “Great Musicians” Series. _Wagner_ is written by Dr. F. Hueffer, who has also written _Wagner and the Music of the Future_. There is a volume to be obtained at Bayreuth of all the operas given there, which you will most likely procure, if you should be led there any August to assist at the Wagner festival.