NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE BRESHKOVSKY - 1912 Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows. Kirensk, 5/8 Januar 1912. Beloved friend! dear sister! devotedly remembered Mistress Isabel Barrows! The Survey was received and your article on the Prisons read at first. Your plainly (clearly) expressed thoughts give a clear picture of the question you are mentioning. And yet, dearest friend, if you knew all the truth about our places of confinement, what horrible scenes, what nauseous details would engross your descriptions of what occurs there, where many many thousands of our best youths are immured, and where they are dying infected by a dirt full of vermin and infection. Where the brutality and despotism ... 11/24 January. Already your letter with the news about the death of our Durland and your little nice and comfortable home came to me, and this letter of mine is not finished ... Why? Never alone! never alone! I do not complain, not at all, for I feel and I understand that the constant visitation of our people is the only good doing that can be done ... Yet I would be pleased to have more time (in the morning especially), to speak with my far off friends, to whom I have always much to say. From 9 to 9 in the evening I must give all my attention to the needs of others, after which passtime I am tired and capable only to read papers or articles .... Thanks to the money I got this time from the part of my American friends, I eat well, I had many comfortable novelty. And with my Jaeger clothes, my pelisse and a young lady who takes me every day at noon, I am going to walk and breathe the pure and fresh air of this not very cold winter, which is mild this year as to wonder all the inlanders. I am much, much better with the friendship of my far off friends. You are right, dearest, I had no idea of what you are calling "room". It is a lodging with all the comforts one needs. Now I feel very glad that our Alice changed her old house for new rooms. You can 2. not feel how much I am interested in the welfare of you three, my incomparable women! Knowing that there are many excellent souls and hearts willing to relish my existence- I dare not to say, to ask them all I say to you ... perhaps I feel that you three you don't live for yourselves, your mind, your souls are with everyone who needs it. I am not the sole intruder disturbing your rest and peace. All over the world concerns you and makes resound the strongest fibres of your mind and feelings. That makes me bold, I do not fear to hurt you or to trouble you with my pains, thoughts and even foolishness. For instance, when I read the Woman's Journal or Life and Labor I am pleased, very pleased to feel myself in a circle of very clever and faithful devoted women to their case. Yet I feel as a guest among them, not at home. With you, my sister, with Alice and Helena - I am at home .... Arthur Bullard! I wish him good health. It is an excellent mind and heart. K. Durland was a good heart too. What pity! When I see one of my boys failing, I suffer much. I scold them often and hard. I never knew you had a son before you wrote it me this automne. How glad I am he is a good boy! ... Mabel is a noble soul. I remember her and her husband too, though I saw him only once. Every corner of your residence in New York I remember as well as if I saw it yesterday. Certainly I am happy for having had so much in my life. I feel quite well. Yours for ever Catherine. You shall read my letter with a pencil in your hand and you will have much to do. On a photograph enclosed, seated at her writing table, Mrs. Breshkovsky says "My prachtvoll (splendid) writing table. Pity I cannot show you the Pracht of all my rooms. The table is covered with writing material, newspapers, photographs, a clock etc. 234 To her friends at Wellesley College. February 10, 1912. Wellesley College gave me one of the greatest pleasures I ever experiences. When I was there in the winter of 1904-5, I found one of the most beautiful institution I ever saw. The establishment itself is perfect, furnished with all the improvements of the last word of pedagogy. But what charmed me most of all was the body of teachers and pupils. So many young girls that I cherish so heartily; a crowd of students so free in their manners and so decent in their behavior. At first I was afraid I should not please, should not be taken as a sincere being. But when, after the few words I spoke, I sat with my cup of tea in the salon, where a hundred of dear young faces looked at me with friendship, with sympathy, I felt so cheerful and familiar with all that surrounded me, I had a once so many words to say, so many thoughts to express, so many feelings to discharge - That it was very hard for me to leave the dear society when it was announced that the horses were at the door. "If words came as readily as ideas and feelings, I could say ten hundred kindly things." "I would be true, for there are those who trust me." "I would be pure for there are those who care." "I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave for there is much to dare." "I would be a friend to all .... I would look up - and laugh - and love - and lift." "As long as we do not surrender the ideal of our life, all is right. "Is thy burden hard and heavy? Do they steps drag wearily? Help to bear thy brother's burden ..." "Be noble! and the nobleness which lies in other men, sleeping but never dead, will rise in majesty to meet thine own..." "When courage fails and faith burns low, and men are timid grown Hold fast thy loyalty, and know 235 that truth still moveth on." Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots. Kind words are the blossoms Kind deeds are the fruits." These golden words were suggested to me by the exquisite album. "The Calendar of Friendship," received from a very dear friend. I quote these golden words not only for their beauty but also I have experienced them all my life, as an irrevocable truth which alone lets us attain the step of consciousness that makes us truly happy. After my visit to Wellesley I received many tokens of friendship and esteem from its inhabitants. So the past summer I received a letter from Miss Scudder, to whom I send my hearty gratitude and love. Afterwards a letter from a young lady student, and lately a Psalm on Christmas Days, as well as some interesting pictures which lie on my table to satisfy the curiosity of my large family. I pray you both, elder and young ladies, pardon me for my long silence. I recognize my fault and feel ashamed. On! my ignorance of your beautiful language makes me miserable very often. For I wish, I desire to speak with you, to correspondewith the American women whom I esteem and admire now more than ever. Their energy in all they undertake is wonderful, and is an example to the women of all the world. Accept my greetings, lovely ladies, and pardon Your friend Catherine Breshkovsky. Prof. Vida Scudder To Mrs. Barrows, Feb. 10, 1912 [Copy of postcard from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows, dated 10.2.[?] 1912.] [Beloved friend and sister.] Today I got a second packet of clothes through Barbara. (Tchaykovsky). [20 roubles and 30.] The last contains splendid things: two large skirts, two flannels over all the body [corps]. and a pair of shoes. Pray [say] give my thanks to Lillian Wald for them. [for it is she that realized these givings.] Our winter is entering into its rights, and we have now 40 degrees of cold, so that all we get of warm clothes is used with thanks and joy. I have kept [left] for myself all that [which was in your sending] you sent and selected the best out of Lilian's gifts [givings] for I know you wish me to be rich and comfortable to the last. And so I am. [Thank you for the details of Alice's mode of life. I am quiet now. Our blessed child is well, I am sure, and the parents too. Dearest sister I kiss always your hands and admire you beloved face and enjoy your style everywhere I find it.] [For ever yours, C.B.] February 1912 (Written on the back of a picture postcard representing Jesus before Pilate) Pilate after having word what Jesus said to him, asked with a smile of doubt, "And what is truth?" So many and many people, wishing to preserve their independence of action in things that flatter their tastes and the weak sides of their characters, make the same suggestion, in the hope of withdrawing themselves from any responsibility towards the requests [* PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT Little, Brown & Company 34 BEACON ST., BOSTON *] 2 of humanity. And yet the truth is born with us, and lies in the souls of all sane people, and teaches us to love our fellow sisters and brothers, and to do to them the best we desire for ourselves. And we see that only those who fulfil this law of our nature are sincerely esteemed, and happy even in their distress. PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT Little, Brown & Company 34 BEACON ST., BOSTON Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Arthur Bullard. Kirensk 4/17 July 1912. July 17, 1912 "Le monde se reveille". (remembered) My dear and eve remained friend Arthur:- Yes, politics in America, as everywhere are more hopeful now. I am very eager to be aware how large is the progress in your country, being sure that its example will have a worldly significance. The thousands of emigrants that invade your country will divulge the reforms made there in their own native lands, for many of them are only temporary toilers in the U.S. Therefore all the news concerning the state of political questions in the U.S. (the election of President including) - is a matter o great interest to me. Albert Edwards is a good acquaintance of mine, always welcomed. And the book about Panama is a rich piece of literature for people who have a poor idea of what is the physical and social life of the place. I mentioned to Miss Blackwell the getting of this book and my surprise not to see your name there ... Oh! for the "ineffectual Reformer" as you call him.- it is exceptionally interesting. I wait on it. Perhaps I guess the character that can be a model of the man you describe. I remember a figure among the people of your set, a very long, somewhat dull and melancholy walking as a person of a world apart. Such figures are familiar to me, and I learned to perceive through the outward loneliness of their figures - an emptiness of mind and feelings. Pardon me if I am wrong on account of your hero; but I never saw combined the courage and abnegation with a lack of enthusiasm and faith. I think that a true exposition of the mentioned character in his efforts to be useful to mankind - is of great profit to your readers; showing how little or nothing can do a man not sure enough of what he is doing ..... I hope our fatherland will move too, it cannot rest behind being pushed from East and West, it must go forward. Dear Arthur, you are not married yet, and you look as philosoph on the personal happiness of your, of our friends, without a bitter sense enjoying their family life, as it were your own- ... Well! you are young, you will choose a nice, working suffragist who will embellish your life without giving you much trouble about getting a great deal of money. Today I saw two of my boys going to visit their brides. They have to make more than thousand miles, half of which they will do on their feet and eating only bread and tea. The boys and the two girls have recently finished their terms in the prisons of forced works, and yet they are young, fresh and full of hope. Those are an enthusiastic enough and will reach their ends. I am earnestly thankful and deeply touched with the love and the strong friendship you all, my friends, express to me by words and doings. What I wish most for myself it is to be always worth of the good feelings towards me - which you involve into the hearts of the little American youngsters. I hope I will deserve them even if my fate does not permit me to be as useful to my brotherhood as I would. As to my health, it is much better since we have hot days, which can dure two or three weeks more. Why did you not mention how do you feel yourself; stronger as before? Africa pleased you. I hope you renewed there your physical forces. Oh! how I wish all my friends to be healthy, strong and happy. I kiss you and love you heartily. Catherine Breshkovsky. [?] Page to Mrs. Barrow, Aug. 6-19, 1912 [Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows. Kirensk 6/19 August 1912.] [Dearest and beloved Sister! I had a letter from Mabel, such a good one, such a seriously meant, giving a full idea of her feelings towards the whole our family! You, dear sister, June, his father and myself, that I will conserve it for the rest of my existence. She [i] is troubled about your going to Hawaii, and I too. I wait impatiently the news of your travelling and your return at home. Certainly you are familiar with the sea, but it seems to me a hard experience and your tender health might suffer from it.- Now I will say you about the money; I get every month through Igor $20 (dollars), but he never mentions from whom it is sent, and told me in his letter that it is the best method, for having every month an assigned sum. I will be more careful in my expenses. No doubt that the money of Mr. [?]ly is received long ago, as well as the $15 you sent me from his part. I was put in error by the words of our dear Alice, who said me once, she will send the money directly on to my own address (in Kirensk), as you did. And I have had from her part, from Helena, my dearest friend, from Mrs. Coonley twice different sums directly on my own name in Kirensk. So you can be sure that not one dollar is lost, and I am rich with the donations of my American friends. As to your letters, I have them too, every one reached me. And if I did not mention the paper you got from the Police Department, assuring you that my copy-books are returned to me, it was because I did not wish to disappint [?] you once more. You troubled yourself so much, you were sure to attain the end and could not believe how dishonest the people of a certain cast. My lawyer in St. Petersbourg, made all his] 2. [ possible to get the books back, and till now they are retained by the chief of the police of the little town Kirensk, for to him is given the power to control all the affairs concerning my person. I never speak with him, not with any member of the police, but I know by a very long experience that nothing will make them to be less barbarous but a degrading behavior, which case is not to be used by me. Oh! Isabel, my beloved sister! Don't mind it. [?] I would be more puzzled if they were lawful and righteous, which never occurs in their practice. So, all is right and in its places. My health is much more better all the summer, which has gone away, leaving his place to an autumn which seems to be nice enough. If, we will prosper a long time yet. I was so much pleased to read in the Woman's Journal the resolution how to continue this edition. It will remain with our Alice, but she will have an aid in the person of a lady well acquainted with all the business, as it seems. Is Alice satisfied? I would know it. She sent me your letter to her and how glad I was to read the words: "Oh, but it was good to see your familiar and ever welcome handwriting..." I am so much accustomed to her handwriting too. Dear girl! You, three angels of mine, you will never die, you will rest with me. ] [Isabel, my darling, you will say to] Tell Miss Lillian Wald that the magazines she asked for me make a great parade in Siberia. After I have studied them and admired the pictures, they are sent to Irkutsk or Yakutsk, even [in] to the libraries of museums, for these last are very fond of foreign [editions] periodicals, especially where there are photographs of [several] various countries and nationalities. For my- 3. self I reserve only the Woman's Journal, the Survey, and Life and Labor. "Dutch Days on the Hudson"were amusing, and I spent an evening in following the scenes described. I was glad for the people that took [place] part in the festival. [Mabel tells me about her life (camping life) and that her husband has his own cabin where he studies. What the object of his informations? I am sure he is working himself on some scientific topic? I embrasse him,Mr. Mussey, and the brother of Mabel who bestowed me the last post-mail with two pretty cards which represent ["Washington's Headquarters," Newburgh],N.Y. I have a terrible photograph of my [own person] self, very like indeed. I will send it to your son, [my dear sister Isbel], but he musn't be afraid. [I] [kiss both your hands and forever]] [Your devoted Catherine.] [Be sure, my Isabel, that every cent you give me through Egor is kept carefully and sent to me timely, for he is well acquainted with the means of transportation and he is very accurate.] [Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky] to [Mr.] Lewis Herreshoff. [Kirensk, 10-23 of Oct] Oct. 10-23. 1912. [My dear and excellent friend, Mister Herreshoff] [I have had four of your letters, every one full of good words which influenced beautifully my inspiration. for] it is a very dear and very rarely encountered thing to have such a distinguished friend as you [dearest Lewis], in such a lonely position [where] as I am now. For all [my entourage is] those around are too young to be a match for me, or, if I [when] speak[ing on] to the aborigenes, too [stranger] foreign to me. If all my friends in America [is younger] are younger [as] than I , yet the difference is not so [big] great and secondly, I have the [powers] [and the] happiness to be acquainted with the best people in your country, the best souls of the world, and such society is certainly a treasure which makes people happy everyone, even not so isolated as I am. [-] The friendship of my dear American women is a world of my own, and nobody is allowed to enter the very sanctuary of this my temple, for nobody will appreciate is as [well] much as I do. [Mr. Herreshoff and Mr. Bullard, are the sole members of manhood that make me the honor to correspond with and with wholly suffice because] I am not able to write more than I do, having on my hands a lot of cares concerning the health (mental and physical) of more than 1500 youths. I cannot do the tenth part of what I want to do for my unfortunate family, but my thoughts are with them and my heart is always busy with all sorts of sentiments, hope, love, care, pity [misericord] are mixed with sadness, impatience, anger. . When alone or in my bed, I imagine to myself some unexpected [fall] chance that brings me [much] large means of [granting] guaranteeing the welfare of my young family for some time. And I distribute and I keep the goods for the future, and so I [am] fall asleep. Otherwise it would be impossible for me to keep up my humor and presence of mind, for [the] every day's need and every day's misfortune would crush my heart. My imagination [is] has been very vivid from my childhood. I cannot read the stories or accounts [where it is said] that tell about perversity, crimes or cruelty. I am sure [nobody] none of us [is capable to] could support the [view] sight of tortures, for instance, yet nearly everyone can read the description [of it]. I cannot, without being hurt mentally. I become furious[ouse], for I represent myself all the horror of the fact. Often I think that, thanks to my imagination only, always inclined to picture high or beautiful events, I have preserved the [forces] strength I possess until now. Even all sorts of deprivations, moral or physical, are disgusting [at the] to such a point that I cannot read of [it] them. One of our best writers, Dostievsky, translated in to English, French, Italian, etc, is dreadful to me. I never read him. He is a psychologist and a scientist in all [the] mental diseases. My [corps] body and my soul were always healthy. I see a great mischief every species of psychopathy [psyches. Dear Mr. Lewis forgive me this letter and say to your friend, the dear lady who sent me candies and wise cards that I love her the much, that she is so good to our Helen D. My beloved Helene, the blessed girl.] The letter of your niece on the election of Roosevelt and Taft reached me. In [out of] the American press, as well as in press [of] the Russian [one], I follow the race of the election, and I fear that no one of the candidates is fit to arrange the matters better than [as] they are now. Yet all goes [by] with you much better [as by] than with us, for the shame of our people. [I am well for the last four months and I hope to remain well for the future, having every warm thing I want. We have hear the winter already 20 degrees of frost, nearly every night, soon 30 and 40 degrees. I kiss you, dear friend, and will deserve your friendship] Copy of postcard from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows, dated 10.2.1912. Beloved friend and sister. Today I got a second packet of clothes through Barbara. 20 roubles and 30. The last contains splendid things: two large skirts, two flanels over all the corps, and a pair of shoes. Pray, say thanks to Lillian Ward, for it is she that realized these givings. Our winter enters its rights and we now have 40⁰ of cold, so that we all get of warm clothes is used with thanks and joy. I left for myself all of which was in your sending and selected the best out of Lilian's givings, for I know you wish me rich and comfortable to the last. And so I am. Thank you for the details of Alice's mode of life, I am quiet now. Our blessed child is well, I am sure, and the parents too. Dearest sister I kiss always your hands and admire your beloved face and enjoy your style everywhere I find it. For ever yours, C. B. April 13, 1912 Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows. 31 March/13 April, 1912. "Moral Citadel". It was long ago I did see and hear an ensemble of so brave, witty, and sympathetic men. It rejoiced me the more, that I had not such opportunity to make a near acquaintance with American men, as I had to do it with the women. Except a dozen of excellent characters I did met in several towns (New York, Chicago ...) and who were so good to approach me, I did not acquire men friends in such scale as among the women who accosted me so heartily, so tenderly. I saw them men were so much occupied with their business, always so serious and showing on me as on a strange being stuffed with awkward ideas and fancies. And I dared not to approach them. Certainly such as Mr. Ely and the young students in New York - I felt them as good friends .... and Mr. June Barrows I saw on him with a veneration mixed with restrain and fear to be a charge. Now that I know his life of devotion and love for the whole humanity, his beautiful figure, yes, all his big and slender figure is so near to me, so wholly near, that I often address him and approach him as a beloved parent who is satisfied too to find out his old sister. And the gallery of worthy faces placed in your leaflet, my dear sister, would be poor for me without the excellent traits of your excellent husband. What wonderful good exemples of human species we have on our earth. How can one distress or become disenchanted after having known such people as you knew, as I have known in my country, in yours. Such a being as Alice is very rare. all her life was a devotion and never was she tired to work for others. And so modest in her behavior, so unselfish in her desires, going forwards all her life. Her wo- 2. man's Journal is a clever and warlike piece of work. I am not astonished it acquires more and more readers. It is popularly edited, full of news concerning the women question and every working woman (on that platform) is mentioned and finds the prize of her talent. It does stimulate and engage. They do repeat very often the same arguments and statements, but it is well in this case for one shall "battre e fer quand il est chaud." Once a wekk you must cry aloud, not to be forgotten the other six days. - "Life and Labor" is a reasonable thing, yet it has not such a finished character. There are very interesting fragments, relating us, showing us some pictures of the labor life of the American laborers, but we have not a more ample representation of the whole movement taken together. Perhaps it would be difficult to do it in a monthly edition, but there are some novels which could be left aside in the case of more serious matter. "The Survey" is a friend, the presence of whom can last very long near us, for its treats the subjects with which we will have long to do, ameliorating by and by the innumerable defects of our social life. You are sure that every worker in social questions would do well to read "The Survey", for every one of them would find there some investigations fit for his own trade. When not young "The Survey" is never old too. I reserve all the N N. for myself. - I cannot read all I get from America, yet I give away (to others) what is less interesting to me. Therefore, there are many magazines on a table in my room, and when I look at it, I always think, : of once more into the fortress, or near the Ice sea, I will have for many years to read, about what to think on. 3. You leaflet will dwell with me, and the face of my brother June Barrows will remain with me. I asked Alice for your portrait, sister Isabel; I have only a very little one. Alice herself was found on the pages of her Journal, but I did not meet you. - Your letters, as many from others, are reaching me without the Russian address. And if I did say only to Alice about my ignorance on behalf of the existance of a son of yours, (you took him when baby); I did not speak with you being ashamed of my ignorance. But the letter where you told how well you performed your travel with him, made me a great joy, for I am always afraid - you are never quiet after the loss of your best of men. Dear sister, dear sister, I love him very much ... The Easter was spent well. I got a beautiful grammophone with excellent songs and musical parties. Three days we have had music from 9 o'clock till 9 in the evening. One serie of young men came from 3 - 4 hours, then another, and I was afraid it would continue the whole week, so I sent the instrument to my friends (a very good family of our people; the man and his wife are on my right and behind me on the photograph I sent you) - for some time. - Now I have some pupils to give lessons in French and German, one is the daughter of (12 years old) of the good family, the only child, very able to learn. She hopes to learn English too, after having made more progress in other languages. The other pupil is the girl who serves me, a square ignorant. Now she can read the Russian and write some words. Then there are some boys learning English. But my time is spent for the most part in predigt and hearing the confessions of hundreds. Every one has his own secret or woes to tell me and 4. to get an answer to it. - As to my health - it is good till I sit at home. The body can be very good enveloped and take not cold, but it is enough for me to respire a cold air to begin to sneeze, to (sich schnupfen) and to have the bronchies in a miserable state. It is very abominable, but with a less cold weather the health will be restored. - With your letter, dear Isabel, and your paquet with the "Moral Citadel" and other pictures and "lists, I received from one lady this printed card "The Holy Spirit of the Spring is working silently." The thing is made with much taste. I will write on it the lawer (lawyer)? that carried my cause so heartily .... But we have no mail now and I wonder if this letter will be carried before the post stops. We have had only three days sunny enough to melt a lot of snow and the river is now covered with deep water; no way across it. Such state of matter can dure a whole month and we will remain on our islet like savages, knowing nothing about the world. We have friends so far off, on the border of the Ice Sea, that only once a year they can have a post-mail .... We are happy yet. So I finish this writing praying you, dearest sister, to kiss our little June, who is my beloved child, blessed by God and all that know his grand parent and his very good father and mother. -Pray too, to say to Helena (Dudley) I have her letter where she speaks about her desire to aid her friend in a new settled settlement. I cherish her, and she doesn't know how deep and faithful. - Your old friend and sister, Catherine. Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Miss H. Dudley. Kiresnk 16/29. June 1912. Helena, dearest friend. Your letters are with me, your money gives me a comfort, for I told you already that all I get from my friends there, in America, I will spend it only for my own person who is very liberal, since you ordered her to take care of her health and welfare. So I am sustained, nourished, clothed and spoiled thanks to the goodness of many far off friends. Every dollar which meets the other dollars, collected among you my friends is a drop of the comfort which is my share now. For I am a conscientious being and when asked to act in such and such manner, I submit myself to the desire of my donators' feeling and understanding their rights. - This time, the last month I had a letter from our dear Lilian and I answered it. I got two envelopes with beautiful pictures from Weslesley College. From Isabel Barrows a mending (reminder?) that my writings will be returned to me, (I got them not yet). A letter from my dear Bullard, whose book on Panama is long ago with me and gave me many interesting hours. The new magazines, sent to me thanks to the efforts of Lilian, ornament my table and give me every week and month a lot of pleasant pastime. Not long ago I had a very pleasure to get the letter of Dr. Lewis Herreshoff to whom I send in this envelope large figure, a big face of mine. It is very like me and reminds one of the ancient statues made of stone and wearied out with time. Very like me. Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Arthur Bullard, Kirensk 4/17 July 1912. "Le monde s reveille". My dear and ever remained (remembered) friend Arthur: - Yes, politics in America, as everywhere are more hopeful now. I am very eager to be aware how large is the progress in your country, being sure that its example will have a worldly significance. The thousands of emigrants that invade your country will divulge the reforme made there in their own native lands, for many of them are only temporary toilers in the U.S. Therefore all the news concerning the state of political questions in the U.S. (the election of President including)- is a matter of great interest to me. Albert Edwards is a good acquaintance of mine, always welcomed. And the book about Panama is a rich piece of literature for people who have a poor idea of what is the physical and social life of the place, I mentioned to Miss Blackwell the getting of this book and my surprise not to see your name there ... Oh! for the "ineffectual Reformer" as you call him, it is exceptionally interesting. I wait on it. Perhaps I guess the character that can be a model of the man you describe. I remember a figure among the people of your set, a very long, somewhat dull melancholia walking as a person of a world apart. Such figures are familiar to me, and I learned to perceive through the outward loneliness and [??] of their figures - an emptiness of mind and feelings. Pardon me if I am wrong on account of your hero; but I never saw combined the courage and abnegation with a lack of enthusiasm and faith. I think that a true exposition of the mentioned character in his efforts to be useful to mankind - is of great profit to your readers; showing how little or nothing can do a man not sure enough of what he is doing .... 2. I hope our fatherland will move too, it cannot rest behind being pushed from East and West, it must go forward. Dear Arthur, you are not married yet, and you look as philosoph on the personal happiness of your, of our friends, without a bitter sense enjoying their family life, as it were your own- ... Well! you are young, you will choose a nice, working suffragist who will embellish your life without giving you much trouble about getting a great deal of money.- Today I saw two of my boys going to visit their brides. They have to make more than thousand miles, half of which they will do on[n] their feet and eating only bread and tea. The boys and the two girls have recently finished their terms in the prisons of forced works, and yet they are young, fresh and full of hope. Those are [?] enthusiastic enough and will reach their ends. I am earnestly thankful and deeply touched with the love and the strong friendship you all, my friends, express to me by words and doings. What I wish most for myself it is to be always worth of the good feelings towards me - which you involve into the hearts of the little American youngsters. I hope I will deserve them even if my fate does not permit me to be as useful to my brotherhood as I would. As to my health, it is much better since we have hot days, which can dure two or three weeks more. Why did you not mention how do you feel yourself: stronger as before? Africa pleased you. I hope you renewed there your physical forces. Oh! how I wish all my friends to be healthy, strong and happy. I kiss you and love you heartily. Catherine Breshkovsky. 4. esteriorly. My letter to him will be long and full of childishness. I mercy him for the letter of his young friend. The skirmish and all the wrongs which are made during the election time - wrist my heart too, I cannot read the description of it without suffering for a free country. Oh! if we had what you got already! But it is our own fault and we ought to try. Helena, dear friend! I am never sure now to find you at home. You are wanted in so many places that it makes you always travelling from one State to another. It is good for others, even for you, I am sure but my fancies cannot catch you, and I endeavor to voyage along to have the opportunity to encounter you, to rest with you, and let you tell me all about so much work made by you alone, as well as with your friends, The good lady who sent me the last year a basket with pickles, and now some original cards in a post packet, is often with your and, but I don't know what is precisely the matter she owes her to. She is a friend of our good Mr. Lewis and I wish her to be sure of my sincere interest I take in her work. We have had some warm days, I feeled perfectly. I am sure there will be more of them, and it is time enough to get strong and beautiful(!) before the winter comes. Just now my cheeks are red and brown, my feed alert and gracious my mind full of hope. A magnificence of different sorts of [?] flowers, which are brought to me as splendid bouquets by our boys that are climbing the mountains and searching the forests and valley[e]s. A very rich flower flora, but very short time flourishing and ornamenting the [?] rude and monotonous nature of the country. I cannot leave the town and cannot respire the air of the fragrant vegetations of the forests. But we have so 5. much flies in our town, and other atroce insects in all the houses, that it must be taken as a compensation for the want of living beings, inhabitants of surrounding us immense spaces. - Oh, if you were as well and as strong as I am, notwithstanding all the defects and depredations of my liberty. Miss Mackintosh is in your place in Denison House, I am sure. It is my visite to her. As to Alice, I wrote her the last week and wish her to remain in her dwelling, where she is comfortable and quiet. Miss Starr will not take part int he parades (in New York and others) and will never give a word in Woman's Journal. Perhaps she is working in another magazine or elsewhere? My loving greeting to hear. Miss Addams is always in action, once we further our rights, we shall prove our fitness to be able .... long ago it is proved. But, for my part, I think never was given such excellent answer on suffrage question as which was given by Clara Barton, this majestic and wonderful attractive woman. - Adieu Helene, Dearest girl, our saint woman, 'seriously my friend). You will say my greetings to all our friends. Catherine Brenshkovsky. Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows Kirensk 6/19 August 1912. Dearest and beloved Sister! I had a letter from Mabel, such a good one, such a seriously meant, giving a full idea of her feelings towards the whole our family! You, dear sister, June, his father and myself, that I will conserve it for the rest of my existence. She is troubled about your going to Hawaii, and I too, I wait impatiently the news of your traveling and your return at home. Certainly you are familiar with the sea, but it seems to me a hard experience and your tender health might suffer from it. - Now I will say you about the money: I get every month through Egor $20 (dollars), but he never mentions from whom it is sent, and told me in his letter that it is the best method, for having every month an assigned sum. I will be more careful in my expenses. No doubt that the money of Mr Ely is received long ago, as well as the $15 you sent me from his part. I was put in error by the words of our dear Alice, who said me once, she will send the money directly on to my own address (in Kirensk), as you did. And I have had from her part, from Helena, my dearest friend, from Mrs. Coonley twice different sums directly on my own name in Kirensk. So you can be sure that not one dollar is lost, and I am rich with the donations of my American friends. As to your letters, I have them too, every one reached me. And if I did not mention the paper you got from the Police Department, assuring you that my copy-books are returned to me, it was because I did not wish to disappint you once more. You troubled yourself so much, you were sure to attain the end, and could not believe how dishonest the people of a certain cast. My lawyer in St. Petersbourg, made all his 2. possible to get the books back, and till now they are retained by the chief of the police of the little town Kirensk, for to him is given the power to control all the affairs concerning my person. I never speak with him, nor with any member of the police, but I know by a very long experience that nothing will make them to be less barbarous but a degrading behavior, which case is not to be used by me. Oh! Isabel, my beloved sister! Don't mind it. I would be more puzzled if they were lawful and righteous, which never occurs in their practice. So, all is right and in its places. My health is much more better all the summer, which has gone away, leaving his place to an autumn which seems to be nice enough. If, we will prosper a long time yet. I was so much pleased to read in the Woman's Journal the resolution how to continue this edition. It will remain with our Alice, but she will have an aide in the person of a lady well acquainted with all the business, as it seems. Is Alice satisfied? I would know it. she sent me your letter to her and how glad I was to read the words: "Oh, but it was good to see your familiar and ever welcome handwriting..." I am so much accustomed to her handwriting too. Dear girl! You, three angels of mine, you will never die, you will rest with me. Isabel, my darling, you will say to Miss Lillian Wald that the magazines she asked for me make a great parade in Siberia. After I have studied them and admired the pictures, they are sent to Irkutsk or Yakutsk, even in the libraries of museums, for these last are very fond of foreign editions, especially where there are photographs of several countries and nationalities. For my- 3. self I reserve only the Woman's Journal, the Survey, and Life and Labor. "Dutch Days on the Hudson" wee amusing and I spent an evening in following the scenes described. I was glad for the people that took place in the festival. Mabel tells me about her life (camping life) and that her husband has his own cabin where he studies. What the object of his informations? I am sure he is working himself on some scientific topic? I embrasse him, Mr. Mussey, and the brother of Mabel who bestowed me the last post-mail with two pretty cards which represent "Washington's Headquarters," Newburgh, N.Y. I have a terrible photograph of my own person very like indeed. I will send it to your son, my dear sister Isabel, but he mustn't be afraind. I kiss both your hands and forever Your devoted Catherine. Be sure, my Isabel, that every cent you give me through Egor is kept carefully and sent to me timely, for he is well acquainted with the mans of transportation and he is very accurate. 14. [Copy of post card from Madame Breshkovsky] to June Barrows Muse sey, [dated 14/27] August 14-27, [1912] [My dear June, good day!] I thank your grandmother for kissing your little foot [from my part] for me. I hope that when [we (]she and I[)] are old enough to need a support in our walks, you will be our chevalier, and your [crafty] powerful limbs then will [aid] help us to make our visit[e]s to one another. [For sure,] Now I am strong enough to go around, but my fees do not allow me to travel as far as I would. Wait only a little, all [shall] will be right[s], my dear boy. I beg you, kiss [the] both [hands] [of] your grandmother's hands for [from the part of] her devoted sister. [With such utensils the Yakuts are cutting grass, just now they are doing it; in our circuit the peasants have just done it. Mabel, dearest, I greet you and your husband.] To Mabel Barrows Mussey Sept 4-17, 1912 [September 4/17, 1912.] [I feel, dear Mabel, your heart is not at ease for the absence of your old and excellent mother, and I must own to you that I too shall not be at ease til her return home. She is not alone there, certainly, and will be watched by her friends Only for the weather on the sea. The[e] are so many terrible catastrophes everywhere and in every season - one can never be sure of avoiding them. This fall Russia itself except its peripheries is the least dangerous place in the world. No tremendous events, no great disasters from rough nature. All is flat, quiet and regular. What a beautiful garden it would be ... and it will be but our Nonna is a person of large experience and a proved courage. She will never be taken by surprise and unless there is a tremendous disaster she will know how to escape. If you have any news of her you will send it to Alice and she will send it to me. Helena Dudley is a very delicate organism too, but these two dearfriends of mine, your mother and Alice, are not only worn by their hard work but suffer from many ailments which demand constant attention and care. The sanitarium which your dear mother described, is a beautiful one. Yet she remained there a few days and went away. I hope I am sure she will return safe and sound, yet til November we shall wait.] [As to myself, I am very glad to say that my health has made excellent progress toward recovery and if I am not taken by the approaching cold all will be well.] [I read with vivid interest the news from your country, ] [and I follow from very far away the [efficiencies] achievements of every one member of your best people. So I have now two experiences, one of the life of my own people, another of the life of yours. I know also what is happening in other countries, but it does not concern me so closely, so heartily. All the portraits I recognize in the many magazines which come from the United State revive the impression I received there, and make my life here less monotonous. [They give me many hours of agreeable] existence.] [Now, dear girl, my good friend Mabel, I am conscious that my writing is so bad today that it would be more reasonable not to send this letter. But I am not sure of being left alone and therefore you will pardon me for this abominable manuscript. Be well, my dear Mabel, you, your husband and our Nonna and our little friend June.] [Your devoted Catherine Breshkovsky.] Oct, 19, 1912 Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Miss Helena Dudley. 6/19 October, 1912 What extra fine present, what beautiful album Wellesley College? What exqyuisite work. And Ellen Fitz Pendleton, what majestic figure! The life of Wellesley College students pictured there, is like the paradise of Mohamed: Joy, beauty and festivity. Sorry there are not photos of their cabinets full of books and desks, tables at which are working the nice blond heads I saw during my short visit at the college. - How fond I am of the articles G.K. is giving to the "Outlook"; all he says about Japan I agree with to the last word. I have the same experiences with other peoples, whose psychology is strange to the whole body of our people. How well it is that the science makes successes towards the knowledge of each other. It is so dull to have only strangers around us in every place of earth, when we are brothers, coming all from one source. The soul is the same, the habits are different. You got accustomed to my manner of manifest my thoughts and feelings, so I am. - Alice sent me Mrs. Pethic Lawrence and Miss Christabel Pankhurst, very agreeable picture, but I would pity them now, after all the sufferings they experienced these last years. They do not laugh, and their cheeks are meagre and pale. I would not follow them, yet I cannot blame them, for they are sincere and distressed. - I mean, that with the energy of English women, and the large possibility to make their propaganda, the women could work their way out without the militancy run to utmost. So much as I can judge, the English ladies are in a little contact with the working women, forming a ring of fashionable society which is not endorsed enough by some real force. - As to the war on the Balkans I wish it would end the sordid question, so named "East question". The Turks missed once more the opportunity to make them suffer by other people. Very foolish. Like us. - I wrote through you, Helena dearest, to Lewis Herreshoff. I wish you would kiss every time you get a 2. letter from me, our dear Euphemia Mackintosh, whose friendship makes me proud. Copy of picture post-card: It is just the cell in Petropavlovsky fortress. Such ones are 72, and more others, which I never experienced. All is stone, asphalt and iron, very dark in the cells of the first floor, for the wall which surrounds the buildings, is high enough to keep the light of the sun away, and you never see the heaven and its astres. An old creature, as I for instance, can support all the privations of air, light, motion, etc. But the young suffer seriously, and the silence and the mysterious running of all the manners of life there - make a distressful influence on the spirit and imagination of the confined. It is like a tomb. No human sounds, but very much sounds coming from out, and from underground, which origin you cannot explain. The space occupied by the fortress is large and among several buildings there is the money fabric, which contains pipes and tubs (tubes)? over and under the ground, always making some unexpected sounds, never heard before. Nobody answers your question except the chief, very seldom seen, and you can torture yourself with visions and horrible pictures till you are mad. So is the case. Many, many young lives perished in this awful place. The best souls and best characters. Amen. Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Mr. Herreshoff. Kirensk,10-23 of Oct.1912. My dear and excellent friend, Mister Herreshoff. I have had four of your letters, every one full of good words which influenced beautifully my inspiration, for it is a very dear and very rarely encountered thing to have such a distinguished friend as you dearest Lewis, in such a lonely position where I am now. For all my entourage is too young to be a match for me or when speaking on the aborigenes, too stranger to me. If all my friends in America [xxxxxxxxxx] are younger as I, yet the difference is not so big and secondly, I have the powers and the happiness to be acquainted with the best people in your country, the best souls of the world and such society is certainly a treasure which makes happy everyone, even not so isolate as I am. - The friendship of my dear American women is a world of my own and nobody is allowed to enter the very sanctuary of this my temple, for nobody will appreciate it as well as I do. Mr. Herreshoff and Mr. Bullard, are the sole members of manhood that make me the honor to correspond with and with wholly suffice because I am not able to write more than I do, having on my hands a lot of cares concerning the health (mental and physical) of more than 1500 youths. I cannot do the tenth part of what I want to do for my unfortunate family, but my thoughts are with them and my heart always busy with all sorts of sentiments, hope, love, care misericord, are mixed with sadness, impatience, angry. When alone or in my bed, I imagine to myself some unexpected fall that brings me much means of granting the welfare of my young family for some time. And I distribute and I keep the goods for the future and so I am asleep. Otherwise it would be impossible for me to keep up my humor and presence of mind for the every day's need and every day's misfortune would crush my heart. My imagination is very vivid from my childhood. I cannot read the stories or accounts where it is said about perversity, crimes or cruelty. I am sure nobody of us is capable to support the view of tortures, for instance, yet nearly everyone can read the description of it. I cannot without being hurt mentally I become furieuse, for I represent myself all the horror of the fact. Often I think that thanks to my imagination only, always inclined to picture, high or beautiful events I preserve the forces I possess until now. Even all sorts of deprivations, moral or physical are disgusting at the point I cannot read of it. One of our best writers, Dostigevsky, translated in English, French, Italian etc, is dreadful to me. I never read him. He is a psychologist and a scientist in all the mental diseases. My corps and my soul were always healthy. I see a great mischief every species of ps psyches. Dear Mr. Lewis forgive me this letter and say to your friend, the dear lady who sent me candies and wise cards that I love her the much, that she is so good to our Helen D.my beloved Helene, the blessed girl. The letter of your niece on the election of Roosevelt and Taft, reached me. - Out of the American press, as well as of the Russian one, I follow the race of the election and I fear that not one of the candidates is fit to arrange the matters better as they are now. Yet all goes by you much better as by us for the shame of our people. I am well for the last four months and I hope to remain well for the future, having every warm thing I want. We have hear the winter already 20 degrees of frost, nearly every night, soon 30 and 40 de- grees. I kiss you, dear friend, and will deserve your friendship forever. Catherine Breshkovsky. Kirensk, 10-23 of Oct. 1912. My dear and excellent friend, Mister Herreshoff. I have had 4 of your letters, every one full of good words which influenced beautifully my inspiration, for it is a very dear and very rarely encountered thing to have such a distinguished friend as you dearest Lewis, in such a lonely position where I am now. For all my entourage is too young to be a match for me, or when speaking on the aborigenes, too stranger to me. If all my friends in America are younger as I, yet the difference is not so big and secondly, I have the powers and the happiness to be acquainted with the best people in your Country, the best souls of the World and such society is certainly a treasure which makes happy everyone, even not so isolate as I am. The friendship of my dear American women is a World of my own, and [nobey] nobody is allowed to enter the very sanctuary of this my temple, for nobody will appriciate it as well as I do. Mr. Herreshoff and Mr. Bullard, are the sole members of [mankind], manhood that make me the honor to correspond with and with wholly suffice because I am not able to write more than I do, having on my hands a lot of cares concerning the health (mental and physical) of more than 1500 youths. I cannot do the tenth part of what I want to do. for my unfortunate family, but my thoughts are with them and my heart always busy with all sorts of sentiments, hope, love, care misericord, are mixed with sadness, impatience, angry. When alone in or in my bed, I imagine to myself some unexpected fall [th] that brings me much means of granting the welfare of my young family [fo] for some time. And I distribute and I keep the gods for the future [a] and so I am asleep. Otherwise it would be impossible for me to keep up my humor and presence of mind for the every-day's need and every-day's misfortune would crush my heart. My imagination is very vivid from my childhood. I cannot read the stories or accounts where it is said about perversity crimes or cruelty. I am sure nobody of us is capable to support the view of tortures, for instance, yet nearly everyone cn read the description [o] of it. I cannot without being hurt mentally I become furieuse, for I represent myself all the horror of the fact. Often I think that thanks to my imagination only, always inclined to picture, high or beautiful events I preserve the forces I possess until now. Even all sorts of deprivations, moral or physical are disgusting at the point I cannot read of it. One of our best writers, Dostigevsky, translated in English, French, Italian and so forth, is dreadful to me. I never read him. He is a Sychologist and a scientist in all the mental diseases. My corps and my soul were always healthy, I see as a great mischief every species of psyches. Dear Mr. Lewis, forgive me this letter and say to your friend, the dear lady who sent me candies and wise cards [t] that I love her the much, that she is so good to our Helena D.my beloved Helene, the blessed girl. the letter of your niece on the election of Roosevelt and Taft, reached me. Out of the American press, as well of the Russian one, I follow the race of the elction and I fear that not one of the candidates is fit to arrange the matters better as they are now. Yet all goes by you much better as by us for the shame of our people. I am well for the last 4 Months and I hope to remain well for the future, having every warm thing I want. We have here the Winter already 20 degrees of frost, nearly every night, soon 30 and 40 degrees. I kiss you dear friend, and will deserve your friendship forever, Catherine Breshkovsky. 266 To Lewis Herreshoff. Oct. 10-23 1912. It is a very dear and very rarely encountered thing to have such a distinguished friend as you, in such a lonely position as I am in now. For all those around me are too young to be a match for me, or if I speak to the aborigines, too foreign to me. If all my friends in America are younger than I, yet the difference is not so great and secondly, I have the happiness to be acquainted with the best people in your country, the best souls of the world, and such society is certainly a treasure which makes people happy every one, even not so isolated as I am. The friendship of my dear America women is a world of my own, and nobody is allowed to enter the very sanctuary of this my temple, for nobody will appreciate it as much as I do. I am not able to write more than I do, having on my hands a lot of cares concerning the health (mental and physical of more than 1500 youths. I cannot do the tenth part of what I want to do for my unfortunate family, but my thoughts are with them and my heart is always busy with all sorts of sentiments, hope, love, are, pity, are mixed with sadness, impatience, anger. When alone or in my bed, I imagine to myself some unexpected chance that brings me large means of guaranteeing the welfare of my young family for sometime. And I distribute and I keep the goods for the future, and so I fall asleep. Otherwise it would be impossible for me to keep up my humor and presence of mind, for every day's need and every day's misfortune would crush my heart. My imagination has been very vivid from my childhood. I cannot read the stories or accounts that tell about perversity, crimes or cruelty. I am sure none of us could support the sight of tortures, for instance, yet nearly every one can read the description. I cannot, without being hurt mentally, I become furious, for I represent myself all the horror of the fact. 267 Often I think that, thanks to my imagination only, always inclined to picture high or beautiful events I have preserved the strength I possess until now. Even all sorts of deprivations, moral or physical, are disgusting to such a point that I cannot read of them. One of our best writers, Dostuevsky, translated into English, French Italian, etc., is dreadful to me. I never read him. He is a psychologist and a scientist in all mental diseases My body and my soul were always healthy, I see a great mischief every species of psychopathy. The letter of your niece on the election of Roosevelt and Taft reached me. In the American press, as well as in the Russian press, I follow the race of the election, and I fear that no one of the candidates is fit to arrange matters better then they are now. Yet all goes with you much better than with us, for the shame of our people. Copy of letter from Mrs. Breshkovsky to Miss H. Dudley. Kirensk, 1/14 December, 1912. Helena: I am knocked down by the goodness of Wellesley College! I feel myself guilty, ungrateful, as it can be taken by the excellent lady as constantly amiable toward me, Helena, dearest friend! I know it is for your sake I get so [may] many attentions from the part of your friend, and what can I do to show me appreciating enough such bounty and attention. I, who is ashamed even to write to the persons that have no reason to be so indulgent, as you are toward me. Nevertheless I am very glad getting something nice and new. Long before it is sent or given away I enjoy myself and all those who come to see me, and they are many. I am always proud to have to show how good are my friends and constant in their tenderness. Years and years coming and going away, times changing and new cares and works are overwhelming the busy heads and hearts - and yet the ties of friendship are strong and do not yield to the temptations of surrounding chaos of affairs, matters, feelings and duties, so multiplied and more and more complex. Oh! the American women contain a rich dotation of energy, of will, of sincerity and stability. Certainly I am proud, but I would not abuse and take more of what is due. For instance: I feel it would be better to answer Mrs. Coonley card every time I get her 4 dollars, which was four times the case. But I do not make it and pray to be excused. Several points are preventing me to do so. And there are other cases, when I had to answer a letter or some compliment, and it was not done. - Two Indien from Hood River, Oregon, Mary Allen and another one sent me a book called "Christian Science". I was asked to read it and any my meanings on it. I read very much of this big book, and yet I could understand nothing except that the author is endeavoring to explain every expression and every word 2. taken of letter from G. Lazareff, to Alice Stone Blackwell. taken from Scripture as well as from science by her own way, as may do every one with no less fantasie. But what made me sad about this book, it was a great amount of letters, certifications from the part of quantity of people who ascertained that they were cured from very cruel diseases, after they accepted the interpretation of expression given by the author. - I know that our imagination is for much into the matter of our health, and many socalled miracles were found on this ground. But such exceptional cases can not be taken as a rule, and the assertions of the author cannot be taken as a program. - Yet I feel that my young friends, one of them sent me many tokens of her sympathy and attention (Mary Allen, Oak Grove, Hood River, Oregon) - feel themselves much interested in religious questions, and would desire to change thoughts about it, to have somebody to aid them to dissolve the most thrilling points of their faith. - I am not in state to fulfill this innocent wish for lack of language. What to do??? Helena! When I read the Woman's Journal, and there are mentioned so many exceedingly wonderful and beautiful ladies, I often see you three: Isabella Barrows, Alice Blackwell and Helena Dudley exempted, never mentioned, as if you take no part in the great movement of women emancipation. Alice is mentioned only as the editor of the Journal. - Dearest girl, I confess it makes me well to see how little you are concerned with the pleasure of fame and proclamation. All the letters and pictures from you and Mrs. Scudder are with me. I greet our friend Mackintosh and know that she is vine as modest as you all. Soon I will write again. Catherine your devoted friend. Copy of letter from G. Lazareff, to Alice Stone Blackwell. Clarens,Feb.2.1913. Your kind letter safely at hand. Some days before your letter reached me, I have got a letter from Baboushka. She informs me that a generous gentleman from America (She says: "a generous soul") sent her money just before the Christmas time. But unfortunately the money was not sent by the post-order, but in banknote or by cheque, in a word, in such a way that to get the Russian money, it is necessary to go to bank. But there is no bank nearer than 1000 kilometres from Kyresnk. Kyrensk itself is nothing but a poor village, during the winter buried under the snow. Now, after your letter, I believe the money is from kind Lewis Mr. Herreshoff. She does not mention [the] my name. Be so kind to send him a word that his generous sending reached safely to Baboushka. She says gaily that she is rich now, so rich that she does not know what to do with her capital. She says that when for a moment she is short of money, she takes out of her pocket her American capital in paper and shows to everybody who doubts she is rich. To change paper she must send to Irkoutsk bank. Certainly she will get it, but our generous frind, Mr. L. Herreshoff is too much an American and civilized gentleman; he makes to much honor to the Russian bank organization. Ah! The North Pole is discovered! - In a short time there must be an exchange bank! I ask you earnestly to send our common thanks to Mr. Herreshoff. His direct sending will not hurt her. In the November issue of a Russian Review "Messanger of Europe" our friend, Mr.Prougavine gave the article on the "Bouchka of Russian Revolution in Exile". where he described her living, the persecution of her near friends the nonsensely severe surveillance and so on. Meanwhile he cited some passages of Baboushka's letters to many friends in Russia, 2. and in this article mentioned in full characters the lovely names Miss Alice Blackwell, Mrs. Isabel Barrows, and H. Dudley. So,your name is now in our official [?] literature, and may write to Baboushka freely. In this article is mentioned about expelling from Kirensk the young lady who came to her to attend Baboushka during her sickness, and added that some friends of her in Russian society take some steps to ask the government to make her free or to transfer her to some warmer region, for Caucase or like it. Now some friends in Russia[n] express a timid hope that very soon an amnestie, March 3 on the occasion of 300 years anniverary of Romanoff's dynasty, perhaps something will be done to Baboushka. Personally I am also lulling some hope in my heart and for my heart, but I do not like the illusions and keep the only policy hope on self-help! Baboushka more than deserves to be free and to die in warm atmosphere. She is 70 years old, she wonderfully passed her long life. We are her nearest friends and comrades, especially who are at liberty and in safety,- we are suffering from [?] the thought she is far from us, from the warmth of climate and our hearts. The mentioned article of Mr. Prougavine gives a quotation from the Baboushka's letter: "They (her American friends) are so attentive to me, that I consider them as my best and nearest kins; I follow attentively their life full of action and fight for the good cause of humanity, for their ideals. They do for me all what is in their power in order to beautify my working days." She sends me very often the postal card of American origin so the curriculum is going from America through Siberia to Switzerland.. Be so kind to give my hearty greetings to Miss Helene. P.S. I adore Mrs. Isabel Barrows and her lovely family. They are all on my table at this moment. Babushka in Exile. From several sources the story of the journey of Madame Breshkovsky to her dreary Siberian place of exile has come to her friends in America. It is in substance as follows: Madame Breshkovsky was tried last spring after more than two and half years of detention in solitary confinement, and was exiled to a penal colony in Siberia, several thousand miles from St.Petersburg. She was held in prison till the large party to be deported to Siberia was ready, about one hundred and fifty political offenders, - it is safe to say intelligent, public spirited and self sacrificing men and women - and one hundred criminals. She reached her destination on the 29th of August. Nominally still summer it was so cold that preparations had to be made at once for winter, but she had failed to receive her warm clothing or the money which had been sent to her. Accustomed to cross our continent in less than a week Americans may be interested to know why it should have taken from spring til fall to make the journey from St.Petersburg to the Kirensk district where these exiles were sent. From St.Petersburg by train to Irkutsk, a dirty, overcrowded and disagreeable trip of twelve days, then two days walking, about twenty-five miles a day to Alexandrovsk, where there is a hard labor prison and where they are building large wooden barracks to, a forwarding prison, which does not look as though the sending of prisoners to Siberia was to cease. It took a fortnight there to prepare for the last part of the long journey, but on the 9th of August they were finally under way, in bitter rain, for a place on the Lena river, called Kachuga. Mighty peasant carts made up the train, each cart having three prisoners besides the driver. Thus they traveled six days and nights. The only extra comfort that the brave old woman would allow was extra hay in the bottom of th the cart, but undoubtedly that was for the sick woman who was beside her. On reaching Kachuga they were placed on a boat under a [?] guard of seventy men, floating down the river with the current for more than a week, "like so many herrings in a barrel." Madame Breshkovsky then seemed to have been separated from the rest of the convoy. She was landed at the junction of another river, taken up a certain distance in a boat to a little village where again she was put into a cart and driven over a rough cart road for another week, over a range of mountains, then down another river, and finally another cart-drive to her present destination, an island in the cold Lena River. There are virgin forests about the place and some tilled land, badly cultivated. The noble old exile, accustomed to wealth and luxurious living in her youth has half of a log cabin for which she pays $2.50 a month rent. The cost of even her simple living, of ryebread and tea mostly, is high. Apparently she has to meet all her own expenses for food and lodging. The goverbment pays the guards, one of who is always watching her. One who saw her as she was on her way , writes that she was [?] bright and kind. It seemed hardly possible she was a woman of almost seventy (69) for her face is smooth, her eyes sparkle & with her gray hair under a gray sky she stood in the rain, an imposing figure. The young people in the train crowded abot her. She was everywhere the [?] object of attention, not only from her political comrades but from the criminals and soldier as well. The people who are on the lookout for her, saying whe "When is Babushka coming? God grant us to see her." In the prison at Irkutsk they were eager to see her, and all Siberia seemed to be waiting with wonder and almost reverence to see this "miracle woman," as they call the famous woman who has survived so much and is still of good cheer and courage. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.