Russian Rambles. By Isabel F. Hapgood. (Longmans and Co.) —Miss
Hapgood devotes her first chapter to explaining what exaggerated notions people have about the severity of the police and passport systems in Russia. Doubtless the experiences which she relates are perfectly authentic. But then she must not suppose that all nationalities are treated with the easy indifference with which the English and the Americans are regarded. Of the other contents of her volume, we have found the chapter in which she describes the family life of Count Tolstoy the most interesting. The Count is not by any means a consistent person. He has changed his mind on various very important matters, and keeps it quite open to change hereafter. At one time he resolved not to marry ; but marry he did. He has nine children alive—" healthy, handsome, well-bred," accord- ing to Miss Hapgood—and some have died. He is not a prophet in his own house. His wife, while a model of duty, distinctly dis- believes in him. "All my husband's disciples are small, blind, sickly, and homely ; all as like to one another as a pair of old bads X Z. has made himself an idiot by following my husband's teachings." The chapters on Kieff and on "A Journey on the Volga" may also be specially mentioned.
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