New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-10
SKETCHES OF SIBERIA.

Whoever remembers Madame Cottin's
touching tale of Elizabeth or the Exiles
of Siberis," will read with interest the fol-
lowing sketches " hich we translate for The
Tribune. They were written by Polish
exile, and have an added pathos from the
fact that the author did not escape the fate
to which he so forcbly alludes.
Siberis, a land so famous yet so little known,
has, like all mysteries touched many fancies and
busted many pens. Unwillingy resident there,
wish to sketch some of its peculiarites a. re-
lief against my tedious life. write to kill time'
but even IL what say shall lack system, it must
needs be valuable contribution to our knowl-
edge OF a country so well deserving and reward
ing attention, yet rarely visited. save by those
who would much more gladly go the other way
Should be fortunate enough once more to reach
mY native land, 1t will be my pleasure to arrange
all the results of my Siberian experience, and to
give them an adequate form.
l am Political Prisoner, and my punishment is
banishment. But political crimes have their de-
grees, and go also have their retributions. There
are four grades Of punishment in Siberia
FIRST, Residence In city.
Secoad, Service In a Siberian Battalion.
Ihtrd, Colonization.
F6uttA, Public labor-in other words, work in
the mines.
There 10 also fifth grade, which is. however,
but greater degree Of the fourth, Prisoners in
company.
Whoever 10 sentenced to residence in q city
retains his rights "a nObeman. he can cores
pond with his friends, although naturally the whole
correspondence passes through the hands Of the
Mayor OF the city, and Is very limited in its scope.
The prisoner must not SO beyond the city limits,
but within them be may employ bis time as he
will and 10 not constrained 70 labor. Whoever
10 appointed 10 battalion has the same privilege
of correspondence under the same conditions.
The political oolonlsts take their name from the
fact that they were formerly only allowed TO live
in villages. They az deprived OF nobility. and in
order Of rank they stand lower than the Russian
Doors. Justice ceases for them, and any body may
insult and mstreat them without danger from the
law. Yet they belong still to the living. and may
also correspond with their friends At present the
colonists mosty live in the city, are not forced 20
work aud have no other superintendence than
that OF the ordinary police.
Those who are condemned to living death In
the bowels OF the earth, there 70 perish. or after
an endurance of suffering to become Coonists,
are no more ranked with human beings bat with
beasts of burden, with tools and machines All
human intercourse has ceased for them they are
buried alive and are entirely beyond the Law
The Companion Prisoners are compelled % the
most losthsome labor in the forts and prisons, al
ways wear chains and have the head half shaved
This class is considered the lowest OF sll. Rus
sian social rank admits nothing lower. II is
great error to despise the position Of the Russian
serfs. In the eyes of the prisoners they have
great importance, especially the serfs othe crown.
IL would be long and weary work for the con
demned to climb TO the rights and Importance
even OF this class.
The manner in which the prisoners reach their
appointed place Of punishment depends mainly
upon the verdict and much upon the bumor Of the
Judges As far As robolsk the transport gener.
ally goes by post and with some few short pauses
at night for rest The third and fourth classes Of
the condemned perform the rest Of the journey
upon foot, laden with chains and in company with
the most abandoned men. together with whom
they are often bound 20 an iron pole. know
nothing sadder and more horrible than the en-
counter OF such . procession For my own part
j recall nothing in Dantes He'll so awful They
do indeed, with some human feeling, allow these
wretched wanderers some days OF rest But
where must they pass them In the jails upon
the desert, close by the post stations isils de.
voted to the very scum Of humanity, and IN full