New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-04
Nsmpork daily Gribm,te
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
PICTURES OF SIBERIA.

attained such al extensive and well-deserved po2u
Iarity, surpsss this volume 10 and curious in
| formation, or in the combination Of picturesq lie
sh,cts with solid intelligence The writer is lAn
art.t by profession, AID not an author. He went
to Siberia Dot 10 m,ke book, but TO sketch
scenery. He wished to observe the fair face Of
nature, under strange aspects. The eounsryS ~
quite ont of the reach Of ordinary tOursts and was
| scarcely Known at all 10 Europeans. But be was
brought into the midst Of such novel circumstances,
saw such singular forms of society, aud discovered
so many unknown facs in geography, that be felt
himself bound TO record his observations in a more
general form than the coOrs Of the pencil
The City of Moscow wss Mr.. Atkinsons point
| Of departure. Provided with special permission
from the Emperor, 10 insure every facility Of travel
| be started on the 9th of March on his long aud
solitary Journey The vehicle was a sort of elonga-
ted box placed Oh runners; his only companion
large deer hound and the whole turnout 10 charge
of driver and position. After several days Of
hard travel, most of the time with six horses, he
succeeded in reaching the Asatic frontier, but be-
fore crossing the boundary proceeded to pay bis
respects to the chief Of the Ural. This functonary
gave BIN cordial reception, and made his visit 50
agreeable that be was beguiled into prolouging it
for three weeks. He then started for the famous
iron mines at BIemsbawsky, which supply large
quantity Of that metal to the fair of Nni-NOvgorOd
Small fat bottoned barks are used for the purpose
of transportation constructed of birch, and fast
ened together with wooden pins. Each bark car
ries cargo of about 144 tups, and is directed by
IS men. They are s.eered by oars at the head aud
stern As or so feet in length, with strong and broad
blades, and float rapidly down the stream. Our
author took passage in craft of this kind, which,
after three hours spent in launching, got fairly un
der way and made very satisfactory progress.
The shore preseBtsd gentle slope Of bills on enc
SIDE with low meadows on the other, interpreted
with fine cumps of pine and birch. Bears and elks
were numerous in the valleys, where they were
rarely disturbed by the foot of man. After being
nine hours on the river the traveller describes light
in the distance, which proves to be that of fur
mace in the forest iroHwOIks. Proceeding uncere-
moniously to the house Of the director although it
late at night, he reused the sleeping family and
was coon made to feel himself at home The good
woman hustled about with OficiOus hospitality; hot
tea and preserved fruit were made ready on the
rpOt; while horse and cart were dispatched for
the luggage. Late as it wac, flock of rosy chill
dreu were introduced to the stranger; good fellow
chip was promptly established; supper was brought
upon the table; ard abundance of wine and savOry
dishes made the urging of the hosts superfuous.
A peculiar cordial, made Of the wild fruit of the
country, delighted the heart of the guest. 1t was
of the color of claret, but with finer flavor. After
4 - ~ oil oatI antIn nn f
his entertainers four other bottles of different sorts
We re brought in from ali of which he was obliged
to tsy " delicious drop" The supper was wound
up with bottle of foamng champagne, but new
pIoyocations to thirst were applied in various other
Siberian liquors, all of which polteness required
him to taste, which meant to finish gsss, and by
the time the list was exhausted he quite ready
| to occupy the sofa dh which he was to sleep The
first thing in the morning was tea and bread; then
visit with the hOst to the iron works; and after
round Of three hours they were ready for break
fast Tea formed no part Of this meal, which con-
listed of more substantial Siberian daintles, such
as f.h. pastry, meat, game of several kinds wild
straw berry tarts with plenty of the native cordas
| and the never-faing champagne at the close. On
| parting all the children were brought in to wish
| him safe voyage. The whole family sat down for
few minutes, apparently in silent prayer; then all
| rose up; the host advanced and kissed his guest
| three times; the latter then kissed the wife's
| hands. who returned il on the cheek; aud gen
eral exchange of similar salutations took place,
| when the traveller was permitted to pursue his
journey.
| But Siberian hospitality was not yet exhausted.
| The host made some pretense to accompany the
traveller to bis boat and it was not until after 10
sstipg on another bottle Of champagne that he re-
| luctarty took his final leave.
| After various excursions among the CrA noun
tains Mr.. Atkinson visited the region Of precious
stores in Siberia, in tie vicinity Of Ekaterineburg,
| the capital Of the Cral. The town is delightfully."-
situated on the borders of large lake, and con-
tains many splendid mansions aud extensive gar
dens and green houses. As seen from the lake, the
towers aud spires OF several churches, monastery
and convent together with numerous public
buildiDgs, present an imposing appearance. 10 the
center of the town stani the mechAn works be-
| longing TO the Russian Government. They are
fitted up on an enormous scale, with English tools
and machinery, including Nasmith steam hammer,
large laths, planning machines, and punching
drilling, growing and slottiDg machines for every
purpose. Near,hese works ss building IN which the
iaspers, porpbyries, ayen.urine, and other stones
found in the Ura are made into columns pedestals
vases and tables of unryalej workmsnshp. The jas
pers are found in great variety Of c0lors; tie most
| beautiful deem Green dark purple, dark violet,