New-York tribune., 1873-03-01
LIFE IN SIBERIA.
A LECTURE BY THOMAS w. KNOX.


The announcement that Col. ThOs. W. Knox
would deliver lecture his travels in Siberia drew
large audience TO Association Hall, last night the
lecturer began with the statement that less than 1
years ago colony OF Cossacks the River Don reu'eo
10 obey the Of the Car OF Russia 10 escape
punishment they left their homes and after crossing
the yolga River they passed beyond the Ural Noun
tains which were then the eastern limit OF Russian
mower Yermak the leader OF these Cossaeks pressed
forward into Asia, and easily overpowered the Tartar
tribes In the valley the Oh and Irish He but Tort
on the site OF the Tartar village of sibeer ana on that
village the whole Northern ASIA received the name IL
now bears" Siberia" Conquest was rapidly pnshed ana
within 20 years of the time when Yermsk aud his follow
ers crossed the Uras the Russian power had been ex
tended to the Of the 0ehosk Sea, nd covereaa
region containing nearly 5000 square miles The cost
OF this conquest entirely borne by individuals VINO
found their remuneration in the profits Of the fur trade
like loyal subjects of Russia, the conquerors gave the
capared country TO their Emperor, receiving III return
pardon for their msdeeds in the past.
rapid sketch was made OF the speakers visit to
Kamchatka, his experience with dogteams, salmon
fishers and furtraders, and his ascent OF the Amoor
River. The Amoor described as a magnlhcent
stream with the width and volume Of the Mississippi
and the picturesque banks OF the Hudson aud St Law
renee At the southern bend of the Amoor, there is
wonderfully luxuriant vegetation. and there Is
no other place in the world where nature
presents so many varieties OF animal ana Vese-
table fe The and the sycamore grow side by
side with the bireb the pine, and the spruce the ugr
and the reindeer live in the forests and there are
birds from beyond the Polar Circle on one hand ana
the equator the other. The Amoor in large part OF
its course separates Russia from China and the lecturer
eaye humorous account OF his visit to and dinner with
Chinese Governor OF the cities of Mongolia. He
next gave graphic description OF Winter In the
capI of Eastern Siberia and OF the manners customs,
and society OF city which he alleged TO be
half around the world from New-YOrk. Much OF the
refinement In Siberian life attributed 10 the political
exes been sent from Russia ana the lecturer
devoted considerable time 10 an account OF the NE,
treatment, and condition Of the exes, and sned new
light upon that romantic subject
Then followed account OF sleigh ride through
Siberia in Wintera ride of nearly 900 miles continued
day and night its close. The monoony OF the land
scape snowscape, the splendOrs OF an arctic nsnt
the triiancy OF arctic sunrise, adventures with
wolves, the effect of intense cold, the traverse
of bread lake. where horizon was
visible and the ice was transparent the water
beneath it, the tribes and OF encountered ON
the route, described IN words carefully selected
and that secured the entire attention OF the
listeners. The speaker concluded with 6ref account
of the effect the abolition OF serdom and the causes
which led 10 it. The lecture occupied an hour aud
quarter In delivery, and many OF its descriptions had
humorous touches that appealed 20 the fuDoNng pOr-
ton of the audience. IL appauded at various
nOints at close.