Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-04-05

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of the nomad Burjats, whose habits ex-
cited considerable cdriosity. In the
course of the journey, the Baron was
overtaken by his wife, who had made
interest to share his captivity, but only
by undergoing the pang of leaving her
child behind with some relatives. 1t
was joyful meeting, and they marched
on together. Three or four other ladies
-princesses and countesses-were with
their husbands, sharing their fatigues
and privations. In the prison at Pc
trowski, the married pairs were allowed
separate cells, which, besides being
cold, were so dark that candles had to
be burnt even at noon. At this place
of detention, the convicts labored at
roadmaking, digging in gardens, turn
ing hand-mills, and working at carpen-
try. For amusement, there was a re-
sumption of the concerts, and reading
of books and newspapers. A few of the
more mechanically inclined exiles gave
useful assistance at adjoining iron
works.
The Baron lived at Petrowski until
1882, his wife in the interval increasing
the family by several children. His
period of prison life with forced labor
had been ten years F.; but for some reason
not explained, his term was limited to
six years. Then came his removal to
Kurgan, in the government of Tobolsk,
requiring q painful journey of above
1900 miles, but with the advantage of
being so far in homeward direction.
Kurgan, town of 1000 inhabitants,
which has long been depot for exiles
of note, was reached on the 18th Sep
tember, 1882 and the family, under the
cognisance of the police, found place
of residence, for which, until the next
fair, some articles of furniture were lent
by neighbors, who kindly added pres
ent of bread and salt Life at Kurgan
proved an entirely different thing from
what had hitherto been endured. There
was no forced labor. The political con-
victs lived as they pleased amidst a
wonderfully agreeable society; the free
higher-class Russians in the place, as
well as police officials, interchanging
visits and hospitalities with the exiles.
The Baron informs us that the hospital
ity is almost too oppressive. There is
common practice of inviting guests to
come to all the meals during the day,
those who came to breakfast going away
and returning to dinner, and then to
supper. At the evening meal, there is
extraordinary festivity.
AS regards occupation, the exiles are
provided with lots of arabic land near
the town, which they cultivate with the
assistance of hired labor. The only
difficulty is getting men or women to
work for mere money. Even the poor
est Siberians require to be coaxed to
labor by frequent feasts of pies, soup,
and other dainties to which festivities
a zest is given by q concertof fddles and
flutes, and dancing for hours afterwards.
By help of such attractions the Baron
was able to cultivate his farm and breed
herds of cattle, for which there was a
good market. These rural occupations
contributed materially to improve his
health, which had been enfeebled by pre-
vious captivity.
Thus matters went on in an even ten
or until day or two before Christmas,
1886, when, in crossing the frozen court
yard of his house, his foot slipped, and,
in falling, one of his legs was dislocated
at the hip-j joint. Lifted and carried in
by his servants, the anguish he endured
was frightful, and, to his dismay, there
was no surgeon in the town who knew
what to do. This heavy calamity pro-
duced a alameness, with constant pain !;
and the poor Baron, consumed with
anxiety about his wife and children,
could walk but feebly on crutches.
In the gloomy condition which follow
ed this untoward accident, there came q
CLEAN of hope. The Grand-duke Alex
ander, son of Nicholas, and who is now
emperor, visited Kurgan in June, 1887,
in the course of journey to Siberia
He was known to be man of a less des-
potic and exacting character than his
father, and was inclined to be kind and
conciliatory in all his dealings. The
Baron, like some other unhappy exiles,
trusted that by proper representations
he might induce the prince to procure a
remission of his sentence. He accord
ingly made efforts to gain an audience
of the prince during his short stay
His attempts wsfe unavailing, but the
unfortunate invalid had the happiness
of becoming acquainted with Shukow-
sky, the eminent Russian poet, who act
ed as tutor and companion to the prince.
Partly through his influence, the Baron
and some other political exiles were re-
stored to qualified degree of liberty.
Nicholas permitted them to quit Siberia
and enter the ranks as soldiers in the
army serving in the Caucasus.
So far as Rosen was concerned, the
act of liberation was little else than a
mockery. How could a poor wretch
who crept about on crutches act as SOL
der? He did not, however, lose the
chance of gaining his freedom, and
forthwith set out by slow stages with
his family-he reclining on peculiarly
shaped pillows--to accomplish fresh
journey of more than two thousand
miles to the vicinity of the Black Sea-
Passing through Tihis, where things be-
gan to assume an Oriental aspect, the
wretched exiles at length arrived at
their destination, Biely Klutsh. Here
the Baron was incorporated in Min
grelian jaeger regiment, but meanwhile
classed as an invalid, and left to gain
strength, if possible, at the invigorating
sulphur baths of Pjatigorsk.
The baths had a beneficial effect,
without, however, curing the lameness,
and benevolent doctor urged the pro-
priety of applying for discharge from
military engagements. By friendly as
sistance, the discharge was procured.
The order for release came in January,
1899, and Baron Rosen was allowed to
return home and live the life of priv
ate person, under police surveillance,
after On exile which had extended over
thirteen years.