The morning times., 1897-02-21
A YAGABOND In EUROPE
An Interesting Lecture at the Mu-
scum by George Kennan.
Descriptions of Russian Cities
and Peasant Life-MOscow,
Novgorod, and the yolga.

The popularity of Mr.. George Kennan,
the renowned litterateur and traveller, was
well attested yesterday Afternoon by the
audience which greeted him at the Ma
titled "Vagabond Life In Eastern Europe"
Every chair in the room was occupied
despite the inclement weather, and the
hearty applause which greeted tie speak
er denoted the presence OF many OF his
friends in The audience.
Quoting the words of Goldsmith, Mr.
kennan defined the vagabond a 5 one who
travels for the mere purpose of crafty
ing. his curiosity, without definite util-
itarian aim
HE is never specialist" said he, 'but,
in studying the world and its inhabitants
he adapts himself to the modes OF life about
him. he is as happy to travel in the
midst OF gypsy want and filth as To dis
cuss European politics in a palace car
by the side of prince. In this sense
during five months ofroving andadventur-
Gus travel through eastern Europe | was
truly vagabond OF the most pronounced
type"
The lecture which followed this brief
introduction was illustrated by beautiful
stereUpticOn views. embracing scenes OF
life and landscape along the route of the
speakers pilgrimage. from st. Peters
burg, via the Yolga, the Caspian Sea, the
Danube. and home again. including sketches
or the life of. in, and about, the famoss
Russian capital, Upper NoYgOrOd, and Con-
stautinople
Il started" said he, ''on the 30th OF
June. down the Humber, on great cumber-
son English steamer, and after delightful
journey came in sight OF the magnificent
gilded dome OF st. Isaacs Cathedral. which
is the first sight traveller gets of the
Russian Empire
Mr. Kennan described graphically the
scene along the Neya. the mul-colored roofs
and towers. the magnificent churches and
palaces. which rise from the waters edge.
The Russians" he said, do not allow
their water fronts to become mass of
warehouses and wharves. but they are
among the most artistic portions Of the
cities.".
The views Of the capital city embraced all
that Is of interest 10 the stranger in the
great city. which, as the lecturer said,
Had been redeemed from the sea-
visited. and its beauties were ably de-
scubed. The Krenilin, surrounded with
beautiful white walls and crowned with
silver and gilded doueS, appeared yividIy
real to the audience as Mr.. Kennau described
its various charming effects and proper
tons. THE city. from the surrounding
hills said lie, presents one OF the most
beautiful sights in all Europe. especially
when the afterglow OF the setting northern
sun transforms the gilded dones and tur-
rets into marvellous fairyland panorama
Novgorod, the great deserted city of the
Upper Volga basin, was next visited, and
realistically described. Magnificent views,
thrown upon the screen, aided the imag gina
tion admirably TO conceive the scenes ,le-
scribed by the lecturer The crush and
roar in the city during the two months
OF the great bazaar, when hundreds OF
millions OF dollars in merchandise change
hands, was CCntrasted with the death-like
deSertion OF the place during the remain
der OF the year Mr. kennan has visited
Novgorod, during each Of these annual
conditions which make this city the
strangest in the world and was able to
describe its peculiariues from personal ex-
perience.
Down the yolga to the Caspian the
audience was next invited to escort the
lecturer, and the trip proved delightful,
enIivened by Mr. Remnants genius as a
descriptive taiker, and the views Of life
along the way. Constantinople and the
trip homeward were treated but briefly. as
the lecture referred principally TO Russian
travel. His yagabond career, It's priva-
| tions ana viciSsitudes, however, formed a
humorous topic, closing with Mr.. Kennan's
arrival in London, pennileSs, but happy,
free to sit down and mediate on the
pleasures Of vagabond life.