A Journey in Russia in 1858

This account of a journey to Russia was read by Mr. Heywood at a meeting of the Bolton Mechanics' Institute, and the following is a copy of a resolution passed on the occasion, with the signatures attached.

WE, the undersigned members of the Committee of the Bolton Mechanics' Institution, having listened with much pleasure to Mr. Heywood's lecture on his recent visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow, and being desirous that the valuable information it supplies should be made available to our families, fellow workmen and others, who are greatly interested in the subject from the large commercial intercourse between this town and the capitals of Russia, beg leave most respectfully to request Mr. Heywood to publish the substance of his valuable paper for the gratification and information of the public. And we request the President of the Institution to wait upon Mr. Heywood with this requisition, and to use his best efforts to induce that gentleman to accede to our request.

GILBERT J. FRENCH. THOS. HOLDEN. JOHN WRIGLEY. ALFRED RIDINGS. JAMES FOGG. ALEX. LAWSON. EDWARD BLAND. JOHN LOMAX. WM. JACKSON. THOMAS WATERHOUSE. JOSH. PEAT. J. J. BRADSHAW. THOMAS BROMLEY. JOSEPH KIRKHAM. ISAAC BARROW. ADAM FERGUSON. WILLIAM A. FERGUSON. W. H. HORROCKS.

The request, however, was not put into execution.

M. H., 1918.

A JOURNEY IN RUSSIA IN 1858.

At the urgent request of our worthy and most active President, I have been induced to follow the example of several other friends of this Institution, and bring before you some account of a short visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow.

I may premise that about fourteen years ago, on our return from Egypt, vià Constantinople, I and my companion, Mr. Charles Darbishire, were placed in quarantine at a station overlooking the Black Sea. Along with us we had a Russian nobleman[1] and his tutor, who were returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

During the fifteen days' confinement, whilst occupying separate apartments, we frequently interchanged visits, and on such occasions the manners and condition of our respective countries became the frequent subject of conversation.

Such discussions did not terminate without receiving urgent invitations to visit Russia, offering, at the same time, to procure for us every facility for seeing the cities to advantage; and also an order from the gentleman's father,[2] who was at the head of the postal department, which would command for us horses and conveyances through every part of Russia.

Since that time I have frequently contemplated visiting the north of Europe, but, from various causes, have deferred such undertaking till the last summer, when, finding my fellow traveller unwilling to leave home, I induced another individual[3] to accompany me after much difficulty in reconciling herself to so long an absence from attractions usually found at home.

We set off on the 17th of June, and sailed the following day from Grimsby for St. Petersburg in the "Atlantic," a fine screw steamer, 1,600 tons burden, 284 feet long, and engines of 400 horse power, with thirty passengers.

On setting out the weather was delightful, with a smooth sea, so that we remained on deck all day, enjoying the promenade, though it was somewhat restricted by numerous bales of cotton.

The following day proved cloudy and much colder, followed by a stiff breeze through the night, rocking some of us without getting us to sleep.

On the 20th we rejoiced to see terra firma, and about ten in the evening landed a passenger at Elsinore.