Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (1).pdf/3

 THE EXILES OE SIBERIA.

Tobolsk, the capital of Siberia, stands on the banks of the river Irtish, and is surrounded on the north by forests extending nearly to the Frozen Ocean, while in the space of 1,100 versts we meet with mountains arid and rocky, and covered with eternal snows—with uncultivated plains, and with streams whose congealed waters have never fertilized a single meadow, nor beheld the expansion of a single flowret. Advancing nearer the pole, the cedars, firs, and larger trees disappear, till at length we see nothing but marshes and moss, beyond which every trace of vegetation disappears. The Aurora Borealis, however, is frequent and majestic, and, while embracing the horizon in the form of an arch, columns of moving light issue forth, affording a wonderful spectacle unknown to the inhabitants of the south. To the south extends the circle of Ischim, which is divided from the Kirguis, an idolatrous people, by heaths covered with tombs. It is bordered to the left by the Irtish, a winding river which loses itself on the frontiers of China, and to the right is again bordered by Tobol, within an angle of which, at the feet of some rooks topped with firs, stands the baronial village of Saimka, distant from Tobolsk more than 600 versts. In the circle of Ischim (considered the Italy of Siberia, from its enjoying some days of summer) the rigour of the winter is extremely severe. The north wind brings with it such intense cold, that from September the Tobol is filled with ice, and snow falls incessantly at this time, continuing to cover the earth to the end of May. After this time, indeed, when the sun begins to penetrate the snow, it is wonderful to contemplate the celerity with which vegetation resumes its verdure, two or three days only being necessary for nature to unfold all her beauties, and storks, wild ducks, and geese disport themselves on the lakes—the white erano is seen plunging in the marshes, and weaves her nest with the rushes—while the flying squirrel, leaping from one tree to another, nibbles the fluids of the pine and birch. Hence to the natives of these frozen regions there belong some happy days, but none for the unfortunate exiles dwelling there.