She will investigate
the assertions that delicate innocent women and children are chained to
vile criminals, and so made to take their way on foot thousands of miles
to far-off Siberia; often for no other crime than some careless words
spoken against the Greek Church or the Czar.
She hopes fully to inspect the prisons and mines in those far-off
regions, described by the Russians themselves as "living tombs." She
will, if possible, go into the cells of the condemned exiles, whose
walls are bare, except for their living covering of myriads of insects;
and, lastly, she intends to visit the Jews' quarters, and satisfy our
minds as to the existence of the terrible cruelties inflicted upon this
persecuted race, the hearing of which alone is heart-breaking.
And all through her perilous journeys we may be sure she will lose no
opportunity of comforting and helping the suffering ones who come under
her notice, no matter what their race or condition.
This line of conduct will have its dangers; but she holds not her life
dear unto her, so that she may accomplish her heart's desire. The
practical result looked forward to by her is, that, having gained an
intimate knowledge of the sufferings and cruelties inflicted upon so
many thousands of Russian subjects, and of which there have been such
conflicting accounts, she may be admitted a second time into the
presence of the Empress, there to place the actual scenes before her,
and to plead the cause of the sufferers personally.
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