PETERSBURG, _9th/21st July 1842._ DEAR FRIEND,--I do not know how I shall begin, for you have been a long time without any news from me, and the fault is mine, for the last letter was from you; as a matter of fact, I did produce a long letter for you last year in September, but you did not get it, because it was too long to send by post and I had no other opportunity, so that, as I am almost tired of the letter, you shall, nevertheless, get it one day, for perhaps you will find something interesting in it; I cannot do so, for I never like to read over my own letters.

Six days ago I commenced my old hermit life; my sisters left on the 3rd/15th July, and are now, with God's help, in Denmark.

They left with the French steamer _Amsterdam_, and had two Russian ladies with them, who are to spend a few months with us and visit the sea watering-places.

These ladies are the Misses Koladkin, and have learnt English from me, and became my sisters' friends as soon as they could understand each other.

My sisters have also made such good progress in your language that they would be able to arouse your astonishment.