One night they had a great trades union gathering of welcome, and speech-making went on from 8 p.m. to 2 am., interspersed with excellent Russian dancing by famous artists, and songs and choruses, with, of course, the “International” thrown in. I have nothing but praise for their courtesy and kindness in their poverty and want, and wherever we went, into offices or clubs or houses, the chi—the samovar—was on duty, and we had our thin tea in glass or cup as the case may be. There were no intoxicating liquors—the vodka was all prohibited—and the fervour of the leaders of these artisans was great. It wasn’t manufactured ; it was the new faith, the new freedom from Tzarist tyranny they rejoiced in.