A correspondent of the London Daily News writes from Moscow as follows:—
‘The celebrated ‘Uncle Tom,’ that remarkable negro who has already encountered so many strange adventures, continues his course through the world. In Russia he is becoming known through the medium of a very negligent translation of Mrs. Stowe’s book, and enjoys a great reputation. The police do not interfere, although the circulation of the work remains as yet unauthorized. In Russia, you are aware, enfranchisement is the order of the day; perhaps this has somewhat to do with the non-interference of the officials.
‘As soon as the first copies of the work arrived, there were so few of them that they made the tour of the town, being let out to hire for two hours at a time, and thus passing from one hand to another of the Muscovite aristocracy.
Trusty servants were sent from house to house with them wrapped up in silk, or batiste, with as much can as a newborn infant, and bidden in a little portfolio.
Today thousands of ‘Uncle Toms‘ circulate in the capital, and I am informed that a very distinguished man is at this moment engaged upon a good Russian translation.’
Source
Collection: The Liberator
Publication: The Liberator
Date: March 4, 1853
Title: Uncle Tom in Russia
Location: Boston
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