"‘he scarcely ever talked about the particular crimes of any of them, but listened if any volunteered information on that point. all the convicts were equal for him, and he made no distinction. he spoke to all as to brothers, and every one of them looked upon him as a father. when he observed among the exiles some poor woman with a child, he would always come forward and fondle the little one, and make it laugh. he continued these acts of mercy up to his very death; and by that time all the criminals, all over russia and siberia, knew him!