First of all, however, with the view of adapting myself to the most Philistine culture, I had to submit my huge beard and bushy hair to the tender mercies of the razor and shears. As no barber was available, Gladstone had to undertake the task. A small group of friends watched the operation, which had to be executed with a dull razor, causing no little pain, under which none but I myself remained passive. In a week I was back once more, as I had realised immediately what a distorted account I had received as to the state of things in Prague, where all I found ready for me was a mere handful of childish students. These admissions made me the butt of Gladstone's good-humoured chaff, and after this I won the reputation among us of being a mere revolutionary, who was content with theoretical conspiracy. Very similar to my expectations from the Prague students were my presumptions with regard to the Russian people.

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