[1]. See Russia, by D. M. Wallace.

[2]. Naròdnaia Vòlya: literally, “the People’s Will,” the name of the chief revolutionary party in Russia at the time with which the narrative is now dealing, and also of its secretly printed newspaper.—Trans.

[3]. This treaty was only concluded in the autumn of 1885.

[4]. Organised by the revolutionists for teaching the principles of Socialism, and awakening the desire for liberty; for which purpose was instituted the policy of “going among the people,” i.e. living among the peasants like one of themselves,—Trans.

[5]. The reader who is interested in this period of the Russian revolution will find much information in the work of Professor Thun, Geschichte der revolutionären Bewegung in Russland, and in Stepniak’s Underground Russia.

[6]. Bunt means both “uprising” and “revolt”; the name of the society might be translated “Agitators of Kiëv.” Its object was to stir up and organise risings among the peasantry.—Trans.

[7]. In the language of the Russian revolutionaries those are called “illegals” who have for any reason already become suspected by the authorities, and who therefore must conceal their identity under fictitious names.

[8]. At the time of the emancipation of the serfs the peasants in the Tchigirìn district of the province of Kiëv did not wish to divide into private property the land allotted to them, but to hold it in common, as was done in the north of Russia. In 1875 the Government took the harshest measures against them: arrests, executions, and persecutions of every kind; but the peasants held firm. The revolutionists, among others Stefanòvitch, Bohanòvsky, and myself, resolved accordingly to organise a rising among the Tchigirìn peasantry. Our plans failed, we ourselves were arrested, and the Tchigirìn trial instituted. See also Thun’s Geschichte der revolutionären Bewegung in Russland, and Stepniak’s Underground Russia.