Notes

Abstract

A CORRESPONDENT in Petrograd gives us a rather gloomy account of the difficulties of carrying on scientific work or publications under the present conditions in Russia. He says:—It is, in fact, now almost impossible to print here scientific works having small circulations, as the prices demanded by the composi tors, printers, papermakers, and other workers connected with the production of books are 200–300 per cent. higher than they were in February, immediately before the Revolution. The results are beginning to be felt alreadyfactories are being closed and the number of unemployed getting larger every day. Scientific work and teaching are at present almost impossible, as many of the institutes and universities are requisitioned by irresponsible revolutionary organisations and troops; thus the Polytechnic Institute has been occupied since March 5 by about 2500 soldiers, and as the sanitary arrangements were never intended for such a number of people, having no ideas of sanitation, living and sleeping in the lecture- and drawing-halls, the shameful state of the institute may be imagined. All efforts to eject these unwelcome guests and those of other organisations have proved abortive, as the Provisional Government as no power to do it. Almost all courses of lectures are thus interrupted, and it is possible to conduct only some laioratory exercises and examinations. The students themselves take a large part in the different revolutionary organisations, and also make demands to have the direction and control of all the affairs of universities and institutes. The future of our seats of learning seems precarious indeed, as there are no visible signs of order succeeding the general anarchy, which, as of course you know from the daily papers, reigns everywhere supreme.