CHAPTER XVIII.
GENERAL ASPECTS OF MAI-MAI-CHIN.--DINNER WITH A CHINESE GOVERNOR.--A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE.--LAKE BAIKAL: ITS REMARKABLE FEATURES.--A WONDERFUL RIDE.--IRKUTSK: ITS POPULATION, SIZE, AND PECULIARITIES.--SOCIAL GAYETIES.--PREPARATIONS FOR A LONG SLEIGH-RIDE.--LIST OF GARMENTS.--VARIETIES OF SLEIGHS.--FAREWELL TO IRKUTSK.--SLEIGHING INCIDENTS.--FOOD ON THE ROAD.--SIBERIAN MAILS.--ADVANTAGES OF WINTER TRAVELLING.--SLEIGHING ON BARE GROUND.--A SNOWLESS REGION.--KRASNOYARSK. 354