In 1890 Chekhov arrived at Sakhalin, "the only place left where it is possible to study colonization by criminals." Surprised to see prisoners and exiles walking the streets freely, he soon became accustomed to the mores of this strange land where "the local ladies think nothing of permitting their children to go out and play in the care of nursemaids sentenced to exile for life." From the experiences of this journey, Chekhov produced The Island, "an important historical document," according to D. S. Mirsky, "remarkable for its thoroughness, objectivity, and impartiality."