1 18 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



are buying meat twice a week instead of twice a 

 month.' 



Madame Kruppi, who is actively interested in 

 the establishment of free libraries in her own country, 

 was greatly impressed by the intellectual awakening 

 that has followed the Czar's ukase. 



"The craving for drink has been replaced by a 

 thirst for knowledge. The people are reading books 

 and playing on musical instruments. France, Italy, 

 Britain, and Germany,' 1 she declared, "have given 

 their art and literature to the world; but Russia has 

 yet to give and some day she will lead the world. 

 Because she has cleaned herself and shown herself 

 strong, hers will be a clean art, and a virile literature, 

 while the happiness of her people will banish the 

 sombreness which has characterized both in the 

 past." 



