Hunting in Many Lands 



distance appear at intervals of eight to ten 

 versts, and of occasional painted window cas- 

 inofs, there is nothinof to indicate that the col- 

 orings of time and nature are not preferable 

 to those of art. The predominating features 

 of the landscape are the windmills and the 

 evenness of the grain-producing country, dot- 

 ted here and there by clumps of woods, called 

 islands. The churches, too, are conspicuous 

 by their number, size, and beauty of architect- 

 ure ; school-houses, by their absence. Prior to 

 1 86 1 there must have been a veritable mania 

 here for church-building. The large and beau- 

 tiful church at Koy, as well as two other pre- 

 tentious brick ones, were constructed on his 

 estates by the grandfather of our host. 



Arrived at Koy, we found a splendid coun- 

 try place, with brick buildings, beautiful gar- 

 dens, several hot-houses and other luxuries, all 

 of which appeared the more impressive by con- 

 trast. The reception and hospitality accorded 

 us at Koy — where we were highly entertained 

 with singing, dancing and cards until midnight 

 — was as bounteous as the darkness and rain- 

 fall which awaited us on the sixteen versts' 

 drive over roadless roads back to Our quarter 

 bivouac at Peschalkino. 



162 



