Wolf-Hunting in Russia 



starost, the three icons consumed a great part 

 of the wall surface, and were burdened with 

 decorations of various colored papers. No 

 one has ever touched upon peasant life in Rus- 

 sia without mentioning the enormous brick 

 stove {lezanka"^)] and having on various hunts 

 profited by them, I mean to say a word in be- 

 half of their advantages. Even as early as 

 the middle of September the cold continuous 

 rains cause the gentle warmth of the lezanka 

 to be cordially appreciated. On it and in its 

 vicinity all temperatures may be found. Its 

 top offers a fine place for keeping guns, am- 

 munition and various articles free from mois- 

 ture, and for drying boots;f while the horizon- 

 tal abutments constitute benches well adapted 

 to thawing out a chilled marrow, or a sleeping 

 place for those that like that sort of thing. A 

 generous space is also allowed for cooking pur- 

 poses. In point of architecture there is noth- 

 ing that can be claimed for it but stability; ex- 

 cepting the interior upper surface of the oven, 

 there is not a single curve to break its right 

 lines. It harmonizes with the surroundines, 

 and in a word answers all the requirements of 



* Lezanka means something used for lying on. 

 f Hot oats poured into the boots were also used for drying them. 

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