RUS 



Rusiia. pagan derivation is extremely plausible. The 

 w "*"* tians worshipped onions , and perhaps the same prac- 

 tice may have brni common among others of the ori- 

 ental nations; and as it is natural to elevate any object 

 to which reverence or adoration is paid, it is probable 

 that onions, and these onion-shaped bodies, may have 

 been placed upon low pillars to receive homage, and 

 afterwards \\cic continued merely as ornaments, in 

 consequence of their agreeable figure, and their adap- 

 tation as the summits of towers ; and from thence be- 

 came the embellishment of sacred temples. 



CHARACTER OF T1IK RUSSIANS. 



The widely conflicting accounts of our own coun- 

 Chancter trymen, as well as of continental writers, have for a 

 of the Rus- long time placed us in a dilemma with respect to the 

 kians. character of the Russians. The picture is altogether 



different in the works of Coxe, Tooke, Clarke, Porter, 

 and Wilson. After a perusal of the volumes of these 

 authors, we are lost between the excesses of exagger- 

 ating praise and sweeping condemnation. A late au- 

 thor, Dr. Lyall, whose long residence in Russia, and 

 whose intimate connection with, and knowledge of, all 

 the classes of the population of this country, as well 

 as with the native language, gave peculiar advantages 

 over preceding English writers, has endeavoured to 

 account for these discrepancies, and to portray the 

 character of the Russians in a true light, and with all 

 its shades. He professes to have formed his opinions 

 from facts, and to have stated the convictions of his 

 heart with impartiality, and wishes, if any bias be dis- 

 covered, that it may rather be on the side of benevo- 

 lence than on that of malice. He informs us, that 

 some travellers seem to have thought it a necessary 

 part of their duty to traduce and calumniate the Rus- 

 sians, so as to be in the fashion ; while others appear 

 to have gone into the other extreme of lauding and 

 flattering them for the sake of contradiction. These, 

 combined with other causes, especially ignorance, li- 

 mited observation and prejudice, will account for the 

 wide difference of authors' opinions as to the national 

 character of the Russians. It is assuredly unfair to make 

 a comparison between the natives of Russia* and those of 

 other European nations, which have been civilized and 

 polished for many centuries , and yet that such a com- 

 parison has generally governed the minds of most fo- 

 reigners, is evident from an impartial perusal of their 

 works. 



No man in his senses would ever pretend that Rus- 

 sia is as civilized and polished as France, Germany, 

 Britain, or some of the other states of Europe ; but yet 

 it must be allowed, that in this country civilization 

 and literature, arts and sciences, military and naval 

 tactics, have made in the last century, and are still 

 making, extraordinary advances. Russia must be com- 

 pared with Russia herself at various epochs, and n.ust 

 be viewed through all her gradations and ramifications, 

 in order to ascertain her progress in the intellectual 

 world. 



In treating of the national character of the Russians, 

 we shall speak separately of the nobility, of the clergy, 

 of the merchants, and of the peasantry, though many 

 of the remarks may properly be applied to all these 

 classes. 



The nobi- ist > '^ ie Kobilily. " The higher class of nobility, 

 lit- those who give the ton to society, and those who have 



travelled," says Lyall, " may be regarded as equally ci- 

 vilized, in so far as regards their conduct and manners, 

 though generally not so learned as individuals of cor- 



S I A. 509 



responding rank in the other nations of Europe. The 

 lower n biiity, and especially ihe untravelled, retain 

 more of the national customs and manner*, and exhi- 

 bit more decidedly the dutingobiunf characterUtitk. ' 

 despotic nature of the government, the exces- 

 sive military taste, and the puerile distinctions of ranks, 

 naturally render the natives of all classes of society 

 servile and obsequious, diffident, and even cowardly to 

 superiors ; haughty, commanding, and frequently se- 

 vere to inferiors ; and insensibly lead the attention 

 more to the exterior of the man, his uniform and his 

 ribbands, his stars and his crosses, than to his religious 

 or his moral conduct, his literary attainments, or his 

 place in the intellectual world. The same causes ex- 

 plain the neglect of inferiors, and even at times of 

 equals : when a noble of a higher rank makes his ap- 

 pearance unexpectedly in the circle of a family party, 

 the harmony and sociability of which are destroyed, by 

 the general and long protracted attention and defer- 

 ence paid to tne visitor. To this, however, there are 

 honourable exceptions ; there are spirits which breathe 

 liberality and independence, and minds too great to 

 accept the proffered honours, or assume airs of hauteur, 

 in consequence of vain and factitious distinctions. 

 Equals in rank are affable and polite, obliging and so- 

 cial ; and perhaps in no country in the world do ac- 

 quaintances, friends, and relations, mingle with less 

 restraint, or from habit use more warm and endearing 

 expressions to each other than in Russia. The differ- 

 ence between lord and vassal allows a familiarity which 

 no other state of society could admit ; a look, a gesture, 

 or a word from the former having a magic effect upon 

 the latter. Dr. Lyall, however, relates that as far at 

 his experience goes, he cannot say that the nobles are 

 generally cruel or oppressive to their slaves. This au- 

 thor says, " The Russians are insinuating and cun- 

 ning, deceitful and perfidious, sensual and immoral, 

 given to levity, fond of novelty, and improvident; 

 with the command of little money they are avaricious 

 and mean ; when cash abounds they are generous, os- 

 tentatious, and prodigal ; they are cheerful, good hu- 

 moured, and social ; they are luxurious, hospitable, 

 and charitable; they love light occupations and amuse- 

 ments, as plays, operas, masquerades, exhibitions, danc- 

 ing, singing, and instrumental music, chess, draughts, 

 and billiards; but above all, play ing at cards, to which 

 whole days, and weeks, and months, and years are de- 

 voted. They have a great curiosity to pry into the 

 affairs of others ; they have quick apprehensions ; their 

 talent for imitation is universally allowed ; they are 

 fluent in languages ; a few are endowed with good 

 parts and ingenuity, and are men of literature; the 

 generality are moderately well informed and accom- 

 plished, as to what regards Ihe exterior of life ; few are 

 distinguished for their proficiency in the sciences ; they 

 are accustomed to good living, but are generally mo- 

 derate in their cups ; they are disposed to indolence, 

 to a sedentary mode of life, and to much sleep. They 

 are too little in the habit of taking bodily exercise ; 

 and yet when urged by affairs or necessity, they 

 are excessively active, and withstand extraordinary 

 hardships and fatigue. The manners of the higher 

 and travelled nobility are easy, elegant, and impos- 

 ing ; and the natives of no country can make them- 

 selves more agreeable to foreigners. The manners 

 of the lower nobility are a fleeted, consequential, over- 

 bearing, and sometimes rude; though some few of them 

 are endowed with amiable and generous passions. 

 From a certain complaisance and politeness of manner, 



Htm*. 



