RUSSIA. 



.011 



( uriosity. 



their rude state and approach the refinements of civi- 

 lized society, so much more astonishing will their imi- 

 tative faculty appear, till on its full development it 

 be appropriated, and assume the new name of skill, 

 rxpertness or genius. The savage becomes an en- 

 lightened man, and the sources of his information and 



In's imitation art- forgotten in the long lapse of time, 

 nt least of several ages, of this progress of a nation 

 from barbarism to civilization. By this reasoning, the 

 imitation of the Russians is easily explained, without 

 any thing marvellous. Russia is crowded with foreign- 

 ers from all countries of the earth, and especially with 

 mechanics, artists, players, dancers, singers, instru- 

 mental performers, &c. &c. Of course the Russian 

 peasants, especially tradesmen, and the slaves of the 

 nobles, who compose part of their magnificent esta- 

 blishment, have an opportunity of seeing and of imitat- 

 ing them. 



Now this is exactly what takes place. But as Russia 

 is the only uncivilized nation which most travellers 

 from Europe have visited, so, of course, it has become 

 the peculiar object of their notice, and of their laud, 

 simply because they had no means of contrast. We 

 doubt not that a traveller, who had visited different 

 savage countries ceteris paribut, would say, that in all 

 of them the talent of imitation was equally manifested. 

 Indeed we are rather surprised that Dr. Lyall should 

 have missed such an explanation. He tells us, that 

 the much vaunted talent for the acquisition of lan- 

 guages, said to be characteristic of the Russians, is 

 easily explained by the advantages of their having 

 foreign tutors from their youth, without supposing any 

 universal or miraculous talent. 



It has even been supposed by some, that the word 

 honesty was not contained in the Russian language ; 

 but Dr. Lyall assures us, that this is a great mistake, 

 and that it is continually reiterated by the natives, 

 and often for the worst of purposes. The name, how- 

 ever, is generally substituted for the reality ; but at 

 the same time it is admitted, that there are a few Rus- 

 sians of the strictest probity, rectitude, and honour. 

 Some authors have reported, that as the Russians at 

 death could easily find a passport to heaven, their moral 

 conduct was of little consequence ; but unfortunately 

 for their veracity, this passport, of which Dr. Lyall has 

 given afac-simile, is neither more nor less than a printed 

 absolution-prayer. 



The curiosity of the Russians of all ranks to pry in- 

 to the affairs of others, exceeds all belief. With the 

 greatest ease, the nobles ask the most impertinent ques- 

 tions with respect to a person's connections and family, 

 his property and revenues, and his secret affairs and pri- 

 vate opinions. Evasive answers, so far from silencing 

 them, only prompt farther their curiosity, and they 

 continue to tease him with their demands in all forms, 

 either till he lose patience, and show symptoms of dis- 

 pleasure, or till they extract some intelligence from 

 him. Nay, so singular are they, that they evidently show 

 hurt feelings at his refusal to gratify their inquisitive- 

 ness, especially if he be in the smallest degree de- 

 pendent upon them. They are not contented with 

 making inquiries merely of himself; they apply to his 

 servant women, or his servant men, to his lackey, or 

 his coachman, or to any body who may be able to give 

 them information. If he is living in one of their fa- 

 milies, the master or mistress generally is acquainted 

 with every thing he does, through enquiries made at 

 his servants. 



Almost all writers have loudly complained of the 

 dirtiness nt the Russians, and some hare supposed it 

 equally characteristic of the noble and the peasant, of 

 the palace and the cottage. Clarke gives a degrading *' 

 and revolting account of the Rutsian noblemen, which 

 Lyall reckons a complete caricature. Jin: this author 

 himself relates many histories and anecdotes, which go 

 far toward the confirmation of some of Clarke's opi- 

 nions, and seem at times at variance with his own. 

 The public, however, seem now pretty much con- 

 vinced of the general exaggeration of all Clarke's 

 statements, favourable or unfavourable about the Rus- 

 sians. '* The Doctor," says Lyall, " must have met 

 with some of the nobles of Russia who were very 

 cleanly in their persons, and not only elegant, but 

 even exaggerated in their dress, and who were far 

 elevated above the ' rank of brutes,' or of ' two-legged 

 pigs." Nevertheless, Lyall admits, that in penetrating 

 into some of tl e private apartments of the nobles, late 

 in the evening, or early in the morning, scenes of con- 

 fusion are seen which excite the highest astonishment, 

 and many of his relations tally with this statement. 



Vermin are abundant in Russia, especially among 

 the peasantry. Many of the nobles are also surcharged 

 with them, and even some of the ladies are not free of 

 corporeal and cranial insects, and of course require to 

 use the close-teethed comb. At the same time, it must 

 be admitted that a few are cleanly in their persons. 

 The warmth of the Russian houses, in consequence of 

 the universal use of stoves, and of coverings of differ- 

 ent kinds of fur, even within doors, partly account for 

 the abundance of a variety of vermin, while their filthy 

 manners must explain the origin and propagation of 

 the rest. 



It was formerly a general practice for individuals 

 of all ranks, and at the first tables, to retain the same 

 knives and forks during dinner, at the conclusion of 

 each dish, cleaning them upon a piece of bread, or 

 sometimes without this ceremony, laying them down 

 upon the table-cloth. The same indecorous custom 

 still prevails, except in the houses of the more polish- 

 ed nobles, where the knives and forks when put down 

 upon the plate, are taken away and replaced by others ; 

 but among the lower classes, when left upon the plate, 

 they are taken away, wiped and returned, so that the 

 same knives and forks are used for a variety of dishes ; 

 for fish, flesh, and fowl. At a Russian table every one 

 pleases himself, so that it not unfrequently happens, 

 that one half of a party have their knives and forks 

 changed, while the other half retain theirs from the 

 commencement to the conclusion of the repast. In 

 some houses, little low silver stands are placed upon 

 the table, one for each guest, on purpose to lay the 

 knives and forks upon when not immediately requisite. 

 It is not very uncommon, Clarke says, for the Russian 

 servants, before your eyes, to spit upon the plates, and 

 wipe them with a dirty napkin, or a more filthy towel. 

 Another abominable usage is common in the houses of 

 all the princes and all the nobles of the empire. The ser- 

 vant men are so numerous, that very often there is one 

 for each guest, besides those who serve up the dishes ; 

 so that not unfrequently we see tens, and even twenties 

 of them arranged in rows behind the chairs of the 

 company, each with a plate under his left arm, or 

 rather in his arm-pit, which is by this means warm- 

 ed and perfumed by the time the guest he waits upon 

 is ready to receive it. 



Akin to the above i the following custom : At the 



