50 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



but the rich wear blankets, purchased from the 

 Russians, or from the American ships, and tied 

 by two corners round the neck, so that they 

 hang down and cover the back. Some of them 

 wear bear-skins in a similar manner. The most 

 opulent possess some European garments, which 

 they wear on great occasions, and which would 

 have an absurd effect were they not so disgust 

 ing as to extinguish all inclination to laugh. 

 They never cover the head but in heavy rain, 

 and then protect it by round caps of grass, so 

 ingeniously and closely plaited as to exclude 

 every drop of water. 



Whatever the degree of heat or cold, they 

 never vary their costume ; and I believe there is 

 not a people in the world so hardened against 

 the weather. In the winter, during a cold of 10 

 of Reaumur, the Kalushes walk about naked, 

 and jump into the water as the best method of 

 warming themselves. At night they lie without 

 any covering, under the open sky, near a great 

 fire, so near indeed as to be sometimes covered 

 by the hot ashes. The women whom I have 

 seen were either dressed in linen shifts reaching 

 to their feet, or in plaited mats. 



