410 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



[Moscow. 



of the bath and roll themselves in 

 snow! " 



Much of the sentiment and disposition 

 commonly regarded as part of the national 

 character is due to outside influences, and 

 does not appear to be inherent. His cunning, 

 indolence, intemperance, instability, and 

 reckless prodigality are the outcome of a 

 too rapid change from a simplicity which 

 was quite patriarchal to a higher stage of 

 civilisation, which is often of a very artificial 

 character. Broadly speaking, the Russian of 

 the interior, where the truest types of the 

 race are to be found, is simple-minded, of 

 a quick disposition, by nature more prone 

 to good than to evil, with unlimited faith in 

 Gocl, almost as strong a belief in fatalism 

 or chance, and a remarkable trust in the 

 wisdom, power, and rectitude of the Czar. 

 In spite of the Nihilists and their sensational 

 doings, the revolutionists are but a very 

 small minority of the people. The Russian 

 is strongly attached to old customs and 

 established institutions. He is naturally 

 conservative, and to that cause his loyalty 

 to the Czar is largely due. 



Living in towns develops the seamy 

 side of the Russian character; it weakens respect for the sovereign, and breeds discontent. 

 These feelings are foreign to the bulk of the people, who are the more typical Russians. They 

 see in the Czar the "father" of his people as well as their master. They submit willingly, 

 even gratefully, to a despotism which Avould move others to rebellion. They like to be ruled 

 firmly, and the Czar who excites their genuine admiration must be as absolutely autocratic as 

 Nicholas I. when he decided how the railway from Moscow to St. Petersburg should be 

 constructed. During the preliminary survey for this undertaking the Emperor heard that the 

 officers entrusted with the task had received inducements to make it wind about so as 'to 

 enhance the value of several estates and reduce that of others. It seemed almost hopeless to 

 decide on the most practicable route. The Autocrat of all the Russias determined to cut the 

 Gordian knot in true Imperial style. AVhen the minister laid the maps before him, and 

 explained that certain long detours were necessary owing to natural difficulties in the way, 

 the Czar took up a ruler, and, placing it on the map, drew a straight line from one terminus 

 to the other, 400 miles apart; then in a tone which precluded discussion he said, " You 

 will construct the line so!" The line was so constructed, and remains a magnificent 

 monument of his power. 



The Russian is a sociable being; but he is also improvident, and accepts with comparative 

 indifference the smiles or frowns of fortune. Long-continued work on one task he dislikes. 

 His great desire is to finish the work on which he is engaged as quickly as possible, that he 

 may the sooner enjoy himself in dancing, sleeping, doing nothing, or perhaps even in getting 

 drunk. Thrift and economy have no place in his moral system. The gravest defect in the 

 Russian character is dishonesty. Highway robbery and murder are indeed rarer in Russia 

 than in some countries claiming to be more highly civilised; yet greed for other's property, 

 so often glaringly revealed in official classes, pervades nearly all grades of society. Turning to 

 the bright side of the Russian character, one finds that the peasants of the north commonly 



I'uuto t>y J. Daziaro] 



A RUSSIAN COACHMAN. 



