RUSSIA 



415 



and gentlemen's hair. In the same house are sold pianos and organs." This advertisement is 

 undeniably suggestive of slavery as an institution of the country. A little further on in the 

 same paper a first-rate clerk, a carver, and a lackey are offered for sale. The reason assigned 

 by the vendor is superabundance of the articles named. In some instances human beings 

 were classed with cattle: "In this house one can buy a coachman and a Dutch cow about to 

 calve." The style of the advertisements and the frequent recurrence of the same address 

 show plainly that there was at that time a regular class of slave-dealers openly carrying on 

 business in human beings Russians buying and selling their fellow-countrymen, and in Russia. 



The costume worn by men in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other large cities is like that 

 of London, Paris, and the centre and west of Europe generally. It is not specially characteristic. 

 In the more retired provinces, however, the people still cling to what may be regarded as the 

 national garb. The commonest head-covering is a black or grey fur cap, with a brim drawn 

 down so low on the forehead as frequently to touch the eyebrows. The whole body is covered 

 by a long, loose, shapeless dark blue or brown great-coat from the shoulders to the heels. 

 The favourite outer garment of the peasantry is made of sheep-skin, which is greasy enough 

 to keep out rain or snow, and woolly enough to preserve warmth; while the feet and legs are 

 encased in heavy top-boots that reach to the knees. In some cases the wearer desires more 

 ease than he can enjoy while closely covered from chin to feet. Then, beneath the folds of the 

 great-coat, you .may catch sight of the red blouse or the broad red sash and velvet breeches 

 which were common among the people in the country districts before town fashions tabooed the 

 picturesque in favour of ugliness. As a rule, the dark, long outer garment conceals everything 

 else on the person of the ordinary Russian. Men who have attained any grade in society 

 above that of constant labour evince a passion for uniforms. Nearly all who can be classed 

 as gentlemen appear in some specially regulated 

 dress, either military or civilian. Even they, with 

 hardly an exception, wear over all the heavy riding- 

 cloak, without which a gentleman's dress is held to 

 be incomplete. In the hottest days of summer, as 

 well as during the Arctic cold of a Russian winter, 

 rich and poor, old and young, encumber themselves, 

 as far as their means will allow, with large fur cloaks 

 and caps, which they constantly wear. 



The Russian peasant's food is generally of the 

 simplest kind, and seldom includes flesh. It is not 

 that he dislikes animal food; but such luxuries as 

 beef, mutton, and pork are too expensive for ordinary 

 use. The Russian is hospitable, and takes pride in 

 a reputation for the quantity and quality of the food 

 he occasionally sets before his guests. On a holiday 

 there is always as great a variety of dishes on the 

 table as he can afford. In the house of a thriving 

 peasant will be found not only the universal greasy 

 cabbage soup, and a dish, made from buckwheat, 

 called kasha, but also mutton and pork perhaps 

 even beef. During the meal light beer is supplied 

 in unlimited quantity, and vodka, a distilled spirit 

 representing to the Russian every exhilarating drink 

 from champagne to gin, is frequently handed round. 

 When the repast is at an end, all at the . table rise 

 together. Turning towards the picture or small 

 statue the icon of the house on its little triangular 

 shelf or shrine in the corner, they bow gravely, 



Photo by J. Daziaro] 



A RUSSIAN NURSE. 



[Moscow. 



