444 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



The following description has been given 

 by an eye-witness. After the dancers 

 had gone one or two paces in pairs, 

 moving in a circle, the men separated 

 from the women. The latter then 

 moved singly round the men, as if they 

 were seeking some object dear to them. 

 The men then drew together, and moved 

 their feet like marching soldiers; next, 

 using their long sticks, they made 

 irregular springs and uttered loud cries, 

 as though engaged in battle. The 

 women wandered about like shadows. 

 At last the men with joyful gestures 

 rushed towards them, as though they 

 had found them after great danger, led 

 them back into the circle, and danced 

 with joy and animation. 



This dance is said to be illustra- 

 tive of the conquered condition of the 

 people. M. de Eichard, whose interest- 

 ing account appeared in 1895, describes 

 it as a complete poem. "Who knows," 

 he continues, " of what long- forgotten 

 incursion of the barbarians it is pre- 

 served as a reminiscence?" 



SERVIA. 



As in the case of the Rumanians, the 

 Servians are by no means to be found 

 only in the country to which they give 

 their name. There are Servians in 

 Austria-Hungary, for instance, and in 

 Herzegovina. Servia, which is separated 

 from Hungary by the Danube and Save, 

 has an area of 19,050 square miles, 

 and the population was estimated at 

 2,314,153 in 1895. 



The Servians are physically a stalwart race. They are hospitable, energetic, and brave. 

 Though proud, quick-tempered, and apt to fight on comparatively slight occasion, they are 

 fond of social intercourse, and cling to old customs and old beliefs. 



Their dwellings are of the poorest kind, consisting merely of mud-huts, which are 

 usually small, low, and without anything in the way of ornament. The Servian farmer 

 could afford a more pretentious house if he chose. Centuries of oppression under Turkish rule 

 drove the people to conceal whatever wealth they possessed; and this habit, now become a 

 second nature, accounts for the lack of ostentation in the Servian manner of living. 



The Servians are thoroughly democratic in their institutions; each family owns the ground 

 it tills, so that in the country day-labourers are scarce. Few will consent to become house- 

 hold servants, and cooks and men-servants come mostly from Croatia or Hungary. When a 

 farmer is unable, with the help of his family, to gather in all the produce of his land, he 

 applies to his neighbours, who will readily come to his assistance, but would be insulted 

 by the offer of money. Tbey act on the principle of service for service, and expect in a 



Plioto by F. Topiq] 



A BOSNIAN SOLDIER. 



