86 SIBERIA IN EUROPE. CHAP. vin. 



their bowed heads ; the rings likewise were crossed over their 

 heads, as were also a pair of gold crowns before being placed 

 upon them. The Bible and the crucifix were kissed. A 

 silver cup of wine was quaffed by the plighted pair, each 

 drinking from it alternately. Censers of incense were swung. 

 The priest, the happy couple, and the assistants bowed and 

 crossed themselves continually, and between each part of the 

 ceremony prayers were offered. 



We were not very successful in our attempts to obtain 

 accurate information as to the tenure of land. It was some- 

 times difficult to reconcile conflicting statements. Most of 

 our informants, however, agreed that they or their ancestors 

 were formerly serfs of the crown, that after their emancipa- 

 tion the land remained the property of the crown, and was 

 leased to the village or commune at a nominal rent. The 

 affairs of the commune are managed by a parliament or 

 town council, composed of every householder, electing a 

 mayor or " starrester " (literally, oldest man), whose term of 

 office is three years, and who is responsible to the Govern- 

 ment for the rent or taxes payable by the commune. Every 

 three years a redistribution of land takes place, the arable 

 land being divided amongst the householders in lots propor- 

 tionate to the number of individuals living in each house. 

 Five hundred roubles will build a handsome habitation in 

 Ust-Zylma. We were informed that every peasant was 

 annually entitled to a fixed number of cubic yards of fire- 

 wood without charge, and to a limited number of balks of 

 good building timber, which he was free to sell if he did not 

 require to use it. 



