8 THROUGH RUSSIA ON A MUSTANG. 



vance. The rates are cheaper than in any other 

 European capital, being only fifty kopecks, or about 

 thirty cents an hour. The St. Petersburg isvoshchic 

 is known as the most reasonable of the fraternity in 

 Russia ; he rarely demands more than three times his 

 proper fare, and as a general thing not even twice as 

 much as he is willing to accept. 



He is good-natured and remarkably patient about 

 finding an address. He is polite — of the Orient, Ori- 

 ental. He rarely gives you a decided negative if he 

 doesn't wish to drive where you desire to go, but takes 

 refuge in his horse, telling you that it is weary, lazy, or 

 ailing, and does not want to work. 



The isvoshchic is superstitious and fearful. Every 

 little way, as he drives you along, he passes an ikon or 

 shrine, at each of which he removes his abbreviated 

 cylinder and crosses himself at the forehead, mouth 

 and breast. His fear is centered on the Chief of Police 

 of St. Petersburg. The isvoshchic is rarely obstreper- 

 ous, but if he is, "I'll tell Gresser " (or whoever hap- 

 pens to be chief), brings matters to a speedy conclusion 

 by immediately reducing him to a humble and appre- 

 hensive frame of mind. 



His horse is small and his vehicle little larger than 

 the old-fashioned invalid chairs one sometimes meets, 

 with gouty old gentlemen in them, in the parks at 

 home. 



A peculiarity of the " fares," if a lady and gentle- 

 man, is that the latter usually has his arm about his 

 companion's waist. The Russian explanation is that 

 without this precaution the lady might tumble out. 

 The levity and penetration of the American mind, 



