A NATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC. 331 



him to whistle for his money. As a general thing, our 

 entertainer would content himself with keeping a sharp 

 eye on our movements from the earliest streak of 

 dawn, and with presenting himself before us at the 

 slightest movement toward saddling our horses. But 

 others would reassure themselves with a sly peep at us 

 once or twice during the night. So universal was this 

 form of suspicion that the few rare exceptions shine 

 out very prominently in my recollections of the journey. 



The same trait is to be observed to advantage in 

 Russian hotels. The waiters and chambermaids, in- 

 stead of acting after the manner of the same class in 

 England, who manage with considerable tact to " hap- 

 pen along " at your departure, in Russia commence 

 hanging about for tips, like a pack of hungry dogs at 

 feeding time, an hour before the traveler thinks of 

 leaving. The explanation of the difference is that the 

 lower orders of society in England have confidence in 

 human nature, whereas the Russians are as distrustful 

 as monkeys. 



In addition to the suspicion of being " beats," we 

 were frequently suspected of attempting to pass coun- 

 terfeit money. Whether such paper is common in 

 Russia the writer had no means of learning, but we 

 were, all along, in the villages, suspected of having it 

 in our possession and of attempting to pay our bills 

 with it. 



" What makes these people so long in bringing the 

 change? " was a query I put to Sascha, after the first 

 few experiences in patient waiting. 



" They are afraid the note is a counterfeit," he re- 

 plied, " and are taking it to various people in the 



