LEAVING BYSK 285 



gathered that the priests of the Altai, generally speak- 

 ing, are not very much respected. I heard that in the 

 Bysk district, for instance, the squeezing of money out 

 of the peasants is conducted on such a scale, that the 

 peasants sometimes protest, the ^ protest taking the 

 form of beating their priests. 



.Whilst in Novo-Nicolaevsk, I obtained what I 

 should suppose is very accurate information on this 

 subject. The priests in Novo-Nicolaevsk have so 

 obviously an eye to the main chance, that it borders 

 on the scandalous. There is competition with the 

 midwife when the young Siberian makes his first 

 appearance into the world, competition when the child 

 is to be christened, competition to perform the 

 marriage ceremony, and, worse than all, competition 

 when a burial has to take place. If the child is of 

 Christian parentage, nine days after birth the mid- 

 wife takes it to be christened- When this ceremony 

 is over the godmother presents the child with some 

 useful article, and the godfather gives a cross of 

 silver or gold, which is worn by the child all its life. 

 This cross is blessed by the priest at the christening, 

 but, to make it doubly sacred, before the priest puts 

 it on to the child, a form of baptism has to be 

 gone through and the child is immersed in water. 

 After this the godmother provides a dress for the 

 mother, also a sheet for the child to be wrapped in. 

 Then the priest cuts off a little of the child's hair, 

 fastens it together by applying a little wax taken 

 from a burning candle, and then places it on the top 

 of the water. If it sinks the child will die within a 

 year, if it floats the child will live. This superstition 

 is very deeply rooted. Afterwards the midwife re- 

 ceives the guests. She hands round a tray, on which 

 are vodka and other drinks, and, when the guests 

 take their glasses, they put down money according 

 to their means. This money is given to the midwife. 



