154 PORESTKY IN EASTERN RUSSIA. 



begging nuns and lazy monks all over Russia ; still I think 

 the figure must be overstated. However, if all the mon- 

 astic establishments were like the one in Ekaterineburg, 

 they are not only deserving of toleration but of all praise 

 and encouragement, for it is nothing more nor less than a 

 reformatory, industrial, and educational home. I had not 

 been long in Ekaterineburg before I was told I ought to 

 pay my devoir to the lady abbess at the nunnery. The 

 following Easter I embraced the opportunity, sent in my 

 card, and was soon ushered into a large, light, well 

 furnished suite of rooms ; but quite monastic in their style. 

 There was a freezing depression about it. The doors, 

 walls, blinds, table-cloths, furniture covers, all white as 

 snow, but no curtains, and few carpets. There was a 

 freezing depression about it, but I was not long left to 

 pursue my reveries alone, I soon heard that there was 

 life and joyousness even in a nunnery, as a young bouyant 

 nun came skipping and humming through the rooms, but 

 when she caught a glance of me she immediately threw 

 herself into the regulation slow, demure carriage ; bent 

 herself into a right angle as she bowed, and passed on for 

 the head-dress and veil of the lady superior, that had 

 been inadvertently left on the table. By-and-by I soon 

 heard the measured stately tread as of a procession. I 

 rose as the old lady was led in between two senior sisters, 

 secretary and treasurer of the establishment. 



' They all bowed very low, I did the same, when the 

 mother stepped forward, offered me her hand, and we kept 

 bowing so long, with such low revential inflections, that I 

 was afraid our heads would come into collision. 



'I then had the honour to Ghreepto se Vatsia, inter- 

 changing salutations with the venerable lady, kissing three 

 times orthodox fashion. She then politely invited me to 

 be seated, thanked me for the unexpected pleasure of my 

 visit. Tea and lemon was served, then wines and zakushy. 

 Capital institution that of Russia, handing the cup that 

 cheers but not inebriates, at every hour of the day. They 

 will not let you go out as you come in ; and what can be 



