RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 1 15 



*5s said to be as necessary an article in the dress of a Russian lady as 

 linen. Their eye-sight seems to be detective, occasioned, probably, 

 by the snow, which lor the greater part of the year is continually pre- 

 seni to their eyes. Their officers and soldiers always possessed a 

 large share of passive valor ; and in several of the late wars have 

 shown themselves as active as any troops in Europe. They are im- 

 plicitly submissive to discipline, let it be ever so severe; endure ex- 

 treme hardships with great patience ; and can content themselves 

 with very hard fare. 



Before the days of Peter the Great, the Russians were in general 

 barbarous, ignorant, mean, and much addicted 10 drunkenness. Not 

 only the common people, but many of the boyars, or nobles, lived in 

 a continual state of idleness and intoxication 4 ; and the moat complete 

 objects of misery and barbarity appeared in the streets, while the court 

 of Moscow was the most splendid of any upon the globe. The czar 

 and the grandees dressed after the most superb Asiatic manner ; and 

 their magnificence was astonishing. The earl of Carlisle, in the ac- 

 count of his embassy, says, that he could see nothing but gold and 

 precious stones in the robes of the czar and his courtiers. Peter saw 

 the bulk of his subjects, at his accession to the throne, little better than 

 beasts of burden, destined to support the pomp of the court. He forced 

 his great men to lay aside their long robes, and dress in the European 

 manner ; and even obliged the laity to cut off their beards. At pre- 

 sent a French or English gentleman may live as comfortably and 

 sociably in Russia as in most other parts of Europe. Their polite as- 

 semblies, since the accession of the late empress, have been put under 

 proper regulations ; and few of the ancient usages remain. It is, how- 

 ever, to be observed, that, notwithstanding the severities of Peter 

 and the prudence of succeeding governments, drunkenness still con- 

 tinues among all ranks; nor are even priests or ladies ashamed of it 

 on holidays. 



The Russians were formerly noted for so strong an attachment to 

 their native soil, that they seldom visited foreign countries. This, 

 however, was only the consequence of their pride and ignorance ; for 

 Russian nobility, besides those who are in a public character, are 

 now found at every court in Europe. Her late imperial majesty 

 interested herself in the education of young men of quality, in the 

 knowledge of the world, and foreign services, particularly that of the 

 British fleet. 



It is said that the Russian ladies were formerly as submissive to 

 their husbands in their families as the latter are to their superiors 

 in the field ; and that they thought themselves ill treated if they were 

 not often reminded of their duty by the discipline of a whip, manu- 

 factured by themselves, which they presented to their husbands on 

 the day of their marriage. Their nuptial ceremonies are peculiar to 

 themselves ; and formerly consisted of some very whimsical rites, 

 many of which are now disused. When the parents have agreed 

 upon a match, though, the parties perhaps have never seen each 

 other, the bride is critically examined by a certain number of females, 

 who are to correct, if possible, any defect they find in her person. 

 On her wedding-day she is crowned with a garland of wormwood ; 

 and after the priest has tied the nuptial knot, his clerk or sexton 

 throws a handful of hops upon her head, wishing she may prove as 

 fruitful as that plant. She is then led home, with abundance of coarse 

 and indeed indecent ceremonies, which are now wearing off even 



