1G6 HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



and dried fish, are favorite food ; and in the evening, milk, honey and bread 

 constitute the frugal supper. The bread is mostly baked of rye meal, crushed 

 Avhcat, and buckwheat meal. ^leat is served only on Sundays and holidays. 

 Qiias, or kwas\ is the usual drink, as well among people of the higher as 

 among those of the lower classes of society. This beverage is composed of 

 water and meal, or malt, has a sour taste, and may be compared to sour small 

 ])eer. It is often improved by lemon peel and spices. In winter a warm 

 drink is commonly ];repared from winter, honey, and Cayenne pepper, which 

 is called '^sbitin:^ In the western part of the Russian Empire, a great 

 deal of mead is consumed, and whiskey is a customary drink throughout 

 the country. Expensive as is the latter, even the poorest man contrives 

 to procure it. Drunkenness is rather common in Russia ; and the Russian 

 not only sympathizes with an intoxicated man, but has a kind regard for 

 him, and lends him a helping hand as if he w^ere a saint. This arises, per- 

 haps, from the fact that the common people know full well that they 

 hav^e often been found in the same condition, and may often get into it 

 again. It is remarkable that the Russians, even under the influence of 

 whiskey, are uncommonly peaceable. The quarrelsome Russian is ren- 

 dered meek by this fluid, and disputes and brawls seldom occur among 

 drunken persons. The bitterest enemies, when drunk, treat one another 

 like the tenderest friends. Tea, also, in large quantities, is drunk in 

 Russia. 



We mention, in conclusion, a few of the Russian festivals. The merriest 

 time for the Russian is the so-called '•' butter week," the Russian carnival ; 

 since at the close of this week the Easter Lent commences, a fast which con- 

 tinues fifty-six days. It has obtained its name butter week {7nasliza) from 

 the circumstance, that in it, if even no meat, yet a little butter, milk, 

 and eggs are permitted to be eaten. The masliza hear is one of the 

 sports of the season. A m.an in a bearskin is the principal figure. Seated 

 on a low sleigh he is drawn all about toAvn amidst unlimited fun. Whiskey, 

 of course, is the grand stimulus, and the bear is allowed his due share. The 

 Semidx is a popular festival held on the Sunday after Ascension day, a kind 

 of celebration of spring, which has come dow^n from the times of Slavonic 

 heathenism. At Christmas masquerades are held, known as akrutshniks^ and 

 w^hich last a fortnight. Easter week, which concludes the long period of 

 rigorous fasting, is celebrated by all classes of people with great rejoicing and 

 universal merry-making. On Easter day at midnight all church bells toll, 

 calling to solemn worship, and everybody goes to hear the night mass. 

 The universal salutation between friends or strangers on Easter day is 

 the phrase, " Christ is arisen ;" to which is answered, ^'' He is in truth 

 ai'isen." On Easter Monday presents of Easter eggs are given and 

 received. All kinds of gifts are, however, on this day called Easter 

 eggs. 



On the sixth day of January, at the feast of the Epiphany, the conse- 

 cration of water, in remembrance of the baptism of Christ in the Jordan, is 

 celebrated in Russia, principally in St. Petersburg, wdth great pomp {pi. T, 

 fig. 2). The celebration is held upon the ice of the Neva. A hole is cut 

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