384 
ODESSA. 
cirAP. are instantly distinguished from each other by 
' — v — ' their striking peculiarity of feature. In order 
to render the contrast as forcible as possible, 
let us select a Greek from any of the islands or 
shores of the Archipelago, and place him by the 
side of a Russian. The latter, particularly if he 
be in uniform, and of a rank above the peasant, 
resembles one of those figures which children 
cut out in wood ; requiring considerable address 
in poising, to be sustained upon its legs. The 
Greek, on the other hand, active and lithy as a 
serpent, twists himself into every variety ot 
posture, and stands in almost every attitude. 
Firm upon his feet, and generally exhibiting a 
graceful waving line of figure, he seems as if, 
like a cat, he would fall upon his legs, although 
tossed in any direction. The features of the 
Greek: may be said to combine those of the 
Portuguese and of the French ; having the dark 
hair and eyes of the former, with the fixed 
grimace of the latter. Generally speaking, the 
men among the Greeks are not handsome ; their 
stature is small, although well proportioned. 
The Russian, too, has a diminutive person ; but 
his face is in every thing the reverse of that of 
the Greek ; offering, in profile, a very remarkable 
concavity. This concavity is increased in the line 
of a Russian peasant’s countenance, by the 
projection of the beard from the chin, and 
