KHERSON. 
17 
me an opportunity of seeing the kindly dispositions of the natives. 
Some, who were on the raft, and totally independent of my 
company, with others from the land, immediately came forward 
to offer every assistance in their power; and, without reference 
to reward, or even thanks, worked hard till they had extricated 
my unfortunate vehicle. Indeed, it would be unjust as well as 
ungrateful, not to take this occasion of bearing testimony to the 
benevolence which is the characteristic of this unpretending race 
of men, not only here, but throughout the whole Russian empire. 
In all places, and at all times, they are ready to start forward in 
aid of the distressed traveller; to assist him with their most 
active service; and, so far from asking remuneration, they do 
not seem even to think it due. To this amiable trait they add a 
quick comprehension, and an ingenuity where expedients are 
necessary, absolutely surprising in men who owe so little to 
education. What the progress of civilization, and consequent 
cultivation of mind, may make of so fine a soil, is a subject for 
delightful speculation ; but, at present, they may be considered 
a personally happy race. Without ambition, they do not repine ; 
their wants are few, and they possess all they want. The lord, 
whose property they are, preserves them from the evils of po¬ 
verty ; and, content with the bread, however coarse, which has 
neither the gall of dependence nor the canker-worm of care to 
poison its wholesomeness, they take their daily food as from the 
board of a father; and work cheerfully on, secure for themselves 
and their little ones. These facts are no arguments for a con¬ 
tinued state of vassalage; but they prove the goodness of Pro¬ 
vidence, in providing man, through every stage of his mental, 
and therefore civil progress, with means of happiness propor¬ 
tioned to his existing state. 
VOL. i. 
D 
