CHAPTERII

INTHENORTHERNFORESTS

Bird’s-eyeViewofRussia——TheNorthernForests——Purposeofmy，Journey——Negotiations——TheRoad——AVillage——APeasant’sHouse——

Vapour-Baths——CuriousCustom——Arrival。

Therearemanywaysofdescribingacountrythatonehasvisited。

Thesimplestandmostcommonmethodistogiveachronological，accountofthejourney;andthisisperhapsthebestwaywhenthe，journeydoesnotextendovermorethanafewweeks。Butitcannot，beconvenientlyemployedinthecaseofaresidenceofmanyyears。

DidIadoptit，Ishouldverysoonexhaustthereader’spatience。

Ishouldhavetotakehimwithmetoasecludedvillage，andmake，himwaitformetillIhadlearnedtospeakthelanguage。Thence，hewouldhavetoaccompanymetoaprovincialtown，andspend，monthsinapublicoffice，whilstIendeavouredtomasterthe，mysteriesoflocalself-government。Afterthishewouldhaveto，spendtwoyearswithmeinabiglibrary，whereIstudiedthe，historyandliteratureofthecountry。Andsoon，andsoon。Even，myjourneyswouldprovetedioustohim，astheyoftenwereto，myself，forhewouldhavetodrivewithmemanyascoreofweary，miles，whereeventhemostzealousdiary-writerwouldfindnothing，torecordbeyondthenamesofthepost-stations。

Itwillbewellforme，then，toavoidthestrictlychronological，method，andconfinemyselftoadescriptionofthemorestriking，objectsandincidentsthatcameundermynotice。Theknowledge，whichIderivedfrombookswillhelpmetosupplyarunning，commentaryonwhatIhappenedtoseeandhear。

InsteadofbeginningintheusualwaywithSt。Petersburg，Iprefer，formanyreasonstoleavethedescriptionofthecapitaltillsome，futuretime，andplungeatonceintothegreatnorthernforest，region。

Ifitwerepossibletogetabird’s-eyeviewofEuropeanRussia，thespectatorwouldperceivethatthecountryiscomposedoftwo，halveswidelydifferingfromeachotherincharacter。Thenorthern，halfisalandofforestandmorass，plentifullysuppliedwith，waterintheformofrivers，lakes，andmarshes，andbrokenupby，numerouspatchesofcultivation。Thesouthernhalfis，asitwere，theothersideofthepattern——animmenseexpanseofrich，arable，land，brokenupbyoccasionalpatchesofsandorforest。The，imaginaryundulatinglineseparatingthosetworegionsstartsfrom，thewesternfrontieraboutthe50thparalleloflatitude，andruns，inanortheasterlydirectiontillitenterstheUralrangeatabout，56degreesN。L。

WelldoIremembermyfirstexperienceoftravelinthenorthern，region，andtheweeksofvoluntaryexilewhichformedthegoalof，thejourney。Itwasinthesummerof1870。Myreasonfor，undertakingthejourneywasthis：afewmonthsoflifeinSt。

PetersburghadfullyconvincedmethattheRussianlanguageisone，ofthosethingswhichcanonlybeacquiredbypractice，andthat，evenapersonofantediluvianlongevitymightspendallhislifein，thatcitywithoutlearningtoexpresshimselffluentlyinthe，vernacular——especiallyifhehasthemisfortuneofbeingableto，speakEnglish，French，andGerman。Withhisfriendsandassociates，hespeaksFrenchorEnglish。Germanservesasamediumof，communicationwithwaiters，shopkeepers，andotherpeopleofthat，class。Itisonlywithisvoshtchiki——thedriversofthelittle，opendroshkiswhichfulfilthefunctionofcabs——thatheisobliged，tousethenativetongue，andwiththemaverylimitedvocabulary，suffices。Theordinalnumeralsandfourshort，easily-acquired，expressions——poshol(goon)，napravo(totheright)，nalyevo(to，theleft)，andstoi(stop)——areallthatisrequired。

WhilstIwasconsideringhowIcouldgetbeyondthesphereofWest-

Europeanlanguages，afriendcametomyassistance，andsuggested，thatIshouldgotohisestateintheprovinceofNovgorod，whereI

shouldfindanintelligent，amiableparishpriest，quiteinnocent，ofanylinguisticacquirements。ThisproposalIatonceadopted，andaccordinglyfoundmyselfonemorningatasmallstationofthe，MoscowRailway，endeavouringtoexplaintoapeasantinsheep’s，clothingthatIwishedtobeconveyedtoIvanofka，thevillage，wheremyfutureteacherlived。AtthattimeIstillspokeRussian，inaveryfragmentaryandconfusedway——prettymuchasSpanishcows，arepopularlysupposedtospeakFrench。Myfirstremarktherefore，beingliterallyinterpreted，was——“Ivanofka。Horses。Youcan？”

Thepointofinterrogationwasexpressedbyasimultaneousraising，ofthevoiceandtheeyebrows。

“Ivanofka？”criedthepeasant，inaninterrogatorytoneofvoice。

InRussia，asinothercountries，thepeasantrywhenspeakingwith，strangersliketorepeatquestions，apparentlyforthepurposeof，gainingtime。

“Ivanofka，“Ireplied。

“Now？”

“Now！”

AftersomereflectionthepeasantnoddedandsaidsomethingwhichI

didnotunderstand，butwhichIassumedtomeanthathewasopento，considerproposalsfortransportingmetomydestination。

“Roubles。Howmany？”

Tojudgebytheknittingofthebrowsandthescratchingofthe，head，Ishouldsaythatthatquestiongaveoccasiontoavery，abstrusemathematicalcalculation。Graduallythelookof，concentratedattentiongaveplacetoanexpressionsuchaschildren，assumewhentheyendeavourtogetaparentaldecisionreversedby，meansofcoaxing。Thencameastreamofsoftwordswhichwereto，meutterlyunintelligible。

Imustnotwearythereaderwithadetailedaccountofthe，succeedingnegotiations，whichwereconductedwithextreme，diplomaticcautiononbothsides，asifacessionofterritoryor，thepaymentofawarindemnityhadbeenthesubjectofdiscussion。

Threetimeshedroveawayandthreetimesreturned。Eachtimehe，abatedhispretensions，andeachtimeIslightlyincreasedmy，offer。Atlast，whenIbegantofearthathehadfinallytakenhis，departureandhadleftmetomyowndevices，here-enteredtheroom，andtookupmybaggage，indicatingtherebythatheagreedtomy，lastoffer。

Thesumagreeduponwouldhavebeen，underordinarycircumstances，morethansufficient，butbeforeproceedingfarIdiscoveredthat，thecircumstanceswerebynomeansordinary，andIbeganto，understandthepantomimicgesticulationwhichhadpuzzledmeduring，thenegotiations。Heavyrainhadfallenwithoutinterruptionfor，severaldays，andnowthetrackonwhichweweretravellingcould，not，withoutpoeticallicense，bedescribedasaroad。Insome，partsitresembledawater-course，inothersaquagmire，andat，leastduringthefirsthalfofthejourneyIwasconstantly，remindedofthatstageintheworkofcreationwhenthewaterwas，notyetseparatedfromthedryland。Duringthefewmomentswhen，theworkofkeepingmybalanceandpreventingmybaggagefrombeing，lostdidnotengrossallmyattention，Ispeculatedonthe，possibilityofinventingaboat-carriage，tobedrawnbysome，amphibiousquadruped。Fortunatelyourtwolean，wirylittlehorses，didnotobjecttobeingusedasaquaticanimals。Theytookthe，waterbravely，andplungedthroughthemudingallantstyle。The，telegainwhichwewereseated——afour-wheeledskeletoncart——did，notsubmittotheill-treatmentsosilently。Itcreakedoutits，remonstrancesandentreaties，andatthemoredifficultspots，threatenedtogotopieces;butitsownerunderstooditscharacter，andcapabilities，andpaidnoattentiontoitsominousthreats。

Once，indeed，awheelcameoff，butitwassoonfishedoutofthe，mudandreplaced，andnofurthercasualtyoccurred。

Thehorsesdidtheirworksowellthatwhenaboutmiddaywearrived，atavillage，Icouldnotrefusetoletthemhavesomerestand，refreshment——allthemoreasmyownthoughtshadbeguntoturnin，thatdirection。

Thevillage，likevillagesinthatpartofthecountrygenerally，consistedoftwolongparallelrowsofwoodenhouses。Theroad——if，astratumofdeepmudcanbecalledbythatname——formedthe，interveningspace。Allthehousesturnedtheirgablestothe，passerby，andsomeofthemhadpretensionstoarchitectural，decorationintheformofrudeperforatedwoodwork。Betweenthe，houses，andinalinewiththem，weregreatwoodengatesandhigh，woodenfences，separatingthecourtyardsfromtheroad。Intoone，oftheseyards，nearthefartherendofthevillage，ourhorses，turnedoftheirownaccord。

“Aninn？”Isaid，inaninterrogativetone。

Thedrivershookhisheadandsaidsomething，inwhichIdetected，theword“friend。”，Evidentlytherewasnohostelryformanand，beastinthevillage，andthedriverwasusingafriend’shousefor，thepurpose。

Theyardwasflankedontheonesidebyanopenshed，containing，rudeagriculturalimplementswhichmightthrowsomelightonthe，agricultureoftheprimitiveAryans，andontheothersidebythe，dwelling-houseandstable。Boththehouseandstablewerebuiltof，logs，nearlycylindricalinform，andplacedinhorizontaltiers。

Twoofthestrongestofhumanmotives，hungerandcuriosity，impelledmetoenterthehouseatonce。Withoutwaitingforan，invitation，Iwentuptothedoor——halfprotectedagainstthe，wintersnowsbyasmallopenportico——andunceremoniouslywalked，in。Thefirstapartmentwasempty，butInoticedalowdoorinthe，walltotheleft，andpassingthroughthis，enteredtheprincipal，room。Asthescenewasnewtome，Inotedtheprincipalobjects。

Inthewallbeforemeweretwosmallsquarewindowslookingout，upontheroad，andinthecornertotheright，nearertothe，ceilingthantothefloor，wasalittletriangularshelf，onwhich，stoodareligiouspicture。Beforethepicturehungacuriousoil，lamp。Inthecornertotheleftofthedoorwasagiganticstove，builtofbrick，andwhitewashed。Fromthetopofthestovetothe，wallontherightstretchedwhatmightbecalledanenormousshelf，sixoreightfeetinbreadth。Thisistheso-calledpalati，asI

afterwardsdiscovered，andservesasabedforpartofthefamily。

Thefurnitureconsistedofalongwoodenbenchattachedtothewall，ontheright，abig，heavy，dealtable，andafewwoodenstools。

WhilstIwasleisurelysurveyingtheseobjects，Iheardanoiseon，thetopofthestove，and，lookingup，perceivedahumanface，with，longhairpartedinthemiddle，andafullyellowbeard。Iwas，considerablyastonishedbythisapparition，fortheairintheroom，wasstifling，andIhadsomedifficultyinbelievingthatany，createdbeing——exceptperhapsasalamanderoranegro——couldexist，insuchaposition。IlookedhardtoconvincemyselfthatIwas，notthevictimofadelusion。AsIstared，theheadnoddedslowly，andpronouncedthecustomaryformofgreeting。

Ireturnedthegreetingslowly，wonderingwhatwastocomenext。

“Ill，veryill！”sighedthehead。

“I’mnotastonishedatthat，“Iremarked，inan“aside。”，“IfI

werelyingonthestoveasyouareIshouldbeveryilltoo。”

“Hot，veryhot？”Iremarked，interrogatively。

“Nitchevo“——thatistosay，“notparticularly。”，Thisremark，astonishedmeallthemoreasInoticedthatthebodytowhichthe，headbelongedwasenvelopedinasheep-skin！

AfterlivingsometimeinRussiaIwasnolongersurprisedbysuch，incidents，forIsoondiscoveredthattheRussianpeasanthasa，marvellouspowerofbearingextremeheataswellasextremecold。

Whenacoachmantakeshismasterormistresstothetheatreortoa，party，heneverthinksofgoinghomeandreturningatanappointed，time。Hourafterhourhesitsplacidlyonthebox，andthoughthe，coldbeofanintensitysuchasisneverexperiencedinour，temperateclimate，hecansleepastranquillyasthelazzaroniat，middayinNaples。InthatrespecttheRussianpeasantseemstobe，first-cousintothepolarbear，but，unliketheanimalsofthe，Arcticregions，heisnotatallincommodedbyexcessiveheat。On，thecontrary，helikesitwhenhecangetit，andneveromitsan，opportunityoflayinginareservesupplyofcaloric。Heeven，delightsinrapidtransitionsfromoneextremetotheother，asis，amplyprovedbyacuriouscustomwhichdeservestoberecorded。

ThereadermustknowthatinthelifeoftheRussianpeasantrythe，weeklyvapour-bathplaysamostimportantpart。Ithasevena，certainreligioussignification，fornogoodorthodoxpeasantwould，daretoenterachurchafterbeingsoiledbycertainkindsof，pollutionwithoutcleansinghimselfphysicallyandmorallybymeans，ofthebath。Intheweeklyarrangementsitformstheoccupation，forSaturdayafternoon，andcareistakentoavoidthereafterall，pollutionuntilafterthemorningserviceonSunday。Manyvillages，possessapublicorcommunalbathofthemostprimitive，construction，butinsomepartsofthecountry——Iamnotsurehow，farthepracticeextends——thepeasantstaketheirvapour-bathin，thehouseholdoveninwhichthebreadisbaked！，Inallcasesthe，operationispushedtotheextremelimitofhumanendurance——far，beyondtheutmostlimitthatcanbeenduredbythosewhohavenot，beenaccustomedtoitfromchildhood。Formyownpart，Ionlymade，theexperimentonce;andwhenIinformedmyattendantthatmylife，wasindangerfromcongestionofthebrain，helaughedoutright，andtoldmethattheoperationhadonlybegun。Mostastoundingof，all——andthisbringsmetothefactwhichledmeintothis，digression——thepeasantsinwinteroftenrushoutofthebathand，rollthemselvesinthesnow！，Thisaptlyillustratesacommon，Russianproverb，whichsaysthatwhatishealthtotheRussianis，deathtotheGerman。

Coldwater，aswellashotvapour，issometimesusedasameansof，purification。Inthevillagestheoldpaganhabitofmasquerading，inabsurdcostumesatcertainseasons——asisdoneduringthe，carnivalinRomanCatholiccountrieswiththeapproval，oratleast，connivance，oftheChurch——stillsurvives;butitisregardedas，notaltogethersinless。Hewhousessuchdisguisesplaceshimself，toacertainextentundertheinfluenceoftheEvilOne，thereby，puttinghissoulinjeopardy;andtofreehimselffromthisdanger，hehastopurifyhimselfinthefollowingway：Whentheannualmid-

winterceremonyofblessingthewatersisperformed，bybreakinga，holeintheiceandimmersingacrosswithcertainreligiousrites，heshouldplungeintotheholeassoonaspossibleafterthe，ceremony。IrememberonceatYaroslavl，ontheVolga，twoyoung，peasantssuccessfullyaccomplishedthisfeat——thoughthepolice，haveorderstopreventit——andescaped，apparentlywithoutevil，consequences，thoughtheFahrenheitthermometerwasbelowzero。

Howfarthecustomhasreallyapurifyinginfluence，isaquestion，whichmustbelefttotheologians;butevenanordinarymortalcan，understandthat，ifitberegardedasapenance，itmusthavea，certaindeterrenteffect。Themanwhoforeseesthenecessityof，undergoingthisseverepenancewillthinktwicebeforeputtingona，disguise。Soatleastitmusthavebeeninthegoodoldtimes;but，inthesedegeneratedays——amongtheRussianpeasantryaselsewhere——

thefearoftheDevil，whichwasformerly，ifnotthebeginning，atleastoneoftheessentialelements，ofwisdom，hasgreatly，decreased。Manyayoungpeasantwillnowthoughtlesslydisguise，himself，andwhentheconsecrationofthewaterisperformed，will，standandlookonpassivelylikeanordinaryspectator！，Itwould，seemthattheDevil，likehisenemythePope，isdestinedtolose，graduallyhistemporalpower。

ButallthistimeIamneglectingmynewacquaintanceonthetopof，thestove。InrealityIdidnotneglecthim，butlistenedmost，attentivelytoeverywordofthelongtalethatherecited。What，itwasallaboutIcouldonlyvaguelyguess，forIdidnot，understandmorethantenpercentofthewordsused，butIassumed，fromthetoneandgesturesthathewasrelatingtomeallthe，incidentsandsymptomsofhisillness。Andaverysevereillness，itmusthavebeen，foritrequiresaveryconsiderableamountof，physicalsufferingtomakethepatientRussianpeasantgroan。

Beforehehadfinishedhistaleawomanentered，apparentlyhis，wife。

ToherIexplainedthatIhadastrongdesiretoeatanddrink，and，thatIwishedtoknowwhatshewouldgiveme。Byagooddealof，laboriousexplanationIwasmadetounderstandthatIcouldhave，eggs，blackbread，andmilk，andweagreedthatthereshouldbea，divisionoflabour：myhostessshouldpreparethesamovarfor，boilingwater，whilstIshouldfrytheeggstomyownsatisfaction。

Inafewminutestherepastwasready，and，thoughnotvery，delicate，washighlyacceptable。TheteaandsugarIhadofcourse，broughtwithme;theeggswerenotveryhighlyflavoured;andthe，blackrye-bread，stronglyintermixedwithsand，couldbeeatenbya，peculiarandeasily-acquiredmethodofmastication，inwhichthe，uppermolarsareneverallowedtotouchthoseofthelowerjaw。In，thiswaythegratingofthesandbetweentheteethisavoided。

Eggs，blackbread，milk，andtea——theseformedmyordinaryarticles，offoodduringallmywanderingsinNorthernRussia。Occasionally，potatoescouldbegot，andaffordedthepossibilityofvaryingthe，billoffare。Thefavouritematerialsemployedinthenative，cookeryaresourcabbage，cucumbers，andkvass——akindofvery，smallbeermadefromblackbread。Noneofthesecanberecommended，tothetravellerwhoisnotalreadyaccustomedtothem。

Theremainderofthejourneywasaccomplishedatarathermore，rapidpacethantheprecedingpart，fortheroadwasdecidedly，better，thoughitwastraversedbynumeroushalf-buriedroots，whichproducedviolentjolts。Fromtheconversationofthedriver，Igatheredthatwolves，bears，andelkswerefoundintheforest，throughwhichwewerepassing。

Thesunhadlongsincesetwhenwereachedourdestination，andI

foundtomydismaythatthepriest’shousewasclosedforthe，night。Torousethereverendpersonagefromhisslumbers，and，endeavourtoexplaintohimwithmylimitedvocabularytheobject，ofmyvisit，wasnottobethoughtof。Ontheotherhand，there，wasnoinnofanykindinthevicinity。WhenIconsultedthe，driverastowhatwastobedone，hemeditatedforalittle，and，thenpointedtoalargehouseatsomedistancewheretherewere，stilllights。Itturnedouttobethecountry-houseofthe，gentlemanwhohadadvisedmetoundertakethejourney，andhere，afterashortexplanation，thoughtheownerwasnotathome，Iwas，hospitablyreceived。

Ithadbeenmyintentiontoliveinthepriest’shouse，butashort，interviewwithhimonthefollowingdayconvincedmethatthatpart，ofmyplancouldnotbecarriedout。Thepreliminaryobjections，thatIshouldfindbutpoorfareinhishumblehousehold，andmuch，moreofthesamekind，wereatonceputasidebymyassurance，made，partlybypantomime，that，asanoldtraveller，Iwaswell，accustomedtosimplefare，andcouldalwaysaccommodatemyselfto，thehabitsofpeopleamongwhommylothappenedtobecast。But，therewasamoreseriousdifficulty。Thepriest’sfamilyhad，as，isgenerallythecasewithpriests’families，beenrapidly，increasingduringthelastfewyears，andhishousehadnotbeen，growingwithequalrapidity。Thenaturalconsequenceofthiswas，thathehadnotaroomorabedtospare。Thelittleroomwhichhe，hadformerlykeptforoccasionalvisitorswasnowoccupiedbyhis，eldestdaughter，whohadreturnedfroma“schoolforthedaughters，oftheclergy，“whereshehadbeenforthelasttwoyears。Under，thesecircumstances，Iwasconstrainedtoacceptthekindproposal，madetomebytherepresentativeofmyabsentfriend，thatIshould，takeupmyquartersinoneofthenumerousunoccupiedroomsinthe，manor-house。Thisarrangement，Iwasreminded，wouldnotatall，interferewithmyproposedstudies，forthepriestlivedcloseat，hand，andImightspendwithhimasmuchtimeasIliked。

Andnowletmeintroducethereadertomyreverendteacherandone，ortwootherpersonageswhoseacquaintanceImadeduringmy，voluntaryexile。

CHAPTERIII

VOLUNTARYEXILE

Ivanofka——HistoryofthePlace——TheStewardoftheEstate——Slavand，TeutonicNatures——AGerman’sViewoftheEmancipation——Justicesof，thePeace——NewSchoolofMorals——TheRussianLanguage——Linguistic，TalentoftheRussians——MyTeacher——ABigDoseofCurrentHistory。

Thisvillage，Ivanofkabyname，inwhichIproposedtospendsome，months，wasrathermorepicturesquethanvillagesinthesenorthern，forestscommonlyare。Thepeasants’huts，builtonbothsidesofa，straightroad，werecolourlessenough，andthebigchurch，withits，fivepear-shapedcupolasrisingoutofthebrightgreenroofand，itsuglybelfryintheRenaissancestyle，wasnotbyanymeans，beautifulinitself;butwhenseenfromalittledistance，especiallyinthesofteveningtwilight，thewholemighthavebeen，madethesubjectofaverypleasingpicture。Fromthepointthata，landscape-painterwouldnaturallyhavechosen，theforegroundwas，formedbyameadow，throughwhichflowedsluggishlyameandering，stream。Onabitofrisinggroundtotheright，andhalfconcealed，byaninterveningclusterofoldrich-colouredpines，stoodthe，manor-house——abig，box-shaped，whitewashedbuilding，witha，verandahinfront，overlookingasmallplotthatmightsomeday，becomeaflower-garden。Totheleftofthisstoodthevillage，the，housesgroupingprettilywiththebigchurch，andalittlefarther，inthisdirectionwasanavenueofgracefulbirches。Onthe，extremeleftwerefields，boundedbyadarkborderoffir-trees。

Couldthespectatorhaveraisedhimselfafewhundredfeetfromthe，ground，hewouldhaveseenthattherewerefieldsbeyondthe，village，andthatthewholeofthisagriculturaloasiswasimbedded，inaforeststretchinginalldirectionsasfarastheeyecould，reach。

Thehistoryoftheplacemaybetoldinafewwords。Informer，timestheestate，includingthevillageandallitsinhabitants，hadbelongedtoamonastery，butwhen，in1764，theChurchlands，weresecularisedbyCatherine，itbecamethepropertyoftheState。

SomeyearsafterwardstheEmpressgrantedit，withtheserfsand，everythingelsewhichitcontained，toanoldgeneralwhohad，distinguishedhimselfintheTurkishwars。Fromthattimeithad，remainedintheK——family。Sometimebetweentheyears1820and，1840thebigchurchandthemansion-househadbeenbuiltbythe，actualpossessor’sfather，wholovedcountrylife，anddevoteda，largepartofhistimeandenergiestothemanagementofhis，estate。Hisson，onthecontrary，preferredSt。Petersburgtothe，country，servedinoneofthepublicoffices，lovedpassionately，Frenchplaysandotherproductsofurbancivilisation，andleftthe，entiremanagementofthepropertytoaGermansteward，popularly，knownasKarlKarl’itch，whomIshallintroducetothereader，presently。

Thevillageannalscontainednoimportantevents，exceptbad，harvests，cattle-plagues，anddestructivefires，withwhichthe，inhabitantsseemtohavebeenperiodicallyvisitedfromtime，immemorial。Ifgoodharvestswereeverexperienced，theymusthave，fadedfromthepopularrecollection。Thentherewerecertain，ancienttraditionswhichmighthavebeenlessenedinbulkand，improvedinqualitybybeingsubjectedtosearchinghistorical，criticism。Morethanonce，forinstance，aleshie，orwood-sprite，hadbeenseenintheneighbourhood;andinseveralhouseholdsthe，domovoi，orbrownie，hadbeenknowntoplaystrangepranksuntilhe，wasproperlypropitiated。Andasaset-offagainstthese，manifestationsofevilpowers，therewerewell-authenticated，storiesaboutamiracle-workingimagethathadmysteriously，appearedonthebranchofatree，andaboutnumerousmiraculous，curesthathadbeeneffectedbymeansofpilgrimagestoholy，shrines。

Butitistimetointroducetheprincipalpersonagesofthislittle，community。Ofthese，byfarthemostimportantwasKarlKarl’itch，thesteward。

FirstofallIought，perhaps，toexplainhowKarlSchmidt，theson，ofawell-to-doBauerinthePrussianvillageofSchonhausen，becameKarlKarl’itch，theprincipalpersonageintheRussian，villageofIvanofka。

AboutthetimeoftheCrimeanWarmanyoftheRussianlanded，proprietorshadbecomealivetothenecessityofimprovingthe，primitive，traditionalmethodsofagriculture，andsoughtforthis，purposeGermanstewardsfortheirestates。Amongtheseproprietors，wastheownerofIvanofka。Throughthemediumofafriendin，Berlinhesucceededinengagingforamoderatesalaryayoungman，whohadjustfinishedhisstudiesinoneoftheGermanschoolsof，agriculture——theinstitutionatHohenheim，ifmymemorydoesnot，deceiveme。ThisyoungmanhadarrivedinRussiaasplainKarl，Schmidt，buthisnamewassoontransformedintoKarlKarl’itch，not，fromanydesireofhisown，butinaccordancewithacurious，Russiancustom。InRussiaoneusuallycallsamannotbyhis，familyname，butbyhisChristiannameandpatronymic——thelatter，beingformedfromthenameofhisfather。Thus，ifaman’snameis，Nicholas，andhisfather’sChristiannameis——orwas——Ivan，you，addresshimasNikolaiIvanovitch(pronouncedIvan’itch);andif，thismanshouldhappentohaveasistercalledMary，youwill，addressher——eventhoughsheshouldbemarried——asMaryaIvanovna，(pronouncedIvanna)。

ImmediatelyonhisarrivalyoungSchmidthadsethimselfvigorously，toreorganisetheestateandimprovethemethodofagriculture。

Someploughs，harrows，andotherimplementswhichhadbeenimported，ataformerperiodweredraggedoutoftheobscurityinwhichthey，hadlainforseveralyears，andanattemptwasmadetofarmon，scientificprinciples。Theattemptwasfarfrombeingcompletely，successful，fortheserfs——thiswasbeforetheEmancipation——could，notbemadetoworklikeregularlytrainedGermanlabourers。In，spiteofalladmonitions，threats，andpunishments，theypersisted，inworkingslowly，listlessly，inaccurately，andoccasionallythey，brokethenewinstrumentsfromcarelessnessorsomemoreculpable，motive。KarlKarl’itchwasnotnaturallyahard-heartedman，but，hewasveryrigidinhisnotionsofduty，andcouldbecruelly，severewhenhisorderswerenotexecutedwithanaccuracyand，punctualitythatseemedtotheRussianrusticmindmereuseless，pedantry。Theserfsdidnotofferhimanyopenopposition，and，werealwaysobsequiouslyrespectfulintheirdemeanourtowardshim，buttheyinvariablyfrustratedhisplansbytheircarelessnessand，stolid，passiveresistance。

Thusarosethatsilentconflictandthatsmoulderingmutualenmity，whichalmostalwaysresultfromthecontactoftheTeutonwiththe，Slav。Theserfsinstinctivelyregrettedthegoodoldtimes，when，theylivedundertherough-and-readypatriarchalruleoftheir，masters，assistedbyanative“burmister，“oroverseer，whowasone，ofthemselves。Theburmisterhadnotalwaysbeenhonestinhis，dealingswiththem，andthemasterhadoften，wheninanger，orderedseverepunishmentstobeinflicted;buttheburmisterhad，notattemptedtomakethemchangetheiroldhabits，andhadshut，hisevestomanylittlesinsofemissionandcommission，whilstthe，masterwasalwaysreadytoassistthemindifficulties，and，commonlytreatedtheminakindly，familiarway。Astheold，Russianproverbhasit，“Wheredangeris，theretooiskindly，forgiveness。”，KarlKarl’itch，onthecontrary，wasthe，personificationofuncompassionate，inflexiblelaw。Blindrageand，compassionatekindlinesswerealikeforeigntohissystemof，government。Ifhehadanyfeelingtowardstheserfs，itwasoneof，chroniccontempt。Theworddurak(blockhead)wasconstantlyonhis，lips，andwhenanybitofworkwaswelldone，hetookitasa，matterofcourse，andneverthoughtofgivingawordofapprovalor，encouragement。

Whenitbecameevident，in1859，thattheemancipationoftheserfs，wasathand，KarlKarl’itchconfidentlypredictedthatthecountry，wouldinevitablygotoruin。Heknewbyexperiencethatthe，peasantswerelazyandimprovident，evenwhentheylivedunderthe，tutelageofamaster，andwiththefearoftherodbeforetheir，eyes。Whatwouldtheybecomewhenthisguidanceandsalutary，restraintshouldberemoved？，Theprospectraisedterrible，forebodingsinthemindoftheworthysteward，whohadhis，employer’sinterestsreallyatheart;andtheseforebodingswere，considerablyincreasedandintensifiedwhenhelearnedthatthe，peasantsweretoreceivebylawthelandwhichtheyoccupiedon，sufferance，andwhichcomprisedaboutahalfofthewholearable，landoftheestate。Thisarrangementhedeclaredtobeadangerous，andunjustifiableinfractionofthesacredrightsofproperty，whichsavouredstronglyofcommunism，andcouldhavebutone，practicalresult：theemancipatedpeasantswouldlivebythe，cultivationoftheirownland，andwouldnotconsentonanyterms，toworkfortheirformermaster。

Inthefewmonthswhichimmediatelyfollowedthepublicationofthe，EmancipationEdictin1861，KarlKarl’itchfoundmuchtoconfirm，hismostgloomyapprehensions。Thepeasantsshowedthemselves，dissatisfiedwiththeprivilegesconferreduponthem，andsoughtto，evadethecorrespondingdutiesimposedonthembythenewlaw。In，vainheendeavoured，byexhortations，promises，andthreats，toget，themostnecessarypartofthefield-workdone，andshowedthe，peasantstheprovisionofthelawenjoiningthemtoobeyandwork，asofolduntilsomenewarrangementshouldbemade。Toallhis，appealstheyrepliedthat，havingbeenfreedbytheTsar，theywere，nolongerobligedtoworkfortheirformermaster;andhewasat，lastforcedtoappealtotheauthorities。Thisstephadacertain，effect，butthefield-workwasexecutedthatyearevenworsethan，usual，andtheharvestsufferedinconsequence。

Sincethattimethingshadgraduallyimproved。Thepeasantshad，discoveredthattheycouldnotsupportthemselvesandpaytheir，taxesfromthelandcededtothem，andhadaccordinglyconsentedto，tilltheproprietor’sfieldsforamoderaterecompense。”These，lasttwoyears，“saidKarlKarl’itchtome，withanairofhonest，self-satisfaction，“Ihavebeenable，afterpayingallexpenses，to，transmitlittlesumstotheyoungmasterinSt。Petersburg。Itwas，certainlynotmuch，butitshowsthatthingsarebetterthanthey，were。Still，itishard，uphillwork。Thepeasantshavenotbeen，improvedbyliberty。Theynowworklessanddrinkmorethanthey，didinthetimesofserfage，andifyousayawordtothemthey’ll，goaway，andnotworkforyouatall。”，HereKarlKarl’itch，indemnifiedhimselfforhisrecentself-controlinthepresenceof，hisworkersbyusingaseriesofthestrongestepithetswhichthe，combinedlanguagesofhisnativeandofhisadoptedcountrycould，supply。”Butlazinessanddrunkennessarenottheironlyfaults。

Theylettheircattlewanderintoourfields，andneverlosean，opportunityofstealingfirewoodfromtheforest。”

“Butyouhavenowforsuchmatterstheruraljusticesofthe，peace，“Iventuredtosuggest。

“Thejusticesofthepeace！”……HereKarlKarl’itchusedan，inelegantexpression，whichshowedplainlythathewasno，unqualifiedadmirerofthenewjudicialinstitutions。”Whatisthe，useofapplyingtothejustices？，Thenearestonelivessixmiles，off，andwhenIgotohimheevidentlytriestomakemeloseas，muchtimeaspossible。Iamsuretolosenearlyawholeday，and，attheendofitImayfindthatIhavegotnothingformypains。

Thesejusticesalwaystrytofindsomeexcuseforthepeasant，and，whentheydocondemn，bywayofexception，theaffairdoesnotend，there。Thereisprettysuretobeapettifoggingpractitioner，prowlingabout——somerascallyscribewhohasbeendismissedfrom，thepublicofficesforpilferingandextortingtooopenly——andhe，isalwaysreadytowhispertothepeasantthatheshouldappeal。

Thepeasantknowsthatthedecisionisjust，butheiseasily，persuadedthatbyappealingtotheMonthlySessionshegetsanother，chanceinthelottery，andmayperhapsdrawaprize。Heletsthe，rascallyscribe，therefore，prepareanappealforhim，andI

receiveaninvitationtoattendtheSessionofJusticesinthe，districttownonacertainday。

“Itisagoodfive-and-thirtymilestothedistricttown，asyou，know，butIgetupearly，andarriveateleveno’clock，thehour，statedintheofficialnotice。Acrowdofpeasantsarehanging，aboutthedoorofthecourt，buttheonlyofficialpresentisthe，porter。Ienquireofhimwhenmycaseislikelytocomeon，and，receivethelaconicanswer，’HowshouldIknow？’，Afterhalfan，hourthesecretaryarrives。Irepeatmyquestion，andreceivethe，sameanswer。Anotherhalfhourpasses，andoneofthejustices，drivesupinhistarantass。Perhapsheisaglib-tongued，gentleman，andassuresmethattheproceedingswillcommenceat，once：’Seitchas！seitchas！’，Don’tbelievewhatthepriestorthe，dictionarytellsyouaboutthemeaningofthatexpression。The，dictionarywilltellyouthatitmeans’immediately，’butthat’s，allnonsense。InthemouthofaRussianitmeans’inanhour，’

’nextweek，’’inayearortwo，’’never’——mostcommonly’never。’

LikemanyotherwordsinRussian，’seitchas’canbeunderstood，onlyafterlongexperience。Asecondjusticedrivesup，andthena，third。Nomorearerequiredbylaw，butthesegentlemenmustfirst，smokeseveralcigarettesanddiscussallthelocalnewsbeforethey，beginwork。

“Atlasttheytaketheirseatsonthebench——aslightlyelevated，platformatoneendoftheroom，behindatablecoveredwithgreen，baize——andtheproceedingscommence。Mycaseissuretobepretty，fardownonthelist——thesecretarytakes，Ibelieve，amalicious，pleasureinwatchingmyimpatience——andbeforeitiscalledthe，justiceshavetoretireatleastonceforrefreshmentsand，cigarettes。Ihavetoamusemyselfbylisteningtotheother，cases，andsomeofthem，Icanassureyou，areamusingenough。The，wallsofthatroommustbebythistimeprettywellsaturatedwith，perjury，andmanyofthewitnessescatchatoncetheinfection。

PerhapsImaytellyousomeothertimeafewoftheamusing，incidentsthatIhaveseenthere。Atlastmycaseiscalled。It，isasclearasdaylight，buttherascallypettifoggeristherewith，along-preparedspeech，heholdsinhishandasmallvolumeofthe，codifiedlaw，andquotesparagraphswhichnoamountofhuman，ingenuitycanmaketobearuponthesubject。Perhapstheprevious，decisionisconfirmed;perhapsitisreversed;ineithercase，I

havelostaseconddayandexhaustedmorepatiencethanIcan，convenientlyspare。Andsomethingevenworsemayhappen，asIknow，byexperience。Onceduringacaseofminetherewassomelittle，informality——someoneinadvertentlyopenedthedoorofthe，consulting-roomwhenthedecisionwasbeingwritten，orsomeother，littleincidentofthesortoccurred，andtherascallypettifogger，complainedtotheSupremeCourtofRevision，whichisapartofthe，Senate。Thecasewasallaboutafewroubles，butitwasdiscussed，inSt。Petersburg，andafterwardstriedoveragainbyanothercourt，ofjustices。NowIhavepaidmyLehrgeld，andgonomoretolaw。”

“Thenyoumustexposeyourselftoallkindsofextortion？”

“Notsomuchasyoumightimagine。Ihavemyownwayofdispensing，justice。WhenIcatchapeasant’shorseorcowinourfields，I

lockitupandmaketheownerpayaransom。”

“Isitnotratherdangerous，“Iinquired，“totakethelawthus，intoyourownhands？，IhaveheardthattheRussianjusticesare，extremelysevereagainstanyonewhohasrecoursetowhatour，GermanjuristscallSelbsthulfe。”

“Thattheyare！，SolongasyouareinRussia，youhadmuchbetter，letyourselfbequietlyrobbedthanuseanyviolenceagainstthe，robber。Itislesstrouble，anditischeaperinthelongrun。If，youdonot，youmayunexpectedlyfindyourselfsomefinemorningin，prison！，Youmustknowthatmanyoftheyoungjusticesbelongto，thenewschoolofmorals。”

“Whatisthat？，Ihavenotheardofanynewdiscoverieslatelyin，thesphereofspeculativeethics。”

“Well，totellyouthetruth，Iamnotoneoftheinitiated，andI

canonlytellyouwhatIhear。SofarasIhavenoticed，the，representativesofthenewdoctrinetalkchieflyaboutGumannost’

andTchelovetcheskoedostoinstvo。Youknowwhatthesewordsmean？”

“Humanity，orratherhumanitarianismandhumandignity，“Ireplied，notsorrytogiveaproofthatIwasadvancinginmystudies。

“There，again，youallowyourdictionaryandyourpriesttomislead，you。Theseterms，whenusedbyaRussian，covermuchmorethanwe，understandbythem，andthosewhousethemmostfrequentlyhave，generallyaspecialtendernessforallkindsofmalefactors。In，theoldtimes，malefactorswerepopularlybelievedtobebad，dangerouspeople;butithasbeenlatelydiscoveredthatthisisa，delusion。Ayoungproprietorwholivesnotfaroffassuresmethat，theyarethetrueProtestants，andthemostpowerfulsocial，reformers！，Theyprotestpracticallyagainstthoseimperfectionsof，socialorganisationofwhichtheyaretheinvoluntaryvictims。The，feeble，characterlessmanquietlysubmitstohischains;thebold，generous，strongmanbreakshisfetters，andhelpsotherstodothe，same。Averyingeniousdefenceofallkindsofrascality，isn’t，it？”

“Well，itisatheorythatmightcertainlybecarriedtoofar，and，mighteasilyleadtoveryinconvenientconclusions;butIamnot，surethat，theoreticallyspeaking，itdoesnotcontainacertain，elementoftruth。Itoughtatleasttofosterthatcharitywhich，weareenjoinedtopractisetowardsallmen。Butperhaps’allmen’

doesnotincludepublicansandsinners？”

OnhearingthesewordsKarlKarl’itchturnedtome，andevery，featureofhishonestGermanfaceexpressedthemostundisguised，astonishment。”Areyou，too，aNihilist？”heinquired，assoonas，hehadpartiallyrecoveredhisbreath。

“Ireallydon’tknowwhataNihilistis，butImayassureyouthat，Iamnotan’ist’ofanykind。WhatisaNihilist？”

“IfyoulivelonginRussiayou’lllearnthatwithoutmytelling，you。AsIwassaying，Iamnotatallafraidofthepeasants，citingmebeforethejustice。Theyknowbetternow。Iftheygave，metoomuchtroubleIcouldstarvetheircattle。”

“Yes，whenyoucatchtheminyourfields，“Iremarked，takingno，noticeoftheabruptturnwhichhehadgiventotheconversation。

“Icandoitwithoutthat。Youmustknowthat，bytheEmancipation，Law，thepeasantsreceivedarableland，buttheyreceivedlittleor，nopasturage。Ihavethewhiphandofthemthere！”

TheremarksofKarlKarl’itchonmenandthingsweretomealways，interesting，forhewasashrewdobserver，anddisplayed，occasionallyapleasant，dryhumour。ButIverysoondiscovered，thathisopinionswerenottobeacceptedwithoutreserve。His，strong，inflexibleTeutonicnatureoftenpreventedhimfromjudging，impartially。Hehadnosympathywiththemenandtheinstitutions，aroundhim，andconsequentlyhewasunabletoseethingsfromthe，inside。Thespecksandblemishesonthesurfaceheperceived，clearlyenough，buthehadnoknowledgeofthesecret，deep-rooted，causesbywhichthesespecksandblemisheswereproduced。The，simplefactthatamanwasaRussiansatisfactorilyaccounted，in，hisopinion，foranykindofmoraldeformity;andhisknowledge，turnedouttobebynomeanssoextensiveasIhadatfirst，supposed。Thoughhehadbeenmanyyearsinthecountry，heknew，verylittleaboutthelifeofthepeasantsbeyondthatsmallpart，ofitwhichconcerneddirectlyhisowninterestsandthoseofhis，employer。Ofthecommunalorganisation，domesticlife，religious，beliefs，ceremonialpractices，andnomadichabitsofhishumble，neighbours，heknewlittle，andthelittlehehappenedtoknowwas，farfromaccurate。Inordertogainaknowledgeofthesematters，itwouldbebetter，Iperceived，toconsultthepriest，or，better，still，thepeasantsthemselves。Buttodothisitwouldbe，necessarytounderstandeasilyandspeakfluentlythecolloquial，language，andIwasstillveryfarfromhaving，acquiredthe，requisiteproficiency。

Evenforonewhopossessesanaturalfacilityforacquiringforeign，tongues，thelearningofRussianisbynomeansaneasytask。

ThoughitisessentiallyanAryanlanguagelikeourown，and，containsonlyaslightintermixtureofTartarwords，——suchas，bashlyk(ahood)，kalpak(anight-cap)，arbuz(awater-melon)，etc——ithascertainsoundsunknowntoWest-Europeanears，and，difficultforWest-Europeantongues，anditsroots，thoughingreat，partderivedfromthesameoriginalstockasthoseoftheGraeco-

LatinandTeutoniclanguages，aregenerallynotatalleasily，recognised。Asanillustrationofthis，taketheRussianword，otets。Strangeasitmayatfirstsightappear，thiswordis，merelyanotherformofourwordfather，oftheGermanvater，andof，theFrenchpere。ThesyllableetsistheordinaryRussian，terminationdenotingtheagent，correspondingtotheEnglishand，Germanendinger，asweseeinsuchwordsas——kup-ets(abuyer)，plov-ets(aswimmer)，andmanyothers。Theroototisamutilated，formofvot，asweseeinthewordotchina(apaternal，inheritance)，whichisfrequentlywrittenvotchina。Nowvotis，evidentlythesamerootastheGermanvatinVater，andtheEnglish，fathinfather。Quoderatdemonstrandum。

Allthisissimpleenough，andgoestoprovethefundamental，identity，orratherthecommunityoforigin，oftheSlavand，Teutoniclanguages;butitwillbereadilyunderstoodthat，etymologicalanalogiessocarefullydisguisedareoflittle，practicaluseinhelpingustoacquireaforeigntongue。Besides，this，thegrammaticalformsandconstructionsinRussianarevery，peculiar，andpresentagreatmanystrangeirregularities。Asan，illustrationofthiswemaytakethefuturetense。TheRussian，verbhascommonlyasimpleandafrequentativefuture。Thelatter，isalwaysregularlyformedbymeansofanauxiliarywiththe，infinitive，asinEnglish，buttheformerisconstructedina，varietyofways，forwhichnorulecanbegiven，sothatthesimple，futureofeachindividualverbmustbelearnedbyapureeffortof，memory。Inmanyverbsitisformedbyprefixingapreposition，but，itisimpossibletodeterminebyrulewhichprepositionshouldbe，used。Thusidu(Igo)becomespoidu;pishu(Iwrite)becomes，napishu;pyu(Idrink)becomesvuipyu，andsoon。

Closelyakintothedifficultiesofpronunciationisthedifficulty，ofaccentuatingthepropersyllable。InthisrespectRussianis，likeGreek;youcanrarelytellapriorionwhatsyllablethe，accentfalls。ButitismorepuzzlingthanGreek，fortworeasons：

firstly，itisnotcustomarytoprintRussianwithaccents;and，secondly，noonehasyetbeenabletolaydownpreciserulesfor，thetranspositionoftheaccentinthevariousinflectionsofthe，sameword，Ofthislatterpeculiarity，letoneillustration，suffice。Thewordruka(hand)hastheaccentonthelastsyllable，butintheaccusative(ruku)theaccentgoesbacktothefirst，syllable。Itmustnot，however，beassumedthatinallwordsof，thistypeasimilartranspositiontakesplace。Thewordbeda，(misfortune)，forinstance，aswellasverymanyothers，always，retainstheaccentonthelastsyllable。

Theseandmanysimilardifficulties，whichneednotbehere，enumerated，canbemasteredonlybylongpractice。Seriousasthey，are，theyneednotfrightenanyonewhoisinthehabitoflearning，foreigntongues。Theearandthetonguegraduallybecomefamiliar，withthepeculiaritiesofinflectionandaccentuation，andpractice，fulfilsthesamefunctionasabstractrules。

ItiscommonlysupposedthatRussianshavebeenendowedbyNature，withapeculiarlinguistictalent。Theirownlanguage，itissaid，issodifficultthattheyhavenodifficultyinacquiringothers。

Thiscommonbeliefrequires，asitseemstome，someexplanation。

ThathighlyeducatedRussiansarebetterlinguiststhanthe，educatedclassesofWesternEuropetherecanbenopossibledoubt，fortheyalmostalwaysspeakFrench，andoftenEnglishandGerman，also。Thequestion，however，iswhetherthisistheresultofa，psychologicalpeculiarity，orofothercauses。Now，without，venturingtodenytheexistenceofanaturalfaculty，Ishouldsay，thattheothercauseshaveatleastexercisedapowerfulinfluence。

AnyRussianwhowishestoberegardedascivilisemustpossessat，leastoneforeignlanguage;and，asaconsequenceofthis，the，childrenoftheupperclassesarealwaystaughtatleastFrenchin，theirinfancy。ManyhouseholdscompriseaGermannurse，aFrench，tutor，andanEnglishgoverness;andthechildrenthusbecome，accustomedfromtheirearliestyearstotheuseofthesethree，languages。Besidesthis，Russianisphoneticallyveryrichand，containsnearlyallthesoundswhicharetobefoundinWest-

Europeantongues。Perhapsonthewholeitwouldbewelltoapply，heretheDarwiniantheory，andsupposethattheRussianNoblesse，havingbeenobligedforseveralgenerationstoacquireforeign，languages，havegraduallydevelopedahereditarypolyglottalent。

Severalcircumstancesconcurredtoassistmeinmyefforts，during，myvoluntaryexile，toacquireatleastsuchaknowledgeofthe，languageaswouldenablemetoconversefreelywiththepeasantry。

Inthefirstplace，myreverendteacherwasanagreeable，kindly，talkativeman，whotookagreatdelightintellinginterminable，stories，quiteindependentlyofanysatisfactionwhichhemight，derivefromtheconsciousnessoftheirbeingunderstoodand，appreciated。Evenwhenwalkingalonehewasalwaysmuttering，somethingtoanimaginarylistener。Astrangermeetinghimonsuch，occasionsmighthavesupposedthathewasholdingconversewith，unseenspirits，thoughhisbroadmuscularformandrubicundface，militatedstronglyagainstsuchasupposition;butnoman，woman，orchildlivingwithinaradiusoftenmileswouldeverhavefallen，intothismistake。Everyoneintheneighbourhoodknewthat，“Batushka“(papa)，ashewasfamiliarlycalled，wastooprosaical，practicalamantoseethingsethereal，thathewasan，irrepressibletalker，andthatwhenhecouldnotconvenientlyfind，anaudiencehecreatedonebyhisownimagination。This，peculiarityofhisrenderedmegoodservice。Thoughforsometime，Iunderstoodverylittleofwhathesaid，andveryoftenmisplaced，thepositiveandnegativemonosyllableswhichIhazarded，occasionallybywayofencouragement，hetalkedvigorouslyallthe，same。Likeallgarrulouspeople，hewasconstantlyrepeating，himself;buttothisIdidnotobject，forthecustom——however，disagreeableinordinarysociety——wasformehighlybeneficial，and，whenIhadalreadyheardastoryonceortwicebefore，itwasmuch，easierformetoassumeatthepropermomenttherequisite，expressionofcountenance。

AnotherfortunatecircumstancewasthatatIvanofkatherewereno，distractions，sothatthewholeofthedayandagreatpartofthe，nightcouldbedevotedtostudy。Mychiefamusementwasan，occasionalwalkinthefieldswithKarlKarl’itch;andeventhis，mildformofdissipationcouldnotalwaysbeobtained，forassoon，asrainhadfallenitwasdifficulttogobeyondtheverandah——the，mudprecludingthepossibilityofaconstitutional。Thenearest，approachtoexcitementwasmushroom-gathering;andinthis，occupationmyinabilitytodistinguishtheediblefromthe，poisonousspeciesmademyeffortsunacceptable。Welivedso“far，fromthemaddingcrowd“thatitsdinscarcelyreachedourears。A

weekortendaysmightpasswithoutourreceivinganyintelligence，fromtheouterworld。Thenearestpost-officewasinthedistrict，town，andwiththatdistantpointwehadnoregularsystemof，communication。Lettersandnewspapersremainedtheretillcalled，for，andwerebroughttousintermittentlywhensomeoneofour，neighbourshappenedtopassthatway。Currenthistorywasthus，administeredtousinbigdoses。

OneverybigdoseIrememberwell。Foramuchlongertimethan，usualnovolunteerletter-carrierhadappeared，andthedelaywas，morethanusuallytantalising，becauseitwasknownthatwarhad，brokenoutbetweenFranceandGermany。Atlastabigbundleofa，dailypapercalledtheGoloswasbroughttome。Impatienttolearn，whetheranygreatbattlehadbeenfought，Ibeganbyexaminingthe，latestnumber，andstumbledatonceonanarticleheaded，“Latest，Intelligence：theEmperoratWilhelmshohe！！！”Thelargetypein，whichtheheadingwasprintedandthethreemarksofexclamation，showedplainlythatthearticlewasveryimportant。Ibeganto，readwithavidity，butwasutterlymystified。Whatemperorwas，this？，ProbablytheTsarortheEmperorofAustria，fortherewas，noGermanEmperorinthosedays。Butno！Itwasevidentlythe，EmperoroftheFrench。AndhowdidNapoleongettoWilhelmshohe？

TheFrenchmusthavebrokenthroughtheRhinedefences，andpushed，farintoGermany。Butno！，AsIreadfurther，Ifoundthistheory，equallyuntenable。ItturnedoutthattheEmperorwassurrounded，byGermans，and——aprisoner！，Inordertosolvethemystery，Ihad，togobacktotheprecedingnumbersofthepaper，andlearned，ata，sitting，allaboutthesuccessiveGermanvictories，thedefeatand，capitulationofMacmahon’sarmyatSedan，andtheothergreat，eventsofthatmomentoustime。Theimpressionproducedcan，scarcelyberealisedbythosewhohavealwaysimbibedcurrent，historyinthehomeopathicdosesadministeredbythemorningand，eveningdailypapers。

Bytheusefulloquacityofmyteacherandthepossibilityof，devotingallmytimetomylinguisticstudies，Imadesuchrapid，progressintheacquisitionofthelanguagethatIwasableaftera，fewweekstounderstandmuchofwhatwassaidtome，andtoexpress，myselfinavague，roundaboutway。InthelatteroperationIwas，muchassistedbyapeculiarfacultyofdivinationwhichthe，Russianspossessinahighdegree。Ifaforeignersucceedsin，expressingaboutone-fourthofanidea，theRussianpeasantcan，generallyfilluptheremainingthree-fourthsfromhisown，intuition。

Asmypowersofcomprehensionincreased，mylongconversationswith，thepriestbecamemoreandmoreinstructive。Atfirsthisremarks，andstorieshadformesimplyaphilologicalinterest，but，graduallyIperceivedthathistalkcontainedagreatdealof，solid，curiousinformationregardinghimselfandtheclasstowhich，hebelonged——informationofakindnotcommonlyfoundin，grammaticalexercises。SomeofthisInowproposetocommunicate，tothereader。

CHAPTERIV

THEVILLAGEPRIEST

Priests’Names——ClericalMarriages——TheWhiteandtheBlackClergy——

WhythePeopledonotRespecttheParishPriests——Historyofthe，WhiteClergy——TheParishPriestandtheProtestantPastor——InWhat，SensetheRussianPeopleareReligious——Icons——TheClergyand，PopularEducation——EcclesiasticalReform——PremonitorySymptomsof，Change——TwoTypicalSpecimensoftheParochialClergyofthe，PresentDay。

Informalintroductionsitiscustomarytopronounceinamoreor，lessinaudiblevoicethenamesofthetwopersonsintroduced。

Circumstancescompelmeinthepresentcasetodepartfromreceived，custom。Thetruthis，Idonotknowthenamesofthetwopeople，whomIwishtobringtogether！，Thereaderwhoknowshisownname，willreadilypardonone-halfofmyignorance，buthemaynaturally，expectthatIshouldknowthenameofamanwithwhomIprofessto，beacquainted，andwithwhomIdailyheldlongconversationsduring，aperiodofseveralmonths。Strangeasitmayseem，Idonot。

DuringallthetimeofmysojourninIvanofkaIneverheardhim，addressedorspokenofotherwisethanas“Batushka。”，Now，“Batushka“isnotanameatall。Itissimplythediminutiveform，ofanobsoletewordmeaning“father，“andisusuallyappliedtoall，villagepriests。Theushkaisacommondiminutivetermination，and，therootBatisevidentlythesameasthatwhichappearsinthe，Latinpater。

ThoughIdonothappentoknowwhatBatushka’sfamilynamewas，I

cancommunicatetwocuriousfactsconcerningit：hehadnot，possesseditinhischildhood，anditwasnotthesameashis，father’s。

Thereaderwhoseintuitivepowershavebeenpreternaturally，sharpenedbyalongcourseofsensationnovelswillprobablyleap，totheconclusionthatBatushkawasamysteriousindividual，very，differentfromwhatheseemed——eithertheillegitimatesonofsome，greatpersonage，oramanofhighbirthwhohadcommittedsome，greatsin，andwhonowsoughtoblivionandexpiationinthehumble，dutiesofaparishpriest。Letmedispelatoncealldelusionsof，thiskind。Batushkawasactuallyaswellaslegallythelegitimate，sonofanordinaryparishpriest，whowasstillliving，about，twentymilesoff，andformanygenerationsallhispaternaland，maternalancestors，maleandfemale，hadbelongedtothepriestly，caste。HewasthusaLeviteofthepurestwater，andthoroughly，Leviticalinhischaracter。Thoughheknewbyexperiencesomething，abouttheweaknessoftheflesh，hehadnevercommittedanysinsof，theheroickind，andhadnoreasontoconcealhisorigin。The，curiousfactsabovestatedweresimplytheresultofapeculiar，customwhichexistsamongtheRussianclergy。Accordingtothis，custom，whenaboyenterstheseminaryhereceivesfromtheBishop，anewfamilyname。ThenamemaybeBogoslafski，fromaword，signifying“Theology，“orBogolubof，“theloveofGod，“orsome，similarterm;oritmaybederivedfromthenameoftheboy’s，nativevillage，orfromanyotherwordwhichtheBishopthinksfit，tochoose。IknowofoneinstancewhereaBishopchosetwoFrench，wordsforthepurpose。Hehadintendedtocalltheboy，Velikoselski，afterhisnativeplace，VelikoeSelo，whichmeans，“bigvillage“;butfindingthattherewasalreadyaVelikoselskiin，theseminary，andbeinginafacetiousframeofmind，hecalledthe，newcomerGrandvillageski——awordthatmayperhapssorelypuzzle，somephilologistofthefuture。

Myreverendteacherwasatall，muscularmanofaboutfortyyears，ofage，withafulldark-brownbeard，andlonglankhairfalling，overhisshoulders。Thevisiblepartsofhisdressconsistedof，threearticles——adingy-brownrobeofcoarsematerialbuttoned，closelyattheneckanddescendingtotheground，awideawakehat，andapairoflarge，heavyboots。Astotheesotericpartsofhis，attire，Irefrainedfrommakinginvestigations。Hislifehadbeen，anuneventfulone。Atanearlyagehehadbeensenttothe，seminaryinthechieftownoftheprovince，andhadmadefor，himselfthereputationofagoodaveragescholar。”Theseminaryof，thattime，“heusedtosaytome，referringtothatpartofhis，life，“wasnotwhatitisnow。Nowadaystheteacherstalkabout，humanitarianism，andtheboyswouldthinkthatacrimehadbeen，committedagainsthumandignityifoneofthemhappenedtobe，flogged。Buttheydon’tconsiderthathumandignityisatall，affectedbytheirgettingdrunk，andgoingto——to——toplacesthatI

neverwentto。Iwasfloggedoftenenough，andIdon’tthinkthat，Iamaworsemanonthataccount;andthoughIneverheardthen，anythingaboutpedagogicalsciencethattheytalksomuchabout，now，I’llreadabitofLatinyetwiththebestofthem。

“Whenmystudieswerefinished，“saidBatushka，continuingthe，simplestoryofhislife，“theBishopfoundawifeforme，andI

succeededherfather，whowasthenanoldman。InthatwayI

becameapriestofIvanofka，andhaveremainedhereeversince。It，isahardlife，fortheparishisbig，andmybitoflandisnot，veryfertile;but，praisebetoGod！Iamhealthyandstrong，and，getonwellenough。”

“YousaidthattheBishopfoundawifeforyou，“Iremarked。”I

suppose，therefore，thathewasagreatfriendofyours。”

“Notatall。TheBishopdoesthesameforalltheseminaristswho，wishtobeordained：itisanimportantpartofhispastoral，duties。”

“Indeed！”Iexclaimedinastonishment。”Surelythatiscarrying，thesystemofpaternalgovernmentalittletoofar。Whyshouldhis，Reverencemeddlewiththingsthatdon’tconcernhim？”

“Butthesemattersdoconcernhim。Heisthenaturalprotectorof，widowsandorphans，especiallyamongtheclergyofhisowndiocese。

Whenaparishpriestdies，whatistobecomeofhiswifeand，daughters？”

Notperceivingclearlytheexactbearingoftheselastremarks，I

venturedtosuggestthatpriestsoughttoeconomiseinviewof，futurecontingencies。

“Itiseasytospeak，“repliedBatushka：“’Astoryissoontold，’

astheoldproverbhasit，’butathingisnotsoondone。’，Howare，wetoeconomise？，Evenwithoutsavingwehavethegreatest，difficultytomakethetwoendsmeet。”

“Thenthewidowanddaughtersmightworkandgainalivelihood。”

“What，pray，couldtheyworkat？”askedBatushka，andpausedfora，reply。SeeingthatIhadnonetoofferhim，hecontinued，“Even，thehouseandlandbelongnottothem，buttothenewpriest。”

“Ifthatpositionoccurredinanovel，“Isaid，“Icouldforetell，whatwouldhappen。Theauthorwouldmakethenewpriestfallin，lovewithandmarryoneofthedaughters，andthenthewhole，family，includingthemother-in-law，wouldlivehappilyever，afterwards。”

“ThatisexactlyhowtheBishoparrangesthematter。Whatthe，novelistdoeswiththepuppetsofhisimagination，theBishopdoes，withrealbeingsoffleshandblood。Asarationalbeinghecannot，leavethingstochance。Besidesthis，hemustarrangethematter，beforetheyoungmantakesorders，because，bytherulesofthe，Church，themarriagecannottakeplaceaftertheceremonyof，ordination。Whentheaffairisarrangedbeforethechargebecomes，vacant，theoldpriestcandiewiththepleasantconsciousnessthat，hisfamilyisprovidedfor。”

“Well，Batushka，youcertainlyputthematterinaveryplausible，way，butthereseemtobetwoflawsintheanalogy。Thenovelist，canmaketwopeoplefallinlovewitheachother，andmakethem，livehappilytogetherwiththemother-in-law，butthat——withall，duerespecttohisReverence，beitsaid——isbeyondthepowerofa，Bishop。”

“Iamnotsure，“saidBatushka，avoidingthepointofthe，objection，“thatlove-marriagesarealwaysthehappiestones;and，astothemother-in-law，thereare——oratleasttherewereuntil，theemancipationoftheserfs——amother-in-lawandseveral，daughters-in-lawinalmosteverypeasanthousehold。”

“Anddoesharmonygenerallyreigninpeasanthouseholds？”

“Thatdependsupontheheadofthehouse。Ifheisamanofthe，rightsort，hecankeepthewomen-folksinorder。”，Thisremarkwas，madeinanenergetictone，withtheevidentintentionofassuring，methatthespeakerwashimself“amanoftherightsort“;butI

didnotattributemuchimportancetoit，forIhaveoccasionally，heardhenpeckedhusbandstalkinthisgrandiloquentwaywhentheir，wiveswereoutofhearing。AltogetherIwasbynomeansconvinced，thatthesystemofprovidingforthewidowsandorphansofthe，clergybymeansofmariagesdeconvenancewasagoodone，butI

determinedtosuspendmyjudgmentuntilIshouldobtainfuller，information。

Anadditionalbitofevidencecametomeaweekortwolater。One，morning，ongoingintothepriest’shouse，Ifoundthathehada，friendwithhim——thepriestofavillagesomefifteenmilesoff。

Beforewehadgotthroughtheordinaryconventionalremarksabout，theweatherandthecrops，apeasantdroveuptothedoorinhis，cartwithamessagethatanoldpeasantwasdyinginaneighbouring，village，anddesiredthelastconsolationsofreligion。Batushka，wasthusobligedtoleaveus，andhisfriendandIagreedtostroll，leisurelyinthedirectionofthevillagetowhichhewasgoing，so，astomeethimonhiswayhome。Theharvestwasalreadyfinished，sothatourroad，afteremergingfromthevillage，laythrough，stubble-fields。Beyondthisweenteredthepineforest，andbythe，timewehadreachedthispointIhadsucceededinleadingthe，conversationtothesubjectofclericalmarriages。

“Ihavebeenthinkingagooddealonthissubject，“Isaid，“andI

shouldverymuchliketoknowyouropinionaboutthesystem。”

Mynewacquaintancewasatall，lean，black-hairedman，witha，sallowcomplexionandvinegaraspect——evidentlyoneofthose，unhappymortalswhoareintendedbyNaturetotakeapessimistic，viewofallthings，andtopointouttotheirfellowsthedeep，shadowsofhumanlife。Iwasnotatallsurprised，therefore，when，berepliedinadeep，decidedtone，“Bad，verybad——utterlybad！”

Thewayinwhichthesewordswerepronouncedleftnodoubtasto，theopinionofthespeaker，butIwasdesirousofknowingonwhat，thatopinionwasfounded——moreespeciallyasIseemedtodetectin，thetoneanoteofpersonalgrievance。Myanswerwasshaped，accordingly。

“Isuspectedthat;butinthediscussionswhichIhavehadIhave，alwaysbeenplacedatadisadvantage，notbeingabletoadduceany，definitefactsinsupportofmyopinion。”

“Youmaycongratulateyourselfonbeingunabletofindanyinyour，ownexperience。Amother-in-lawlivinginthehousedoesnot，conducetodomesticharmony。Idon’tknowhowitisinyour，country，butsoitiswithus。”

IhastenedtoassurehimthatthiswasnotapeculiarityofRussia。

“Iknowitonlytoowell，“hecontinued。”Mymother-in-lawlived，withmeforsomeyears，andIwasobligedatlasttoinsistonher，goingtoanotherson-in-law。”

“Ratherselfishconducttowardsyourbrother-in-law，“Isaidto，myself，andthenaddedaudibly，“Ihopeyouhavethussolvedthe，difficultysatisfactorily。”

“Notatall。Thingsareworsenowthantheywere。Iagreedtopay，herthreeroublesamonth，andhaveregularlyfulfilledmypromise，butlatelyshehasthoughtitnotenough，andshemadeacomplaint，totheBishop。LastweekIwenttohimtodefendmyself，butasI

hadnotmoneyenoughforalltheofficialsintheConsistorium，I

couldnotobtainjustice。Mymother-in-lawhadmadeallsortsof，absurdaccusationsagainstme，andconsequentlyIwaslaidunderan，inhibitionforsixweeks！”

“Andwhatistheeffectofaninhibition？”

“TheeffectisthatIcannotperformtheordinaryritesofour，religion。Itisreallyveryunjust，“headded，assumingan，indignanttone，“andveryannoying。Thinkofallthehardshipand，inconveniencetowhichitgivesrise。”

AsIthoughtofthehardshipandinconveniencetowhichthe，parishionersmustbeexposedthroughtheinconsiderateconductof，theoldmother-in-law，Icouldnotbutsympathisewithmynew，acquaintance’sindignation。Mysympathywas，however，somewhat，cooledwhenIperceivedthatIwasonawrongtack，andthatthe，priestwaslookingatthematterfromanentirelydifferentpoint，ofview。

“Yousee，“hesaid，“itisamostunfortunatetimeofyear。The，peasantshavegatheredintheirharvest，andcangiveoftheir，abundance。Therearemerry-makingsandmarriages，besidesthe，ordinarydeathsandbaptisms。AltogetherIshalllosebythething，morethanahundredroubles！”

IconfessIwasalittleshockedonhearingthepriestthusspeak，ofhissacredfunctionsasiftheywereanordinarymarketable，commodity，andtalkoftheinhibitionasapushingundertakermight，talkofsanitaryimprovements。Mysurprisewascausednotbythe，factthatheregardedthematterfromapecuniarypointofview——

forIwasoldenoughtoknowthatclericalhumannatureisnot，altogetherinsensibletopecuniaryconsiderations——butbythefact，thatheshouldthusundisguisedlyexpresshisopinionstoa，strangerwithoutintheleastsuspectingthattherewasanything，unseemlyinhiswayofspeaking。Theincidentappearedtomevery，characteristic，butIrefrainedfromallaudiblecomments，lestI

shouldinadvertentlycheckhiscommunicativeness。Withtheviewof，encouragingit，Iprofessedtobeverymuchinterested，asIreally，was，inwhathesaid，andIaskedhimhowinhisopinionthe，presentunsatisfactorystateofthingsmightberemedied。

“Thereisbutonecure，“hesaid，withareadinessthatshowedhe，hadoftenspokenonthethemealready，“andthatisfreedomand，publicity。Wefull-grownmenaretreatedlikechildren，and，watchedlikeconspirators。IfIwishtopreachasermon——notthat，Ioftenwishtodosuchathing，butthereareoccasionswhenitis，advisable——IamexpectedtoshowitfirsttotheBlagotchinny，and——“

“Ibegyourpardon，whoistheBlagotchinny？”

“TheBlagotchinnyisaparishpriestwhoisindirectrelations，withtheConsistoryoftheProvince，andwhoissupposedto，exerciseastrictsupervisionoveralltheotherparishpriestsof，hisdistrict。HeactsasthespyoftheConsistory，whichis，filledwithgreedy，shamelessofficials，deaftoanyonewhodoes，notcomeprovidedwithahandfulofroubles。TheBishopmaybea，good，well-intentionedman，buthealwaysseesandactsthrough，theseworthlesssubordinates。Besidesthis，theBishopsandheads，ofmonasteries，whomonopolisethehigherplacesinthe，ecclesiasticalAdministration，allbelongtotheBlackClergy——that，istosay，theyareallmonks——andconsequentlycannotunderstand，ourwants。Howcanthey，onwhomcelibacyisimposedbytherules，oftheChurch，understandthepositionofaparishpriestwhohas，tobringupafamilyandtostrugglewithdomesticcaresofevery，kind？，Whattheydoistotakeallthecomfortableplacesfor，themselves，andleaveusallthehardwork。Themonasteriesare，richenough，andyouseehowpoorweare。Perhapsyouhaveheard，thattheparishpriestsextortmoneyfromthepeasants——refusingto，performtheritesofbaptismorburialuntilaconsiderablesumhas，beenpaid。Itisonlytootrue，butwhoistoblame？，Thepriest，mustliveandbringuphisfamily，andyoucannotimaginethe，humiliationstowhichhehastosubmitinordertogainascanty，pittance。Iknowitbyexperience。WhenImaketheperiodical，visitationIcanseethatthepeasantsgrudgeeveryhandfulofrye，andeveryeggthattheygiveme。IcanoverbeartheirsneersasI

goaway，andIknowtheyhavemanysayingssuchas——’Thepriest，takesfromthelivingandfromthedead。’，Manyofthemfasten，theirdoors，pretendingtobeawayfromhome，anddonoteventake，theprecautionofkeepingsilenttillIamoutofhearing。”

“Yousurpriseme，“Isaid，inreplytothelastpartofthislong，tirade;“IhavealwaysheardthattheRussiansareaveryreligious，people——atleastthelowerclasses。”

“Sotheyare;butthepeasantryarepoorandheavilytaxed。They，setgreatimportanceonthesacraments，andobserverigorouslythe，fasts，whichcomprisenearlyahalfoftheyear;buttheyshowvery，littlerespectfortheirpriests，whoarealmostaspooras，themselves。”

“ButIdonotseeclearlyhowyouproposetoremedythisstateof，things。”

“Byfreedomandpublicity，asIsaidbefore。”，Theworthyman，seemedtohavelearnedthisformulabyrote。”Firstofall，our，wantsmustbemadeknown。Insomeprovincestherehavebeen，attemptstodothisbymeansofprovincialassembliesofthe，clergy，buttheseeffortshavealwaysbeenstrenuouslyopposedby，theConsistories，whosemembersfearpublicityaboveallthings。

Butinordertohavepublicitywemusthavemorefreedom。”

Herefollowedalongdiscourseonfreedomandpublicity，which，seemedtomeveryconfused。SofarasIcouldunderstandthe，argument，therewasagooddealofreasoninginacircle。Freedom，wasnecessaryinordertogetpublicity，andpublicitywas，necessaryinordertogetfreedom;andthepracticalresultwould，bethattheclergywouldenjoybiggersalariesandmorepopular，respect。Wehadonlygotthusfarintheinvestigationofthe，subjectwhenourconversationwasinterruptedbytherumblingofa，peasant’scart。InafewsecondsourfriendBatushkaappeared，and，theconversationtookadifferentturn。

SincethattimeIhavefrequentlyspokenonthissubjectwith，competentauthorities，andnearlyallhaveadmittedthatthe，presentconditionoftheclergyishighlyunsatisfactory，andthat，theparishpriestrarelyenjoystherespectofhisparishioners。

Inasemi-officialreport，whichIonceaccidentallystumbledupon，whensearchingformaterialofadifferentkind，thefactsare，statedinthefollowingplainlanguage：“Thepeople“——Iseekto，translateasliterallyaspossible——“donotrespecttheclergy，but，persecutethemwithderisionandreproaches，andfeelthemtobea，burden。Innearlyallthepopularcomicstoriesthepriest，his，wife，orhislabourerishelduptoridicule，andinallthe，proverbsandpopularsayingswheretheclergyarementioneditis，alwayswithderision。Thepeopleshuntheclergy，andhave，recoursetothemnotfromtheinnerimpulseofconscience，butfrom，necessity……Andwhydothepeoplenotrespecttheclergy？

Becauseitformsaclassapart;because，havingreceivedafalse，kindofeducation，itdoesnotintroduceintothelifeofthe，peopletheteachingoftheSpirit，butremainsinthemeredead，formsofoutwardceremonial，atthesametimedespisingtheseforms，eventoblasphemy;becausetheclergyitselfcontinuallypresents，examplesofwantofrespecttoreligion，andtransformstheservice，ofGodintoaprofitabletrade。Canthepeoplerespecttheclergy，whentheyhearhowoneprieststolemoneyfrombelowthepillowof，adyingmanatthemomentofconfession，howanotherwaspublicly，draggedoutofahouseofill-fame，howathirdchristenedadog，howafourthwhilstofficiatingattheEasterservicewasdragged，bythehairfromthealtarbythedeacon？，Isitpossibleforthe，peopletorespectpriestswhospendtheirtimeinthegin-shop，writefraudulentpetitions，fightwiththecrossintheirhands，andabuseeachotherinbadlanguageatthealtar？

“Onemightfillseveralpageswithexamplesofthiskind——ineach，instancenamingthetimeandplace——withoutoversteppingthe，boundariesoftheprovinceofNizhni-Novgorod。Isitpossiblefor，thepeopletorespecttheclergywhentheyseeeverywhereamongst，themsimony，carelessnessinperformingthereligiousrites，and，disorderinadministeringthesacraments？，Isitpossibleforthe，peopletorespecttheclergywhentheyseethattruthhas，disappearedfromit，andthattheConsistories，guidedintheir，decisionsnotbyrules，butbypersonalfriendshipandbribery，destroyinitthelastremainsoftruthfulness？，Ifweaddtoall，thisthefalsecertificateswhichtheclergygivetothosewhodo，notwishtopartakeoftheEucharist，theduesillegallyextracted，fromtheOldRitualists，theconversionofthealtarintoasource，ofrevenue，thegivingofchurchestopriests’daughtersasa，dowry，andsimilarphenomena，thequestionastowhetherthepeople，canrespecttheclergyrequiresnoanswer。”

AsthesewordswerewrittenbyanorthodoxRussian，*celebratedfor，hisextensiveandintimateknowledgeofRussianprovinciallife，andwereaddressedinallseriousnesstoamemberoftheImperial，family，wemaysafelyassumethattheycontainaconsiderable，amountoftruth。Thereadermustnot，however，imaginethatall，Russianpriestsareofthekindabovereferredto。Manyofthem，arehonest，respectable，well-intentionedmen，whoconscientiously，fulfiltheirhumbleduties，andstrivehardtoprocureagood，educationfortheirchildren。Iftheyhavelesslearning，culture，andrefinementthantheRomanCatholicpriesthood，theyhaveatthe，sametimeinfinitelylessfanaticism，lessspiritualpride，and，lessintolerancetowardstheadherentsofotherfaiths。

*Mr。Melnikof，ina“secret“ReporttotheGrandDukeConstantine，Nikolaievitch。

BoththegoodandthebadqualitiesoftheRussianpriesthoodat，thepresenttimecanbeeasilyexplainedbyitspasthistory，and，bycertainpeculiaritiesofthenationalcharacter。

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