Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-13


unless by the express order of the empe,
ror /; who, II should he borue in mind
however, has ITO constitutional check OIL
limit 10 his power, and may therefore an
nul at pleasure all their privileges, and in
deed do whatever passion or caprice may
excite-the mobiles however, have always
had aud still have considerable influence
over the sovereign; whose wishes and
measures they often check, and some
times, IN connection with the army, even
control. The nobility are the only sub
lects who enjoy the right ofholding either
iand or vassa,s, except particular con-
vents, and certain high disnitaries of the
church, who are allowed 10 hold both !:
and also merchants, resident III towns,
and foreign merchants in sea-ports, are
permitted ID own houses and lots for their
immediate accommodation. With these
exceptions the whole of the land and all
the vassa!S OF the empire are held, by the
nobility OF the difiernt grades, the crown,
aud the members otllie imperial family
Besides these important privileges, the no
bilily ENJOY many others of less valne,
shch us beng admitted at court, wearing
sword, driving certain Number of hor.
SEES Ill Their carriages, DC, &c. &c. have
heard II said, that during the late war d
Yalnsi france, all the nobility whose in
come exceeded ten thousand rublcs year,
(at the present depreciation of the paper
rubie, Is about S 1850 were required To
pay tax OF ten per cent. upon Their re-
venue-and that they continue still 10 pay
ms TAX; but after making many enqui-
RES, L ann led 10 believe that no such lax
exists, and that the nobility are exempt
from all taxation, except the capi,aliou
fi,a.1 ID
bliity generally dwell in very large and
live IN style OF inagnitcence that par
takes OF the Eastern show and richness.
Their mode of living, as well as their dress
and manners, are after the French model.
They almost invariably speak the French
and German languages with correctness
and g eat fiuency. They are hospiiable,
and compared TO the same class in other
countries of Europe, are very easy of
access TO strangers.
2. The cLERGY.-Ali religions are 10
ierated, but prohibited from attempting
10 make proselyles from Ike Greek
church, which is the national aud esia-
blished religion of Russia; of which how
ever there are many Sects. Some suppose
there are near one hundred different sects
and schisms existing in the whole empire
The Greek church is governed by sy-
nod, composed oil as many Of the high Dig
niles of the church as the emperor choos-
es to convene, and the empcrOr's minis
ter OF religion, without whose signature
no act of the synod can be publlshed-
From this may be seen the controlling
power The emperor has III ecclesiastical
affairs. The clergy are divided into re-
Sular and secular prlests-The former,
from whom are chosen the di.nitaries OF
the church, are not allowed TO marry; the
latter, who are the parish priests, are al
! lowed 10 marry, but are not deemed fit
for The sacred functions, after they have
lost their wives, unless the bishops, who
have the power, grant them a dispensati-
ton; but I'd marriage irrecoverably
divorces them from the altar. When one
| OF the clergy commits crime lie is de-
prived of his sacred character by the
synod, if he is of the higher order, il
| not, by the archbishops or bishops,
| and then handed over to the civil tribu-
nails tob be tried. Every lord is required
| 10 erect church for every 20O0 souls,
and to furnish the pastor land enough foI
| his support. The clergy pay no taxes
whatever, nor are required TO perform a.
| ny duties but those which are purely &c.
cesiastical. They receive fixed but mo-
dcrate salaries. None but the higher
| dignitaries of the church are allowed to
own slaves or land. The priests, o,
popes, as they are called, are generally
| poor, and in the interior Of the country
are said TO be very illiterate. The church
service Is performed in the ScIavoniar
language, and abounds in the most farci
cal and ridiculous forms and ceremonies
\ Tho f.i,prf.l.oo. nd al
| tars, and many painted images of the
| Virgin Mary, and of different saints, sci
| round in costly diamonds and precious
stones. They are all worslipped in turn
with bows and making the sign of the
cross, with prOstratons to the floor. and
| even buting their foreheads against il.
! and kissing the glass over the paintings.
| 1t is in the highest degree Notifying 10
| the pride OF man, and extremely disgust
| ing to his feelings 10 witness the mode OF
| worship III the Greek church. The cler-
gy scarcely mix at all with society, and
are SAID to have but very little influence
In matters irrelevant to religion. Their
influence has been decllRing ever since
the time of Peter the Great.
3. MERCHANTS are divided into three
classes or ranks, called guilds. To be
Ait 90 a vi tic Isl RUnU,
ii is necessary to declare capital of 80,
600 rubles for the I'd guild, 25, 900 and
for the Sd of 8. 900 rubles; each ofwIIch
has ITS particular privileges, and must
pay five per cent. OIL the declared a.
mount Of capital. None other but a
merchant ofthe first guild is permitted to
export or import, or trade with foreign
ers, or drive more than two horses in his
carriage. Noblemen, not in military or
civil cmployments, hive been recently
permitted 10 become merchants Of the LIST
or ID guild ; and are made amenable to
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