New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-19
LECTURES ON EUROPE.

LECl HE'S ON
Rev. Dr. BAIRD commenced on Monday
evening course of Lectures in the Presbyterian
Church in Sixth-street, near the Second-avcnue,
which affords our citizens an opportunity 10 accu-
muiae mass Of information in regard to the pot-
ical, moral and religious condition of the several
nations of Europe such as is seldom presented. He
designs 10 impart intelligence on a great variety of
topics and such AS cannot be obtained from books.
As he has spent many years in travelling through
Europe, he is conycrsant with every section.
His lecture last evening was in reference 10 Rus
sa, which he observed is at present making the
most rapid progress in civilization OF any country in
the Old World.
Asitrespects 10 the extent Of Russia, it embraces
full half of Europe, or including its foreign ter
rtories little less than one-seventh part of the
whole land surface Of the globe. The population
of the whole empire, however, does not exceed
62COO000. The surface Of the country is remark
ably level-the most soef any portion of the globe,
the Northern part being perfectly level The GEN.
tral part of Russia contains excellent land and is
well cultivated; the Northern portion abounds in
rocks and is wholly unfit for agricultural cuItiva-
ton. The country l5 covered with vast forests
which are Tor the most part uncutlva,ed but these
forests will now bear comparison with the forests
OF our own Western Country. The trees are most
y white pine aud neither tall nor so large as with
us. Russia he observed, abounds in navigaaIe
streams. number OF steamers traverse the Vol
ga. Two OF the principal productions of Russia
are wheat and rye-the middle part of the country
producing much more OF the former than il CON
sumes while great quantities OF the latter are raised
in the Northern part. The inhabitants of the ex-
treme North, however. raise neither wheat sor rye
but subsls chiefly on potatoes. Large quantities
o buckwheat arc raised IN the central part, which
the people boil as do rice and forms exceeding
" palatable food. The Southern portion produces
a great variety OF fruits. DR.. Baird next spoke of
the commerce OF Russia. 1t was mostly interior
and very extensive. A great deal OF trade Is car
ned on by means OF FANS. which we kown no.
thing about in this Western World though ihev are
common Throughout! Europe In Russia they are
the largest in the world and resemble those held In
the Western part Of Europe during the Middle Ages
The principal FaIrls held al Novogorod where vast
multudes OF merchants cOnsregsie from every por-
ton Of Europe and even from China 10 exchange
commodities. The roads in Russia are exceeding
y poor. They have two or three, however, which
are deserving OF notice. The Imperial Road eX-
tending from ST. Petersburg 10 Moscow, is perhaps
the cIanGest In the world.
!, often happens that numbers perish in the East
ern part of Russia by starvation from the fact that
they have so tew passable roads by which 10 con-
vey provisions from one district 10 another Pub
been maintained BY the Government in order 10
prevent famine. The mode OF travelling IN Russia
Is very pecular-on The great roads by DIligences,
large kind OF stage. but very unlike our own,
drawn by eight fleet horses-on the common roads
by roughly constructed carriage stuffed with isa-
ther beds and pillows in abundance, and much re.
semblIns mammoth cradle In these latter con-
veyances the nobility and merchants, who DO most
OF the travelling, sleep al night and have no oc-
casion 10 stop al hotel In cities the nobility have
ban,
getting about, Nr Baird represented be, BY means
oi low, uncouIh, tour-wheeled vehicles resembling
huge saddle upon winch passengers get aStrlGe. \
gentleman gets on and takes ms lady before him
lae drivers have no feeling, and the horses go with
Immense rapldlty, and as the vehicles have 10
SPRINGS nothing can be more difficult 10 ride upon,
as many tall trom them upon the wooden ave
menis had taught the lecturer. An American, i,waS
observed, would De strlkinsly reminded OF the re-
semblance OF Russia 10 this country from The fact
that Il has but recently been civilized, from lis sx-
tenSve forests It's rall fences and especially bv the
hospitality OF It's inhabitants, ano The ease with
which one can become acquainted with them.
DR.. baud proceeded 10 speak OF the History OF
Russia, advertins the character OF lis successive
Emperos, &c. In conclusion, he gave highly IN
terestins description of Moscow, and announced
that in his mex, lecture he should describe ST, Pc.
ersburg, allude 10 The various classes OF people, 10
SO'OIuAlSHs y! Glc ana
finish with Poland.
Dr. BnRp delivered hissecond Lecture last even
ing His audience was much larger than on The
preceding evening, the church being nearly iull,
and the Lecture was exceedingly interesting. 1t
was quite lengthy, and We regret that we can give
but mere outline. He iirSi gave minute descrip-
ton of 81. Petersburg. He saws It is very Justly
called the ci'y Of palaces, as !, contains more than
thirty buildings which resemble palaces, although
but five OF them are known as such. While the city
covers as much ground as the city OF London, lis
present population is believed 10 number only 5n,-
900. The city presents an imposing view 10 the
stranger IS he approaches 1t in a s,eamer.s The
government, II was observed are making srsat
efforts TO infuse into the minds of the people spirit
TOR establishing schools hospitals, &c. The Pa
u'o'ic Society are also actively engaged in pro
noting the cause OF education. DI. Baird says he
spent an entire day in visiting the three military
schools IN ST. Petersburg which he found In very
condition. The largest school contain
ed 200 pupils, l, was grand sight 10 see these
thousand young men march into the immense