The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-29

The Serfs OF Russia.
From the London Chronicle Corr espondent In Russia
Into the inherent. character of the serf system o
Russia, it would be foreign to my purpose to 60.
This monster institution I'll cannot be said to mis-.
use the name when | remember that. oat of the
81, 000, 600 of whom the Russian population is IN
derstood to be composed, $4,000 600 are serfs, and
but IL 600 600 freeabout one in fve) has been for
years the great object upon which the pens of Eu-
rOpean philosophers have been exercised. lts vices
are known to the world; nor have those interested
in preserving il failed to set forth its alleged ale
viatiens The opinions, too, which the respective
rulers OF Russia have entertained upon it, are also
Oh record II Is eve no secret that the earlier
victons of the present Emperor of Russia (whose
political education was conhded to ADLER hands than
usually direct the studies of continental royaty)
were in favor OF modifying the system, and ele-
waiting, if not of enfranchisiDg, the millions Nor
is it concealed, among the few who dare speak
at all, that the Cars feelings upon the subject of
serfdom, did not exhaust themselves in mere words,
and that his majesty actually assumed the initia-
emancipation. II is considered, in certain orioles,
the reverse of matter for regret that resolute and
impacable opposition mant ssted not in overt act,
but in degged and lightweight inaction succeeded
the attempts in question. Nor ia it probable that
such attempts will be renewed from the same quar-
ter The emperor's chief attention is now given to
the soldierly education Of myriads of plumed and
SiltteIuK tcIb Oh AIS own. N tAbt5 IOr military
detail and display has succeeded at Petersburg to
any effort for the settlement Of graver questions,
and. frem the present, sertd0m in Russia must
remain what it Is. The difficulty of any inter-
ference with it, is still further enhanced by the
ample to which its defenders have been enabled to
point through the unparalleled ferccty and barbar
ity OF certain terfs who lit was said under some mis-
conception OF The pleasure of the emperor hi Msel)
set to work to emancipate themselves The atroci-
ties they committed which caused them to be
huntt down like wild bessts-are pointed to as
warnings how you eDtrust with liberty men who
not suited forit Murders, violations, mutila.
tions, of the most horrible kind, were among the
first sacrifices OF these at the altar Of freedom
and are powerful, if not altogether silencng, ar.
gument in the mouths of those who would keep
barred the gates Of the temple
Very FAR, indeed. Is il from my intention to in
duge in any apologies for the system An Eng.
OF man whom he finds on a social level With the
horse he flogs But it is not so very long since
similar state OF things existed in own colonies
and let US, therefore, quietly examine the working
OF the system, leaving the reader to institute his
own comparisons ana deduco his own conclusions
have spoken of a certain species Of serfS as an
exile, and propose to glance at his position before
referring to that Of his resident brothers In bond
age II is this The serf of a proprietor VINO re-
sides. perhaps, several hundred mics from GER
tain large town, conceives that he shall better
himself by leaving his native soil and trying his
fortune IN the town IN question. lie is carpenter,
though he may be engaged in Agricultural pursuits
lie proposes to his lord let him GO. Possibly his
lord refuses, and there s ind OF the matter for
the special case OF the sertS taking leave without
perMlssion-in other words, escapiDg-is not now
very frequent. Some time since when government
was deslrous that the population of certain districts
should be increased, the system of running away,
on the part Of the serfs, and hiding in those dis
was winked at but believe the case is now diff
ferent and that unless the serf is almost miracu-
lousy lucky in evadng all the network of the police
system, hc IS unceremoniously seized, packed OF
TO the military depot, made soldier and "ac'
counted for to his owner, when the latter has to
pay his next instament Of serfs to the military
thorities. But if the serf have humane aud iibe-
raj owner, (and am informed that there are hun
dreds Of such.) who can afford to part with him,
the advensurer departs. Hs previously N axes his
bargain with his owner, as to how much Of his
earnings shall be RENTED to the latter, and the
pecessary passports from his proprietor are fur
nished to the police Of the district in which he pro-
poses to settle. The police system is so dif1sei
and has such manifold manifestations, that it is al
most impossible to eyade it long, and hence the
owner has safe hold upon the travelling SORT,
even at the distance Of five, six, or seven hundred
miles for nobody is allowed to live in Russia
without leave-that is, without billet de Sej0,1,
which has TO be renewed every year-but, in the
case OF the serf and indeed Of Others as the police
may see 6t, at the expiration Of much shorter
period. In the serfs case, believe, six months is
which is strictly local, it IL evidence that he has
not run away; If be has it not, he is liable to bs
instantly seized am supFosing, however. tina,
he proposes to keep faith. He obtains his police
tlitt and he then seeks for what work he can get.
Often. indeed cost frequently, does he not leave
his native place, except in company with gang
Of companions similarly situated, who engage
themselves CT naSSe, under an arrangement TO
which all must be parties, and who have leader,
who conducts the business for them and receives
and divides their earnings In this case, they
usually live together, and you meet them return
ing a. night, in body, to the large room in which
they sleep, and in which they always indulge the
Russian habit of eternal singing, to the no small
of Involuntary audiences Of neigh
bors.
The serf remains, and works His rate Of wages.
Of course, varies with his trade and with his skill
A carpenters wages will. for instance, vary from
two rubles copper (about L. l0d to one rubie sill
YER a day (3s. Id }, or he may be so excellent
workman to be hired, By contract, for forty Eve
rubleS per month. He has to pay his lodging, and
be has to remit his payments to his lord And, if
he has left behind wife, AID his nclin alton be to
assist her efforts at self support, he has the
Of RENTING to her, namely by the post office
"a very important department of which is appro.
,riated TO this kind Of business The rest of his
arniDgs he may apply as he plcases.
The bare necessaries OF life are remarkably cheap
n Ryssia. The workman's living costs him the
lerest trile.