Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-08
Loo Inte1ligence-"City Affairs. &c.
DR.. BAIRD,S LECTURE.

|
and formidable power. before which the nation,
OF Europe tremble with fear and dread. The
territory of Russia, said the lecturer, extend,
over an area of seven millions of square miles
being little less than one-seventh part of the
habitable globe. That part of the Empire lying
| in Europe, extends from the Black Sea 10 the
South, between the parallels of4O and As degrees
oil latitude, to the Arctic Ocean in the North, and
numbers fifty -four millions of inhabitants 1t is
separated from Asia on the East by the Urnl
Mountains, an immense chain, fourteen hundred
miles in length, and by the VoIga, which flows
into the Caspian sea, on the South East. That
part of Russia which lies in Asia and in the North
| West part of America, contains thirteen mil
lions of inhabitants. The whole population Of
the country, therefore, is sixty-seven millions-a
number only about one half as great as the Ro-
man Empire, according to Gbbon, contained under
the Enperors Tra jan and Hadrian. Russia, from
the extreme rigor of her climate, and from the
barren nature Of her soil in many parts of the
country. particularly in the North, can never at
tain very large population. In Siberia the land
is very poor, and is not susceptible Of cultivation.
There are few mountainsin Russia. The
country is generally very level, and covered to a
great extentwth forests, which give it a primitive
appearance, reminding the traveller from Anne
RIGA very much of his own land The houses
are log cabins, and the roads are generally very
bad-two things which are calculated forcibly to
remind an American of his own country. "a
laugh.) The people of Russia are extremely
kind and hospitable to strangers. friend of his.
who had travelled ten years in the country,
had, during that long time, called only once at
tavern-the generous nature OF the people not
permitting him to incur the expense of tavern
bills.
In their manners, customs and public institutions
the Russians decidedly Asiatic, and in fact un-
til the time of Peter the Great, they were never
considered as Europeans. Their churches with
domes, and the wide streets which run through
their cities, characteristic of the Asiatcs The
long dress worn by the men, fastened around the
waist with girdle, the long beard and flowing
hair, universal among them, and the habit Of
bowling their heads very low at church, particu-
| arly when the host is elevated, are all customs
strongly resembling those which have prevailed
in Asia from the earliest times. If you con-
fer favor upon Russian, he will acknowl-
edge it by kissing the back of your hand and will
| be disPleased If you make any resistance. fthe
favor conferred is an important one, he will
svince his gratitude by falling down before you
and hugging your knees. The manner of their
devotion, too, is striking and peculiar. Some
times you will see lady alight from carriage
before a church door, with small piece of
carpet or cloth in her hands, on entering the
church. she will walk slowly and deliberately in
front ofthe altar. where she will stand for some
time in deep meditation-then unfolding the
pet or cloth. and spreading it upon the floor, she
will fall On her knees and remain in this hum
BILE posture for some time, in earnest and solemn
meditation; after which she will arise, carefully
fold up the cloth, walk deliberately out of church
| and entering her carriage, will return home.
In the style of their vehicles and the rapidity
with which they drive, the Russians are exactly
like their Scythian ancestors. 1t is not an uncom-
mon thing to see l6 horses hitched to carriage,
four abreast in front and two abreast at the sides,
and all going with the velocity of a steam car
| They will travel 100 miles n day, the level
surface Of the country, and the SHOWS with which
it is generally covered, affording great facilities
for rapid travelling, particularly in sleighs.-
There are generally two or three men in car
riage or Sleigh with horns in their hands, blow
ing at the top of their lungs, so to give all per-
sons notice to get out of the way; for the law is
very against any who causes injury to
another by his rapid driving In such cases the
vehicle and horses invariably forfeited. One
day, the Emperor's carriage, in driving down the
| streets of St. Petersburgh happened accidentally
| to run against drunken man. The Emperor
instantly gave orders to drive to the nearest ma
gistrate's office, and on arriving there, gave up
everything to the officer and returned on foot to
his palace. The laws of the Empire require that
foreigner in travelling the country, shall at
all times be furnished with mode of convoyanes.
The people, however. manage sometimes to evada
the law, by charging the traveller extraordinarily
high prices. This is only done, however, when
there is no reason to apprehend that information
will be lodged against them to the Government,
for the penalty in such is extremely severe,
and is always rigidIy enforced by the officers of
the law. At the tavefns on their highways,
you will find an abundance of hay and oats for
your horse, but very little food for human be-
ing.
1t is surprising and amusing to hear the high
sounding titiels which common among the no.
bility of Russia. "Your highness," and Your
honor" are titles common to many countries
but in Russia you will frequently hear person
saluting another Your bright % and it is
necessary always to give each man his ap-
propriate title The mobiles educated
people, and are brave, generous and kind heart
ed.
The priesthood, numbering 100000, is n class
of persons possessing vast influence in the En-
pre, and like the tribe of Levy, their office de-
f;n;o, stl,.,