Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-11-08

Historical Remini sc sceneRs--Th@ Fin-
nish Language.
Correspondence of the Cairo Times.
Moscow, RUSSIA, Sept. /. 1863.
l think my last letter to you dated from the
steamer Auju. AS the passengers came on
board at all hours during the night before we
left Stockholm, each as he appeared on deck
in the morning was new face and fresh
centre of observation. a newly married
couple were the chief attraction, he mere
| child of ofseventy y-six years-an English pastor,
the bride of uncomfortable age, niece of
Lord Palmerston; cruel remarks, such as often
attend lore matches of ripper years, passed from
one to another. She m anfested much consid
Grafton for his tottering years and [ have no
doubt will prove herself worthy the golden re-
acard that will be hers to enjoy as the widow
of Mr.. B.
The curiosity of the m;xel crowd of passen
gers, was to me, very amusing. Before the
evening Of the first day, I think there was
| scarcely one on board whose travelling aims
and objects had not been ferreted out. We
hadseveral John Bull sscsNs, aal I found the
dislike existing against them among the Rus
slams as among all other nations. [ am scarcely
able to analyze the i'll will cherished toward
them everywhere, unless it is caused by the
universal habit they have Of grumbliny aud de-
tracing from every thing they see by continual
comparison with the same in England; that
they are liberal travellers and pay Well every
where, cannot be denied
We had Russian epauletted gentleman,
taking to his home a Polish bride. She had
as solemn an expression Of countenauce, as if
she realized that she had put herself under the
protection of an enemy of her country. a
dark faced Italian was ever poniering over art
notes, .on kis way to study up the Russian gale-
ries, preparatory to publishing New History
of Painting in Italy, He wears scars received
at the hands of his own people durin; the '4s
troubles, and the burden Of his song is the
regret of a divided patriae.
feeble old Russian General, nearly so
years old, drops a kind word upon every pas
ser-by, and seems 10 delight in talk
ing with toreigners.-he served in
the campaign of 1872, against Napoleon, and
should judge had been veteran in all Rus
sian campaigns, from the breast-plate of med
ais that he sports. We breakfast at 8 o'clock,
bat not very sumptuously, and run all day among
low islands of bare stone. The intricate pas
sage is marked the entire way by poles set on
either side. AT o'clock reached Abo; had
our baggage but slightly examined by the civil,
patient Russian officers.
Although every one said there was nothing
to see, to set foot on Finnish soil was a sutfi-
o;ant attraction to 90 on Shore, 7 made
turn through the wide, cobble stone, paved,
quiet streets of the little wooden town. 1t is
the most ancient city Of the kingdom, and for
many centuries had appointment influence from
its hourishing University, now removed to
Helsingfors A fearful famine devastated this
province early in the 18th century; 60, 900
persons were victims to it. In the red brick
cathedral, which l entered, christianity was
first preached in Finland. There are many
monuments-but one OF especial Interest, that
of the wife of Eric XIV, peasant girl, who
wole the Swedish diadem: knew all the bliss,
! if there is any, that was to be found in rank,
power and possession: then experienced the
] sorrow that came with the loss of these. and
died as humbly as she Was born, while her
| loyal husband ended his days in prison.
Here we lay all night till the light of an
| other day dawned upon us, the channel being
| too dangerous to attempt navigation at night
| and with fresh addition of passengers were
| on again in quiet waters, surrounded by ISL
ands. Reached Helsingfors at 5 o. clock, where
we again spent the night. Seven fortified ISL
ands protect the approach to Helsingfors.
| Their position, and the strength of the fortif-
| cations, has given 20 the harbor the term Glib
| raltar of the North. It's now the Capital OF
Flnand-a nice town. A busy, wide wharf,
substantial looking succeed houses, pretty
park, etc., the private property of Madam -,
| w.-ose philanthropy has made it public ground.
1 listened to the military band playing IN it
musicians soldiers in long grey coats, plated
! about the waist with a belt; roWdy, untidy
| looking set of fellows, with a corresponding
crowd of listeners. l wondered if the better
class of people did not turn as deaf an ear to
Russian airs, as the Nenetians to Austrian
melodies. Henceforth the study of ethnology
| will be one of peculiar interest to me, thes e
northern countries present so many curious
natural phenomena. Here we find distinct
race whose origin is even mystited-stil' cling
| ing, through various vicissitudes of war, and
subjugation, to their own language. It's be.
| lieved that they displaced the Lops, who, like
| our own Aborignes have been driven on and
on, till now they occupy tho utmost limits oil
civilization. In 100 St. Eric, of Sweden, un
| dertook crusade against the Firms under the
| pious pretence of converting them to christian
| ity They withstood these inroads upon their
| independence nearly one hundred years, but a,
last gave up and came under Swedish rule.
| She remained from time TO time, a bone ol
| contention between Russia and Sweden, till in
| 1903, the Russians, without cause or provoca
tiou walked across the frontier and claimed
Finland as their own. This caused a few
months warfare, when might prevailed, and
since then Russia has held undisputed rule
over this barren land, of little more Than 600t
geographical miles, rich only in stone Quarrles
She still retains her own constitution given 10y
Gustavus III, and similar to that of Sweden
Increased taxes can only be imposed by the
consent of the Diet which is only convokeo
| when the sovereign deems it necessary. By
some previous treaty she is exempt certain
number of years, twenty | believe, from fnrn
ishiug soldiers. She retains her own coin anc
flag The Finnish language is said to be wholly
unlike all other European languages. One pc
culiarity connected with it is the root invaria
bly, forms the beginning of every word. Al
] changes are effected by means of sutfixes. The
| Swedish has beeu the educated language OF tht
people till now, they are passing through
crisis Their own language is being
revised, spoken and taught; it is to become
tho official language of the Grand Duchy afae
1888. But the people must know other Ian
guages to have intercourse with the world
for there is no literature in their tongue to i'll
duce 3 foreigner to learn it.
1t is really astonishing the number of Ian
guages one finds these northern. people con
| varoopt with | can uuitc account for il tn