The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-06


high nominal rent only has TO be paid for
house and land, Wood is plentiful and the harbor
os vesDes are easy oar
as previously stated, and the laboring man. needing
money only for the purchase of tea sugar and bodka
is able, by one or two days labor supply his mme-
date wants for the remainder OF the week The people
seem TO have NO ambition to accumulate property
better their condition by the sacrifice of a moments ease
or indulgence. Wages here average about and a
half roube per diem, which is high for Russia.
The business is almost entirely in the hands of foreign
Co., Boston, Hunter of the house of Burling & Co.,
California; Puger, Of Honolulu and Fletcher Eng
shman who has resided here for about thirty years
These gentlemen receive yearly consgnments Of Amer-
can and European goods, which they sell mostly on
credit TO class OF small Russian merchants who travel
themselves send clerks through the peninsula collect
Ing furs for which the goods exchanged The prn-
cpal article of commerce is the Siberian sable of which
about five thousand furs annually exported. Large
numbers Of less valuable urs also collected but few
however, pay for expectation.
During the past year Mr. Puger also exported to Homo
lulu some 700 barrels OF salmon, as an experiment
II is extremely doubtful however, whether tho fisheries
here will ever pay, those at Sa already supply the
u n anu aS can naSh any isany 0a h re-,
sables obtained here sent TO Europe-he American
market paying we'll Ermne, which abound here,
do not however pay Tor collecting and only used by
the ladies belonging TO the officers households The fur
of the black fox which is occasionally found here is in
varaDy sent to st. Petersburg being the only fur worn
peculiarly by the Court The skin CT the black bear,
which is PLENTIFUL is seldom exported but much used
by all the inhabitants for various purposes.
is III circulation
that there Is in fact being that sent here by the govern
ment TO It's employees and as these are frequently not
paid for two or three years, there is very little seem
The currency in paper redeemable at kutsk and
Nlcoiaelsk, which represents the silver rouble. The
value OF the roube ucuates great DEAL at the present
time being only equal to about sixty cents.
The Americans here complain much about the decrease
OF business and in the Of year two is
than probable that not more than one foreign house will
be left here The Russiar-Amercan Company formerly
had depot at this place, but abandoned 1t within the
last tive or six years
The peninsula of Kamschatka Is Immediately under
the charge Of the Ispravnik literally ruer), who
sides at Peropaulov and the chief magistrate of the
town. The lspravnik reports to Gen. Kasakavitch, Gov
ernor OF the coast and provinces Of Siberia residing
Nicoaefsk who is in turn subject to the orders of the
Governor General of Eastern Siberia residing
AS may be easily SEEM an 1spravnk inclined to be tyran
meal and eXtortionatc in place far removed from
headquarters this has in his power to render the
inhabitants very miserable The present Ispravnik NJ
Malosk, is general favorite and doubtless deserv.
edly So The police of the town, which is entirely
der his charge is well regulated. Although most Of the
males are Cossacks wild and rude and nordnatey fond
of vodka yet disturbances rare and intoxicated
persons seldom seen.
In postal facilities the Russians wantng-only one
mail being annually received and sent In fact there
has been but one received during the past two years.
The people, however, keep pace with the times toera
bly,, through the medium Of vessels which stop here
en- roe to and from the whaling and fishing grounds
arrive with cargoes for the foreign merchants During
the past year twenty vessels Of all descriptions
have arrived and departed
The recent discovery of extensive cod fisheries the
southern coast Of the Peninsula and in the Ochosk has
had the effect OF bringing many vessels hithe and may
have favorable influence upon the commercial relations
of the port though is said that the is not
anxious TO maintain the town, as produces little
revenue, and is, in fact, source of expense.
The lower class of Inhabitants Cossacks, half
breeds RUSSIAN and Kamschatdalesl no real Kamschat.
daes being found in this immediate vicinity and appear
be very contented happy and well cared for people In
general appearance they thoroughly Russian, though
sometimes quite dark complexion, and in every
way superior to the class Of inhabitants in Ska
They usually in their dress and possess kindly
and Intelligent features They are said to DO honest in
their dealings and the women appear yirtuous They
are simple in their habits extremely hospita-
BILE, but disnclned to labor except under tho
pressure of immediate want Most Of the
males less in the employment
OF the government The young men are brought up to
trade between the foreign and native merchants and the
natives Of the INTERIOR being employed as clerks or
agents and sent out in the winter with goods for which
they obtain furs
The officials and better class Of society are said be
nowhere could be found people courteous, kindly,
more thoroughly understanding the principles Of
genuine hospitality and the art Of putting strangers
tirely at their Their habits and modes of life
simple in the extreme, and their aim to be
the enjoyment of life. More thoroughly refined
intelligent people rarely met with, and the pleasure
was increased by tho surprise Of falling into such society
In this out of the way place, 80 for removed from all
ciyizins Influences Tho houses Of the government
usually papered and the floors uncarpeted but neatly
painted and scrupuousy clean The style Of furniture
Is German rather than English American Houses
are heated by large furnace or oven, one generally
suicng to preserve an equal temperature in all the
apartments piano is found in almost every house Of
the better class and all seem pasonatey fond Of music
while several OF each family loss proficient
performers They also passionatey fond Of cards
whist Boston and preference being their favore games
parties Of which will usually be found IN
session in the evening. Gambling Is not Of their
vices, though they invariably play for nominal stake
1t is by means inrequont TO see party Of ladies
and gentlemen gravcy playing at forfes or hunt the
chdren as hunt tho slipper They possess the art Of
enjoying themselves with the most simple means.
Upon rising in the morning they take simply a
cup or two Of tea eating nothing until about
twelve NJ, whom they partake OF hearty meal
At about eight p ~, If en- Jam'l'e, occurs the
hour OF the night convenient Should friends call
company be entertained supper upon grand scale
the evening" the lateness Of the hour at which
is served depending upon the enjoyment Of the evening
and the quality Of the guests All extremely fond OF
dancing the manner Of which does not differ materially
from the American. The favorite dance Is the Gas
murka,"a Cossack quadrille, seemingly interminablc
After watching its progress Tor two hours and finding
pleted may be excused for not waiting to the end
description Is impossible. Official dinners and party
suppers are almost equally interminabie With the ex
ccpton that fish usually precedes soup the fol
low each other much after the American and English
fashion Light wines and ale or porter are drank a
table Champagne, OF which they are exirayagantl,
fond crowns The feast Angelica and California wnc
In general much used On all occasions when Friends
present lunch table, with smoked and dried fish
meat bread cheese and several kinds Of liquor is
santly spread and invitations ~ INDULGE in pcnalsi
copla 'nfteen drops, constantly follow each other
AS RentloIetpinuer OF the approaching supper caci
guest is served with cup OF .bouilon' about an hou
previous to it, Tea Is constantly prepared and drank
all hours OF the day In great quantities. Upon entering
any house, matter what may be the social position
the occupants, the stranger is almost Immediately pre-
sentcd with glass Of this most delicious beverage 1h
''samavar In which II is prepared is a brass urn, tn
lover part OF which Is simply charcoal furnace, wh
the upper part contains water which is constantly KEEP
boiling and into which tea Is put occasion re
quros The excellence Of the beverage arises from tn
fact that the tea Is never boiled Is 100 common
among us, is of superior quality and seaming hot Bsc
tea invariably us d, and Is imported from China
land White sugar alone Is used by the Russians brow
| sugar being entirely unknown even among the poore
classes.
All classes Of people great smokers and as the Ia
dies are generally partial 10 their delicate paperos
Cigarettes their presence II bar 20 the enjoyment
the gentlemen Pipes rarely used, except among tn
lower classes The Russian gentleman ignorant OF Tia
pleasures of colorng meerschaum confines himself 10
Manila cigar cheroot
knowledge OF the English language n spreading "a
pidy among those people. Nearly " not quite all Of tn
| officers met with speak languages besid
dafal cIiah i