Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-22
Russia.

A correspondent Of the Christian
Advocate, under date Of August 24th,
writes from Moscow as follows:
"Outside of cities, this country has
no beauty. It's nearly level surface
presents some uncultivated fields, more
meadow and still more forest. Few
and far between are the rough log hut
villages Of the peasantry, irregularly
placed, mixed up with log barns and
stables, without one mark of taste or
culture. In the cities we find the lat.
ter. St. Petersburgh and Moscow
will compare favorably with the finest
cities OF Europe, and, indeed, the view
of the latter from the high tower Of
lvon Veleki is the finest city view |
ever saw. No dingy slate or tile is
used in roofing, but tin, painted with
nalachite. The novelty and agreea-
bleness Of this color are very stri-
king. This paint is durable, and does
not, like our green paints, poison the
rain water. But the most striking of
all features Of the view are the four
hundred and sixty churches, with their
green or gilt domeS, and their glitter
ing crosses surmounting the domes.-
Moscow has a population of $4,000,
and is by far the best provided city
in respect to churches [ ever saw
Moreover, shrines and chapels con-
tanning the pictures of Mary and the
infant Jesus, abound in the streets,
shops, houses, steamboats,, city gates,
and even railroad cars. Many are H.
Illuminated by lamps and candles day
and night. Idolatry abounds. The
constant bowing, crossing, ,prostration,
and image kissing practiced in their
services, leave Romanism quite behind
My power of face was sorely taxed at
first in maintaining the outward sem
bIance Of gravity. 4 coach and six
passed me yesterday. Within was a
priest with large Madonna, hasten
ing to some sick bed, to carry grace
perhaps healing power, for twenty five
rubies. Some of these old MadOnnas
have high repute. Over the Redee
merS Gate, an entrance to the Krem
lin, is one so sacred that a soldier en-
forces the removal of every hat, whe
ther of Jew or Gentle, Gar or beg
gar, when passing beneath.
Moscow is better place to study
the people than st. Petersburgh. The
latter is modern and in contact wild
the outside world. Moscow is old
central, and was long the capital
Here the middle class about disap
pears. The streets abound in coarse
ly clad, dingy, hairy, rough men,
The common dress materials of all
including soldiers, is of a coarse gray
ish brown WOODEN stuff, looking dirt
when new, and never getting over ii
Black bread and brandy seem to %
the staple of their diet. At the ba
zaar yesterday | saw man diggin.
on raw carrot and glass of brandy
and boy on a cucumber and brandy
Yet the only drunken men l have seel
in Russia were two of Admiral Farra
CUTS American seamen in winter pal
ace. Beggars of the sturdiest frame
, abound even more than in Ireland, bu
not so ragged, Probably the climat
vetoes the rags. If the cost Of th
splendors of churches and palaces, o.
shrines, lamps, candles. incense, o
bells and chimes, and bell ringers, oI
Swarming priests and nuns, and o
brandy, could be devoted to the edu
| cation and profitable employment o.
the masses, beggary would certainI
cease.
The middle class in our favore,
land, educated, intelligent, Self-res
. pecting, tasteful, moral have no repre-
: sentatives worth naming here.