New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
WALJACE'S RUSSIA.
RUSSIA. BY D. MACKENZIE WALLACE. NJ. A. svo. Pr.
go. Henry Holt * Co.

nal life Of the Russian people that are presented III
this volume would form contribution OF great
moment to Mr. Herbert Spenccrs collection OF data
for the study of sociology Mr.. Wallace must not
be regarded i'm the light OF Traveller for amusement
or recreation but as an earnest student of national
character and political institutions, intent on inc
ACQUISITION Of knowledge aud the discovery OF truth
His book is the fruit Of prolonged series OF per-
scna researches and not the offspring of superficial
observation on q rapid Journey. during residence
of nearly six years in different parts of Russia he
ACQUIRED a mastery of The language, AID became
familiar with the character and habits OF the popn-
lo;ion from actual knowledge and intimacy. His
Winters were passed chiefly in the great capitals OF
st. Petersburg and Moscow, while the Su'nm'r
months were devoted 10 rural excursions. and TO
the collection of information from the local authorl-
tics landed propretors merchants, priests, ana
peasants The period of Mr.. Wallacc's soiourn in
Russia extended from the Spring of 1870 until
nearly the beginning of 1876, enabling him to iin-
mart degree Of freshness and novelty to his naIra-
tive of which the journals of few recent travellers
can boast
One of his earliest experiences of Russian life was
visit to the little town of IvanOjka where he pro-
posed to spend some time in the family of priest
for the sake of learning the language which ne louhd
il difficult to accomplish In the cities, where thcre
WIS constant temptation to make use Of German
of c northern forest he found ii TO possess certain
uctureSauc features which called forth his surprise
The peasants huts built on both sides OF straight
road il is true, rather cOlOress; and the Dig
church. with its five pcar-shaped cnpolas rising ou'
of the bright green was not precisely "a thing OF
beaaty:" but when viewed from little distance, IN
the soft evening twilight, the whole scene might
have afforded pleasing subject TO a landscape
painter. The principal person in the village was
IL lIa had con
Prussia some twenty years before as an asricui-
tural teacher and steward, many of the
landed propIietors wishing to improve the an
Gent methods of farming. He at once set HIM
self at work with the reorganization OF the estates
An attempt made to cultivate the lahd Oh
scientific principles. His success in the first IN
stance was not great. The serfs could not he made
TO work like regularly trained German laboIcls'
Everything went wrong, the tools were broken or
misplaced, the cattle were neglected, ana all inc
plans of the rcforner frustrated by the stupid
ity of the people. When the emancipation OF the
terf was approaching in 1859, Karl prOphesied that
the country would 60 to ruin. lie knew by expert
enco that the peasants were lazy. aud would not
work except under compulsion. The new arrange
ment. he insisted, was dangerous iufracton OF the
rights of property, and savorcd of communism. ihe
emaucipatcd sorfs would not consent on any terms
Tn work for their former masters. In the first few
ings The peasants were not content with Their
nov, nriviieres The work of the farm not
done and the harvest suffered in consequence.
But after time, things began to mend Inc
peasants found that they cOnid not support
themselves and pay their taxes from the land coded
TO them and had accordingly consented TO TIL tie
fields of the popretors for moderate compensation
"'Thcse two years said Karl Kari'itch to me, with
an mir Of honest dissatisfaction, i have been able
LILO fran s1tii slIin
the young master in ST. Petersburg. 1t was GER
taiply not much but it shows that things are better
than they WERE Still il ls hard, uphill work. The
ueasapts have not been improved by liberty. They
now work less and drink more than they did IN the
times of serfage, and If you say word 10 them
they'll 90 away. and not work for you at ALL" Mr.
Wallace suggested that there might be appeal 10
the rural justices of the peace. But human nature Is
the same in cold climates in hot. The justices OF
the pcacer . Here Karl Karl'itch used an ineie-
gaut expression, which showed plainly that he was
10 unqualified admirer of the new judicial institu
tons. What is the Of applying to the justices!
The nearest one lives six miles off, and when go to
him he evidently tries to make me lose as much
time as possible. i am sure to lose nearly whole
day and at the end of 1t / may find that have got
nothing for ms pains. These justices always try to
find some excuse for the peasant, and when they do
condemn by way OF exception, the affair does not
end there. There are constantly q nunlbcI VI pVlt-
foeging practitioners prowling about-for the most
part rascay scribcs who have been dismissed from
The public Offices for plfering and extorng too open
Wand they arc always ready owhiSpeT to the peas
ant that lie should appeal. The peasant knows that
the decision is just but be is easily persuaded that
by appealing 10 the Monthly Sessions he gets an
other draw in the lottery, and may perhaps draw
prize He let's the rascally scribe, therefore draw
up an appeal for him, and receive an invitation to
attend the Session of Justices in the district town
on a certain day. 1t is good tive-and-thlrty miles
to the district town. as yOu know, but get up early
and arrive at eleven o'clock, the hour stated
in the official notice. crowd of peasants are
hanging about the door of the court, but the only
official present is the porter inquire of him when
my case is likely to come on and receive the iacohic
answer. How should knowY After half an hour
the secretary arrives. i repeat my question: ana
receive the same answer Another half hour passes,
and one of the justices drives up in his tarantass
Perhaps he is gb-tongued gentleman, and assures
me that the proceedings will commence at once.
second Justice drives up, and then third. No
more are required by law, but these gentlemen must
first smoke several cigarettes and discuss all the
local ncws before they begin work. At last they
take their seats on the bench-a sightly-elevated
platform at one end of the room-behind a table
covered with green baize and the proceedings com
,nence Nv case is sure to be pretty far down on
Tie list-the secretary takes believe. malicious
pleasure in watching my impatience-and before 1t
is called the justices have to retire at least once for
refreshments and cigarettes"
The author found the acquisition of the Russian
language no easy task Its difficulties can be over
come only by long familiarity. AT best the
Soro;,,,er boUavpr 0uenfly he sneak Will never