The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-07-04
RUSSIA UNDER PETER THE
GREAT.

The manners and domestic habits OF
the Gar aud his associates were rather
those of savages than Of people on
whom even the first CLEANS of civiliza-
ton had dawned. A. the court dim
ners Peter entertained mixed assem-
blage of shipwrights and other artf-
sans, Generals, priests, Ministers Of
State, merchants. Ambassadors, and
people of all grades and trades em-
ployed on his works. The workmen,
In the dress of their calling, filled tho
places Of honor next to the Gar, who
appeared in the same kind of coarse
wooden clothing. Other guests who
could find seats at the festiYe board
took possession of them sans cerena0-
ME. Those who could not sto0d
around, getting stray morsels, sby hook
or by crook and in the intervals re.
freshing themselves with spotations
bottle deep, of brandy and common
Tokay for in them the Gar allowed
of no stint to his guests and in NO
wise stinted himself. Before the re-
past was halffinished the company was
uproarious, and in the end, inflamed
by strong drink, more ferocious than
wild beasts-never. separating until, in
their drunken frenzy, while fighting
and blaspheming, they had inflicted
some bodily injury on each other. And
the more the blood flowed, the mer.
rier the meeting, and the more to the
taste of the Gar. From the royal
banquets the class called the old aris-
tocracy was rigidly excluded. 1t COM
sisted of families who plumed them
selves on their descent from the bold
scandinavian pirate Rurik who found.
the Russian Empire during the ninth
century. They. were generally wealthy
and pompous in manner, from pride
in their ancient lineage; ostentatious
and of indolent habits-an unprofita-
BILE part of the community, Peter con-
sidered, and therefore particularly OBJ
noxious to him. Gradually he hum
bled and crushed them, leaving them
only the privilege of appearing ON
great state occasions at court. Even
then he marked his contempt for them
by assigning them places far below
those of his own nobility-the men
who by service had obtained military
rank, held offices of trust in the State,
or were skillful superintendent of his
dock yards or works. The festive
board of the Gar, as may well be inn
agined, had not hitherto been graced
by the presence of the fair sex. From
all the rude hospitalities, social enjoy
ments and court revels of the time
such as they were-woman was BAN
tshed. She lived in Oriental seclu-
sion, but not in luxury. She was tho
slave of her lord and master must not
sit in his presence, or eat at the same
table. Sometimes her spirits rebelled,
her courage rose, apd with dagger or
poisoned cup, she freed the earth and
herself from a tyrant. But what, then
was her fate2 He might have struck
her down with impunity, but she, un-
less she had arranged to fly to the pro-
lection of one more powerful, and per-
chance more humane, than he. was
seized Immediately, loaded with fet-
ters and her tongue cut out. Had che
not profanely dared to speak repfoach-
fully of her lord, and lifted her sac
rilegious hand against him? Cut it
off then; brick her up in wall, or
bury her in the earth up to her chin,
and there let her slowly die, warm
ing to d1sobedient and rebellious
wives. Alas for poor Russian wo-
men in those days. Temple Bar.