The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-06
,ilh the mas. Of fup and wraps which

with the mass Of fun aud wraps which
they don when going out
A Russian can afford 10 run no risk Of
exposure when he leaves his house fer
walk or drive. He covers his head and
ears with fur bonnet, his feet and legs
WIKI felt boots lined with wool or fur,
which are drawn on over the ordinary boots
and trousers, and reach up to the knees;
he next cloaks himself in an ample top
cloak with fur collar, lining and cuffs, aud
he buries his hands ia a pair Of iingerless
gloves Of seal Or bearskin. Thus equipped
and with the collar of bis coat raised all
around, 50 that il mutfies him to the eyes,
the Russian exposes only his nose to the
cold air; aud he takes care frequently 10
give that organ little rub to keep the
circulation going A stranger, who is apt
to forget that preeaution, would often get
his nose frozen If il were not for the cour-
tesy of the Russians, who will always warn
him If they see his nose "whitening; and
will, unbidden, help him to chafe it yigor-
ously with snow.
In Russian cities walking is just posi-
bic for men during winter, but hardly so
for ladies. The women of the lower order
wear knee-boots; those Of shop-keeping
classes seldom venture out at all; those Of
the aristocraey 80 out in sleighs. These
sleighs arc by no means pleasant vehicles
for nervous people, for the Kalmuek coach
men drive them at such a terrific pace that
they Often capsize; but persons not destitute
OF pluck fad their motion enjoyable. It
might be added that TO be pulled out Of a
Russian sleigh is only tantamOunt to get
ting rough and tumble on a soft mattress,
for the very thick furs in which the vic
tim is sure to be wrapped viii be enough
to break tho fall.
The houses aud the novels of the Rus
sian workiug-classes are as well warmed as
those Of the aristocraey. A stove is always
the principal item of furniture in them
and these contrivances arc used to sleep on
as well as to cook in. The mujick, having
no bed, curls himself up on the stove al
his time for going to rest; sometimes he
may be found creeping right into the stove
and enjoying the delights of good vapol
bath. Tho amount Of heat which Rus
sian will stand is amazing, and his care
lessness in facing the cold afterward not les.
SO. On Saturday, which is washing-d day
all over Russia, you may see in a village
mujick who has been cooking himself ID
his store until he is Of a color like boiled
lobster, rush naked into the snow aud rol
himself iu it like dog, till he glows al
over to his satisfaction. 1t seems mon
strous that one Of the Russians principa
protection against the cold--his beard
was laid under penalty by Peter the Grea
and subsequently by Elizabeth and Cath
crime IL. when they were trying to ciyiIizl
their subjects according to the customs O
the West. These three sovereigns all lait
tax on boards, and peasants enterin.
cities on market days were required to ex
hibit in proof that they paid their tax
brass coin stamped with bearded face anC
words "boroda lignaia tisgota" (the beart
tax has been settled.) This absurd impos
was abolished by Paul; but the effects o
1t still survive in manner, for the bear
is still considered "bad form" in aristo
cratic circles. Military officers wear onl,
mustache and whiskers; diplomatists ant
other civil servants esehew the whisker
and generally reap their faces altogether
A Russian with beard is pretty sure L
be either "Pope' or member of one o
the classes below the upper middlc,-Pal
Mall Gazette.