Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-24
How the Russians Keep Warm.

The Russians nave a great knack of making
their winters pleasant. You feel nothing of the
cold in those tightly built houses where all the
doors and windows are double; and where the
rooms are kept warm by big stoves hidden in
the walls. There is no damp in a Russian
house; and the inmates may dress indoors in the
l1ghteSt or CARDS, which contrast oddly with the
mass of furs and wraps which they don when
going out. A Russian can afford to run no
risks OF exposure when he leaves his house for
walk or drive. He covers his head and ears
with a fur bonnet, his feet and legs with 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-coat with fur collar, lining and
cuffs; and he buries his hands in pair of finger
less gloves of seal or bear-skin. Thus equipped,
and with the collar of his coat raised ali around
so that it muffies him up to the eyes, the Rus
sian exposes only his nose to the cold air; and
he takes care frequently to give that organ
little rub to keep the circulation going. A
stranger, who is apt to forget that precaution,
would often get his nose frozen II 1t were not
for the courtesy OF the Russian, who will always
warn him II they see his nose whitening" and
with snow.
In Russian cities walking is just possible for
men during winter: but hardly so for ladies.
The women OF the lower order wear knee boots:
those OF the shopkeeping classes seldom VEN
ture out at ALL those of the ariStocracy go out
In SleighS. These SleighS are by no means
pleasant vehicles for nervous people, for the
kalmuck coachmen drive them at such ter
rifle pace that they frequently capsize; but per-
sons not destitute OF pluck find their motion
most enjoyable. 1t must be added that to be
spilled out of a Russian sleigh Is tantamount
only to getting rough tumble on a soft mat
treSs, for the very thick furS in which the VIC
tim Is sure to be wrapped will be enough to
break the fall.
The houses and novels OF the Russian work.
ing classes are as well warmed as those of the
arfStocracy. A stove is always the principal
item OF furniture in them; and these contr1-
vances are used to sleep on as well as to cook
in. The mujick, having no bed, curls himself
up on his stove at his time for going to rest;
sometimes he may be found creeping right into
the stove and enjoying the delights Of a good
VapOr bath. The amount OF heat which a Rus
sian will stand is amazing, and his careleSSneSS
in facing the cold afterward not less so. On a
Saturday which is waShing-d day all over Russia.
you may see In village mujick who has been
cooking himself in his stove till he is of a color
like boiled lobster rush naked into the snow
and roll himself in 1t like dog till he glowS all
over to his satisfaction. 1t seems mOnStrous
that one OF the Russians principal projections
against the cold-hiS beard-waS laid under
by Elizabeth and Catherine H., when they were
trying to civilZe their subjects according to the
custom OF the west These three soverefgns all
laid tax on boards; and peasants entering
cities on market days were required TO exhibit
In proof that they had paid their tax brass
com stamped with bearded face and the words
'uorcQa ngnala tlagota' the beard tax has been
settled) This absurd impost was abolished by
Paul; but the effects OF IL still survive in man.
ner; for the beard is still considered 'bad FORM
In ar1stocratic circles. Military officers wear
only mustache and whiskers; dlplomatists and
generally reap their faces altogether. A Rus
sian with beard Is pretty sure to be either a
pope" or a member OF one Of the classes below
the upper middle.