The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-23
Winter Time in Russia.
Pail Mall Gazet

The Russians have a great mack for making
their winters pleasant. You feel nothing O.
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 intimates may dress
indoors in the lightest of garbs, which con-
trast oddly with the mass of furs and wraps
which they don on going out. A Russian can
afford to run no risks Of exposure when he
leaves his house for walk or drive. He COW
ers his head and ears with 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 fingerless gloves of seal
or bear skin. Thus equipped and with the
collar of his coat raised all round so that it
muffies him up to the eyes, the Russian ex-
poses only his nose to the cold air, and he
takes care frequently to give that organ a
little rub to keep the circulation going. A
stranger, who is apt to forget that precaution.
would often get his nose frozen if it were not
for the courtesy of the Russians, who will
always warn him if he sees his nose "whiten-
ing,s and WILL, unhidded, help him chafe it
vigorously with snow. ss j. az. "a,
IN Russian cities walking is just possible
for men during winter, but hardly so for la
dies. The women of the lower orders wear
knee boots; those of the shOp-keeping classes
seldom venture out at all ; those of the aristo-
cracy go out in sleighs. These sleighs are by
no means pleasant vehicles for nervous peo-
pie, for Kalmuc coachmen drive them at such
a terrific pace that they frequently capsize;
but persons not destitute Of pluck find their
motion most enjoyable. Is must be added that
to be spilled out Of Russian sleigh is tanta-
mount only to getting q rough tumble on q
soft mattress, for the very thick furs in which
the victim, is sure to be wrapped will be
enough to break the fall. 'e
The houses and novels of the Russian work
ing classes are as well warmed as those
of the aristocracy. A stove is always the
principal item of furniture in them, and these
contrivances 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 creep
ing right into the stove and enjoying the de-
lights of a good vapor bath. The amount of
heat which Russian will stand is amazing |
and his carelessness in facing the cold after
ward not less SO.
On Saturday, which is the washing day all |
over Russia, 3ol may see in any village a |
mujick. who has been cooking himself in |
stove till he is of color like boiled lobster |
rush naked into the snow and roll himself in |
it like dog till he gloWs all over to his salts
faction. s,o
It seems monstrous that one of the Rus
slams principal projections against the cold
his beard-was laid under penalty by Peter
the Great and subsequently by Elizabeth and I
Catherine IL, when they were trying to civil
ize their subjects according to the customs of /
the West. These three sovereigns all laid a
tax on boards, and peasants entering cities on
market days were required to exhibit in proof
that they had paid their tax, brass coin
stamped with bearded face and the words
5oroda hgnasa tiagota (the beard tax has been,
settled). This absurd impost was abolished by
Paul. but the effect of it still survives in
manner, for the beard is still considered "bad
form" in aristocracy circles Military officers
wear only mustache and whiskers diplomat
lists and other civil servants eschew the whis-
kers and generally reap their faces altogether.
A Russian with beard is pretty sure to oe
either "pope" or a member of one of the
classes below the upper middle.