Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-18
LIVING MOSCOW.
Win Details on Tcn.nrinkina Man.


With Details on Tcn-prinkina Man.
ncrs.
1t would be very incomplete sketch
OF Moscow that did not treat of the
''traktirs' or tea-houses. They abound
IN every street, lane and alley, rivalling
IN their numbers the public houses of
Western lands. The drinking of "tchai"
is, indeed, prominent feature of Rus
sian life. Every one has heard of the
precious packages of tea, the best that
the Flowery land can produce, brought
across the steppes OF Tartary and through
the passes of the Oural Mountains to the
great fair Of Nishni- Novgorod. Enter a
traktlr at what hour Of the day you please,
1t always seems crowded. A corpulent
little saint, with smiling countenance,
who is supposed specially to preside over
drinking, is perched in one corner.
The Russians, as they enter, uncover
their heads and bow to this patron of 'the
cup that cheers but not inebriates."
Profusely perspiring, and, indeed, com
pletely saturated with tea, the habitues
talk over and settle matters of business
or pleasure, strike bargains or balance
accounts. Merchants, brokers and bank
ers confer and transact business, pleasure
seekers arrange their plans, estranged
friends make up their quarrels over the
steaming tumblers. Who can doubt that
tea drinking in Moscow is greatnation
institution One of the chief houses of
call for merchants in Moscow is the Mos
kouski Traktir. This is no ordinary es-
tablishment. Tall, robust servants, in
white trousers and tunics, move to and
fro, and assiduously wait upon the guests
The cooking at this establishment is cele-
brated, but it is for tea drinking that it is
chiefly frequented. If you have no one
to talk to you can smoke pipe or cigar
cite, or listen to the organ. At almost all
the restaurants, however humble music
is supplied.
The organ at the Moskouski Traktir
was made at Wurtemberg expressly for
| this establishment, and cost three thou
| sand pounds. 1t plays when it is wound
up, and is limited to just twenty tunes,
| 30 that those who frequent this trakitar
| year after year must find little sameness
in the performance But, after all, it is
in the tea-gardens and similar suburban
resorts that the most pleasing phases of
| Russian tea-drinking are witnessed. Be-
meath the trees, in every direction, hap
py family groups surround the FURNISHED
urn, and in retired hooks the teapots are
witnesses to lovers vows. Petrofski Gar.
dens are very favorite resort. In 1917
Napoleon lodged here for time in the
chateau built by the Empress Elizabeth
The road from Moscow is thronged with
carriages and droskies and we'll dressed
pedestrians.
Guards and police keep order at the
gates that admit to the varied attraction.
| lu-itl N
copses ; the rustic cottages, stalactitt
caves and glens and grottoes the lake
the fountain and the marble statues IL
the evening, avenues of many coloreC
lights and festooned arches conduct t.
pagodas used as theatres for various en-
tertainments-- comic dramas, in whicl
the fun is somewhat broad and grotesque
exhibitions of tumbling and so forth
Grand display of fireworks terminate tn,
proceedings. The ordinary town peasan
usually affects red shirt and high boots
The moujlk, fresh from the country, i
mostly clad in coat Of undyed home
, spun cloth, and in lieu of stockings h
: winds cloths around his legs. His fee
are shod with sandals of plated linde
bark. The lower classes in Moscow are
for the most part, smiling and good-nG
tured, but slow, slouching and shabby i
their appearance.
They are also very frequently drunk
for though fond Of "tachai," they by n
means confine themselves to it. In add
ton to Sundays, there are no less tha
fifty clearly defined annual holidays kel
in Moscow, and the holiday makers al
/ usually incapable all next day. A Ru'
e sian nurse is conspicuous object in til
public street. If her infant charge is
e boy, she is attired in blue if a girl, i
a red Should she be IN the service
G some rich family her dress is lavish
e trimmed with gold, above which hangs a
, apron of fine dotted muslin. There
a plenty of bread made in Moscow that
y not black-indeed, good sweet bread is
q specially of the city, and is often sent
i a present to friends in st. Petersbur,
:. The water is brought twelve miles in W
e ter-courses from the Mytistchi springs
" the public fountains, but is very seldo
II laid on to- private houses. Accordingl
to supply domestic needs atribe of waite
IT carriers are out at early dawn. The W
re ter-carriers are only one among maj
d classes uf Inherent vendors and worker
le A funeral in Moscow, when conducte
III as is usually the case, in the orthodox II
a tional manner, is picturesque and int
y esting spectacle. The procession is hea
e. ed by long-bearded priests in their bla
1t robes, carrying shrines and burning
"a d pers in their hands. Next comes t
os su hearse with four horses. On the steps
90 n' the hearse are more priests holding in
no ges of the Saviour over the coffin. !
de- more follow, speaking words of conso
an tion to the friends and relatives of the
AN parted. AS the procession moves on, I
re. people in the streets cease from their
is cupations, uncover their heads, bow n
a pray for the repose of the deceased. I
,or countless pigeons of Moscow are f
hc ture of the city which ought not to
ng main unnotlced. They enjoy life free
rs and increase and multiply to an en-
ht- nous extent, for no one thinks of kill
ar, them. In the popular mind, they are
~ carnate emblems of the Holy Spirit.
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IN HOmance In Real Life.