The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-01-17
Cur .09lio.
Life in the Russian Capitol.

the end of the reign OF ice and snow, every
one appears to be seized with the spirit oi
migration, and there is a general exodus
some moving to Tsarskoe Selo, or Peterhoff
others pitching their tents at Strelna, il
the islands in the Neva, or at any of the
various pleasant places where Petersburgh
ers bivouac for the summer
The gathering to headquarters for winter
begins soon after the middle of September
New Style; and then every day sees an
accession of numbers on the Palace Quay
in the Nevsky Prospect, and other public
places. The railway stations are crowded
so are the landing places on the Neva; foI
whilst many are focking in, others are
Fastening away whilst yet the gulf is open
There is incessant stir and movement be-
fore frost regularly sets in, and this city,
ice-bound and crystallised, owns the spell
which only can be realized by those who
have spent winter in q northern aeapital
A stranger here is at first struck by the
absolute novelty of all around-one seems
to have fallen into a new world; the free
space, expansive plains (squares); singular
aspect of many of the shops, on the doors
and shutters of which are painted symbols
of the wares for sale within; the curious
little low, four-wheeled droschkies, the ele-
CANT equipages with silver harness (for as
yet snow roads have not made sledges the
necessity they are later on), and the coach
man-quite a parsonage, fine and tall,
sometimes quite patriarchal-looking ar
rayed in the caftan with its flowing drapery
girdle, and sash of bright colors driving
with arms extended in fashion which
seems to be peculiar to the nation.
Then the picturesque groups in the
streets; the variety of the costumes of the
pesants particularly catching the eye; the
strangeness of the language, accompanied
by expressive and animated gestures; the
low bows-a d0ornib (house- porter will
make salaam to maid-servant which
would do credit to an eastern courtier. Add
to all this, the colored buildings, marble
palaces; demonstration of religious feeling
on the part of the people on passing a
church, temple, priest, or other object OF
reverence; and you have a picture almost
every feature of which is singular to an in
habitant of Western Europe.
People here all arm themselves for the
winter. There can be no question as to
its severity; indeed one would be inclined
to imagine it were almost welcomed as a
friend, for keen disappointment is express
ed when the snow is tardy in falling. Af-
ter the heavy rains which fall in the late
o,4,,,,, e,o1,, 700 orlo ora almost n ,oooee;t =,
of existence; if frost suddenly sets in be-
fore they are made, it is under great diff
culties that the country people bring sup
plies to the metropolis; the price of provi-
sions rises in proportion, and distress en-
sues Double windows are UNIVERSAL they
are an absolute necessity For the admis-
sion of fresh air, one-pane in each window
is left so that it may be opened at pleasure.
The rest of the window is so thoroughly
secured that not breath of the keen air
can enter; this process accomplished, the
difference of the temperature within doors
is sensibly perceptible, and heating by
means of stoves may then be delayed for
some time.
The interior of Russian house is not
familiar to all, so, under favor of the Lares
and Fenates, we will enter the sacred DOM
icile, first promising that well-kept house
in St. Petersburg or Moscow is exceeding
ly comfortable A tall, portly suisse house
porter admits you, when footman ushers
you up a most spacious, handsome stair
case, often of MARBLE and after passing
through the usual double doors, you are
introduced into an ante-room, where you
leave your inevitable garment-your fur
cloak. The reception-rooms are then en-
tered, and these often seem interminable;
eight or nine in number in the houses on
the Palace or English Quays are not un-
common, generally opening one into anoth-
er. The inlaid parquets of the rooms are
often very beautiful-the foor-polisher is
an important institution in Russia; of course
some rooms are richly carpeted, and do
Justice to the looms of Turkey and Persia.
The silk or damask curtains, wall hang
ings, and coverings for the ottomans, are
superb. All is luxurious; vases of lapis-
lazul, porphyry and malachite, pictures,
and objects of art in general are in profu-
sion.
The Russians are very fond of prone
nading through their suites of apartments,
and ample space is left for this purpose,
The winter being so long, every conceiva-
BILE means is used to shed around the charms
of warmer climates; trellises, along which
various creepers are trained, are introduc-
ed; pretty baskets of plants tulips, hya-
cinths, and camellias in full bloom, whilst
winter is still raging outside), the constant
warm temperature indoors being favorable
to their cultivation. The Continental
fashion of living in flats much prevails here.
Sleeping rooms are not invariably numer-
Gus in proportion to the eception-rooms;
but this state of things naturally improves
with the increase of civilization. Some
times, no,o, a servant brings with him into
house, bed and baggage, and settles down
in a corner of some unfrequented corridor,
other provisions for himself and his effects
being nH.
The picture of his saint has its place
assigned on the wall above, curtain is ar
ranged in front of his improvised lodgment,
and there he is comfortably established, or,
at any rate, contentedly established The
uneducated Russians carry, to great ex-
tent, their fanaticism for the pictures of
saints, calling them bohgs (gods). These
are painted in bright colors on pieces of
board, and ornamented with silver or gold.
When Russian enters room or shop,
let his business be of the last importance,
his first act is to salute the saint by bow
ing, or crossing himself.
What with sledging the ice-hills, and
skating on the Neva, outdoor amusements
are not lacking; through many are the days
on which even the hardy must be content
to remain within Ladies of fashion are
seldom visible before one o'clock in the day
carly rising is not one of their customs.
The ordinary nine o'clock breakfast, where
there is a family, is guiltless of ceremony.
The national samoudr stands on the table;
to the uninitated we may explain that this
is a kind of urn, but possessing the ad-
vantage over our urn, since water may, for
hours, be kept hot in it, owing to burning
charcoal being kept in tube in the mid
die of the urn By this superior man
servant is stationed, who offers each one as
he appears, cup of tea; roll, or what not,
completes the meal. You Sit or stand,
linger or hasten away, at pleasure; nothing
could be less formal The regular break