The Arizona sentinel., 1886-07-03
LIFE IN RUSSIA.
A Short Sketch of the Life and Customs O
 the Russian Peasant.

A Short Sketch of the Life and Customs of
 the Russian Peasant.
 TEo 1fO vf tllo Ttuooiou peasant io tho most pitiful, the most wretched that the reader can imagine. At the time when the people of the western countries of Europe are advancing toward more favorable stage of life the Russian peasant remains in the primitive state The causes for such stagnation are obvious-the barbaric oppression of the government in all imaginable and un- imaginable ways and forms on one hand, and on the other the absence of kn, wledge, the only condition of in- dividual and social progress. 50 long as the rays of knowledge are ob- structed by the thick and impenetrable vail of ignorance, so long as the apos- ties of truth are kept in the prison cells and Siberian mines, so long as our rising generation is trained in tradi- tiOnal ways, our population will never be relieved of their wretched life," wrote one of the most prominent Rus S an critics in 1865. Twenty years have passed and what advance has the peas antry made? Absolutely none.
 l have lived among the Russian peas ants for over twelve years, during which tme 1 had a favorable opportunity of studying their life in all its phases. The Russian peasant, although hardened by his circumstances, is naturally kind. No stranger has as yet met with a re- fusal of hospitality, be it to the extent of dry piece of bread or nights lodging in a little hut I've must divide what we possess, says simple Russian proverb, which, be it said to the credit of the majority of the population, is strictly adhered to.
 The life of the Russian peasant is full of misery and wretchedness. The con- stant care and hard struggle for his daily existence, the heavy taxes that he is burdened with and which he is bound to pay under any circumstances, all this Is sufficient to deprive him of all the enterprise and ambition that are pecu- liar to the more civilized and con- sequently more happy nations Total darkness and blind superstition are the main features of his character. The belief in the evil SD Tit as mighty power, having great deal to do in the fate of every Individual, has taken deep root in his mind and no reason seems able to ex- tr cate it. Any tale of the supernatural Is taken as q matter of fact and any matter of fact is looked upon rather sceptically. I can recall facts of shock ing superstition that will to a certain n>ytn %, IL AI peasant. One happened in a small vil- lage in the vicinity of Kief On one dark, rainy autumn night poverty stricken old man threw an infant into the river, or, as he said. handed it over to the devil in exchange for purse of gold that he supposed was hidden in a certain secluded place, and that could not be found unless some innocent hu- man being were sacrificed. In another village sick woman was choked to death by her kind neighbors in their desperate efforts to squeeze the devil out of her throat. Furthermore. an old woman, supposed witch, was beaten to death by the villagers for bringing pestilence upon the cattle through the aid and influence of the evil one. These are few of the incl 1 dents that occur daily in the peasants life.
 The American reader can hardly | imagine anything more miserable, more wretched, than the little hut in which l family averaging six or seven members is often found living Imagine little cave of five by four, half of which is cut of by primitive large stove, dark and gloomy, and that will be the sweet home' of the Russian peasant. Every inch of space is inhabited, so that, as a |