Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-09-08

300 In ell. were some three centuries MO
entered On what was commonly called tia
Velvet Book Of the Russian nobility.
The descendants Of such families are the
only ones. who constitute the bona iide"
nobility of Russia, and, in the eyes of their
countrymen, they never lose their stand
ing; whether poor or rich: whether titled,
like the Princes Gagarines, Golitzins, tho
Counts Tolstois, Bobrinskys, or IN
titled--like the Samarines. the Svetch.
ines, the Kisselefs, the Borogdines, the
Elaguines and others. In fact, in that
nest Of the old Russian families, Moscow,
the mobiles take a kind of pride in quoting
the old proverb of priest being easily
recognized even in sacl1cloth;" they drive
about in old hacks, with dilapidated
harness and coachmen in ragged "kaf-
tans, leaving it to the merchants, the
mobiles Of recent creation and the success
full spectators to parade their rich turn
outs in the Streets the mobiles don't care
a snap about the effect they produce and
pride themselves on being exempted, on
account of birth alone, from considering
appearances as the common folks do.
Yet, apart from the descendants of
these old Russian families, there areas
said before-numberless princes in Rus
sia, whose titlcs-though perfectly bona
iide ones--make them constant targets
for the wits of the populace. Those are
princes Of Tartar and Caucasian origin.
When, in the course OF Russian history.
the different Tartar khanntes and tho
Tartar Kingdoms Of Kasan and OF the
Crimca were annexed to Russia, all the
Tartars bearing the title of princes-and
their name is legion-have been allowed
TO retain that distinction. Therefore
in Kazan, Perm and other cast
ern cities most OF the street Cables
are princes. and the chief manufactory
engaged In by the Tartars being soap
production, YOU will find Tartar princes
peddling soap-and very good soap at that
AL over the country, tramping about
with their packs on their backs, following
the trades Of ragptckers and old clothes
dealers They are easily recognizable by
their clean shayen heads. covered with
small black skull caps, as well as by the
devotional exercises they openly indulge
in wherever oyertaken by the hours OF
the day set down by the Koran for the
prayers Of all faithful Mohammedans.
~
Then again there are Caucasian princes
innumerable. Before the conquest Of the
Caucasus was achieved by Russia. that
rugged country was under the SWAY of
half savage tribes of daring mountaineers
who waged an unceasing Guerrilla warfare
among themselves, and consequently had.
besides their petty czars and sultans, in.
Vulnerable military chiefs, who were all
raised to the dignity Of princes When
the Caucasus was finally annexed to Rus
STA in 1862. and Sultan Schamil was
brought over snd installed with his court
IN haluga, the Georgians and other eau.
caslan peoples recognized the supremacy
OF Russia, and the princelings were al
lowed to retain their titles. Nowadays it
Is by no means an unusual thing to find
IN Odessa and NilSoaev street water car
riers, or n species of cowboys, who are
genuine Caucasian princes; and a great
many such princes are to be found Ia the
lower grades of the Russian army-mostlv
all poor and ignorant, yet proud and quar-
relsome, though very often strikinglv
handsome and picturesque withal.
Now that the economic condition Of the
Russian nobility has drifted TO such q
low ehb even the sons of Russian noble
families are rapidly assimilating with the
masses, adopting professions and trying
20 keep their heads above water, never
expecting to live ia the style their fathers
did. Having not inherited any fortune.
tAo young people uOn seem to care q
straw about their pedigree, whilst many
among them are still basking in the genial
assurance Of the possession Of d common
Darwin devised ancestor the monkey
Young Russia seems drawn towards de.
mocracy; work is exalted almost into a
creed; yet young giddiness often upsets
the best formed resolutions and inter-
feres with the longest wished for results.
Among such noble families. however.
as succeeded to retain their old com.
Portable standing, there is still a fair
crop OF young, sensible men now to |
be found, who are living with their eyes |
wide open to the fact of the altered con.
ditions brought about by the last quarter |
Of the Nineteenth century. To such |
Young men should we wish that the ewes |
Of the young female American philoso-
piers We're directed; among them they
would find not only worthy bearers Of |
Did names, but appreciative admirers of
The American women's great personal |
charms as well as Of the great western |
great institutions.
Mrs. 7. A. MAcGAnAN.