The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-26


The genuine Russian gentleman and
tho IDEAL Russian lady-both exist, and
are 10 be found among sectarlan peas
ants as we'll as in certain exclusive sd
Ions of 81. Petersburg among tne
noblest specimens Of civilized human
tv: the refreshing unconyentionality
Of thought and expression, the grace
full simplicity Of manner the wohuel
full delicacy of feeling. the generous
aspirations and noble yearpiogs
might. if they grew 10 DC
the characteristics of the nation
effect great things. But is there any
serious hope of this? Let the Arch-
bishop of Kherson and Odessa reply,
who, himself sprung from tie people,
has spent long life in their midst
working for their veal, like soiitary
swallow hopelessly coming to maze
spring before the sap stirs within the
trees. the frail blossoms ale hung out
on the branches, OF even the snowdrop
has looked up at the sun. "On the
WHOLE he said last year. on very
solemn occasion. "the state OF things IN
Russia is sad. The peoples minds are
woefully dark. and there is no sign OF
the coming dawa." Nor IS 1t likely
that day will break for many genera
tious yet to come.
Under government that systematic
ally refused to allow the people intel
lectual or moral instruction, that closes
I'D elementary schools, appoints profit
gates TO teach in higher educational Is.
adjustments. banishes forever devoted
APOSTLES who. like Col. Pashkoff, OF the
Horse Guards. were vigorously and sue
cessfully cleansing the Augean stables
of moral liuh-under such government
there can b, but faint hope of better
things. Elgllsh readers cannot realize
the profound bitterness of heart with
which "A Russian who loves his country
discusses these things with his iellOW
countrymen. IL is gall and wormwood
TO him to have tn write of them to
foreigners. Bnt there - no other
way of influencing rulers who are
lmpervious to shame. The Govern
ment is responsible for a state OF things
which every honest Russian admits 10
be scandalOus disgrace TO the civil
lied world. The side on which man
comes into contact with the fathomless
derths Of spiritual nature Is closed mp
in the Russiiu-made inaccessible L.
the waves aud surges of the spiritual
ocoau. There il no ideal. The video
meliora PROLOGUE. productive IN most
men Of "A saluiary dissatisfaction with
themselves and nerving them to the
performance Of higher things. Is here
completely lacking. the ordinary
Russian knows no better than he does.
and 1t is forbidden 20 teach him. Ills
falls are not. like that OF Ani9us, a
source Of increased stength. There IL
no honest effort to make the
dead Of to day the rung OF Jacob
ladder. by which TO ascend to
| higher level tomorrow, and SO onward
to perfection. No matter how deep H.
may sink in the well of vice. he des,
cries no loadstar in the artificial nigh
above him. no faintest glimmer O,
twinkle to suggest that high over his
head arches an infinite starry heaven
and not a mere amalgam Of CLOUDS
mist and fog. His eyes are not lighted
up by even a stray gieam OF transact
dental reason which is Of all age
and most men. They are murky, sad
blinded, as il were, By the smoke of ex
uEguished spiritual fire. In a word
the life of Russian is not progress
ir is "a station, filthy novel. magnllied
into an abiding mansion by vision a.
distorted As that Of TItania when she
mistook Bottom the weaver for Adonls.
Z. b. Llnin in the Fortnighty Re
view