Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-04-12

lS7s'S1o~Nt tON. 3.
The dancers appear to almost fly in poeti-
sally graceful movements in time with the
rayishing strains of music from the grand
orchestra. At last the gentleman kneels
10 his partner and she gives him her hand
to rise again TO his feet. II Is a brave and
beautiful dance inspiring 10 witness.
a sumptuous banquet follows the dane
ing, and sparkling wines refresh the
wearied dancers. Meantime a weird and
strange sight is to be seen outside under
the spectral branches of the leafess trees
and amidst the dark-leaved frs and pines.
There you see built huge bonfres, which
send out red CLEANS OF warmth over the
cold, white snow, and mingle with the
silyery snow-hearns. Around these fires,
after they have disposed of their horses.
gather the coachmen. There they spend
the night telling stories and exchanging
social gossip with each other while the
merry dance goes on inside the Palace
walls. Their strong, dark faces, sharply
slihouetted in the clear moonlight and
trellght, they make a fantastic and pictu-
rescue picture at which their masters gaze
through the glass of their carriage win
dows and leave with lingering regret. The
fascination of this wood fire scene, outside
the walls, is not one of the least of the
charms of the Emperor's ball, and the
Princess often wondered if they ever drew
any unhappy comparisons between their
own destiny and that Of their masters.
The Russians religiously abstain from
eating meat in Lent. and devote them.
selves to the forms OF religious worship re-
quired by their church. No one goes to
operas, theaters or balls; but while it would
not be considered good form to attend
those places, it is perfectly so to 90 to con-
certs. The Russian is passionately fond of
music, and for the last twenty-five years
has advanced rapidly in its knowledge and
practice ST. Petersburg is at present rich
in musical resources.
Easter is one of the great holidays of
the year. The Gar and Czarina dress in
the nHtional Russian costume, in long
fowlng robes OF green velvet, and followed
procession of the royal family with
and solemn tread the Gar walks up
tbs aisle of the Palace Chapel Arrived
at the altar the priest intones "Christ has
arisen" The Gar responds, Christ has
arisen indeed" He then returns to his
home, where sumptuous Easter banquet
is spread before him. While this scene is
enacted in the chapel of the Gar the same
is taking place ali over Russia. Ali re-
joice in the glad festivities of Easter. In
front of the churches stand long tables
filed with eatables and drinkables, and
conspicuous among them is the national
drink called vodka. The festival OF eat
ing and drinking goes on until the spec
tacle of intoxicated men is so frequent IN
the street that they cause no remark bv
any one and pass entirely unnoticed, even
by policemen.
The streets of the city in winter present
a most animated appearance as the sleigh
bells ring out in the bright clear air, aud
the gaily appointed sleighs and high
spirited horses, active and restive under
the cold, glance like meteors, hither and
thither, with their burdens of beautiful
ladies wrapped in deep piled and shining
furs. But one Of the most exhilarating
and romantic amusements is long sleigh
ride by moonlight out of the city. The
sledges come to the door, the ladies are
warmly clothed in furs from head to foot,
and after all is on white cashmere shawl
is thrown over the top of the head. The air
is pure and vitalizing, and they are so
well protected from the cold air that there
is nothing to prevent them from enjoying
the ride. On rush the horses. They also
partake of the bracing atmosphere On
and on they go faster and faster over the
beautiful snow sparkling in the moon
beams. The exciting interest of the ride
increases the nerve tension each moment,
until they all arrive at some country
hotel, previously agreed upon, where they
are ushered into large, beautiful rooms
filled with an atmosphere of delicious
warmth, and they are Immediately served
with warm or hot drinks Of various kinds,
and afterward they partake of an elegant
supper. Freely flows the wine and spark
ling champagne. Wit and repartee is as
spontaneous and quick as thought. The
ride has given every one a keen appetite ;
and after the repast is over band OF gyp-
sizes is introduced with their musical in
struments and weird songs for their enter
tainment There are usually a dozen.
more or less-some young girls who are
always accompanied by one old woman
As they stand in a semicircle, their dark
elfn locks hanging down over their shoul-
ders and struggling about their faces, their
blazing black eyes reveal passions unknown
to civilized races, to which they give ex-
preston in their wild songs and wall out
upon their musical instruments. They
possess power to CONCEAL the blood with
sadness, or set it on fire with their own in
tense enthusiasm They are the most
strangely fascinating people upon the face
of the earth
At last the revelers rearrange their
wraps for another encounter with the cold
midnight air, and are soon warmly be-
slowed in their sledges for a swift ride
back to their homes having partaken of
an amusement which can be enjoyed only
where the climate provides it.
The opera house also presents an ami
mated appearance not to be seen in the
other cities of Europe on account of the
large number Of army and navy officers. of
many different nations, dressed in full
uniform, in the audience. The ladies are
magnifcently dressed, and leave their
wraps with their footmen outside. Before
the performance commences the Gar. with
all the audience, rise and sing the national
hymn with grand effect. The boxes and
seats are larger and better arranged than
those of most other cities, and one can
make q call upon a friend between the
acts without discommoding the occupants.
The merchants and trades people of St.
Petersburg do not mingle in what is called
society. OF course they have their own
entertainments and social gatherings. The
merchants studiously conform to the ritu-
alistic ceremonies of his church. When
he enters house for the first time he
bows almost to the floor and pronounces a
blessing. When he enters his bedroom he
never fails to cross himself and adore the
shrine, underneath which lamp is always
burning in corner of the room. Prev
Gus to Peter the Greats time the women
wore walls and remained mostly inside
their houses. Peter commanded that they
should remove their walls and walk abroad
in the public streets, which they have
since done.
The condition of the serfs is sad indeed.
r