Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-04-24
MAlls az eseINs Aaour NooN.


WHEkE DAY BEGINS ABOUT NOON.
sosisi Life b. nr.sia As Described by shs
Princess Nnealitchen.
The Russian princess, Engalitched,
gave a very pleasant talk 20 the people
who filled the Women's union 10 over
flowing. Hcr subject was "Social Life
in Russia which means, of course, so
oial high life, for she told her audience
OF nothing else. She began by saying
that social life was similar everywhere,
except as 4 was modified by a%ristocratic
or democratic governments. The long
severe winters Of Russia, as far north as
st. Petersburg, are very favorable to
brilliant seasons. To the south the climate
isVsyy mild, and in the Crimea tho wet
aud dry seasons suggest the tropics. That
place is q resort for invalids.
In summer, said the lecturer, 81. Pc
tersburg is deserted. Everybody, even
the poorest, goes away il possible. BY
the last Of May or the frst of June the
town is shut up. The schools close and
there is no lie again till in the fan. As
cold weather approaches carpets are put
down, double windows are put in. and
every attention is paid to the general
comfort. Nearly everybody lives in flats.
There are no small private houses, and
only the rich families live in their own
houses.
eve Russians do not rise early" said
the lecturer. at is 10 or II o'clock be-
fore anybody is astir, unless it is the
children or teachers, who must BE in
school at 0, and IL one is to call on an
official he should wait till midday"
The day Of the high born Russian was
described at some length. Everybody
drives in the afternoon, and brilliant
equipages with only two occupants are
seen everywhere. At 4 o'clock driving
is at an end, for it is dark by that time
In the winter season, and receptions are
in order. Dinner is at 6, which, to the
foreign mind, appears to be a series Of
standing lunch, sitting meal, smoking
soiree-for women smoke cigarettes as
well as the men-and card party. Every
body plays whist, and for money. The
stakes are small usually, though at the
clubs fortunes are won and lost in a night.
The lecturer described the Russian the
atre as the finest in the world and the
most fashionable. Wraps are left in the
n1AA AAA1 IEAA0A AitAAAAI II 0AN Ngo pic
ceded by the national air, and passion
ate plays and music are popular. The
ballet is excelled only in Paris. After
the plPJ follow a long drive TO a restau-
rant, a leisurely supper to the most raw
ishing music, and the day draws to a
close. Then were described the balls at
the Winter palace, led by the emperor
and empress, the carnival, Lent and East
er-all Of which are observed in grand
style, just as they were of old. Nobody
eats meat during the six weeks of Lent
The theatre gives way to grand concerts
and after Easter many leave town.
The summer resorts are very rustic
and very quiet. There are cottages
there is no fine style, no formality, NJ
grand dressing. 1t was with evident
sadness that the princess declared tina
Russia was poor and growing poorer
There were onlya few very rich families
"As a rule we are poor" she said. THE
women generally dress in dark colorl
and not extensively. What would YOU
young ladies think Of only two bal
dresses in a whole season. After hav.
ing seen our Saratoga and Newport the
lecturer was ready to say that Russian
watering places were bad. There were
no entertainments, few c%onveniences
and only very poor music. Once th'
people were rich enough 10 seek thes'
things abroad, but now they could no
and were obliged to accept such as the!
found at home.
The lecture was followed by a pleasan
reception. Coffee was served dow
stairs and Russian tea up stairs, whicI
latter, to the provincial American sigh
and taste, was merely good tea sweet
ened with candies and given a foreigi
character by lemon juice. The princes
was very sociable and made ~evcrybod
at home about her. She passed freel
from N part of the gathering to al
other, and everybody vas charmed wit
her manner. Buffalo Express.