Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-09-04
MERE DAY BEGINS AsoUr NOON.
social Life la Enssia Described by the
PrfncesS EnEslitchcn.


The Russian princess, EngalitcheiT, |
gave very pleasant talk TO the people
who filled the Women's union 10 over
lowing. Her subject was Social Life
IN Russia, which means, uf course, So
rial high life, for she told her audience
81 nothing else. She began by saving
llat social life was similar eycryw here.
Except as II was modified by arlstocratic
Or democratic governments. The long
severe winters of Russia, rs far north as
St. Petersburg, are very favorable to
brilliant seasons. To the south the climate
b very mild, and in the Crimea the wet
aud dry seasons suggest the tropics. That
place Is u resort for inVdlids.
/ In summer. said the lecturer, st. Pc
lersburg Is deserted. Every body, even
tie poorest, goes away ii possible. By
the last of May or the first OF June the
town is shut up. The schools close and
there Is no life again TIL IN the fall A
cold weather approaches carpets are put
down, double windows are put in, and
every attention is pald To the general
comfort Nearly every body lives in flats
There are no small private houses, and
only the rich families live in their own
houses.
I'VE Russians do not rise early" said
the lecturer. ut is 10 or IL o'clock be-
fore anybody is astir, unless it is the
children or teachers, who must bc in
school at 0. and if 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 il is dark by that time
In the winter season, and receptions are
in order. Dinner is at q, which, to the
foreign mind, appears TO be series of
standing lunch. sitting meal, smoking
solree-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 night.
The lecturer described the Russian the
atre as the finest in the world and the
most fashionable. Wraps are left in the
hall. Tie performance is always pre-
cedcd by the national air, and passion
ate plays and music are popular. The
ballet Is cN,elled only in Paris. After
the play follow a long drive 10 a restau-
rant, leisurely supper Ia the most raw
ishing music, and the day draws to a
close. Then were described the balls at
the Winter palace. led 10y 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 tine style, no formality, no
grand dressing. Ii was with evident
sadness that the princess declared that
Russia was poor and growing poorer.
There Were only a few very rich families.
AS rule we are poor, she said. The
women generally dress in dark colors
young ladies think of only two ball
dresses in whole seasong' After hay-
ing seen our Saratoga and Newport the
lecturer was ready 10 say that Russian
watering places were bad. There were
no entertainments, few convenienccs.
and only very poor music. Once the
people We're rich enough TO seek these
things abroad. but now they could mon
and were Obliged to accept such as they
found at home.
The lecture was followed by pleasant
reception. Coffee was served down
stairs and Russian tea up stairs. which
latter, to the provincial American sight
and taste, was merely good tea sweet
ened with candies and given foreign
character by lemon juice. The princess
was very sociable and made everybody
at home about her. She passed freely
from one part of the gathering to an.
other, and every body was charmed with
her manner Buffalo Express.