The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-21
THE WONDERS OF RUSSIA
AN INTERVIEWING LECTURE BY AN
 ESCAPED EMILE.

Professor Boris PomorsIiy at United Church
 Chapel Last Evening--The Greek Catho-
 lie Church-Horrors of Dcspotisnl-Rus-
 sian Customs-Escapo From Siberia.
 A most interesting lecture was given at the United church chapel last even ing by Prof. Boris PomorslSy, formerly professor of philology in the Uniyersi- ty of St. Petersburg, whose escape from exile in Siberia was related in the Courier a few days ago. The lecture room of the chapel was filled last even- ing even to the galleries with an intel ligent audience, a large portion of which was students. The subject of the lec- ture was "The Wonders of Russia and Siberia and the Stundists." The pro- lessor spoke of Russia's early history and the customs in vogue in those times. He said that despotism has reigned in Russia since the introduce ton of Christianity. Those who in early times refused to embrace the religion of the Greek church were se- yerely persecuted and many were burn ed at the post. Others fled to the frontiers and there made settlements. These settlements finally became es- tablished, and when they had become strong the people were pardoned by the government and the colonies annexed as a part of the Russian domain. These people were called Cossacks, ard one of their leaders in early times led a large army into Asia, where he con- quered a large extent of territory to which he gave his own name, Siberia.
 Russia now has over 500,000 square miles of territory and over 125,0O0,0O0 population. Besides it's European in habitants there are in the population many Asiatic nationalities. The na- tional religion, or, at least, of the gov ernment, is the Greek Catholic. The symbol of the church is a cross with 9 bar obliquely placed across the stand ard. Instead of crossing themselves as the Roman Catholics do, the Greek Catholics cross themselves on the breast, face and forehead three times, representing the Trinity, the 1ncarna- ton and the Redemption. All dissent CTS from the Greek church are severely persecuted, and if the people do no evil it is not because of their fear of pun ishment hereafter, but of the more ter rible punishment they will receive on earth. The priests never preach in church, but are supposed to pray be- hind screens, one of them occasionally stepping forward with a censor, when all the people bow themselves down. Women are not allowed to sing in the church, nor are there any chairs for them to sit down on. Instead of gath ering i'll congregations in the ways usu- ally followed by ministers in this coun- try, on certain days of the year men and women In the churches are allowed to kiss each other as much as they please, and such a method never fails to bring out large congregation.
 The Nihilists in Russia are divided into three classes, reformists, revolu- tionists and terrorists. The Stundists, church, have allied themselves to the first named class. The reformists and revolutionists have nothing to do with the terrorists who are the bomb throw CTS and are not the party of liberty, but of revenge. Their brothers, fath- CTS and other relatives have been per secuted or sent into exile, and they are seeking revenge.
 In the north of Russia there are about 100000 idolators who offer hu- man sacrifices. When a member of the Greek church dies. 9 piece of paper is pasted upon his forehead, ,on which is inscribed the name of the deceased, his religion and a recommendation to St Peter to let him in the gate.
 The northern part of Siberia is ricf in mines Of both precious stones and useful metals and oven ivory in large quantities is tound near the Lena riv- CT in the remains of the mastadons. IT the south of Siberia large quantities ot tea are grown. The first and second crops Of tea are picked by clearly | Chinese 1aborers and used for home | consumption. Then the third growth o1 | fibrous leaves are picked by dirty cool. ies, rolled in marble slabs, curled witt l poisonous mineral solutions and export ed. The professor cautioned Americans against using green teas, as the article we get is poisonous and unhealthy. A potiiu ot green tea, genuine, costs 1T 1 Russia and Siberia where 1t is growr about S35, and none but the doctoret and inferior quality is sent abroad.
 1 Prof. Pomorsky was asked why he was exiled, and said it was for having books on constitutions and personal lib. erty in his possession It is the law o Russia that all official dignitaries shal | be saluted when met on the streets and 8 student friend of the professor one day failed to comply with the law in this respect. He was improsinet and flogged. His bethrothed sought tt get him pardoned and went to the gov. l ernor one day with a petition for hi. release in one hand and a revolver helt behind her back in the other hand | The governor refused the petition | whereupon the young lady shot him | She was arrested but was acquitted by 0 jury as no one under the civil law in Russia can be executed for murder but this is possible after sentence by court martial, so after the young IadS was acquitted by civil process she wa. re-arrested and was about to be court
 rlartiaied when a party of 300 students rescued her by force from the guard.
 and hustled her out of the country. Sev.