The St. Johns herald., 1897-12-25
ST. PETERSBURG SOCIETY.
oh1cial Position Avails Nothing
 Among the Smart Set.

hAOhS Ine smart set.
 What at first particularly strikes the
 foreigner in Russian society is the ab-
 'olute freedom that reigns and the ease
 with which ones intimates may be
 chosen. St. Petersburg society is sub- divided into very large number of
 coteries, and in order to become fully
 acquainted it is necessary to have the
 entree to several of these. To accom-
 plish this is no easy task. Russians are
 suspicious of foreigners, particularly of
 members of the diplomatic corps. But
 once a foreigner is able to make him. self known and appreciated, society provides for him a most charming life in the Russian metropolis. Unlike other capitals, the official position of foreigner has absolutely no influence on his position in society (writes cor. respondent of the New York Times). 4 self alone, and if disliked, the smart"
 set of the Russian capital simply Ostra.
 cizes him without further formality.
 The accepted stranger is not tracked and spte1 upon h- the secret police, as in Berlin, nor importuned concerning the number of his 'quarterings," as iu
 Vienna. Woman is a charmer, as is well known, but her charm consists mOre in her intellectual power than in her physical qualities. Young girls in Russia are seriously brought up and thoroughly well educated, so that they are the intellectual equals or superiors of the men. Woman, therefore, plays a leading part in Russian life. The men are often pushed into unworthy tntrigues through the influence of the women, who are all, more or less, ami mated with the desire of playing a leading part in politics. Their couver- sation is bright and witty, and their broad education allows them to take part in any discussion. They pass judg- ment upon men, things, and events with a wonderful precision and with great good sense.
 Much has been said against the nor als of St. Petersburg abroad; the mor- ality of Russians at home being too often judged by certain types of de classes met with in Paris, Rome, and the German watering places. Scan- dals do, of course, occur in the upper circles of society, but they are rela- lively less frequent than>in some other | capitals. Further, no attempt is made | as in Paris and Berlin, to noise these | domestic scandals far and wide. A kind of FreemaSonry exists between well-bred people in St. Petersburg to hush up affairs of this sort. Among the young women who rank as leaders In society it is rare to find one impli- cated in scandal of any kind. What has been said apropos of foreigners in St. Petersburg applies as we'll to the natives. A mans official position has absolutely no influence on his social po- s1tion; he may be a general, a minister. ] pr1Vy councillor, or a member of the imperial council, but unless he belongs either by birth or by reason of his per Sonal attachments to the best society, ne is certain to stumble against closed 1oorS if he attempts to enter this cream )f St. Petersburg society. No better dea of how peculiarly constituted St. Petersburg society is in this respect can De given than by saying that Baron the retiring Russian em- in Paris, has never been able o make his entree into the most eX- clusive set of the Russian capital. luarterings do not go in St. Peters 'urg. It is necessary and sufficient for man to be gentleman and clever to nave the doors of the most exclusive ct open to him.-San Francisco Ar. ,onaut.