New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-27
HOW Russia AETSES ITSELF.
"ICE-HULING" IS \ FASCINATING SPORT
LAVISH SALARIES FOR OPERATE
ARTISTS
From Chambcrs's Journal.


The aristocracy anus themseiyes very mucn IN
the same way as our own Thsy Shoot they ioal
out OF traps, they have their race-mfetinSs' they
dance much and well: some have yachts o. their
own Many Of them keep EhgIiSn sioos anu ,''Iil
somewhat Of the stable. though they are nor
aristocrat has succeeded IN making himself look
Ike An Englishman and behaves IKE one, ne Is
happy. | have known Russians who have made
most excellent Englishmen ana should he siad
Of winter sports-in which. however but small
minority OF the Russian youth care to take part
ice-hilIlng The Skating ought naturally, TO be very
good in Russia. As a matter OF fact tn" Ice -
generally dead and lacking in that elasticity and
spring which are characteristic Of our EnEhSh ice
1t Is too thick for elasticity. though the surface Is
beautifullv kept and scientifically treated with u
view 10 skating wherever space is flooded or an
acre or two OF the Nevas broad bosom j. re-
claimed to make a skating ground Some OF the
Russian amateurs skate marvellously, as also do
many OF the English and other foreign residents
Ice-yachting is confined almost entirely to these
latter. the natives not having as yet awakened to
the merits OF this fine pastime. ,..u,.,,
me carnival week preceding the long fast or Lent
is much practised by the people rms IS i kina
OF cross between the switchback ana tobossanlns.
ana Is an exceedgy Po ~ PotersbTrg Who supp
port an lee Hill Club Of their own ana repair 10 II
weekly during the winter I'm order TO amuse them,
selves by diving headlong ad9wn the Zee Slopes p so hn
to be amused by the attempts OF noNces To- TOTO"
their example | may assure my Ieaders tha h ICE
killing is the most awe inspiring 10 begih-
ners and the most charming OF an sports 10 the
expert that the mind OF man can imagine ~
aiIo6 ihe i Turning Of Norway and is be-
loved and much practised by all Enghshn'sn VINO
are fortunate enough to be introduced to lis ihs-
cinafions 1t is too difficult and requires too much
exerIion. however. for young Russia ana mat IN.
dolent Individual. in consequence, rarely uohs 'he
The Rutslans are a theatrc-loving people. and the
acting must be very good 10 please thclr crltcai
taste Many of the theatres are "impcrial,' that
is the State Pays the piper II the receipts or the
| theatre 50 protected do not balance the eXpenu-
lture In paying for good artists. whether over
attic or dramatic the Russians are most lavish,
ana the Imperial italian Opera must nave been a
source Of considerable expense TO the auihotites
i'm the days of it's State endowment. | believe ths
branch of theatrical entertainment has now, now
ever. deteroratod into n private enterprise
Nearly every Russian is natural musician. ana
oar The man with the baialeita or garmonka is
| always sure OF an admiring audience whether III
or village; and there u nor KY n"H o.,
i'm the Empire but resolves itself on hoHdaNs mo
a.. ir ~ cboral socictieS-onc FOR male and one fer
female voices-which either parade up ana down
The village street. singing, without OF course either
the benches outside the huts. occupied III similar
'' 91ln.n'ionallv but very rarely. you may see a
rortv Of Russian children. or young mon and
pa, .in,o, nlaving i'm the open air at OF two
games The hIst is variant OF prisoners base
,hc other Is a species of nlnepinS. or sklltes,
thick clubs are thrown. me RUSSIAN youtn
thosr who are energetic enough to practise the
onmc-somctirn.s attain considerabe ,pronclehcy
with these grim little weapons, ana make "ohuer-
mi shots al a distance of some thirty yards OF so
nm Vhi- the Russian or any other youth H. study
ing the art Of projecting the MISSILES, whch nc 80
quite heavy enough TO break neau or Il slin -.
/ me nrnprieiOr happened to I've KNOCKING around
nvi,bin a short walk l. is well to take up one :
abode I'm an adjoining parish and to get bchlhd a
good substantial building, say churcn., lQI ,nc
c.riv stages Of his initiation into the mysteries OF
| anv kind Of pastime requiring Skill