The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-04-04
DARKEST RUSSIA HAS THE MOST
LUXURIOUS TRAINS IN The WORLD

Through the widest and most un-
civilized parts of the Russian empire run
the costliest and most up-to-date railway
trains in the world.
the Pacific ocean, the longest through
Journey in the world, which occupies l6
days.
These trains rival in luxury anything
else on earth, and each one carries doc
tor, aud an interpreter who speaks seven
or eight different languages,
Moreover many of these trains de luxe
carry baths, not only for the convenience
OF the passengers, but for the use of the
railway employees Hence, when the sta
tonmaster at Somethingoffsd discovers
that he needs bath. a somewhat rare
occurrence, he waits till the express comes
in.
This habit of carrying doctors on trains
Is a godsend to the rural Russ.
There is no country in the world which
has smaller proportionate number of
medicos--only one to every 1850 of its
inhabitants. Ii is, therefore, usual for
the peasantry to hold up" train and
invoke the aid OF the travelling doctor, as
the nearest resident qualified man may
be three or four days journey distant.
With the exception of one or two of
the Balkan states, Russia is the most IL
literate country in Europe, over 60 per
cent of the inhabitants being unable to
read or write Yet st. Petersburg has
the largest university in the world, one
building of which has frontage of
nearly a quarter of mile, and, with the
solitary exception of the British museum,
possesses the most complete library in
existence.
There is no danger of Morgan shipping
company interfering with Russas mercan-
tile fleet. Nobody who is not a Russian
subject can hold any shares in Russian
vessel or vessels, except by inheritance;
and then such shares may only be held
for period Of two years, when they must
be disposed Of to a subject Of the car.
Hundreds of thousands of Russian peas
ants deliberately eat poison with their
bread This poison is a parasitic fungus
known as ergot. found in the rye which
Is the staple foodstun of the country.
The peasantry know its danger, but are
in such a poverty-stricken condition that
they are compelled to make the diseased
rye into bread and take the chance of
evil results following, as an alternative to
starvation.
In the province OF Tomsk alone, as re
Gently as at Christmas time, one in every
ten Of the inhabitants was suffering from
the effects Of ergot poisoning.
Among this class of Russians brides
character is judged by the dinner she cooks
on her wedding day.
When she arrives at her husbands
house she has to prepare meal with her
own hands as a test of housekeeping capa-
biities. II she succeeds in gratifying her
guests, it is taken as proof not only of
the young womans own excellence, but
also as a recommendation Of her whole
family, by whom she was instructed in the
culinary art.
Speaking Of marriages, too, larger per-
eeniage Of males marry under the age of
p in Russia than in any other European
country
In the trans-eancasus education is mainly
carried on in silkworm schools, the chief
object of which Is to teach the nroper
method Of rearing these useful little crea-
lures. One Of the great exports OF Siberia
IL the liquorice.root. beloved Of every
sehoolboy. and from here we get the bulk
Of our supply.
Russia is not greedy in the way Of trade.
Che invites imports, as well as sending out
exports. Her officials say there are great
openings fof Uncle Sam in the matter of
oysters. backing, and dentists instru-
ments, among other things; while al War
saw the inhabitants have taken sudden
liking to spoons. One firm alone sent into
that town recently consignment consist.
ing OF 5ls.40o Of these useful articles.
Russian Siberia has motor cars. timed.
Ride on the fast Str. Greyhound when
going to Qvmpi9- 80