The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-10
ENGINEERS
RUSSIAN
An Americans Idea Of What
Russia Is Doing for Itself
and Civilization.
A COUNTRY DEVELOPING
Old Cities, New Provinces, Great
COUNTRY DEVELOPING
Old Cities, New Provinces, Great
9 Rivers, Mountain Ranges
and Odd Peoples.

lat5 anu 4CQQ Peoples. u
The illustrated lecture by Marsden Man
son, An Engineers Experiences in RUS
sia," most thoroughly entertained the
representative audience which greeted
him at the theatre last evening. Tho la
dies OF the Cemetery Committee OF the
congratulate themselves not only on tho
financial success Of their entertainment,
but also upon having provided most
satisfactory and enjoyable evening for
the lecture-going public. Mr.. Manson
spoke entirely without notes, and hla
lecture was largely a running comment
upon the lantern views as they wero
thrown upon the screen. 80 Of necessity
he was precluded from any attempt at
orntory. In several Instances however.
ne rose to real eloquence, notably In des-
cribing the wonderful power Of the ten-
der, sympathetic voice OF young girl
IN the Cars selected private choir COM
Delling as 1t did tho tears from the eyes
Of her very cosmopolitan hearers. The
humorous vein Of the speaker was well
manifested In his account of the kiss he
received and the one he In great embax-
rassment returned to the Mayor Of
Russian city, who took O great fancy 10
him. The views which were shown last
night were from photographs taken by,
Mr. Manson himself. and itSmay be re-
marked, they were very clear and excel
tent ones
It was in 1897 that Mr.. Manson at
tended the session Of the International
Geological Congress In st. Petersburg.
There were present biologists and en-
Gineers from all civilized countries. The
Russian Government made the most elab-
crate preparations for their entertain-
ment, taking them on excursions cover
ing almost all Of Russia, and even carry
Ing them into Siberia and Asia Minor.
Those attending the congress- were given
Six mouths passes on all Russian rail-
roads.
Beginning with st. Petersburg. Mr..
Manson took his audience across the
monotonous, level plains to MOSCOW,
thence over tho steppes to the Ural
Mountains and into Eastern Siberia. The
effect OF scenery upon temperament was
exhibited, Mr.. Manson thought in the
subdued. even depressed, manner OF the
jewellers on these fiat. wearIsomc prair-
ies, as compared with the Joyous songs
and merry facesof the nountaineers. OF
the ural range. These mountains Mr..
Manson likened to the Alleghanies Of the
United States, In their general appearance
and In forestation. The silver birch Is
the characteristic tree. and a most use
full one, its bark being used for shoes.
buckets ropes and for many other pur-
poses. In this connection the care taken
by the Russian government In the care OF
the forests was spoken OF by Mr.. Man
on as being far ahead OF our treatment OF
them In the United States. The Russian
Railroad arrangements, however, are as
far behind the American, with regard to
the prompt dispatch OF trains. Mr.. Man
son gave very amusing account OF the
number Of bells and horns and whistles
and minutes usually twenty it took TO
get a train started. Extraordinary pre-
cautions, however, are taken for the
safety of the roads. and guards are
stationed at even remote country Cross
ings.
From time to time pictures were shown
illustrating the different racial types un-
der the Russian rule. The Tartar, with
his Mongol features, the Russian peasant
of the plains, the Russians OF the ural
iNlounta ins-far superior In appearance
to the others-the official class. the Rus
sian engineers. the Armenians the Cir
casians-all these were portrayed and
described in their Infinite variety. In tho
Eouthern part OF Russia district was
alNulCdIeo WEeIe within AVu iA4t'~S 90 iAAeh4AS
different languages and dialects were
spoken.
The river volga-'A1other yolga,' as
affectionately called ( by the Russians
was pictured forth. Its great volume and
Its immense traffic. far exceeding that
of thu Mississippi In its palmiest days
were described and illustrated.
The Caucasus Mountains resembling
the Sierra Nevada as the UTal do the.
Alleghanies. We're crossed by the party
over the famous military road constructs
ed by Russia along the routesof an ans
Client highway The superior nature OF.
this road was dilated upon by Mr.. Ma
son, who went through Russia With his
prote ssional instinct very keen The per-
manent stone bridges We're spoken OF.
Wherever q wooden bridge or even a steel
one was found 1t was only for the most
temporary use,
( The light thrown upon Russian char
acter by Mr.. Manson was a very pleasing
one He found In Russia the greatest
interest In Americans. and friendl.ness
for them, and from his experience or
Russian hospitality apparently recipro-
Gated the feeling,
In listening to Mr.. Manson's lecture
and looking at his pictures, an American
could not but be struck by certain like
ness between the United States and Rus
sia, in spite OF very different population
and political Systems. In neither Is seen
the long-settled aspect of most European
countries. In each Is seen country IN
process OF development with pos
sibiiities yet MISUNDERSTANDING CAL
Inn <,