The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1922-02-02

A. times they even captured Polisl
PEASANTS and sold them as slaves {,
the Tatars, who in turn passed then
on TO Persians.
Lovers Of the Soil.
The Little Russians have worked
hnrd and fought hard, end they have
emerged fairly united and still vigor
Gus people. The population increases
more steadily than that Of Great Rus.
sia, as the people are greatly attached
to home and do not care to wander
far from their native villages. They
are great lovers of the soil and cling
to IL with a passionate tenacity.
The Ukraine includes old southeast
ern Russia, with the exception of the
province known as Bessarabia. which
partakes of the character of the Bal
kan states and is peopled with Ru-
manians and Bulgarians. The great
seaport Of Odessa and the surround
ing country were added to it under its
new alignment after the breakup of
the Russian empire.
The Ukraine does not reach much
north Of Kiev or east of Kharkov. but
IL Is large state In itself, about as
large as the German empire. with
some twenty-five or thirty millions of
people living in it.
The largest city of the real Ukraine
is Kiev, around which national life
centers probably because Of the deep
religious associations i'm connection
with the shrines and many holy places.
1t was at one time the capital of all
Russia. KharkOv Is the leading COM
mercial town in 1t unless Odessa, on
the Black sea, Is considered.
There is lure about the limitless
stretches OF the steppes in the Ukraine.
In wide, level spaces, or in gentle
they reach out until sky
and horizon meet In barely percept-
ible line. Parts of 1t remind one very
much Of our own western prairies. In
spring and winter Il is an ocean of
verdure, with the varied shades Of
green Of the growing vegetation inter
spersed with flowers of many hues:
later, In the autumn, after the crops
are harvested. 1t becomes a brown
waste of stubble and burned-up pas
lures; In winter II is white, glisten- |
ng expanse Of snow.
WindmilIs In General Use.
Windmills are exceedingly common
md dot the landscape on every hill.
Tide. Silvery gray they appear from
lge, as all are built of wood, and they
ire usually implanted. Many of them
eem ready to fall to pieces from age.
The general use of windmills is due
lot so much to lack of water, for they
viii be found near streams, but the
latness Of the country does not give
nough fall to allow the use of water
'ower. They are used to grind grain.
kiev is the holy city of the Ukraine
nd hundreds Of thousands of pilgrims
isit 1t each year. The natural land
cape Is heightened at all times i'm its
ictorial effect by the picturesque
roups of pilgrims, slaves in hand and
'ailets on backs, who may be seen
lamboring up the hills, resting under
he shadow of a hill. or reverently
owing the head at the sound of a
Dnvent bell
The pilgrims made it point to visit
he CHASTITY catacOmbs in which are
)ws upon rosys of the skulls of re-
nted monks. Access is had by narrow .
cps, and then through labyrinthine
passages one descends
aeper and deeper into the bowels of
re earth. winding hither and thither
ong a pathway. Finally there be-
ms series of inches. In which re-
'se the bodies of the sanity re-
uses.
Inc pilgrims pass each holy tomb.
verently kissing the shriveled hands
Id out by the monks for that purpose. !,
ley do not distinguish between the n
'ly and holier. but pay a tribute TO
Oh one impartially in order to CON- =,
late all. :,
Much contagion must be spread nv
IS insanitary method of homage. No
ubt many an infection. and possibly
en- great pestilences. could be traced e
'ectly to this spot where the indis- {,
inmate OSCILLATION Of church relics
practiced. h