Bayerische LONDON: PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY, OLD BAILEY. Fc 185 1402A1 P R E F A СЕ. CANNOT venture to add another to the umerous books on Russia which have already opeared, without pleading as my apology that visited that country under circumstances fording opportunities, not usually within a tranger's reach, of observing the habits and haracter of the people. I am, therefore, nduced to publish the following letters, under n impression that some account of domestic > in the Interior may be, to a certain degree, eresting from its novelty. Being nearly connected by marriage with eral Russian families, I accompanied my fe into that country in the summer of 1837, for the purpose of visiting her relations, among whom we spent twelve months, either in private houses in the Interior, or in habits of constant intercourse at St. Petersburg. In the letters now offered to the public, I have given a simple detail of our sojourn in Russia, interspersed by a few general remarks and opinions naturally called forth. I have more particularly entered on the system of the conscription, the relative position of master and serf, and the situation and resources of the landed proprietor; and, in conclusion, I have ventured a few short observations on the character and government of the Emperor Nicholas. The court, the capital, the army, the public institutions of the country, with its political position and views, have occupied the pens of far abler travellers: my object has been to give some description of private life, national customs, and domestic habits in Russia. CONTENTS. Arrival at Petersburg-Account of voyage-Proceedings of Cus- PAGE Intended mode of travelling-Russian dinner-Practice of bath- ing horses-Kazan church-Pavements in Petersburg-English church-Difference of calendar in Russia-Comparison be- tween London and Petersburg-Equipages-Want of hackney- coaches Droschkas - Summer Garden-The islands-The Journey to Krasnoe-Diligence-Road-Bridges-Inns — Ist- vostchiks-Peasants' dress - Dreary landscape-Novogorod Russian village - Military colonies - Torjok - Arrival at Mode of life in the country-Language-Russian patronymics— System of country visiting-Guests-A dinner visit-Village The Blessing of the Waters-Visit to Grouzine-Visit to Velmo- gie-Greyhounds and harriers Wolf-hunting - Hare-hunt Passing a ferry-Kashine and Ouglitch-Russian travelling— Navodka and Nachai Arrival at Yaroslav - View from Government-house- Volga-Military church-Regiment of Cantonists-Officer taking the oaths of allegiance-Horse-fair Dinner-Frost-Society-Card-playing-Mode of marking- Nobility-Rank and Title-Military grades given to civilians.. 60 Fire establishments in the hands of Government-Account of the system-Village regulations-Frequent occurrence of rural fires-Exhibition of fire-engines -Visit to a monastery-Ex- archbishop-A Te Deum-Convent treasures-Origin of the use of images in the Greek church-Visit to Riepinsk-Going to bed-Mayor of Riepinsk-Towing barge-Project of esta- blishing steam on the Volga-A name's day- Performance of mass by the archbishop-Mode of communicating the death of the Emperor Alexander to his mother - Treasures of the |