THE CHARACTER OF THE RUSSIANS, AND A DETAILED HISTORY OF THE Conspicuous figure which has of late years been made by Russia, on the great stage of European politics, and the great and increasing influence which she has acquired, gives a peculiar interest to the inquiries and speculations which have been set on foot, into the character and manners of this singular and diversified people. Nor is this merely a subject of curious speculation. When we survey this gigantic empire, verging, with one extremity, into the heart of Europe, sharing in all its political transactions, and influencing the destinies of its various states, and, with the other, reaching to the empire of China, subduing the wandering tribes and barbarous hordes of Asia, whose hostile inroads were wont to put in jeopardy the civilization of the world, and stretching from Asia her encroaching confines over the desert shores of Western America,-it is with a far different feeling, from that of mere curiosity, that we inquire into the nature of her resources, moral as well as physical. We wish to know the extent and limits of her power,-whether this vast empire, imposing, as it may appear at first sight, may not be more remarkable for unwieldy bulk than for solid strength,-whether, out of that vast surface of territory, with its poor and barbarous population scattered at wide intervals, such great national exertions could be made, as where the territory was more compact, more densely peopled, and richer and more civilized. On a more superficial survey of such an empire as Russia, we are apt to be overwhelmed with the idea of invincible power; but, on a nearer inspection, we discover many hidden sources of weakness,-many hindrances that must retard her in the race of conquest,-a great deficiency in the helps and resources of civilized life, a semi-barbarous people, deficient' in moral energy, and in her Government, and in the internal mechanism of her policy, a want of unity, a want of co-operation in the various points of her system, arising from the gross nature of the materials of which it is composed. Among a highly-civilized people, Government possesses peculiar facilities for the execution of its purposes. Its decrees fly through all the inferior departments of authority, and are quickly in a train of successful execution. A semi-barbarous people are, on the other hand, like non-conductors of authority, if we may so express ourselves; the central heat of the supreme power slowly penetrates to the extremities of the empire; there is, consequently, a want of energy for any great national exertion; there is more the appearance than the reality of great power; and however much we may be dazzled by the gigantic display of territory and population on paper, it will be always found, that such powers are generally overmatched by the compact and well-directed resources of smaller states. On this account, though we do not exactly participate in the vague alarms which have been spread, as to the rapid increase of the Russian power, and the danger of her ascendancy in the European system, which notions are strongly inculcated in the account given by Mr Lyall in one of the works before us, of the military colonies of Russia; yet we feel a deep interest in all that concerns this great and growing empire; and we have perused both Mr Lyall's works on Russia-the large quarto, as well as the small pamphlet-with great interest. The first of these works contains, unquestionably, much curious and interesting information, along, it must also be admitted, with a good deal of tedious detail. Mr Lyall dwells rather too long on his own motives and views in publishing this The Character of the Russians, and a detailed History of Moscow, with numerous Engravings. By Robert Lyall. London. Printed for T. Cadell and W. Blackwood. 1823. work. We do not imagine, however, although Mr Lyall had spared his reasons, that any one would have quarrelled with him for having published a volume, either instructive or amusing, on the subject of Russia. This would rather have been considered a literary good work, which would have drawn forth merited commendations on his ability or his zeal. After all that an author can say, his work must still stand on its own intrinsic merits; and, in the case of Mr Lyall, it is obvious that he has been at great pains to collect useful and important information; and, as he was not merely a passing traveller through Russia, liable to be deceived by every casual impression, we may place every reliance on his statements. The first part of his work, which may be said to be a sketch of the general character of the Russians, is brief, and highly interesting. He seems to be quite impartial in his observations; and though he is by no means an admirer of the Russians, he defends them on good grounds, apparently, against the rash aspersions thrown out a gainst them by some travellers, and, among others, by Dr Clarke. He appears to be a sound and judicious observer of manners and character; and, though sometimes apt to be tedious, and to introduce topics little connected with the subject in hand, yet, on the whole, the first part of the work, where he treats of the general character of the Russians, is rational and entertaining. The second part of the work is little else than a topographical account of the city of Moscow, exceedingly minute, and full of details as to all the different public buildings. It is thus a repository of information more curious than useful, and certainly not of sufficient importance to be spread out into a large quarto volume. The general remarks on the manners of the Russians are, no doubt, always interesting; but these are sparingly introduced, and we are apt to tire of the prolix accounts of edifices, churches, public institutions, &c., which Mr Lyall has collected with such persevering assiduity. Respecting the national character of the Russians, it appears, from Mr Lyall's account, that the light of civilization has only reached the higher classes, all below them still continuing in their original and barbarian darkness. The higher nobles, and military officers of rank, are the select society of Russia. These have been polished in their manners and habits by contact with more civilized nations, though even this region of fashion and refinement is subject to occasional inroads from the lower walks of coarseness and vulgarity. A nation cannot be reformed, on a sudden, from all its long-cherished and inveterate habits; and though a select class may be admirers of the polish and improvements of other countries, and may, to a certain extent, adopt them; yet, while all below retain their primitive barbarity, they must occasionally be brought down to their level. Civilization is here a precious exotic, which requires continual culture and care: it is too tender to be exposed to the rude climate of Russian manners; but must be preserved, by every sort of kindly shelter, until it begins to take root, and to flourish under the opening spring of advancing civilization. Refinement in Russia, which is introduced among the higher classes, is like an advanced post in an enemy's country; it has to contend for its existence, and though it is no doubt gaining ground, yet it is evident, from all the accounts of travellers, and even from that of Mr Lyall himself, who is not disposed to under-rate the Russians, that the great portion of the people still remain in a state of barbarity. They are more assimilated to savage, than to civilized life, by the extreme filthiness of their habits, by their want of all sound morality, and by their propensity to every sort of odious excess; and according as strangers happen to be known among the higher classes of nobility, their estimate of the Russian character will be favourable or otherwise. It is to this cause that our author accordingly traces the very opposite characters that have been given of the Russian people Sir Robert Wilson, in speaking of the Russians, always has in his view the higher nobility, or the military officers of rank, and his portrait is accordingly favourable, and also partakes of the enthusiasm natural to his character. Sir R. Kerr Porter had also particular reasons for his admiration of Russia; and, with respect to Dr Clarke, he appears to write on this subject under a continual irritation. His situation in Russia, under the vigilance of the Emperor Paul, was sufficiently distressing; he felt deeply the state of humiliation in which he was placed, watched continually by the policespies of this jealous tyrant; and there is no doubt that his irritation gave a cast of variety to his observations on the people, and imparted to his descriptions a force and colouring which is beyond the line of sober truth. Not that Dr Clarke is incorrect in all his facts. He only errs in the rash conclusions which he draws from them; yet he throws the whole together, both fact and inference, with so much skill, and flourishes away so eloquently against Russia, that the mind is borne down by his declamation, and does not easily discern where the fallacy of his statements lies. Mr Lyall is a simpler writer; and he lived among all classes in Russia, both high and low. He can give, therefore, the light and shade of the picture; and he seems to be completely impartial, and to desire to state nothing but what is strictly true. His portrait of the Russians, however, is far from favourable; and though he justly, no doubt, censures Dr Clarke's descriptions, it is singular, after all, how little they differ from his own plainer statements. The following is the general portrait which he gives of the Russians, which is that of a half civilized community : The Russians are insinuating and cunning, deceitful and perfidious, sensual and immoral; given to levity, fond of novelty, and improvident,-with the command of little money, they are avaricious and mean,-when cash abounds, they are generous, ostentatious, and prodigal,-they are cheerful, good-humoured, and social, -they are luxurious, hospitable, and charitable, they love light occupations and amusements, as plays, operas, mas querades, exhibitions, dancing, singing, and instrumental music, chess, and draughts, and billiards,-but, above all, playing at cards, to which whole days, and weeks, and months, and years, are devoted. They have a great curiosity to VOL. XIV. pry into the affairs of others, they have quick apprehensions, their talent for imitation is universally allowed,—they are fluent in languages, a few are endowed with good parts and ingenuity, and are men of literature, the generality are moderately well informed and accomplished, as to what regards the exterior of life, few are distinguished for their proficiency in the sciences,--they are accustomed to good living, but are generally moderate in their cups,-they are disposed to indolence, to a sedentary mode of life, and to much sleep. The manners of the higher and travelled nobility are easy, elegant, and imposing; and the natives of no country can make themselves more agreeable to foreigners. The manners of the lower nobility are affected, consequential, overbearing, and some. times rude, though some few of them are endowed with amiable and generous pas sions. Like all uncultivated people, the Russians, and more especially the nobility, who have often princely fortunes, are extremely fickle in their plans; pursuing, at first, with great avidity, a favourite project, and afterwards, as the charm of novelty abates, leaving it half executed. Mr Lyall does not suppose that he could point out half-a-dozen completely well-arranged and finished noblemen's establishments, among the hundreds of sumptuous palaces, the numerous fine villas, and the many beautiful country retreats, which decorate Moscow and its vicinity. The Russian nobility are also extremely thoughtless and extravagant, never calculating the expence of their enjoyments, but running into debt, without care or scruple, for what they are in want of, and never dreaming of the day of payment. With what Dr Clarke states of the cunning, insincerity, and supple address of the Russians, of their inveterate tendency to low sensuality, and of their profligate morals, and disregard of the ties of marriage, Mr Lyall concurs; but he differs with Dr Clarke's description of the coarseness and filth of the domestic life and habits of the Russians; yet, though he contradicts him in some points, he leaves enough behind to confirm generally the description which he gives. He himself relates several acts of petty theft committed by Russian nobles, while visiting at each other's houses. At a Rr splendid entertainment given by a nobleman of the highest rank in Moscow, it was remarked that one of the guests contrived to convey a silver spoon into his pocket, and having left the room immediately after dinner, drove home. A prince of the northern empire having entered one of the magazines at Moscow, seized a gilded cup and saucer, as he thought, without being seen, and having deposited it in his carriage, drove home. Dr Clarke complains that Russians of the highest rank are covered with vermin, that Prince Potemkin used to kill them on the bottom of his plate, at table,-that beauteous princesses of Moscow followed his example, that in approaching too near the persons of Russian nobility, you were sure to be attacked by vermin,-and that there is not a bed in the whole empire which an Englishman would venture to approach. This disgusting picture of the Russians drawn by Dr Clarke, Mr Lyall assures us is overcharged. It may be true when applied to the lower nobility, and the peasantry, but must be regarded as a caricature in regard to the highest classes of nobility, many of whom, according to Mr Lyall, Dr Clarke must have seen, who were both cleanly in their persons and elegant in their dress. He agrees, however, with Dr Clarke, that many of the nobility are overcharged with vermin; but he differs with him as to the extent of this evil. He then tells a story of a distinguished individual, who was in the practice of wearing a great bear-skin shoob or covering: when he visited, this skin was committed to the care of his servant, who, when tired, made his bed on it in the anti-chamber of the house where his master visited, or on the floor; a practice, it appears, quite common in Russia, and not yet abolished from the precincts of the Imperial winter-palace at Petersburgh, in the lobbies and anti-rooms of which a dozen or a score of livery-servants may sometimes be seen reposing on all sides, like so many dogs. In this case, it is easy to see how the vermin were conveyed from the servant to the master; and this anecdote may shew, that until refinement penetrate more generally among the mass of the people, it is scarcely possible for the That women of the highest quality may have been seen, at a chance time, in the act of divesting each other of vermin, I do not pretend to doubt; but sure I am, that the gentleman alluded to as authority will contradict the statement, if such an action was meant to be generally characteristic of the Russian ladies. That many of the dames et demoiselles of Russia require to use the close-teethed comb, is beyond all question; but they do not exhibit themselves at the windows of their palaces when so employed. I should not be warranted by truth in asserting, that none of the ladies are free of corporal or craniol insects. Respecting the Russian character and habits in other particulars, Dr Clarke is equally severe. He pursues the Russian through all the details of his domestic life, and holds him up to reprobation and ridicule. He rises late, he informs us, indulging sleep in the grossest manner, always sleeping after eating; his breakfast consists of a dram, with black bread; his dinner of the coarsest and most greasy viands, salted cucumbers, sour cabbage, and his nectar quass; grease and brandy form every where the common diet. No change of knives and forks need be expected, even among the most refined and accomplished princes. If a stranger sends away his knife and fork, it is not even wiped; and the horrors of a Russian kitchen are inconceivable. To this description Mr Lyall demurs, on various grounds. To the nobles in general, he assures us, it is wholly inapplicable, in many points. He gives his testimony of various noblemen with whom he lived, and that he never saw them take any dram, except on the road. The custom is, to drink tea or coffee at an early hour. As to the dinners and suppers, he informs us, that they consist of a number of good dishes, in which a mixture of German and French cookery prevails, in addition to the dishes which are common in Russia. Of those dishes at the tables of the first nobility, our author informs us, there is no reason to com plain. On the contrary, the attention paid to eating and drinking in Russia is considered a matter of most serious importance, all the higher nobility having foreign cooks, to teach their slaves the art of cookery, in order to minister to their fastidious palates. Others send their vassals to receive lessons in the Imperial kitchen, or to the tuition of some distinguished cook in the capital. In some of the larger establishments of the nobles at Moscow, they have six, eight, and sometimes ten men-cooks, besides a dozen, and sometimes twenty, assistants in the kitchen. As to the cleaning of knives and forks, service of this nature seems to be very imperfect at a Russian table; every one pleases himself; and it not unfrequently happens, that while one half of the guests retain the same knives and forks through out the whole repast, the other half send them away to be changed, which, however, does not appear to be always done. The following custom, related by Dr Lyall, sufficiently illustrates the great want of nicety which prevails in the country: At the first tables, jellies, marmalades, and preserved fruits, are generally served up as a part of the dessert, and every guest has his own plate, but sometimes it happens that the same spoon makes round the table with the preserves or jelly, and serves the whole company, each individual having filled his mouth, kindly passing the spoon for the accommodation of his neighbour. Among the lower nobility, the ladies and gentlemen, I beg pardon, la noblesse, having retired from din. ner, often find fruits and jellies placed upon a covered table, to which they approach, and help themselves at their pleasure, one spoon serving all the party, however numerous, or sometimes a ser vant hands both the jelly and the spoon in succession to each individual. practice is carried to the perfection of disgust among the rich merchants, among the clergy, and among those peasants who have acquired wealth by their industry. This Mr Lyall mentions the common practice which prevails, not only in Russia, but in Sweden universally, and in most parts of the continent, of spitting on the floors and carpets of their finest rooms; also that of picking the teeth with a fork at meals, which is very offensive to British strangers. But the mode of sleeping marks, as much as any thing else, a total want of refinement, not only in this important article of domestic comfort, but in their manners and habits generally. The Russians, it appears, though they possess fine beds and bedsteads, keep them more for exhibition than for use; they do not sleep in them, and it is their practice to lay down beds on the floor, and there to repose. There are many very curious scenes to which their indifferent accommodations for sleeping give rise. When a great entertainment is to be given, to which are invited the neighbours far and near, the nobles generally bring sleeping accommodations with them; and there they lay down on the diningroom and drawing-room floors, which are made the sleeping-place for numerous visitors, and are covered with these temporary beds. Mr Lyall gives the following account of the mode in which these arrangements are made: A fête was to be given by Madame Poldaratska, the mother of the gentleman whom I accompanied, in the village of Gruzino, near Torjok, on the Sunday subsequent to our arrival at that estate. Throughout Saturday, carriages filled with nobles continued to arrive from time to time, some of them with large bags filled with beds, and fixed behind them; others followed by telegas loaded with beds and pillows. Although the house of Madame Poltaratska was of considerable size, it was matter of astonishment to me where the whole party, amounting to nearly fifty individuals, were to find rooms for their accommodation in the night, though the beds were already provided. Conversation and cards were the evening's amusements, and at 11 o'clock an elegant supper was served up, and at its conclusion a scene of bustle and confusion followed, which rivetted my attention. The dining-room, the drawingroom, the hall, the whole suit of apartments in which we had passed the evening, were converted into bed-rooms. Dozens of small painted and unpainted bed-steads, each for a single person, and of the value, in Russia, of five roubles, were speedily transported into the chambers, and arranged along the sides of the rooms, which soon resembled a barracks, or the wards of an hospital. Scores of servants, both those belonging to Madame Poltaratska, and to the visitors, were now |