Homily a Country Residence of the Count Romanzoff- New Mansion of the Count, under the superintendance of an English Architect Disadvantages to the exterior appearance of this and other Noblemen's Houses in this Country English Residents at Homil Russian Warm-Bathfor Children Russian Customs Slaves Tchernigoff Passage of the Dnieper over the Ice, to Kiev. AT Homil we were received by Colonel Hince, the Count's steward, with every mark of politeness, and every possible accommodation afforded us ; a suite ofrooms prepared for our use, and every thing shewn that was deserving our attention. The Count has just erected a very noble mansion at Homil, under the superintendance of an Englishman of the name of Clarke, which is not yet complete in its internal decorations : it is two stories high, having ahandsome though still unfinished hall; around the upper part of which runs a gallery connecting the upper apartments :
every room is stuccoed and painted in colours, with borders of some emblematical design, and ceilings offigurative representations : great variety of taste has been displayed, no two rooms being alike in colouring and design : the whole executed by his own slaves, some ofwhom were sent to St. Petersburgh, to be instructed in the arts required for completing this work in the superior style projected by its owner.
There is, however, one material drawback to the appearance of almost any of these houses in Russia, which offers an insuperable objection to them I mean the want ofa park, or, in many cases, even ofa garden. Though all within the house bespoke luxury and ease, all without declared that civilization and cultivation extended not beyond the lordly mansion and its possessor : from its windows were seen the cottages of the peasants, and their not very clean appendages, the cattle-yards adjoining each; and these all crowded together, formed the fore-ground ofthe view, while the back presented to us only plains ofsnow, rising in unequal surfaces.
The principal manufactories, of glass, and I think of linen, were several versts distant, so that we did not see them. There is a candle manufactory here, which is an extremely productive concern ; yet the poor people burn a little piece of cotton, stuck in some grease or oil, which gives a very excellent light, and certainly answers their purpose better than buying candles. A Scotchman of the name of Stephens had the conduct ofthis manufactory, and one or two more English or Scotchmen were employed in the service of the Count :
they were glad to see their countrymen at so great a distance from home, and the more so, as few English passed in the same route, Homil being out of the direct road.
The infant not being very well, I had him and the other children put into a warm bath, which they prepare most delightfully, with every kind of aromatic herb. It is a constant practice here, to put children into a warm bath once or twice a week, until they are about two years old ; and the effect during their teething, is very excellent. The water is put into a shallow .
wooden vessel, like a butcher's tray, but rather deeper; and with a quantity ofwater just deep enough for the child to lie in it without the water coming over its face. A handful ofherbs (of which they take care to dry plenty for this and other purposes), is put in, and the boiling water poured over them ; a sufficient quantity of cold water is then added, to make it the proper heat. A linen cloth is put in for the child to lie upon, which is then wrapped around his body, to keep those parts warm which are not covered by the water. In this the child is laid for a quarter, or halfan hour, and they told me, sometimes for two hours. The tin baths we have in England, must be preferable for this purpose.
At dinner in Russia, soup is universally the first dish, and without it theynever dine ; but it is often made sour, and in that case notmuch relished at first by an English palate. Fish, if to be had, comes next, and then from six to eight, orten dishes follow. It isimpossible to tell ofwhat many ofthese are composed. A joint ofmeat is never sent to table whole, but cut into slices, E2 and handed round to each person, beginning with the ladies who are visitors. Poultry and game are also served in the same way : pastry is scarcely seen except in patties, which are sent up to eat with the soup, or a tartlet at the conclusion of the dinner.
Previous to the dinner, olives, caviarre, or some sort of pickled fish, with common and bitter brandy, are sent in on a tray, to whet the appetite for that which is to follow. The Russians sit long at dinner, and wine of different sorts is placed on the table, each person helping himself: the dessert, which finishes the dinner, is eaten without the cloth being removed ; and the whole party then adjourn to the drawingroom, where coffee is immediately served.