Confessions of this kind are so often heard, that it is impossible to help wishing they were somewhat less willing to admit their weaknesses, and less ready to content themselves, as they generally do, with the expression " Shto sd'dlatj'' (what's to be done?) Nothing is easier than to make a Russian confess, and nothing is more common, than for him to repeat his offence after having confessed and been punished or pardoned for similar ones a dozen times. As they have immeasurably more cunning than understanding, are far more clever than rational, their own proverb '-^ sum sa rasum sasholV' (his wits have run away with his reason) is quite true ; a correct psychological glance into their own inward man has revealed to them how often exaggerated cunning and calculation has led them to most irrational practices. It is honourable to us Germans, that the Russians (that is the lower classes) have so much confidence in us ; would to heaven every German justified this confidence, and did not, as unhappily many of them in Russia do, profit by the credit of the national character, and sin at the expense of thirty milHons of his forefathers and fellow-countrymen. A Russian of rank will intrust a German with his secrets, or his valuables, much more readily than his own countryman. The Isvoschtshik will not willingly let a Russian go without having paid, or without leaving a pledge, while he will readily give a German credit.
The Russian of distinction makes as much difference between his own countrymen and the Germans, as the lower classes do. " Sluishi I tui" (hark thee), says a Rvissian nobleman to a Russian tailor ; every body who is neither a nobleman nor foreigner is thou'd in Russia, even the wealthy merchant, " padi sudi" (come here) measure me for a coat, velvet collar, bright buttons, long in the waist ; dost understand ? let it be ready the day aiW to-morrow, dost hear? " Slushi" (I hear and obey); " stupai" (be off then). " My dear Mr. Meyer," he will say to an Innostranez (foreigner), " excuse me that I have given you the trouble to come, pray be seated. I Avant a new coat, would you advise green or blue ? Pray make it in the newest fashion, and if possible, I should like to have It in a fortniglit. I know how much you have to do. If it cannot be helped I will wait three weeks. I am much obliged to you. And how go affairs with you, Gospodin Meyer ? how do you get on with Prince R. If I can be of any service to you in that business let me know. If possible, you will let me have the coat before the three weeks, will you, not ? adieu !"
A foreign workman is paid what he asks without liesitation, even if he ask sixty rubles for the mere cutting out of a coat. With the Russian mechanic it is, " What ! twenty rubles for such a trifle as that ! Twenty strokes with a cudgel from the police ! There's \en for thee, and quite enough ! take it." " Slushu" (I obey), answers the poor overborne rogue, makes a bow, and goes away quite content.
The Russians are sometimes called the French of the North ; 35 lame a comparison, if seriously meant, as that of modern Moscow with old Rome. The differences between the two nations are endless Something of likeness there is, however, in the fact that in the demeanour of the lowest Russian there is a certain adroitness, a savoir faire and tournure, altogether wanting to tlie Germans. Look at the cut of the commonest national garment, and in spite of dirt and coarseness, there ^v'ill he a something comme il faiit about it. Even under the bearskins, slender and rounded forms may be perceived. The awkward and ridiculous vestments occasionally seen among us, are unknown here : to judge by his clothing, a Russian must be one of the most elegant and rational of men. Observe a couple of Russians of the lowest class : if they have a heavy burden to transport, hoAV cleverly and readily it is done, in spite of the most deplorable means of carriage. In St. Petersbm'g, the most ordinary peasants, picked up quite at random, will be charged with the transport of the costliest and most fragile articles ; for example, immense looking-glasses, porcelain, &c., and will execute the commission with as much dexterity as if it had been their employment from childhood. I should Hke to see one quantity of glass packed and carried by German peasants, and another by Russians, and strike the balance between the relative skill and address of the two nations, according to the quantity of merchandise demolished !