The nurses occupy a remarkable position in Russia, the same or nearly so that they do with all the Caucasian nations, among whom the nm'se remains often for life, the friend and adviser of her foster-child, and where a noble or princely house is sure to contain a whole chorus of nurses, as well those of the grown up, as of the younger children, and of the master and mistress of the family. So long as she remains in the house, the nurse is always an object of distinguished regard to all her housemates ; she is flattered and spoiled on all sides, and as every thing is done to please her for the sake of the child, she seldom fails to tiu-n out a very capricious, bold, obtnislve, and particularly well-fed person. Intrusted with the mother's costliest treasure, the nurse accompanies her lady every where, — to church, to the promenade, to the boudoir, and in the carriage. As these nurses are peasant-women who have not laid aside the habits of their homes, and yet whose places demand a certain richness of dress, the national female costmne is seen in them in its fullest splendour, as the male costume is with the coachmen. The Russian nurses are seen on the public walks in rich gold brocaded stuffs, and high kakoshniks of false and real pearls on their head ; the joyous look, the red cheeks of these gaudy peacocks, the boldness and assurance of their demeanour, explain at once the relation in which they stand. Long after their period of service has expired, they receive abundance of presents from the family, whose favour is extended also to the foster-children. Something of superstition is mingled with this kindness, as in almost every custom of the Russians, for they ascribe to the nurse and her children all manner of mysterious influence over the nm'sling.
The Germans resident in Russia relate terrible stories of these Russian niu-ses. Their childlike gaiety and humour fit them peculiarly for spcrt and merriment with children ; but on the other hand, when they get out of patience, they have recourse to the most barbarous and inhuman means to qiuet their noisy little charges. For instance, striking them on the head till they are stupitied, holding them by the feet with their heads downwards till the blood mounts to the head, and shaking them so violently as to throw them into convulsions, besides frightening the elder children by dressing themselves up as ghosts. Other tricks so detestable have been attributed to them, that they will not bear repetition. A ladv who had had a Russian nurse told me frightful stories of what she had endiired from her, and seemed to think it little short of a miracle, that she had escaped with so much health and understanding after such treatment. The following anecdote is not the only one of the kind I have heard in St. Petersburg. A family of rank came to St. Petersburg from Moscow on business. Going one day to pay a visit in the city, they left their daughter, a child five years of age, at home with her nurse. On their return in tlie evening the half-intoxicated nurse fell at their feet shedding a torrent of tears, and exclaiming, " Pamiluitye, vuinovat, vuinovat" (Have compassion on me, I am guilty, 1 am guilty) ! and told them how she had left the child a few minutes alone, and that when she came back it was nowhere to be found, it had been stolen. The despairing parents made every possible search but in vain, and were at length compelled to retiu-n childless to Moscow. The nurse appeared so wretched that she was forgiven. About three years afterwards the father came again to St. Petersbiu'g, and while passing one day through the streets, thinking of his lost Anninka, he heard a feeble voice crying out, " Papinka, papinka" (Papa, papa) I He turned and saw his little daughter muffled in rags, miserable and sickly, sitting in a cart drawn by a filthy beggar-woman. " Woman, where did you get that child ?" cried he, seizing her and snatching the child who sunk sobbing and half-naked in his arms. On examination, it appeared that the beggar had bought the poor little creature from the nurse for 20 rubles, and reduced her to the state in which she was fomid, purposely to excite compassion. Begging is no longer permitted by the police, and such things are now more likely to happen in London or Paris than in St. Petersburg.