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THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For

DECEMBER, 1799.

ART. I. A View of the Russian Empire, during the Reign of Catherine the Second, and to the Close of the present Century. By William Tooke, F. R. S. Member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, and of the Free Economical Society at St. Petersburg. 3 Vols. 8vo. 11. 78. Boards. Longman and Rees. 1799.

THE importance of the subject of this work, the authenticity

of the sources from which it appears to be drawn, the ability which it displays in arranging a vast variety of matter, and the circumstances which united to particularly qualify the author for undertaking and executing such a performance, entitle it to more than common notice, and will probably obtain for it more than common approbation.

It was well known to persons acquainted with continental .literature, that, for several years past, especially since the accession of Catherine the Second to the throne, the Russian empire had been the subject of many inquiries and foreign publications: but few had an opportunity of perusing them, and others had not heard that they existed. Yet they were so numerous, as we judge from Mr. Tooke's quotations, that, to obtain from them an accurate and distinct view of so extensive an empire, it required a person who not only had made it his object to read and compare the principal of these productions, but whom an actual residence in the country rendered competent to decide on the fidelity of the printed accounts, and, if necessary, to rectify their errors. That Mr. Tooke possesses these requisites will not be doubted, when we remind our readers that he is the author of the popular life of Catherine II. published some time since *; and when we inform them that he has passed the greater part of her long reign in Russia; that he was favoured for many years with the friendship and intimacy of two successive directors of the academy, and with free access to its libraries and collections; and that he was per

VOL. XXX.

*See Rev. N. S. vol. xxvi.. -P. 266.

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sonally acquainted with several of the Petersburg academicians who were appointed by the late Empress to travel for the pur pose of exploring the natural and moral condition of Russia.

It will be rather difficult to give, within the limits of a miscella neous periodical publication, an adequate idea of a work abounding with such interesting and various information: but, having attentively perused the whole of the three volumes, we trust that we shall be able to lay before our readers some of the most striking particulars.

In the Introduction, Mr. Tooke enumerates those learned men who, by order of government, travelled into the interior of Russia; among whom the celebrated naturalist Pallas occupies the first rank. These gentlemen, who were sent out for the express purpose of collecting information on the state of the countries which they were to visit, enjoyed every accommodation that could possibly be procured for facilitating their inquiries; and, much to the honour of the late Empress, after their return, they sat down in perfect ease to commit to paper the result of their inquiries.

The Russian empire, without reckoning the islands, reaches in length above 9200 English miles, and in breadth 2400. In this enormous extent, the temperatures of the atmosphere must naturally be varicus: but, though the weather, in the major part of the provinces, is exceedingly harsh and cold, the present author maintains (against Busching) that it never attacks the brain.

In sharp biting frosts, (says Mr. Tooke,) if people are but properly clad, and forbear to sit down, especially upon the banks of snow, which may often cost them their lives; they find themselves more healthy than in the moist weather of autumn, though such as live in the country are obliged to expose themselves the whole day long in the open air, to the utmost force of the cold, in forests, on hills and mountains, in the streets, &c. Any slight cold they may take, or any obstructions of the pores, are soon remedied by the hot rooms in which they are accustomed to sleep, and still more by the frequent use of their universally beloved hot-bath.-One sure proof that in general the climate is not prejudicial to health is the great number of persons that in all these parts attain to a very advanced' old age. From fourscore to ninety is an age thought by no means extraordinary; but numbers continue advancing from that period.' On the other hand, the heat in the southern part of the

M. Pallas has recently published an interesting and splendid' werk,, containing his observations during a journey into the southern. provinces of Russia; of which we shall give an account in our ensuing Appendix, to be published at the same time with the Review for January.

empire

empire is equally intense. In. Astrakhan, the mercury in Fahrenheit's thermometer sometimes rises to 103; and rain. is then so rare, that, without artificial irrigation, all vegetation would be withered. Among the finest tracts of the southern districts, are to be reckoned the Caucasian territory, and the mountainous part of the province of Taurida. M. Pallas, in his late publication, gives so delightful a picture of the latter, that the author could not resist the desire of inserting the following translation of it:

"One of the mildest and most fertile regions of the empire is the beautiful semicircular and amphitheatral vale, formed by the Tauridan mountains on their side along the shores of Euxine.

"These vallies, which are blessed with the climate of Anatolia and the Lesser Asia, where the winter is scarcely sensible, where the prim roses and spring-saffron bloom in February and often in January, and where the oak frequently retains its foliage the whole winter through, are, in regard to botany and rural economy, the noblest tract in Taurida, and perhaps in the whole extent of the empire. Here everywhere thrive and flourish in open air the ever-verdant laurel, the oiltree, the fig, the lotus, the pomegranate, and the celtis, which per haps are the remains of Grecian cultivation; with the manna-bearing, ash, the turpentine-tree, the tanbark-tree, the strawberry-tree from Asia Minor, and many others. This last particularly covers, the, steepest cliffs of the shore, and beautifies them in winter by its perpetual foliage and the red rind of its thick stem. In these happy vales, the forests consist of fruit-trees of every kind, or rather the forest is only a large orchard left entirely to itself. On the shores of the sea, the caper-bushes propagate themselves spontaneously; without the assistance of art, the wild or planted vine-stems climb the loftiest trees, and, twining with flowery creepers, form festoons and hedges. The contrast of the orchards and the rich verdure with the beautiful wilds.. ness which the adjacent mountains and rocks present, which in some places rise among the clouds, and in others are fallen in ruins; the natural fountains and cascades that agrecably present their rushing waters; lastly, the near view of the sea, where the sight is lost in the unbounded prospect: all these beauties together form so picturesque and delightful a whole, that even the enraptured muse of the poet or the painter would be unable to conceive any thing more charming. The simple manner of life of the good-humoured Highland Tartars who inhabit these paradisaical vales; their turf-covered cottages, some hewn in the rock on the mountain's side, others placed amidst the luxuriant foliage of the surrounding orchards; the roving flocks of goats and sheep clinging to the declivities of the solitary rock; the sound of the pastoral flute, re echoing its plaintive tones among the hills every thing here renews the image of the golden age, its innocence and simplicity; every thing contributes to cherish the propensity to an artless, retired, and rural life, and we for a second time gain a fondness for the abode of mortals, which the horrors of war, the sordid pursuit of wealth in great cities, and the luxury which fills the

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train of all the social vices, render so soon intolerable to the sincere votaries of wisdom *."

M. Pallas thinks that the useful products of Asia Minor, as well as of the southern parts of Europe, might be made indigenous in these enchanting vallies, to the benefit of the Russian empire; which nowhere, in its whole extent, possesses so fine a climate as that which is there enjoyed.

Passing over the remainder of the first book, which treats of the natural state of the empire, we shall extract a few remarks from the second, which exhibits an historical view of the nations that constitute the Russian dominions. Besides the Slavonians, to whom the predominance belongs, there are. in the Russian empire three main national stems, Finns, Mongoles, and Tartars. The native Russians are of different stature; some are very tall, and few much below the usual height; several of them are remarkably strong-limbed ; in general they are lean, but well shaped. Their mouth and eyes are small, the lips thin, the teeth even and beautiful, the nose in general not large nor very aquiline; the forehead frequently low, and their aspect rather grave; the beard is strong and bushy, their hair lank, brown, flaxen, or red, seldom or never entirely black. In gait and action, they are brisk and agile. The complexion of the females is brunette, with a fine skin, and many of them are extremely handsome: they arrive early at maturity, owing to the frequent use of the hot bath : but they as speedily decay, and the abominable practice of painting spoils their complexion.

The general disposition of the people is gay, careless even to levity, much addicted to sensuality, quick in comprehending whatever is proposed, and not less prompt in its execution; ingenious in find. : ing out means of abridging their work; in all their occupations ready, alert, aud dexterous. Violent in their passions, they easily mistake the golden mean, and not unfrequently rush into the contrary extreme. They are attentive, resolute, bold, and enterprizing. To trade and barter they have an irresistible impulse. They are hospitable and liberal, frequently to their own impoverishment. Anxious

To the generality of readers it may not be a matter of indifference to learn, that the philosopher from whose pen this passage proceeds, resides at present, according to his wish, in the country, the beauties whereof he here paints in such warm and poetical colours. As the health of this famous naturalist rendered his living in a warm climate necessary, on his request to the late Empress, he obtained not only immediate permission to choose for himself a place in her dominions, but also, on his pitching upon Taurida for that purpose, an estate in that province, and to the forming of his establishment a present of ten thousand rubles.' Author.

solicitudes

solicitudes about the future here cause but few grey pates. In their. intercourse with others, they are friendly, jovial, complaisant, very ready to oblige, not envious, slanderous, or censorious, and much given to secrecy. From their natural and simple way of life, their wants are few and those easily satisfied, leaving them leisure for re-. creation and repose; and the constant chearfulness of their temper frees them from troublesome projects, procures them satisfaction in all situations, keeps them healthy and strong, and brings them to an undisquieted, contented, brisk, sometimes a very advanced old age.'

by

The nation consists chiefly of nobility and peasantry: but the late Empress sedulously raised and encouraged the bur gesses. To these may be added the Kozaks; who form a par ticular class originating from the peasantry, and live exempt from taxes, on the produce of their fields and pastures, or the labour of their hands. They neither furnish recruits nor are given away as serfs: but they all serve as light horsemen, as early and as long as they are fit for it; providing themselves with horses, clothes, and accoutrements; and they receive pay only when they are in actual service.

The proper Russian architecture is the same in towns and villages :

A messuage consists of a dwelling-house, a few little store-rooms, stables, and a stew or hot-bath, by which the yard is inclosed. All these structures are built of bauks, unhewn, placed on one another, and notched into each other at the four corners; sometimes, though but rarely, on a brick foundation; these houses are covered with boards, and when the owner can afford it, with oak shingles.. The meanest dwelling-houses consist solely of one little room, which therefore has the door to the street. In it is an oven taking up almost one fourth part of the whole space; adjoining to it, of equal height with the oven, is a broad shelf of board. The top of the oven and this shelf are the sleeping places of the family. The light is admitted into these houses through two or three holes in the walls furnished with shutters, or through a little window of Muscovy-glass, or only of bladder, oiled linen or paper. The smoke finds its way out as well as it can through these apertures in the wall. These rooms, as may well be supposed, are as black as a chimney; and as all the household functions are performed in them, such as baking, cooking, washing, &c. it is hardly possible to keep them clean. They are called, with the utmost propriety of speech, black-rooms. Under the floor of the room is a cellar.'

Paint is essentially necessary to the decoration of a Russian lady; and the fairest or the ruddiest young woman puts on both white and red. In the summer, the inferior classes contentedly lie down for the night in the open air, in the field, or in the yard belonging to the house; and in the winter on the top of the oven, without beds, or merely on a piece of felt, sometimes with and often without any pillow, either under a

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