Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

THE FELDJÄGEE.183

a carriage seated faciug the horses, when even he is not by the side of a lady, whilst his friends place themselves opposite. This impoliteness, which would not be committed among us excepting where there was the strictest intimacy, here astonishes nobody.

Fearing lest the familiarity of the courier should shock my obliging companions, I considered it necessary to make this man remove; and told him, very civilly, to mount the seat by the side of the coachman.

" I shall do nothing of the kind," answered the feldjäger, with imperturbable sang-froid.

" What is the reason that you do not obey me ? " I asked, in a yet calmer tone; for I know that among this half-oriental nation, it is necessary to maintain perfect impassibility in order to preserve your authority.

We spoke in German. " It would be a derogation," answered the Russian, in the same quiet tone.

This reminded me of the disputes about precedence among the boyards, which, under the reigns of the Ivans, were often so serious as to fill many pages of the Russian history of that epoch.

" What do уогх mean by a derogation ?" I continued. " Is not that the place which you have occupied since Ave left Moscow ? "

" It is true, sir, that is my place in travelling; but in taking a drive I ought to be in the carriage. I wear a uniform."

This uniform, which I have noticed elsewhere, is that of an agent of the post.

" I wear uniform, sir; I possess a rank in the