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

NOBLE TRAIT IN RUSSIAN CHARACTER. 103

speak of distances, it is easy to perceive they inhabit a land large as Europe, and of which Siberia is a part.

One of the most attractive traits in their character, at least in my opinion, is their dislike to objections: they will recognise neither difficulties nor obstacles.

The common people participate in this, it may be, a little gasconading humour, of the nobility. With his hatchet, which he never lays aside, a Russian peasant triumphs over accidents and predicaments that would altogether stop the villagers of our provinces ; and he answers " yes," to everything that is demanded of him.