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

riches and elegance foster talents; but that which is yet more indispensable to them is the good taste and the freedom of public opinion.

The Russians have not yet reached the point of civilisation at which there is real enjoyment of the arts. At present their enthusiasm on these subjects is pure vanity; it is a pretence, like their passion for classic architecture. Let these people look within themselves, let them listen to their primitive genius, and, if they have received from Heaven a perception of the beauties of art, they will give up copying, in order to produce what God and nature expect from them. So far, all their magnificent works together will never be equivalent, in the eyes of those few real amateurs of the beautiful who vegetate at Petersburg, to a sojourn in Paris, or a journey in Italy.

The Opera-house is built on the plan of those of ]\Blan and Naples ; but these latter are more stately, and more harmonious in their proportions, than any thing of the kind which I have yet seen in Russia.