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

72LIBERTINISM IN MOSCOW.

the abandon and good nature of the true, the old Italians, all in the toils of the inherent coquetry of the Russians; and I pity the unfortunate foreigners who could believe for a moment they might become actors in the theatre which awaits them here. In matters of the affections, the Russians are the gentlest wild beasts that are to be seen on earth ; and their well-concealed claws unfortunately divest them of none of their charms. I have never felt a fascination to be compared to it, unless in Polish society: a new relation discoverable between the two families ! Civil hate in vain strives to separate these people ; nature re-unites them in spite of themselves. If policy did not compel one to oppress the other, they would recognise and love each other. The Poles are chivalric and catholic Russians ; with the further difference, that, in Poland, it is the women who form the life of society, or, in other words, who command, and that in Russia, it is the men.

These same people, so naturally amiable, so well endowed, so extremely agreeable, sometimes go astray in patl)£ which men of the coarsest characters would avoid.

It is impossible to picture to one's self the life of many of the most distinguished young persons of Moscow. These men, who bear names and belong to families known throughout Europe, are lost in excesses that will not bear to be described. It is inconceivable how they can resist for six months the system they adopt for life, and maintain with a constancy which would be worthy of heaven, if its object were virtuous. Their temperaments seem to be made expressly for the anticipated hell; — for it is