Provincial Russia . robably a translation of * The Pilgrims izbas of the present day show little improve-ment over those of the time of Peter the are as a rule draughty, insanitary, and insect-ridden, and it is not an unmixed evil that every sixor seven years they are l)urnt down accidentally ina village fire or through private enmity, for thesatisfaction of which letting loose the red cockis not an uncommon expedient. Within recent years the fine physical type of theGreat Russian has somewhat deteriorated throughinsufficient nourishment. He is a tall, well-builtman wit
Provincial Russia . robably a translation of * The Pilgrims izbas of the present day show little improve-ment over those of the time of Peter the are as a rule draughty, insanitary, and insect-ridden, and it is not an unmixed evil that every sixor seven years they are l)urnt down accidentally ina village fire or through private enmity, for thesatisfaction of which letting loose the red cockis not an uncommon expedient. Within recent years the fine physical type of theGreat Russian has somewhat deteriorated throughinsufficient nourishment. He is a tall, well-builtman with a singularly dignified face, broad browand nose, small eyes, white teeth, and flowing movements are grave, and yet capable ofextreme vivacity. In speaking he uses livelygesticulations. The mass of light brown hair isparted in the middle, and shaved off behind at thenape of the neck, so that at the back it falls like adense curtain, cut evenly above the tanned,wrinkled skin. The splendid white teeth, per-. KEW YEAR S CUSTOM : CHOOSING A BRIDE CENTRAL RUSSIA 11 petually polished by the black rye bread, whichis the staple food, are not so characteristic ofthe younger generation. The usual headgear is apeaked blue yachting cap, but many wear their oldsoldiers cap or a round felt liat. A gaily-coloured,generally red, shirt fastened at the side of the neckfalls over darkish print trousers, and is girdled bya belt at the waist. On the feet are worn thickcoarse socks, which, with the ends of the breeks,are hidden by strips of cloth wound round the legslike puttees. These are held in position by cordsattached to the lapti, or bast shoes. But in summerthe peasants in the fields go barefoot, and put ontheir footgear only before entering a village. Onholidays the lapti are replaced by top-boots ofleather. There is nothing distinctive about thedress of the women, who are not so good-lookingas the men. Young girls either go bareheaded orwear a kerchief over the tresses that fall
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Keywords: ., bookauthorstewarth, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1913
