第8章

Ofthesesemi-independentmilitarycommunities，whichformeda，continuousbarrieralongthesouthernandsoutheasternfrontier，themostcelebratedweretheZaporovians*oftheDnieper，andthe，CossacksoftheDon。

*Thename“Zaporovians，“bywhichtheyareknownintheWest，isa，corruptionoftheRussianwordZaporozhtsi，whichmeans“Thosewho，livebeyondtherapids。”

TheZaporovianCommonwealthhasbeencomparedsometimestoancient，Sparta，andsometimestothemediaevalMilitaryOrders，butithad，inrealityquiteadifferentcharacter。InSpartathenobleskept，insubjectionalargepopulationofslaves，andwerethemselves，constantlyundertheseveredisciplineofthemagistrates。These，CossacksoftheDnieper，onthecontrary，livedbyfishing，hunting，andmarauding，andknewnothingofdiscipline，exceptin，timeofwar。AmongstalltheinhabitantsoftheSetch——sothe，fortifiedcampwascalled——therereignedthemostperfectequality。

Thecommonsaying，“Bearpatiently，Cossack;youwillonedaybe，Ataman！”wasoftenrealised;foreveryyeartheoffice-bearerslaid，downtheinsigniaofofficeinpresenceofthegeneralassembly，andafterthankingthebrotherhoodforthehonourtheyhadenjoyed，retiredtotheirformerpositionofcommonCossack。Atthe，electionwhichfollowedthisceremonyanymembercouldbechosen，chiefofhiskuren，orcompany，andanychiefofakurencouldbe，chosenAtaman。

ThecomparisonoftheseboldBordererswiththemediaevalMilitary，Ordersisscarcelylessforced。Theycallthemselves，indeed，Lytsars——acorruptionoftheRussianwordRitsar，whichisinits，turnacorruptionoftheGermanRitter——talkedofknightlyhonour，(lytsarskayatchest’)，andsometimesproclaimedthemselvesthe，championsofGreekOrthodoxyagainsttheRomanCatholicismofthe，PolesandtheMahometanismoftheTartars;butreligionoccupiedin，theirmindsaverysecondaryplace。Theirgreatobjectinlifewas，theacquisitionofbooty。Toattainthisobjecttheylivedin，intermittentwarfarewiththeTartars，liftedtheircattle，pillagedtheiraouls，swepttheBlackSeainflotillasofsmall，boats，andoccasionallysackedimportantcoasttowns，suchasVarna，andSinope。WhenTartarbootycouldnotbeeasilyobtained，they，turnedtheirattentiontotheSlavonicpopulations;andwhenhard，pressedbyChristianpotentates，theydidnothesitatetoput，themselvesundertheprotectionoftheSultan。

TheCossacksoftheDon，oftheVolga，andoftheUralhada，somewhatdifferentorganisation。Theyhadnofortifiedcamplike，theSetch，butlivedinvillages，andassembledasnecessity，demanded。AstheywerecompletelybeyondthesphereofPolish，influence，theyknewnothingabout“knightlyhonour“andsimilar，conceptionsofWesternchivalry;theyevenadoptedmanyTartar，customs，andlovedintimeofpeacetostrutaboutingorgeous，Tartarcostumes。Besidesthis，theywerenearlyallemigrantsfrom，GreatRussia，andmostlyOldRitualistsorSectarians，whilstthe，ZaporovianswereLittleRussiansandOrthodox。

ThesemilitarycommunitiesrenderedvaluableservicetoRussia。

Thebestmeansofprotectingthesouthernfrontierwastohaveas，alliesalargebodyofmenleadingthesamekindoflifeand，capableofcarryingonthesamekindofwarfareasthenomadic，marauders;andsuchabodyofmenweretheFreeCossacks。The，sentimentofself-preservationandthedesireofbootykeptthem，constantlyonthealert。Bysendingoutsmallpartiesinall，directions，by“procuringtongues“——thatistosay，bykidnapping，andtorturingstragglingTartarswithaviewtoextracting，informationfromthem——andbykeepingspiesintheenemy’s，territory，theyweregenerallyapprisedbeforehandofanyintended，incursion。Whendangerthreatened，theordinaryprecautionswere，redoubled。Dayandnightpatrolskeptwatchatthepointswhere，theenemywasexpected，andassoonassuresignsofhisapproach，werediscoveredapileoftarredbarrelspreparedforthepurpose，wasfiredtogivethealarm。Rapidlythesignalwasrepeatedat，onepointofobservationafteranother，andbythisprimitive，systemoftelegraphyinthecourseofafewhoursthewhole，districtwasupinarms。Iftheinvaderswerenottoonumerous，theywereatonceattackedanddrivenback。Iftheycouldnotbe，successfullyresisted，theywereallowedtopass;butatroopof，Cossackswassenttopillagetheiraoulsintheirabsence，whilst，anotherandlargerforcewascollected，inordertointerceptthem，whentheywerereturninghomeladenwithbooty。Thusmanya，namelessbattlewasfoughtonthetracklessSteppe，andmanybrave，menfellunhonouredandunsung：

“Illacrymabiles，Urgenturignotiquelonga，Nocte，carentquiavatesacro。”

Notwithstandingthesevaluableservices，theCossackcommunities，wereaconstantsourceofdiplomaticdifficultiesandpolitical，dangers。Astheypaidverylittleattentiontotheordersofthe，Government，theysuppliedtheSultanwithanynumberofcasibelli，andwereoftenreadytoturntheirarmsagainstthepowertowhich，theyprofessedallegiance。During“thetroubloustimes，“for，example，whenthenationalexistencewasendangeredbycivilstrife，andforeigninvasion，theyoverranthecountry，robbing，pillaging，andburningastheywerewonttodointheTartaraouls。Ata，laterperiodtheDonCossackstwiceraisedformidable，insurrections——firstunderStenkaRazin(1670)，andsecondlyunder，Pugatchef(1773)——andduringthewarbetweenPetertheGreatand，CharlesXII。ofSwedentheZaporovianstookthesideoftheSwedish，king。

TheGovernmentnaturallystrovetoputanendtothisdanger，and，ultimatelysucceeded。AlltheCossacksweredeprivedoftheir，independence，butthefateofthevariouscommunitieswas，different。ThoseoftheVolgaweretransferedtotheTerek，where，theyhadabundantoccupationinguardingthefrontieragainstthe，incursionsoftheEasternCaucasiantribes。TheZaporoviansheld，tenaciouslytotheir“Dnieperliberties，“andresistedall，interference，tilltheywereforciblydisbandedinthetimeof，CatherineII。ThemajorityofthemfledtoTurkey，wheresomeof，theirdescendantsarestilltobefound，andtheremainderwere，settledontheKuban，wheretheycouldleadtheiroldlifeby，carryingonanirregularwarfarewiththetribesoftheWestern，Caucasus。SincethecaptureofShamylandthepacificationofthe，Caucasus，thisCossackpopulationoftheKubanandtheTerek，extendinginanunbrokenlinefromtheSeaofAzoftotheCaspian，havebeenabletoturntheirattentiontopeacefulpursuits，and，nowraiselargequantitiesofwheatforexportation;buttheystill，retaintheirmartialbearing，andsomeofthemregretthegoodold，timeswhenabrushwiththeCircassianswasanordinaryoccurrence，andtheworkoftillingthesoilwasoftendiversifiedwithamore，excitingkindofoccupation。

TheCossacksoftheUralandtheDonhavebeenallowedtoremainin，theiroldhomes，buttheyhavebeendeprivedoftheirindependence，andself-government，andtheirsocialorganisationhasbeen，completelychanged。Theboisterouspopularassemblieswhich，formerlydecidedallpublicaffairshavebeenabolished，andthe，customofchoosingtheAtamanandotheroffice-bearersbypopular，electionhasbeenreplacedbyasystemofregularpromotion，accordingtoruleselaboratedinSt。Petersburg。Theofficersand，theirfamiliesnowcomposeakindofhereditaryaristocracywhich，hassucceededinappropriating，bymeansofImperialgrants，a，largeportionofthelandwhichwasformerlycommonproperty。As，theEmpireexpandedinAsiathesystemofprotectingthepartiesby，Cossackcolonistswasextendedeastwards，sonowthereisabeltof，Cossackterritorystretchingalmostwithoutinterruptionfromthe，banksoftheDontothecoastofthePacific。Itisdividedinto，elevensections，ineachofwhichissettledaCossackcorpswitha，separateadministration。

Whenuniversalmilitaryservicewasintroduced，in1873，the，Cossackswerebroughtunderthenewlaw，butinordertopreserve，theirmilitarytraditionsandhabitstheywereallowedtoretain，withcertainmodifications，theiroldorganisation，rights，and，privileges。Inreturnforalargeamountoffertilelandand，exemptionfromdirecttaxation，theyhavetoequipthemselvesat，theirownexpense，andservefortwentyyears，ofwhichthreeare，spentinpreparatorytraining，twelveintheactivearmy，andfive，inthereserve。Thissystemgivestothearmyacontingentof，about330，000men——dividedinto890squadronsand108infantry，companies——with236guns。

TheCossacksinactiveservicearetobemetwithinallpartsof，theEmpire，fromthePrussiantotheChinesefrontier。Inthe，AsiaticProvincestheirservicesareinvaluable。Capableof，enduringanincredibleamountoffatigueandallmannerof，privations，theycanliveandthriveinconditionswhichwouldsoon，disableregulartroops。Thecapacityofself-adaptation，whichis，characteristicoftheRussianpeoplegenerally，ispossessedby，theminthehighestdegree。WhenplacedonsomedistantAsiatic，frontiertheycanatoncetransformthemselvesintosquatters——

buildingtheirownhouses，raisingcropsofgrain，andlivingas，colonistswithoutneglectingtheirmilitaryduties。

IhavesometimeshearditassertedbymilitarymenthattheCossack，organisationisanantiquatedinstitution，andthatthesoldiers，whichitproduces，howeverusefultheymaybeinCentralAsia，wouldbeoflittleserviceinregularEuropeanwarfare。Whether，thisview，whichreceivedsomeconfirmationintheRusso-Turkish，Warof1877-78，istrueorfalseIcannotpretendtosay，foritis，asubjectonwhichacivilianhasnorighttospeak;butImay，remarkthattheCossacksthemselvesarenotbyanymeansofthat，opinion。Theyregardthemselvesasthemostvaluabletroopswhich，theTsarpossesses，believingthemselvescapableofperforming，anythingwithintheboundsofhumanpossibility，andagooddeal，thatliesbeyondthatlimit。MorethanonceDonCossackshave，assuredmethatiftheTsarhadallowedthemtofitoutaflotilla，ofsmallboatsduringtheCrimeanWartheywouldhavecapturedthe，Britishfleet，astheirancestorsusedtocaptureTurkishgalleys，ontheBlackSea！

Inoldtimes，throughoutthewholeterritoryoftheDonCossacks，agriculturewasprohibitedonpainofdeath。Itisgenerally，supposedthatthismeasurewasadoptedwithaviewtopreservethe，martialspiritoftheinhabitants，butitmaybeexplained，otherwise。ThegreatmajorityoftheCossacks，aversetoall，regular，laboriousoccupations，wishedtolivebyfishing，hunting，cattle-breeding，andmarauding，buttherewasalwaysamongstthema，considerablenumberofimmigrants——runawayserfsfromtheinterior——

whohadbeenaccustomedtolivebyagriculture。Theselatter，wishedtoraisecropsonthefertilevirginsoil，andiftheyhad，beenallowedtodosotheywouldtosomeextenthavespoiledthe，pastures。Wehavehere，Ibelieve，thetruereasonfortheabove-

mentionedprohibition，andthisviewisstronglyconfirmedby，analogousfactswhichIhaveobservedinanotherlocality。Inthe，Kirghizterritorythepoorerinhabitantsoftheaoulsnearthe，frontier，havingfewornocattle，wishtoletpartofthecommon，landtotheneighbouringRussianpeasantryforagricultural，purposes;butthericherinhabitants，whopossessflocksandherds，strenuouslyopposethismovement，andwoulddoubtlessprohibitit，underpainofdeathiftheyhadthepower，becauseallagricultural，encroachmentsdiminishthepasture-land。

Whateverwastherealreasonoftheprohibition，practical，necessityprovedinthelongruntoostrongfortheanti-

agriculturists。Asthepopulationaugmentedandtheopportunities，formaraudingdecreased，themajorityhadtoovercometheir，repugnancetohusbandry;andsoonlargepatchesofploughedlandor，wavinggrainweretobeseeninthevicinityofthestanitsas，as，theCossackvillagesaretermed。Atfirsttherewasnoattemptto，regulatethisnewuseoftheagerpublicus。EachCossackwho，wishedtoraiseacropploughedandsowedwhereverhethoughtfit，andretainedaslongashechosethelandthusappropriated;and，whenthesoilbegantoshowsignsofexhaustionheabandonedhis，plotandploughedelsewhere。Butthisunregulateduseofthe，Communalpropertycouldnotlongcontinue。Asthenumberof，agriculturistsincreased，quarrelsfrequentlyarose，andsometimes，terminatedinbloodshed。Stillworseevilsappearedwhenmarkets，werecreatedinthevicinity，anditbecamepossibletosellthe，grainforexportation。Insomestanitsasthericherfamilies，appropriatedenormousquantitiesofthecommonlandbyusing，severalteamsofoxen，orbyhiringpeasantsinthenearest，villagestocomeandploughforthem;andinsteadofabandoningthe，landafterraisingtwoorthreecropstheyretainedpossessionof，it，andcametoregarditastheirprivateproperty。Thusthe，wholeofthearableland，oratleastthebestpartofit，became，actually，ifnotlegally，theprivatepropertyofafewfamilies，whilstthelessenergeticorlessfortunateinhabitantsofthe，stanitsahadonlyparcelsofcomparativelybarrensoil，orhadno，landwhatever，andbecamemereagriculturallabourers。

Afteratimethisinjusticewasremedied。Thelandlessmembers，justlycomplainedthattheyhadtobearthesameburdensasthose，whopossessedtheland，andthatthereforetheyoughttoenjoythe，sameprivileges。Theoldspiritofequalitywasstillstrong，amongstthem，andtheyultimatelysucceededinassertingtheir，rights。Inaccordancewiththeirdemandstheappropriatedlandwas，confiscatedbytheCommune，andthesystemofperiodical，redistributionswasintroduced。Bythissystemeachadultmale，possessesashareoftheland。

Thesefactstendtothrowlightonsomeofthedarkquestionsof，socialdevelopmentinitsearlystages。

Solongasavillagecommunityleadsapurelypastorallife，and，possessesanabundanceofland，thereisnoreasonwhythe，individualsorthefamiliesofwhichitiscomposedshoulddivide，thelandintoprivatelots，andthereareverypotentreasonswhy，theyshouldnotadoptsuchacourse。Togivethedivisionofthe，landanypracticalsignificance，itwouldbenecessarytoraise，fencesofsomekind，andthesefences，requiringfortheir，constructionacertainamountoflabour，wouldprovemerelya，uselessencumbrance，foritismuchmoreconvenientthatallthe，sheepandcattleshouldgrazetogether。Ifthereisascarcityof，pasture，andconsequentlyaconflictofinterestamongthe，families，theenjoymentofthecommonlandwillberegulatednotby，raisingfences，butbysimplylimitingthenumberofsheepand，cattlewhicheachfamilyisentitledtoputuponthepasturage，as，isdoneinmanyRussianvillagesatthepresentday。Whenanyone，desirestokeepmoresheepandcattlethanthemaximumtowhichhe，isentitled，hepaystotheothersacertaincompensation。Thus，wesee，inpastorallifethedividingofthecommonlandis，unnecessaryandinexpedient，andconsequentlyprivatepropertyin，landisnotlikelytocomeintoexistence。

Withtheintroductionofagricultureappearsatendencytodivide，thelandamongthefamiliescomposingthecommunity，foreach，familylivingbyhusbandryrequiresadefiniteportionofthesoil。

Ifthelandsuitableforagriculturalpurposesbeplentiful，each，headofafamilymaybeallowedtotakepossessionofasmuchofit，asherequires，aswasformerlydoneintheCossackstanitsas;if，onthecontrary，theareaofarablelandissmall，asisthecase，insomeBashkiraouls，therewillprobablybearegularallotment，ofitamongthefamilies。

Withthetendencytodividethelandintodefiniteportionsarises，aconflictbetweentheprincipleofcommunalandtheprincipleof，privateproperty。Thosewhoobtaindefiniteportionsofthesoil，areingenerallikelytokeepthemandtransmitthemtotheir，descendants。Inacountry，however，liketheSteppe——anditis，onlyofsuchcountriesthatIamatpresentspeaking——thenatureof，thesoilandthesystemofagriculturemilitateagainstthis，conversionofsimplepossessionintoarightofproperty。Aplot，oflandiscommonlycultivatedforonlythreeorfouryearsin，succession。Itisthenabandonedforatleastdoublethatperiod，andthecultivatorsremovetosomeotherportionofthecommunal，territory。Afteratime，itistrue，theyreturntotheold，portion，whichhasbeeninthemeantimelyingfallow;butasthe，soilistolerablyequalinquality，thefamiliesorindividuals，havenoreasontodesirethepreciseplotswhichtheyformerly，possessed。Undersuchcircumstancestheprincipleofprivate，propertyinthelandisnotlikelytostrikeroot;eachfamily，insistsonpossessingacertainQUANTITYratherthanacertainPLOT

ofland，andcontentsitselfwitharightofusufruct，whilstthe，rightofpropertyremainsinthehandsoftheCommune;anditmust，notbeforgottenthatthedifferencebetweenusufructandproperty，hereisofgreatpracticalimportance，forsolongastheCommune，retainstherightofpropertyitmayre-allotthelandinanyway，itthinksfit。

Asthepopulationincreasesandlandbecomeslessplentiful，the，primitivemethodofagricultureabovealludedtogivesplacetoa，lessprimitivemethod，commonlyknownas“thethree-fieldsystem，“

accordingtowhichthecultivatorsdonotmigrateperiodicallyfrom，onepartofthecommunalterritorytoanother，buttillalwaysthe，samefields，andareobligedtomanuretheplotswhichtheyoccupy。

Theprincipleofcommunalpropertyrarelysurvivesthischange，for，bylongpossessionthefamiliesacquireaprescriptiverighttothe，portionswhichtheycultivate，andthosewhomanuretheirlandwell，naturallyobjecttoexchangeitforlandwhichhasbeenheldby，indolent，improvidentneighbours。InRussia，however，thischange，hasnotdestroyedtheprincipleofcommunalproperty。Thoughthe，three-fieldsystemhasbeeninuseformanygenerationsinthe，centralprovinces，thecommunalprinciple，withitsperiodicalre-

allotmentoftheland，stillremainsintact。

Forthestudentofsociologythepasthistoryandactualcondition，oftheDonCossackspresentmanyotherfeaturesequallyinteresting，andinstructive。Hemaytheresee，forinstance，howan，aristocracycanbecreatedbymilitarypromotion，andhowserfage，mayoriginateandbecomearecognisedinstitutionwithoutany，legislativeenactment。Ifhetakesaninterestinpeculiar，manifestationsofreligiousthoughtandfeeling，hewillfinda，richfieldofinvestigationinthecountlessreligioussects;and，ifheisacollectorofquaintoldcustoms，hewillnotlack，occupation。

Onecuriouscustom，whichhasveryrecentlydiedout，Imayhere，mentionbywayofillustration。AstheCossacksknewverylittle，aboutland-surveying，andstilllessaboutland-registration，the，preciseboundarybetweentwocontiguousyurts——asthecommunalland，ofastanitsawascalled——wasoftenamatterofuncertaintyanda，fruitfulsourceofdisputes。Whentheboundarywasonce，determined，thefollowingmethodofregisteringitwasemployed。

Alltheboysofthetwostanitsaswerecollectedanddrivenina，bodylikesheeptotheinterveningfrontier。Thewholepopulation，thenwalkedalongthefrontierthathadbeenagreedupon，andat，eachlandmarkanumberofboysweresoundlywhippedandallowedto，runhome！，Thiswasdoneinthehopethatthevictimswould，remember，aslongastheylived，thespotwheretheyhadreceived，theirunmeritedcastigation。*，Thedevice，Ihavebeenassured，was，generallyveryeffective，butitwasnotalwaysquitesuccessful。

Whetherfromthecastigationnotbeingsufficientlysevere，orfrom，someotherdefectinthemethod，itsometimeshappenedthat，disputesafterwardsarose，andthewhippedboys，nowgrownupto，manhood，gaveconflictingtestimony。Whensuchacaseoccurredthe，followingexpedientwasadopted。Oneoftheoldestinhabitantswas，chosenasarbiter，andmadetoswearontheScripturesthathe，wouldacthonestlytothebestofhisknowledge;thentakingan，Iconinhishand，hewalkedalongwhathebelievedtobetheold，frontier。Whetherhemademistakesornot，hisdecisionwas，acceptedbybothpartiesandregardedasfinal。Thiscustom，existedinsomestanitsasdowntotheyear1850，whenthe，boundarieswereclearlydeterminedbyGovernmentofficials。

*Acustomofthiskind，Iamtold，existednotverylongagoin，Englandandisstillspokenofas“thebeatingofthebounds。”

CHAPTERXVI

FOREIGNCOLONISTSONTHESTEPPE

TheSteppe——VarietyofRaces，Languages，andReligions——TheGerman，Colonists——InWhatSensetheRussiansareanImitativePeople——The，Mennonites——ClimateandArboriculture——BulgarianColonists——Tartar-

SpeakingGreeks——JewishAgriculturists——Russification——ACircassian，Scotchman——NumericalStrengthoftheForeignElement。

InEuropeanRussiathestrugglebetweenagricultureandnomadic，barbarismisnowathingofthepast，andthefertileSteppe，which，wasforcenturiesabattle-groundoftheAryanandTuranianraces，hasbeenincorporatedintothedominionsoftheTsar。Thenomadic，tribeshavebeenpartlydrivenoutandpartlypacifiedandparked，in“reserves，“andtheterritorywhichtheysolongandso，stubbornlydefendedisnowstuddedwithpeacefulvillagesand，tilledbylaboriousagriculturists。

Intraversingthisregiontheordinarytouristwillfindlittleto，interesthim。Hewillseenothingwhichhecanpossiblydignifyby，thenameofscenery，andhemayjourneyonformanydayswithout，havinganyoccasiontomakeanentryinhisnote-book。Ifhe，shouldhappen，however，tobeanethnologistandlinguist，hemay，findoccupation，forhewillheremeetwithfragmentsofmany，differentracesandavarietyofforeigntongues。

Thisethnologicalvarietyistheresultofapolicyinauguratedby，CatherineII。Solongasthesouthernfrontierwaspushedforward，slowly，theacquiredterritorywasregularlyfilledupbyRussian，peasantsfromthecentralprovinceswhowereanxioustoobtainmore，landandmorelibertythantheyenjoyedintheirnativevillages;

butduring“thegloriousageofCatherine“thefrontierwaspushed，forwardsorapidlythattheoldmethodofspontaneousemigrationno，longersufficedtopeopletheannexedterritory。TheEmpresshad，recourse，therefore，toorganisedemigrationfromforeign，countries。HerdiplomaticrepresentativesinWesternEuropetried，toinduceartisansandpeasantstoemigratetoRussia，andspecial，agentsweresenttovariouscountriestosupplementtheeffortsof，thediplomatists。Thousandsacceptedtheinvitation，andwerefor，themostpartsettledonthelandwhichhadbeenrecentlythe，pasture-groundofthenomadichordes。

Thispolicywasadoptedbysucceedingsovereigns，andthe，consequenceofithasbeenthatSouthernRussianowcontainsa，varietyofracessuchasistobefound，perhaps，nowhereelsein，Europe。TheofficialstatisticsofNewRussiaalone——thatisto，say，theprovincesofEkaterinoslaf，Tauride，Kherson，and，Bessarabia——enumeratethefollowingnationalities：GreatRussians，LittleRussians，Poles，Servians，Montenegrins，Bulgarians，Moldavians，Germans，English，Swedes，Swiss，French，Italians，Greeks，Armenians，Tartars，Mordwa，Jews，andGypsies。The，religionsarealmostequallynumerous。Thestatisticsspeakof，GreekOrthodox，RomanCatholics，Gregorians，Lutherans，Calvinists，Anglicans，Mennonites，Separatists，Pietists，KaraimJews，Talmudists，Mahometans，andnumerousRussiansects，suchasthe，MolokanyeandtheSkoptsiorEunuchs。Americaherselfcould，scarcelyshowamoremotleylistinherstatisticsofpopulation。

Itisbutfairtostatethattheabovelist，thoughliterally，correct，doesnotgiveatrueideaoftheactualpopulation。The，greatbodyoftheinhabitantsareRussianandOrthodox，whilst，severalofthenationalitiesnamedarerepresentedbyasmall，numberofsouls——someofthem，suchastheFrench，beingfound，exclusivelyinthetowns。Still，thevarietyevenintherural，populationisverygreat。Once，inthespaceofthreedays，and，usingonlythemostprimitivemeansofconveyance，Ivisited，coloniesofGreeks，Germans，Servians，Bulgarians，Montenegrins，andJews。

OfalltheforeigncoloniststheGermansarebyfarthemost，numerous。TheobjectoftheGovernmentininvitingthemtosettle，inthecountrywasthattheyshouldtilltheunoccupiedlandand，therebyincreasethenationalwealth，andthattheyshouldatthe，sametimeexerciseacivilisinginfluenceontheRussianpeasantry，intheirvicinity。Inthislatterrespecttheyhavetotallyfailed，tofulfiltheirmission。ARussianvillage，situatedinthemidst，ofGermancolonies，showsgenerally，sofarasIcouldobserve，no，signsofGermaninfluence。Eachnationalitylivesmoremajorum，andholdsaslittlecommunicationaspossiblewiththeother。The，muzhikobservescarefully——forheisverycurious——themodeoflife，ofhismoreadvancedneighbours，butheneverthinksofadopting，it。HelooksuponGermansalmostasbeingsofadifferentworld——

asawonderfullycunningandingeniouspeople，whohavebeen，endowedbyProvidencewithpeculiarqualitiesnotpossessedby，ordinaryOrthodoxhumanity。Tohimitseemsinthenatureof，thingsthatGermansshouldliveinlarge，clean，well-builthouses，inthesamewayasitisinthenatureofthingsthatbirdsshould，buildnests;andasithasprobablyneveroccurredtoahumanbeing，tobuildanestforhimselfandhisfamily，soitneveroccurstoa，RussianpeasanttobuildahouseontheGermanmodel。Germansare，Germans，andRussiansareRussians——andthereisnothingmoretobe，saidonthesubject。

Thisstubbornlyconservativespiritofthepeasantrywholivein，theneighbourhoodofGermansseemstogivetheliedirecttothe，oft-repeatedanduniversallybelievedassertionthatRussiansare，animitativepeoplestronglydisposedtoadoptthemannersand，customsofanyforeignerswithwhomtheymaycomeincontact。The，Russian，itissaid，changeshisnationalityaseasilyashe，changeshiscoat，andderivesgreatsatisfactionfromwearingsome，nationalitythatdoesnotbelongtohim;butherewehavean，importantfactwhichappearstoprovethecontrary。

Thetruthisthatinthismatterwemustdistinguishbetweenthe，Noblesseandthepeasantry。Thenoblesaresingularlyproneto，adoptforeignmanners，customs，andinstitutions;thepeasants，on，thecontrary，areasaruledecidedlyconservative。Itmustnot，however，besupposedthatthisproceedsfromadifferenceofrace;

thedifferenceistobeexplainedbythepasthistoryofthetwo，classes。Likeallotherpeoples，theRussiansarestrongly，conservativesolongastheyremaininwhatmaybetermedtheir，primitivemoralhabitat——thatistosay，solongasexternal，circumstancesdonotforcethemoutoftheiraccustomedtraditional，groove。TheNoblessewerelongagoviolentlyforcedoutoftheir，oldgroovebythereformingTsars，andsincethattimetheyhave，beensoconstantlydrivenhitherandthitherbyforeigninfluences，thattheyhaveneverbeenabletoformanewone。Thustheyeasily，enteruponanynewpathwhichseemstothemprofitableor，attractive。Thegreatmassofthepeople，onthecontrary，too，heavytobethusliftedoutoftheguidinginfluenceofcustomand，tradition，arestillanimatedwithastronglyconservativespirit。

InconfirmationofthisviewImaymentiontwofactswhichhave，oftenattractedmyattention。ThefirstisthattheMolokanye——a，primitiveEvangelicalsectofwhichIshallspeakatlengthinthe，nextchapter——succumbgraduallytoGermaninfluence;bybecoming，hereticsinreligiontheyfreethemselvesfromoneofthestrongest，bondsattachingthemtothepast，andsoonbecomehereticsin，thingssecular。ThesecondfactisthateventheOrthodoxpeasant，whenplacedbycircumstancesinsomenewsphereofactivity，readilyadoptswhateverseemsprofitable。Take，forexample，the，peasantswhoabandonagricultureandembarkinindustrial，enterprises;findingthemselves，asitwere，inanewworld，in，whichtheiroldtraditionalnotionsaretotallyinapplicable，they，havenohesitationinadoptingforeignideasandforeign，inventions。Andwhenoncetheyhavechosenthisnewpath，theyare，muchmore“go-ahead“thantheGermans。Freedalikefromthe，trammelsofhereditaryconceptionsandfromtheprudencewhich，experiencegenerates，theyoftengivealoosereintotheir，impulsivecharacter，andenterfreelyonthewildestspeculations。

ThemarkedcontrastpresentedbyaGermancolonyandaRussian，villageincloseproximitywitheachotherisoftenusedto，illustratethesuperiorityoftheTeutonicovertheSlavonicrace，andinordertomakethecontrastmorestriking，theMennonite，coloniesaregenerallytakenastherepresentativesoftheGermans。

Withoutenteringhereonthegeneralquestion，Imustsaythatthis，methodofargumentationisscarcelyfair。TheMennonites，who，formerlylivedintheneighbourhoodofDanzigandemigratedfrom，Prussiainordertoescapethemilitaryconscription，broughtwith，themtotheirnewhomealargestoreofusefultechnicalknowledge，andaconsiderableamountofcapital，andtheyreceivedaquantity，oflandverymuchgreaterthantheRussianpeasantspossess。

Besidesthis，theyenjoyeduntilveryrecentlyseveralvaluable，privileges。Theywereentirelyexemptedfrommilitaryserviceand，almostentirelyexemptedfromtaxation。Altogethertheirlines，fellinverypleasantplaces。Inmaterialandmoralwell-being，theystandasfarabovethemajorityoftheordinaryGerman，colonistsastheselatterdoabovetheirRussianneighbours。Even，intherichestdistrictsofGermanytheirprosperitywouldattract，attention。Tocomparetheserich，privileged，well-educated，farmerswiththepoor，heavilytaxed，uneducatedpeasantry，andto，drawfromthecomparisonconclusionsconcerningthecapabilitiesof，thetworaces，isaproceedingsoabsurdthatitrequiresno，furthercomment。

Totheweariedtravellerwhohasbeenlivingforsometimein，Russianvillages，oneoftheseMennonitecoloniesseemsanearthly，paradise。Inalittlehollow，perhapsbythesideofa，watercourse，hesuddenlycomesonalongrowofhigh-roofedhouses，halfconcealedintrees。Thetreesmaybefoundoncloser，inspectiontobelittlebetterthanmeresaplings;butafteralong，journeyonthebareSteppe，wherethereisneithertreenorbushof，anykind，thefoliage，scantasitis，appearssingularlyinviting。

Thehousesarelarge，wellarranged，andkeptinsuchthoroughly，goodrepairthattheyalwaysappeartobenewlybuilt。Therooms，areplainlyfurnished，withoutanypretensionstoelegance，but，scrupulouslyclean。Adjoiningthehousearethestableandbyre，whichwouldnotdisgraceamodelfarminGermanyorEngland。In，frontisaspaciouscourtyard，whichhastheappearanceofbeing，sweptseveraltimesaday，andbehindthereisagardenwell，stockedwithvegetables。Fruittreesandflowersarenotvery，plentiful，fortheclimateisnotfavourabletothem。

Theinhabitantsarehonest，frugalfolk，somewhatsluggishof，intellectandindifferenttothingslyingbeyondthenarrowlimits，oftheirownlittleworld，butshrewdenoughinallmatterswhich，theydeemworthyoftheirattention。Ifyouarriveamongstthemas，astrangeryoumaybealittlechilledbythewelcomeyoureceive，fortheyareexclusive，reserved，anddistrustful，anddonotmuch，liketoassociatewiththosewhodonotbelongtotheirownsect;

butifyoucanconversewiththemintheirmothertongueandtalk，aboutreligiousmattersinanevangelicaltone，youmayeasily，overcometheirstiffnessandexclusiveness。Altogethersucha，villagecannotberecommendedforalengthenedsojourn，forthe，severeorderandsymmetrywhicheverywhereprevailwouldsoonprove，irksometoanyonehavingnoDutchbloodinhisveins;*butasa，temporaryresting-placeduringapilgrimageontheSteppe，whenthe，pilgrimislongingforalittlecleanlinessandcomfort，itisvery，agreeable。

*TheMennoniteswereoriginallyDutchmen。Persecutedfortheir，religiousviewsinthesixteenthcentury，alargenumberofthem，acceptedaninvitationtosettleinWestPrussia，wheretheyhelped，todrainthegreatmarshesbetweenDanzig，Elbing，andMarienburg。

Hereinthecourseoftimetheyforgottheirnativelanguage。

TheiremigrationtoRussiabeganin1789。

ThefactthattheseMennonitesandsomeotherGermancolonieshave，succeededinrearingafewsicklytreeshassuggestedtosome，fertilemindstheideathattheprevailingdrynessoftheclimate，whichisthechiefdifficultywithwhichtheagriculturistofthat，regionhastocontend，mightbetosomeextentcounteractedby，arboricultureonalargescale。Thisscheme，thoughithasbeen，seriouslyentertainedbyoneofhisMajesty’sministers，mustseem，hardlypracticabletoanyonewhoknowshowmuchlabourandmoney，thecolonistshaveexpendedincreatingthatagreeableshadewhich，theylovetoenjoyintheirleisurehours。Ifclimateisaffected，atallbytheexistenceornon-existenceofforests——apointon，whichscientificmendonotseemtobeentirelyagreed——any，palpableincreaseoftherainfallcanbeproducedonlybyforests，ofenormousextent，anditishardlyconceivablethatthesecould，beartificiallyproducedinSouthernRussia。Itisquitepossible，however，thatlocalameliorationsmaybeeffected。Duringavisit，totheprovinceofVoronezhin1903Ifoundthatcomparatively，smallplantationsdiminishedtheeffectsofdroughtintheir，immediatevicinitybyretainingthemoistureforatimeinthesoil，andthesurroundingatmosphere。

AftertheMennonitesandotherGermans，theBulgariancolonists，deserveapassingnotice。Theysettledinthisregionmuchmore，recently，onthelandthatwasleftvacantbytheexodusofthe，NogaiTartarsaftertheCrimeanWar。IfImayjudgeoftheir，conditionbyamereflyingvisit，Ishouldsaythatinagriculture，anddomesticcivilisationtheyarenotveryfarbehindthemajority，ofGermancolonists。Theirhousesareindeedsmall——sosmallthat，oneofthemmightalmostbeputintoasingleroomofaMennonite’s，house;butthereisanairofcleanlinessandcomfortaboutthem，thatwoulddocredittoaGermanhousewife。

Inspiteofallthis，theseBulgarianswere，Icouldeasily，perceive，bynomeansdelightedwiththeirnewhome。Thecauseof，theirdiscontent，sofarasIcouldgatherfromthefewlaconic，remarkswhichIextractedfromthem，seemedtobethis：Trustingto，thehighlycoloureddescriptionsfurnishedbytheemigrationagents，whohadinducedthemtochangetheruleoftheSultanforthe，authorityoftheTsar，theycametoRussiawiththeexpectationof，findingafertileandbeautifulPromisedLand。Insteadofaland，flowingwithmilkandhoney，theyreceivedatractofbareSteppe，onwhichevenwatercouldbeobtainedonlywithgreatdifficulty——

withnoshadetoprotectthemfromtheheatofsummerandnothing，toshelterthemfromthekeennorthernblaststhatoftensweepover，thoseopenplains。Asnoadequatearrangementshadbeenmadefor，theirreception，theywerequarteredduringthefirstwinteronthe，Germancolonists，who，beingquiteinnocentofanySlavophil，sympathies，wereprobablynotveryhospitabletotheiruninvited，guests。Tocompletetheirdisappointment，theyfoundthatthey，couldnotcultivatethevine，andthattheirmild，fragrant，tobacco，whichisforthemanecessaryoflife，couldbeobtained，onlyataveryhighprice。Sodisconsolateweretheyunderthis，crueldisenchantmentthat，atthetimeofmyvisit，theytalkedof，returningtotheiroldhomesinTurkey。

Asanexampleofthelessprosperouscolonists，Imaymentionthe，Tartar-speakingGreeksintheneighbourhoodofMariupol，onthe，northernshoreoftheSeaofAzof。Theirancestorslivedinthe，Crimea，undertheruleoftheTartarKhans，andemigratedtoRussia，inthetimeofCatherineII。beforeCrimTartarywasannexedto，theRussianEmpire。Theyhavealmostentirelyforgottentheirold，language，buthavepreservedtheiroldfaith。Inadoptingthe，TartarlanguagetheyhaveadoptedsomethingofTartarindolenceand，apathy，andthenaturalconsequenceisthattheyarepoorand，ignorant。

Butofallthecolonistsofthisregiontheleastprosperousare，theJews。TheChosenPeoplearecertainlyamostintelligent，industrious，frugalrace，andinallmattersofbuying，selling，andbarteringtheyareunrivalledamongthenationsoftheearth，buttheyhavebeentoolongaccustomedtotownlifetobegood，tillersofthesoil。TheseJewishcolonieswerefoundedasan，experimenttoseewhethertheIsraelitecouldbeweanedfromhis，traditionarypursuitsandtransferredtowhatsomeeconomistscall，theproductivesectionofsociety。Theexperimenthasfailed，and，thecauseofthefailureisnotdifficulttofind。Onehasmerely，tolookatthesemenofgauntvisageandshamblinggait，withtheir，loop-holedslippers，andblack，threadbarecoatsreachingdownto，theirankles，tounderstandthattheyarenotintheirproper，sphere。Theirhousesareinamostdilapidatedcondition，and，theirvillagesremindoneoftheabominationofdesolationspoken，ofbyDanieltheProphet。Agreatpartoftheirlandisleft，uncultivatedorlettocolonistsofadifferentrace。Whatlittle，revenuetheyhaveisderivedchieflyfromtradeofamoreorless，clandestinenature。*

*Mr。ArnoldWhite，whosubsequentlyvisitedsomeoftheseJewish，ColoniesinconnectionwithBaronHirsch’scolonisationscheme，assuredmethathefoundtheminamuchmoreprosperouscondition。

AsScandinaviawasformerlycalledofficinagentium——aworkshopin，whichnewnationsweremade——sowemayregardSouthernRussiaasa，workshopinwhichfragmentsofoldnationsarebeingmelteddownto，formanew，compositewhole。Itmustbeconfessed，however，that，themeltingprocesshasasyetscarcelybegun。

NationalpeculiaritiesarenotobliteratedsorapidlyinRussiaas，inAmericaorinBritishcolonies。AmongtheGermancolonistsin，Russiatheprocessofassimilationishardlyperceptible。Though，theirfathersandgrandfathersmayhavebeenborninthenew，country，theywouldconsideritaninsulttobecalledRussians。

TheylookdownupontheRussianpeasantryaspoor，ignorant，lazy，anddishonest，feartheofficialsonaccountoftheirtyrannyand，extortion，preservejealouslytheirownlanguageandcustoms，rarelyspeakRussianwell——sometimesnotatall——andnever，intermarrywiththosefromwhomtheyareseparatedbynationality，andreligion。TheRussianinfluenceacts，however，morerapidlyon，theSlavoniccolonists——Servians，Bulgarians，Montenegrins——who，professtheGreekOrthodoxfaith，learnmoreeasilytheRussian，language，whichiscloselyalliedtotheirown，haveno，consciousnessofbelongingtoaCulturvolk，andingeneralpossess，anaturemuchmorepliablethantheTeutonic。

TheGovernmenthasrecentlyattemptedtoacceleratethefusing，processbyretractingtheprivilegesgrantedtothecolonistsand，abolishingthepeculiaradministrationunderwhichtheywere，placed。Thesemeasures——especiallytheuniversalmilitaryservice——

mayeventuallydiminishtheextremeexclusivenessoftheGermans;

theyouths，whilstservinginthearmy，willatleastlearnthe，Russianlanguage，andmaypossiblyimbibesomethingoftheRussian，spirit。Butforthepresentthisnewpolicyhasarousedastrong，feelingofhostilityandgreatlyintensifiedthespiritof，exclusiveness。IntheGermancoloniesIhaveoftenoverheard，complaintsaboutRussiantyrannyanduncomplimentaryremarksabout，theRussiannationalcharacter。

TheMennonitesconsiderthemselvesspeciallyaggrievedbytheso-

calledreforms。TheycametoRussiainordertoescapemilitary，serviceandwiththedistinctunderstandingthattheyshouldbe，exemptedfromit，andnowtheyareforcedtoactcontrarytothe，religioustenetsoftheirsect。Thisisthegroundofcomplaint，whichtheyputforwardinthepetitionsaddressedtothe，Government，buttheyhaveatthesametimeanother，andperhaps，moreimportant，objectiontotheproposedchanges。Theyfeel，as，severalofthemadmittedtome，thatifthebarrierwhichseparates，themfromtherestofthepopulationwereinanywaybrokendown，theycouldnolongerpreservethatsternPuritanicaldiscipline，whichatpresentconstitutestheirforce。Hence，thoughthe，Governmentwasdisposedtomakeimportantconcessions，hundredsof，familiessoldtheirpropertyandemigratedtoAmerica。The，movement，however，didnotbecomegeneral。AtpresenttheRussian，Mennonitesnumber，maleandfemale，about50，000，dividedinto160

coloniesandpossessingover800，000acresofland。

Itisquitepossiblethatunderthenewsystemofadministration，thecolonistswhoprofessincommonwiththeRussianstheGreek，OrthodoxfaithmayberapidlyRussianised;butIamconvincedthat，theotherswilllongresistassimilation。Greekorthodoxyand，Protestantsectarianismaresoradicallydifferentinspiritthat，theirrespectivevotariesarenotlikelytointermarry;andwithout，intermarriageitisimpossiblethatthetwonationalitiesshould，blend。

Asaninstanceoftheethnologicalcuriositieswhichthetraveller，maystumbleuponunawaresinthiscuriousregion，Imaymentiona，strangeacquaintanceImadewhentravellingonthegreatplain，whichstretchesfromtheSeaofAzoftotheCaspian。OnedayI

accidentallynoticedonmytravelling-mapthename“Shotlandskaya，Kol6niya“(ScottishColony)nearthecelebratedbathsof，Piatigorsk。IwasatthatmomentinStavropol，atownabouteighty，milestothenorth，andcouldnotgainanysatisfactoryinformation，astowhatthiscolonywas。Somewell-informedpeopleassuredme，thatitreallywaswhatitsnameimplied，whilstothersassertedas，confidentlythatitwassimplyasmallGermansettlement。To，decidethematterIdeterminedtovisittheplacemyself，thoughit，didnotlienearmyintendedroute，andIaccordinglyfoundmyself，onemorninginthevillageinquestion。Thefirstinhabitantswhom，IencounteredwereunmistakablyGerman，andtheyprofessedtoknow，nothingabouttheexistenceofScotsmeninthelocalityeitherat，thepresentorinformertimes。Thiswasdisappointing，andIwas，abouttoturnawayanddriveoff，whenayoungman，whoprovedto，betheschoolmaster，cameup，andonhearingwhatIdesired，advisedmetoconsultanoldCircassianwholivedattheendofthe，villageandwaswellacquaintedwithlocalantiquities。On，proceedingtothehouseindicated，Ifoundavenerableoldman，withfine，regularfeaturesoftheCircassiantype，coal-black，sparklingeyes，andalonggreybeardthatwouldhavedonehonour，toapatriarch。TohimIexplainedbriefly，inRussian，theobject，ofmyvisit，andaskedwhetherheknewofanyScotsmeninthe，district。

“Andwhydoyouwishtoknow？”hereplied，inthesamelanguage，fixingmewithhiskeen，sparklingeyes。

“BecauseIammyselfaScotsman，andhopedtofindfellow-

countrymenhere。”

Letthereaderimaginemyastonishmentwhen，inreplytothis，he，answered，ingenuinebroadScotch，“Od，man，I’maScotsmantae！

MynameisJohnAbercrombie。Didyeneverheartello’John，Abercrombie，thefamousEdinburghdoctor？”

Iwasfairlypuzzledbythisextraordinarydeclaration。Dr。

Abercrombie’snamewasfamiliartomeasthatofamedical，practitionerandwriteronpsychology，butIknewthathewaslong，sincedead。WhenIhadrecoveredalittlefrommysurprise，I

venturedtoremarktotheenigmaticalpersonagebeforemethat，thoughhistonguewascertainlyScotch，hisfacewasascertainly，Circassian。

“Weel，weel，“hereplied，evidentlyenjoyingmylookof，mystification，“you’reno’farwrang。I’maCircassianScotsman！”

Thisextraordinaryadmissiondidnotdiminishmyperplexity，soI

beggedmynewacquaintancetobealittlemoreexplicit，andheat，oncecompliedwithmyrequest。Hislongstorymaybetoldinafew，words：

InthefirstyearsofthepresentcenturyabandofScotch，missionariescametoRussiaforthepurposeofconvertingthe，Circassiantribes，andreceivedfromtheEmperorAlexanderI。a，largegrantoflandinthisplace，whichwasthenonthefrontier，oftheEmpire。Heretheyfoundedamission，andbeganthework;

buttheysoondiscoveredthatthesurroundingpopulationwerenot，idolaters，butMussulmans，andconsequentlyimperviousto，Christianity。Inthisdifficultytheyfellonthehappyideaof，buyingCircassianchildrenfromtheirparentsandbringingthemup，asChristians。Oneofthesechildren，purchasedabouttheyear，1806，wasalittleboycalledTeoona。Ashehadbeenpurchased，withmoneysubscribedbyDr。Abercrombie，hehadreceivedin，baptismthatgentleman’sname，andheconsideredhimselfthe，foster-sonofhisbenefactor。Herewastheexplanationofthe，mystery。

Teoona，aliasMr。Abercrombie，wasamanofmorethanaverage，intelligence。Besideshisnativetongue，hespokeEnglish，German，andRussianperfectly;andheassuredmethatheknewseveralother，languagesequallywell。Hislifehadbeendevotedtomissionary，work，andespeciallytotranslatingandprintingtheScriptures。

HehadlabouredfirstinAstrakhan，thenforfouryearsandahalf，inPersia——intheserviceoftheBalemission——andafterwardsfor，sixyearsinSiberia。

TheScottishmissionwassuppressedbytheEmperorNicholasabout，theyear1835，andallthemissionariesexcepttworeturnedhome。

Thesonofoneofthesetwo(Galloway)wastheonlygenuine，Scotsmanremainingatthetimeofmyvisit。Ofthe“Circassian，Scotsmen“therewereseveral，mostofwhomhadmarriedGermans。

TheotherinhabitantswereGermancolonistsfromtheprovinceof，Saratof，andGermanwasthelanguagecommonlyspokeninthe，village。

Afterhearingsomuchaboutforeigncolonists，Tartarinvaders，and，Finnishaborigines，thereadermaynaturallydesiretoknowthe，numericalstrengthofthisforeignelement。Unfortunatelywehave，noaccuratedataonthissubject，butfromacarefulexaminationof，theavailablestatisticsIaminclinedtoconcludethatit，constitutesaboutone-sixthofthepopulationofEuropeanRussia，includingPoland，Finland，andtheCaucasus，andnearlyathirdof，thepopulationoftheEmpireasawhole。

CHAPTERXVII

AMONGTHEHERETICS

TheMolokanye——MyMethodofInvestigation——Alexandrof-Hai——An，UnexpectedTheologicalDiscussion——DoctrinesandEcclesiastical，OrganisationoftheMolokanye——MoralSupervisionandMutual，Assistance——HistoryoftheSect——AFalseProphet——Utilitarian，Christianity——ClassificationoftheFantasticSects——The“Khlysti“——

PolicyoftheGovernmenttowardsSectarianism——TwoKindsof，Heresy——ProbableFutureoftheHereticalSects——Political，Disaffection。

WhilsttravellingontheSteppeIheardagreatdealabouta，peculiarreligioussectcalledtheMolokanye，andIfeltinterested，inthembecausetheirreligiousbelief，whateveritwas，seemedto，haveabeneficialinfluenceontheirmaterialwelfare。Ofthesame，raceandplacedinthesameconditionsastheOrthodoxpeasantry，aroundthem，theywereundoubtedlybetterhoused，betterclad，more，punctualinthepaymentoftheirtaxes，and，inaword，more，prosperous。Allmyinformantsagreedindescribingthemasquiet，decent，soberpeople;butregardingtheirreligiousdoctrinesthe，evidencewasvagueandcontradictory。Somedescribedthemas，ProtestantsorLutherans，whilstothersbelievedthemtobethe，lastremnantsofacurioushereticalsectwhichexistedinthe，earlyChristianChurch。

Desirousofobtainingclearnotionsonthesubject，Ideterminedto，investigatethematterformyself。AtfirstIfoundthistobeno，easytask。InthevillagesthroughwhichIpassedIfoundnumerous，membersofthesect，buttheyallshowedadecidedrepugnanceto，speakabouttheirreligiousbeliefs。Longaccustomedtoextortion，andpersecutionatthehandsoftheAdministration，andsuspecting，metobeasecretagentoftheGovernment，theycarefullyavoided，speakingonanysubjectbeyondthestateoftheweatherandthe，prospectsoftheharvest，andrepliedtomyquestionsonother，topicsasiftheyhadbeenstandingbeforeaGrandInquisitor。

Afewunsuccessfulattemptsconvincedmethatitwouldbe，impossibletoextractfromthemtheirreligiousbeliefsbydirect，questioning。Iadopted，therefore，adifferentsystemoftactics。

FrommeagrerepliesalreadyreceivedIhaddiscoveredthattheir，doctrinehadatleastasuperficialresemblancetoPresbyterianism，andfromformerexperienceIwasawarethatthecuriosityof，intelligentRussianpeasantsiseasilyexcitedbydescriptionsof，foreigncountries。OnthesetwofactsIbasedmyplanofcampaign。

WhenIfoundaMolokan，orsomeonewhomIsuspectedtobesuch，I

talkedforsometimeabouttheweatherandthecrops，asifIhad，noulteriorobjectinview。Havingfullydiscussedthismatter，I

ledtheconversationgraduallyfromtheweatherandcropsinRussia，totheweatherandcropsinScotland，andthenpassedslowlyfrom，ScotchagriculturetotheScotchPresbyterianChurch。Onnearly，everyoccasionthispolicysucceeded。Whenthepeasantheardthat，therewasacountrywherethepeopleinterpretedtheScripturesfor，themselves，hadnobishops，andconsideredthevenerationofIcons，asidolatry，heinvariablylistenedwithprofoundattention;and，whenhelearnedfurtherthatinthatwonderfulcountrytheparishes，annuallysentdeputiestoanassemblyinwhichallmatters，pertainingtotheChurchwerefreelyandpubliclydiscussed，he，almostalwaysgavefreeexpressiontohisastonishment，andIhad，toanswerawholevolleyofquestions。”Whereisthatcountry？”

“Isittotheeast，orthewest？”“Isitveryfaraway？”“Ifour，Presbytercouldonlyhearallthat！”

ThislastexpressionwaspreciselywhatIwanted，becauseitgave，meanopportunityofmakingtheacquaintanceofthePresbyter，or，pastor，withoutseemingtodesireit;andIknewthata，conversationwiththatpersonage，whoisalwaysanuneducated，peasantliketheothers，butisgenerallymoreintelligentand，betteracquaintedwithreligiousdoctrine，wouldcertainlybeof，usetome。OnmorethanoneoccasionIspentagreatpartofthe，nightwithaPresbyter，andtherebylearnedmuchconcerningthe，religiousbeliefsandpracticesofthesect。Afterthese，interviewsIwassuretobetreatedwithconfidenceandrespectby，alltheMolokanyeinthevillage，andrecommendedtothebrethren，ofthefaithintheneighbouringvillagesthroughwhichIintended，topass。SeveralofthemoreintelligentpeasantswithwhomI

spokeadvisedmestronglytovisitAlexandrof-Hai，avillage，situatedonthebordersoftheKirghizSteppe。”Wearedark[i。e。，ignorant]peoplehere，“theywerewonttosay，“anddonotknow，anything，butinAlexandrof-Haiyouwillfindthosewhoknowthe，faith，andtheywilldiscusswithyou。”，Thispredictionwas，fulfilledinasomewhatunexpectedway。

WhenreturningsomeweekslaterfromavisittotheKirghizofthe，InnerHorde，IarrivedoneeveningatthiscentreoftheMolokan，faith，andwashospitablyreceivedbyoneofthebrotherhood。In，conversingcasuallywithmyhostonreligioussubjectsIexpressed，tohimadesiretofindsomeonewellreadinHolyWritandwell，groundedinthefaith，andhepromisedtodowhathecouldforme，inthisrespect。Nextmorninghekepthispromisewitha，vengeance。Immediatelyafterthetea-urnhadbeenremovedthedoor，oftheroomwasopenedandtwelvepeasantswereusheredin！，After，thecustomarysalutationswiththeseunexpectedvisitors，myhost，informedmetomyastonishmentthathisfriendshadcometohavea，talkwithmeaboutthefaith;andwithoutfurtherceremonyhe，placedbeforemeafolioBibleintheoldSlavonictongue，inorder，thatImightreadpassagesinsupportofmyarguments。AsIwas，notatallpreparedtoopenaformaltheologicaldiscussion，Ifelt，notalittleembarrassed，andIcouldseethatmytravelling，companions，twoRussianfriendswhocaredfornoneofthesethings，werethoroughlyenjoyingmydiscomfiture。Therewas，however，no，possibilityofdrawingback。Ihadaskedforanopportunityof，havingatalkwithsomeofthebrethren，andnowIhadgotitina，waythatIcertainlydidnotexpect。Myfriendswithdrew——“leaving，metomyfate，“astheywhisperedtome——andthe“talk“began。

Myfatewasbynomeanssoterribleashadbeenanticipated，butat，firstthesituationwasalittleawkward。Neitherpartyhadany，clearideasastowhattheotherdesired，andmyvisitorsexpected，thatIwastobegintheproceedings。Thisexpectationwasquite，naturalandjustifiable，forIhadinadvertentlyinvitedthemto，meetme，butIcouldnotmakeaspeechtothem，forthebestofall，reasons——thatIdidnotknowwhattosay。IfItoldthemmyreal，aims，theirsuspicionswouldprobablybearoused。Myusual，stratagemoftheweatherandthecropswaswhollyinapplicable。

ForamomentIthoughtofproposingthatapsalmshouldbesungas，ameansofbreakingtheice，butIfeltthatthiswouldgivetothe，meetingasolemnitywhichIwishedtoavoid。Onthewholeit，seemedbesttobeginatonceaformaldiscussion。Itoldthem，therefore，thatIhadspokenwithmanyoftheirbrethreninvarious，villages，andthatIhadfoundwhatIconsideredgraveerrorsof，doctrine。Icouldnot，forinstance，agreewiththemintheir，beliefthatitwasunlawfultoeatpork。Thiswasperhapsan，abruptwayofenteringonthesubject，butitfurnishedatleasta，locusstandi——somethingtotalkabout——andananimateddiscussion，immediatelyensued。Myopponentsfirstendeavouredtoprovetheir，thesisfromtheNewTestament，andwhenthisargumentbrokedown，theyhadrecoursetothePentateuch。Fromaparticulararticleof，theceremoniallawwepassedtothebroaderquestionastohowfar，theceremoniallawisstillbinding，andfromthistootherpoints，equallyimportant。

Ifthelogicofthepeasantswasnotalwaysunimpeachable，their，knowledgeoftheScripturesleftnothingtobedesired。Insupport，oftheirviewstheyquotedlongpassagesfrommemory，andwhenever，IindicatedvaguelyanytextwhichIneeded，theyatoncesupplied，itverbatim，sothatthebigfolioBibleservedmerelyasan，ornament。Threeorfourofthemseemedtoknowthewholeofthe，NewTestamentbyheart。Thecourseofourinformaldebateneednot，herebedescribed;sufficeittosaythat，afterfourhoursof，uninterruptedconversation，weagreedtodifferonquestionsof，detail，andpartedfromeachotherwithoutatraceofthatill-

feelingwhichreligiousdiscussioncommonlyengenders。Neverhave，Imetmenmorehonestandcourteousindebate，moreearnestinthe，searchaftertruth，morecarelessofdialecticaltriumphs，than，thesesimple，uneducatedmuzhiks。Ifatoneortwopointsinthe，discussionalittleunduewarmthwasdisplayed，Imustdomy，opponentsthejusticetosaythattheywerenottheoffending，party。

Thislongdiscussion，aswellasnumerousdiscussionswhichIhad，hadbeforeandsincehavehadwithMolokanyeinvariouspartsof，thecountry，confirmedmyfirstimpressionthattheirdoctrines，haveastrongresemblancetoPresbyterianism。Thereis，however，animportantdifference。Presbyterianismhasanecclesiastical，organisationandawrittencreed，anditsdoctrineshavelongsince，becomeclearlydefinedbymeansofpublicdiscussion，polemical，literature，andgeneralassemblies。TheMolokanye，onthe，contrary，havehadnomeansofdevelopingtheirfundamental，principlesandformingtheirvaguereligiousbeliefsintoaclearly，definedlogicalsystem。Theirtheologyisthereforestillina，half-fluidstate，sothatitisimpossibletopredictwhatformit，willultimatelyassume。”Wehavenotyetthoughtaboutthat，“I

havefrequentlybeentoldwhenIinquiredaboutsomeabstruse，doctrine;“wemusttalkaboutitatthemeetingnextSunday。What，isyouropinion？”Besidesthis，theirfundamentalprinciplesallow，greatlatitudeforindividualandlocaldifferencesofopinion。

TheyholdthatHolyWritistheonlyruleoffaithandconduct，but，thatitmustbetakeninthespiritual，andnotintheliteral，sense。Asthereisnoterrestrialauthoritytowhichdoubtful，pointscanbereferred，eachindividualisfreetoadoptthe，interpretationwhichcommendsitselftohisownjudgment。This，willnodoubtultimatelyleadtoavarietyofsects，andalready，thereisaconsiderablediversityofopinionbetweendifferent，communities;butthisdiversityhasnotyetbeenrecognised，andI

maysaythatInowherefoundthatfanaticallydogmatic，quibbling，spiritwhichisusuallythesoulofsectarianism。

FortheirecclesiasticalorganisationtheMolokanyetakeastheir，modeltheearlyApostolicChurch，asdepictedintheNewTestament，anduncompromisinglyrejectalllaterauthorities。Inaccordance，withthismodeltheyhavenohierarchyandnopaidclergy，but，choosefromamongthemselvesaPresbyterandtwoassistants——men，wellknownamongthebrethrenfortheirexemplarylifeandtheir，knowledgeoftheScriptures——whosedutyitistowatchoverthe，religiousandmoralwelfareoftheflock。OnSundaystheyhold，meetingsinprivatehouses——theyarenotallowedtobuildchurches——

andspendtwoorthreehoursinpsalmsinging，prayer，readingthe，Scriptures，andfriendlyconversationonreligioussubjects。If，anyonehasadoctrinaldifficultywhichhedesirestohavecleared，up，hestatesittothecongregation，andsomeoftheothersgive，theiropinions，withthetextsonwhichtheopinionsarefounded。

Ifthequestionseemsclearlysolvedbythetexts，itisdecided;

ifnot，itisleftopen。

Asinmanyyoungsects，thereexistsamongtheMolokanyeasystem，ofseveremoralsupervision。Ifamemberhasbeenguiltyof，drunkennessoranyactunbecomingaChristian，heisfirst，admonishedbythePresbyterinprivateorbeforethecongregation;

andifthisdoesnotproducethedesiredeffect，heisexcludedfor，alongerorshorterperiodfromthemeetingsandfromall，intercoursewiththemembers。Inextremecasesexpulsionis，resortedto。Ontheotherhand，ifanyoneofthemembershappens，tobe，fromnofaultofhisown，inpecuniarydifficulties，the，otherswillassisthim。Thissystemofmutualcontrolandmutual，assistancehasnodoubtsomethingtodowiththefactthatthe，Molokanyearedistinguishedfromthesurroundingpopulationby，theirsobriety，uprightness，andmaterialprosperity。

OfthehistoryofthesectmyfriendsinAlexandrof-Haicouldtell，meverylittle，butIhaveobtainedfromotherquarterssome，interestinginformation。Thefounderwasapeasantoftheprovince，ofTambofcalledUklein，wholivedinthereignofCatherineII。，andgainedhislivingasanitineranttailor。Forsometimehe，belongedtothesectoftheDukhobortsi——whoaresometimescalled，theRussianQuakers，andwhohaverecentlybecomeknowninWestern，EuropethroughtheeffortsofCountTolstoyontheirbehalf——buthe，soonsecededfromthem，becausehecouldnotadmittheirdoctrine，thatGoddwellsinthehumansoul，andthatconsequentlythechief，sourceofreligioustruthisinternalenlightenment。Tohimit，seemedthatreligioustruthwastobefoundonlyintheScriptures。

Withthisdoctrinehesoonmademanyconverts，andonedayhe，unexpectedlyenteredthetownofTambof，surroundedbyseventy，“Apostles“chantingpsalms。Theywereallquicklyarrestedand，imprisoned，andwhentheaffairwasreportedtoSt。Petersburgthe，EmpressCatherineorderedthattheyshouldbehandedovertothe，ecclesiasticalauthorities，andthatintheeventoftheirproving，obduratetoexhortationtheyshouldbetriedbytheCriminal，Courts。Ukleinprofessedtorecant，andwasliberated;buthe，continuedhisteachingsecretlyinthevillages，andatthetimeof，hisdeathhewasbelievedtohavenolessthanfivethousand，followers。

Astotheactualstrengthofthesectitisdifficulttoformeven，aconjecture。Certainlyithasmanythousandmembers——probably，severalhundredthousand。FormerlytheGovernmenttransportedthem，fromthecentralprovincestothethinlypopulatedoutlying，districts，wheretheyhadlessopportunityofcontaminating，Orthodoxneighbours;andaccordinglywefindtheminthe，southeasterndistrictsofSamara，onthenorthcoastoftheSeaof，Azof，intheCrimea，intheCaucasus，andinSiberia。Thereare，still，however，verymanyoftheminthecentralregion，especially，intheprovinceofTambof。

ThereadinesswithwhichtheMolokanyemodifytheiropinionsand，beliefsinaccordancewithwhatseemstothemnewlightsavesthem，effectuallyfrombigotryandfanaticism，butitatthesametime，exposesthemtoevilsofadifferentkind，fromwhichtheymightbe，preservedbyafewstubbornprejudices。”Falseprophetsarise，amongus，“saidanold，sober-mindedmembertomeononeoccasion，“andleadmanyawayfromthefaith。”

In1835，forexample，greatexcitementwasproducedamongthemby，rumoursthatthesecondadventofChristwasathand，andthatthe，SonofMan，comingtojudgetheworld，wasabouttoappearinthe，NewJerusalem，somewherenearMountArarat。AsElijahandEnoch，weretoappearbeforetheopeningoftheMillennium，theywere，anxiouslyawaitedbythefaithful，andatlastElijahappeared，in，thepersonofaMelitopolpeasantcalledBelozvorof，whoannounced，thatonagivendayhewouldascendintoheaven。Ontheday，appointedagreatcrowdcollected，buthefailedtokeephis，promise，andwashandedovertothepoliceasanimpostorbythe，Molokanyethemselves。Unfortunatelytheywerenotalwaysso，sensibleasonthatoccasion。Intheverynextyearmanyofthem，werepersuadedbyacertainLukianPetroftoputontheirbest，garmentsandstartforthePromisedLandintheCaucasus，wherethe，Millenniumwasabouttobegin。

Ofthesefalseprophetsthemostremarkableinrecenttimeswasa，manwhocalledhimselfIvanGrigorief，amysteriouspersonagewho，hadatonetimeaTurkishandatanotheranAmericanpassport，but，whoseemedinallotherrespectsagenuineRussian。Someyears，previouslytomyvisitheappearedatAlexandrof-Hai。Thoughhe，professedhimselftobeagoodMolokanandwasreceivedassuch，he，enouncedattheweeklymeetingsmanynewandstartlingideas。At，firsthesimplyurgedhishearerstoliveliketheearly，Christians，andhaveallthingsincommon。Thisseemedsound，doctrinetotheMolokanye，whoprofesstotaketheearlyChristians，astheirmodel，andsomeofthemthoughtofatonceabolishing，personalproperty;butwhentheteacherintimatedprettyplainly，thatthiscommunismshouldincludefreelove，adecidedopposition，arose，anditwasobjectedthattheearlyChurchdidnotrecommend，wholesaleadulteryandcognatesins。Thiswasaformidable，objection，but“theprophet“wasequaltotheoccasion。He，remindedhisfriendsthatinaccordancewiththeirowndoctrinethe，Scripturesshouldbeunderstood，notintheliteral，butinthe，spiritual，sense——thatChristianityhadmademenfree，andevery，trueChristianoughttousehisfreedom。

Thisaccountofthenewdoctrinewasgiventomebyanintelligent，Molokan，whohadformerlybeenapeasantandwasnowatrader，asI

satoneeveninginhishouseinNovo-usensk，thechieftownofthe，districtinwhichAlexandrof-Haiissituated。Itseemedtomethat，theauthorofthisingeniousattempttoconciliateChristianity，withextremeUtilitarianismmustbeaneducatedmanindisguise。

ThisconvictionIcommunicatedtomyhost，buthedidnotagree，withme。

“No，Ithinknot，“hereplied;“infact，Iamsureheisapeasant，andIstronglysuspecthewasatsometimeasoldier。Hehasnot，muchlearning，buthehasawonderfulgiftoftalking;neverhaveI

heardanyonespeaklikehim。Hewouldhavetalkedoverthewhole，village，haditnotbeenforanoldmanwhowasmorethanamatch，forhim。AndthenhewenttoOrloff-Haiandtherehedidtalkthe，peopleover。”，WhathereallydidinthislatterplaceInever，couldclearlyascertain。Reportsaidthathefoundedacommunistic，association，ofwhichhewashimselfpresidentandtreasurer，and，convertedthememberstoanextraordinarytheoryofprophetic，succession，inventedapparentlyforhisownsensualgratification。

Forfurtherinformationmyhostadvisedmetoapplyeithertothe，prophethimself，whowasatthattimeconfinedinthegaolona，chargeofusingaforgedpassport，ortooneofhisfriends，a，certainMr。I——，wholivedinthetown。Asitwasadifficult，mattertogainadmittancetotheprisoner，andIhadlittletimeat，mydisposal，Iadoptedthelatteralternative。

Mr。I——washimselfasomewhatcuriouscharacter。Hehadbeena，studentinMoscow，andinconsequenceofsomeyouthful，indiscretionsduringtheUniversitydisturbanceshadbeenexiledto，thisplace。Afterwaitinginvainsomeyearsforarelease，he，gaveuptheideaofenteringoneofthelearnedprofessions，marriedapeasantgirl，rentedapieceofland，boughtapairof，camels，andsettleddownasasmallfarmer。*，Hehadagreatdeal，totellabouttheprophet。

*HereforthefirsttimeIsawcamelsusedforagricultural，purposes。Whenyokedtoasmallfour-wheeledcart，the“shipsof，thedesert“seemeddecidedlyoutofplace。

Grigorief，itseemed，wasreallysimplyaRussianpeasant，buthe，hadbeenfromhisyouthupwardsoneofthoserestlesspeoplewho，canneverlongworkinharness。Wherehisnativeplacewas，and，whyheleftit，heneverdivulged，forreasonsbestknownto，himself。Hehadtravelledmuch，andhadbeenanattentive，observer。WhetherhehadeverbeeninAmericawasdoubtful，buthe，hadcertainlybeeninTurkey，andhadfraternisedwithvarious，Russiansectarians，whoaretobefoundinconsiderablenumbers，neartheDanube。Here，probably，heacquiredmanyofhispeculiar，religiousideas，andconceivedhisgrandschemeoffoundinganew，religion——ofrivallingtheFounderofChristianity！，Heaimedat，nothinglessthanthis，asheononeoccasionconfessed，andhedid，notseewhyheshouldnotbesuccessful。Hebelievedthatthe，FounderofChristianityhadbeensimplyamanlikehimself，who，understoodbetterthanothersthepeoplearoundhimandthe，circumstancesofthetime，andhewasconvincedthathehimselfhad，thesequalifications。Onequalification，however，forbecominga，prophethecertainlydidnotpossess：hehadnogenuinereligious，enthusiasminhim——nothingofthemartyrspiritabouthim。Muchof，hisownpreachinghedidnothimselfbelieve，andhehadasecret，contemptforthosewhonaivelyaccepteditall。Notonlywashe，cunning，butheknewhewascunning，andhewasconsciousthathe，wasplayinganassumedpart。Andyetperhapsitwouldbeunjustto，saythathewasmerelyanimpostorexclusivelyoccupiedwithhis，ownpersonaladvantage。Thoughhewasnaturallyamanofsensual，tastes，andcouldnotresistconvenientopportunitiesofgratifying，them，heseemedtobelievethathiscommunisticschemeswould，if，realised，bebeneficialnotonlytohimself，butalsotothe，people。Altogetheracuriousmixtureoftheprophet，thesocial，reformer，andthecunningimpostor！

BesidestheMolokanye，thereareinRussiamanyotherheretical，sects。SomeofthemaresimplyEvangelicalProtestants，likethe，Stundisti，whohaveadoptedthereligiousconceptionsoftheir，neighbours，theGermancolonists;whilstothersarecomposedof，wildenthusiasts，whogivealoosereintotheirexcited，imagination，andrevelinwhattheGermansaptlyterm“derhohere，Blodsinn。”，Icannothereattempttoconveyevenageneralideaof，thesefantasticsectswiththeirdoctrinalandceremonial，absurdities，butImayofferthefollowingclassificationofthem，forthebenefitofthosewhomaydesiretostudythesubject：

1。SectswhichtaketheScripturesasthebasisoftheirbelief，butinterpretandcompletethedoctrinesthereincontainedbymeans，oftheoccasionalinspirationorinternalenlightenmentoftheir，leadingmembers。

2。Sectswhichrejectinterpretationandinsistoncertainpassages，ofScripturebeingtakenintheliteralsense。Inoneofthebest，knownofthesesects——theSkoptsi，orEunuchs——fanaticismhasled，tophysicalmutilation。

3。SectswhichpaylittleornoattentiontoScripture，andderive，theirdoctrinefromthesupposedinspirationoftheirliving，teachers。

4。Sectswhichbelieveinthere-incarnationofChrist。

5。Sectswhichconfoundreligionwithnervousexcitement，andare，moreorlesseroticintheircharacter。Theexcitementnecessary，forprophesyingiscommonlyproducedbydancing，jumping，pirouetting，orself-castigation;andtheabsurditiesspokenat，suchtimesareregardedasthedirectexpressionofdivinewisdom。

Thereligiousexercisesresemblemoreorlesscloselythoseofthe，“dancingdervishes“and“howlingdervishes’swithwhichallwho，havevisitedConstantinoplearefamiliar。Thereis，however，one，importantdifference：thedervishespracticetheirreligious，exercisesinpublic，andconsequentlyobserveacertaindecorum，whilsttheseRussiansectsassembleinsecret，andgivefreescope，totheirexcitement，sothatmostdisgustingorgiessometimestake，placeattheirmeetings。

Toillustratethegeneralcharacterofthesectsbelongingtothis，lastcategory，Imayquotehereashortextractfromadescription，ofthe“Khlysti“byonewhowasinitiatedintotheirmysteries：

“Amongthemmenandwomenaliketakeuponthemselvesthecallingof，teachersandprophets，andinthischaractertheyleadastrict，asceticlife，refrainfromthemostordinaryandinnocent，pleasures，exhaustthemselvesbylongfastingandwild，ecstatic，religiousexercises，andabhormarriage。Undertheexcitement，causedbytheirsupposedholinessandinspiration，theycall，themselvesnotonlyteachersandprophets，butalso’Saviours，’

’Redeemers，’’Christs，’’MothersofGod。’，Generallyspeaking，they，callthemselvessimplyGods，andpraytoeachotherastorealGods，andlivingChristsorMadonnas。Whenseveraloftheseteachers，cometogetheratameeting，theydisputewitheachotherinavain，boastingwayastowhichofthempossessesmostgraceandpower。

Inthisrivalrytheysometimesgiveeachotherlustyblowsonthe，ear，andhewhobearstheblowsmostpatiently，turningtheother，cheektothesmiter，acquiresthereputationofhavingmost，holiness。”

AnothersectbelongingtothiscategoryistheJumpers，amongwhom，theeroticelementisdisagreeablyprominent。Hereisa，descriptionoftheirreligiousmeetings，whichareheldduring，summerintheforest，andduringwinterinsomeout-houseorbarn：

“Afterduepreparationprayersarereadbythechiefteacher，dressedinawhiterobeandstandinginthemidstofthe，congregation。Atfirsthereadsinanordinarytoneofvoice，and，thenpassesgraduallyintoamerrychant。Whenheremarksthatthe，chantinghassufficientlyactedonthehearers，hebeginstojump。

Thehearers，singinglikewise，followhisexample。Theirever-

increasingexcitementfindsexpressioninthehighestpossible，jumps。Thistheycontinueaslongastheycan——menandwomenalike，yellinglikeenragedsavages。Whenallarethoroughlyexhausted，theleaderdeclaresthathehearstheangelssinging“——andthen，beginsascenewhichcannotbeheredescribed。

Itisbutfairtoaddthatweknowverylittleofthesepeculiar，sects，andwhatwedoknowisfurnishedbyavowedenemies。Itis，verypossible，therefore，thatsomeofthemarenotnearlyso，absurdastheyarecommonlyrepresented，andthatmanyofthe，storiestoldaremerecalumnies。

TheGovernmentisveryhostiletosectarianism，andoccasionally，endeavourstosuppressit。Thisisnaturalenoughasregardsthese，fantasticsects，butitseemsstrangethatthepeaceful，industrious，honestMolokanyeandStundistishouldbeputunderthe，ban。WhyisitthataRussianpeasantshouldbepunishedfor，holdingdoctrineswhichareopenlyprofessed，withthesanctionof，theauthorities，byhisneighbours，theGermancolonists？

TounderstandthisthereadermustknowthataccordingtoRussian，conceptionstherearetwodistinctkindsofheresy，distinguished，fromeachother，notbythedoctrinesheld，butbythenationality，oftheholder，itseemstoaRussianinthenatureofthingsthat，TartarsshouldbeMahometans，thatPolesshouldbeRomanCatholics，andthatGermansshouldbeProtestants;andthemereactof，becomingaRussiansubjectisnotsupposedtolaytheTartar，the，Pole，ortheGermanunderanyobligationtochangehisfaith。

Thesenationalitiesarethereforeallowedthemostperfectfreedom，intheexerciseoftheirrespectivereligions，solongasthey，refrainfromdisturbingbypropagandismthedivinelyestablished，orderofthings。

Thisisthereceivedtheory，andwemustdotheRussiansthe，justicetosaythattheyhabituallyactuptoit。Ifthe，Governmenthassometimesattemptedtoconvertalienraces，the，motivehasalwaysbeenpolitical，andtheeffortshavenever，awakenedmuchsympathyamongthepeopleatlarge，orevenamongthe，clergy。Inlikemannerthemissionarysocietieswhichhave，sometimesbeenformedinimitationoftheWesternnationshave，neverreceivedmuchpopularsupport。Thuswithregardtoaliens，thispeculiartheoryhasledtoveryextensivereligious，toleration。WithregardtotheRussiansthemselvesthetheoryhas，hadaverydifferenteffect。IfinthenatureofthingstheTartar，isaMahometan，thePoleaRomanCatholic，andtheGermana，Protestant，itisequallyinthenatureofthingsthattheRussian，shouldbeamemberoftheOrthodoxChurch。Onthispointthe，writtenlawandpublicopinionareinperfectaccord。Ifan，OrthodoxRussianbecomesaRomanCatholicoraProtestant，heis，amenabletothecriminallaw，andisatthesametimecondemnedby，publicopinionasanapostateandrenegade——almostasatraitor。

Astothefutureofthesehereticalsectsitisimpossibletospeak，withconfidence。Themoregrossandfantasticwillprobably，disappearasprimaryeducationspreadsamongthepeople;butthe，Protestantsectsseemtopossessmuchmorevitality。Forthe，present，atleast，theyarerapidlyspreading。Ihaveseenlarge，villageswhere，accordingtothetestimonyoftheinhabitants，therewasnotasinglehereticfifteenyearsbefore，andwhereone-

halfofthepopulationhadalreadybecomeMolokanye;andthis，change，beitremarked，hadtakenplacewithoutanypropagandist，organisation。Thecivilandecclesiasticalauthoritieswerewell，awareoftheexistenceofthemovement，buttheywerepowerlessto，preventit。Thefeweffortswhichtheymadewerewithouteffect，orworsethanuseless。AmongtheStundisticorporalpunishmentwas，triedasanantidote——withouttheconcurrence，itistobehoped，ofthecentralauthorities——andtotheMolokanyeoftheprovinceof，Samaraalearnedmonkwassentinthehopeofconvertingthemfrom，theirerrorsbyreasonandeloquence。Whateffectthebirch-twigs，hadonthereligiousconvictionsoftheStundistiIhavenotbeen，abletoascertain，butIassumethattheywerenotvery，efficacious，foraccordingtothelatestaccountsthenumbersof，thesectareincreasing。OfthemissionintheprovinceofSamara，Ihappentoknowmore，andcanstateontheevidenceofmany，peasants——someofthemOrthodox——thattheonlyimmediateeffectwas，tostirupreligiousfanaticism，andtoinduceacertainnumberof，Orthodoxtogoovertothehereticalcamp。

Intheirpublicdiscussionsthedisputantscouldfindnocommon，groundonwhichtoargue，forthesimplereasonthattheir，fundamentalconceptionsweredifferent。Themonkspokeofthe，ChurchastheterrestrialrepresentativeofChristandthesole，possessoroftruth，whilsthisopponentsknewnothingofaChurch，inthissense，andheldsimplythatallmenshouldlivein，accordancewiththedictatesofScripture。Oncethemonkconsented，toarguewiththemontheirownground，andonthatoccasionhe，sustainedasignaldefeat，forhecouldnotproduceasingle，passagerecommendingthevenerationofIcons——apracticewhichthe，RussianpeasantsconsideranessentialpartofOrthodoxy。After，thishealwaysinsistedontheauthorityoftheearlyEcumenical，CouncilsandtheFathersoftheChurch——anauthoritywhichhis，antagonistsdidnotrecognise。Altogetherthemissionwasa，completefailure，andallpartiesregrettedthatithadbeen，undertaken。”Itwasagreatmistake，“remarkedtome，confidentiallyanOrthodoxpeasant;“averygreatmistake。The，Molokanyeareacunningpeople。Themonkwasnomatchforthem;

theyknewtheScripturesagreatdealbetterthanhedid。The，Churchshouldnotcondescendtodiscusswithheretics。”

Itisoftensaidthatthesehereticalsectsarepolitically，disaffected，andtheMolokanyearethoughttobespecially，dangerousinthisrespect。Perhapsthereisacertainfoundation，forthisopinion，formenarenaturallydisposedtodoubtthe，legitimacyofapowerthatsystematicallypersecutesthem。With，regardtotheMolokanye，Ibelievetheaccusationtobea，groundlesscalumny。Politicalideasseemedentirelyforeignto，theirmodesofthought。DuringmyintercoursewiththemIoften，heardthemrefertothepoliceas“wolveswhichhavetobefed，“

butIneverheardthemspeakoftheEmperorotherwisethaninterms，offilialaffectionandveneration。