Volume 1

Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia and Africa / By Edward Daniel Clarke.

  • Clarke, Edward Daniel, 1769-1822.
Date:
1810-1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia and Africa / By Edward Daniel Clarke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    167/984 (page 79)
    we findfavouritism the key-stone of Russian government, and adoration of Saints the pillar of their faith. The Sovereign is disregarded in the obeisance offered to his favourites; and the Creator forgotten in the worship of his creatures. As we lived in some degree of intimacy with many of the Russian nobility, their manners and opinions could not escape our notice. Of all Europeans, they bear the greatest resem¬ blance to the nobles of the “ Two Sicilies.” The Neapolitans, and the grandees of Palermo, are exactly like those of Moscow; and even the peasants of the two countries have a certain degree of resemblance. This similitude may arise from a similarity of government; — vicious and despotic; ignorant and superstitious. The same character prevails in their national dances, and in their mode of dress. The barina differs little from the tarantala; and the female peasants of the Campana Felice dress very much like the women near Moscow;—with the same shoes; the same kind of head-dress; the same embroidered suits ; the same load of finery. Cannot this be explained ? The costume of Magna Graecia came from the Archipelago; and the art of dress was introduced to Russia from Constantinople. I have before mentioned, that in their sports the Russians and Neapolitans are the same. In the class of the nobles, the women are far superior to the men: they are mild, affectionate, often well informed, beautiful, and highly accomplished: while the men are destitute of every qualification which might render them, in the eyes of their female companions, objects of admiration. It is not therefore to be wondered at, that ladies of rank in Moscow have the character of not being strict in their fidelity to their husbands; chap. v. Wives of the Nobles.