* * * * *

THE RUSSIAN SERF.

"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian chivalric
spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur."

"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily
Ivanovitsch.

"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick in
appropriating what is new or useful--ready prepared for civilization.
Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries anything out of the way
of his daily occupation, and he will still cling to his plow: with
us, only give the word, and the peasant becomes musician, painter,
mechanic, steward, anything you like."

"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch.

"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what country can you
find such a strongly-marked and instinctive notion of his duties,
such readiness to assist his fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such
benignity, so much gentleness and strength combined."

"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant--a splendid fellow indeed;"
interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch.

"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with contempt; nay,
more, instead of making any effort to cultivate his mind, we try to