Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 51.djvu/866

848 leaving school was prevented by the burden of cares that fell upon the man going into business for profit, in the new society the state assumes that burden, and the man can keep on learning all the time. By a constant and immediate referendum the people are able to keep their legislatures under direct and instant control. War no longer exists. The new patriotism looks to the character and purity of the people. Foreign trade is diminished and foreign travel for knowledge increased. Hygienic development has improved doctors out of their occupation. Meat is no longer eaten. Population. is distributed out of the cities over the country. The forests have been restored. Farming is done by machinery. The last chapters comprise the history of the supposed revolution, which is assumed to have begun in a revolt against the corruption and monopolies of the nineteenth century and of the solution of the problems it raised.

We wake from the reading of the book to find that we are still in the nineteenth century, suffering from all its faults.

The popular idea of Russia is that of a country inhabited by two classes: first, the military and civil minions of the Czar, who carry out the oppressive edicts of their master with fierce satisfaction; and, second, the people, who submit to this tyranny in constant sullen fear, the brightest among them being generally occupied with plots of assassination. A moment's reflection ought to convince any intelligent person that there is another side to the shield, but everybody does not stop to reflect. The book before us shows the other side. Mr. Logan had a good time in Russia, and he saw many thousands of Russians having a good time. He attended the coronation ceremonies as one of the diplomatic party from the United States, and, although this brought him in contact only with the official and noble class, who have reason to be contented, one could not go about as much as he did at a time when the common people thronged to the splendid ceremonials without seeing a great deal that throws light upon the real condition of "Ivan," the peasant. Mr. Logan recounts the incidents of travel, and describes the stores, streets, conveyances, and other things that one sees in passing with a humor and unconventionality that are delightful. He has grouped many of his observations by subjects. Thus, in a chapter on The Breaking of Russian Bread, he describes the diet and the dishes of both nobles and peasants, with digressions on hunting and fishing. There is much French cookery in Russia, and there are also many distinctively native dishes, some of which Mr. Logan is able to praise enthusiastically. Other chapters describe a village of peasants, Russian horses, the Russian church, Slavic art and literature, and tell "How we kept house" and "How we washed in Russia." The bath-tub of America is a stranger to Russian domiciles, but there are public establishments where the real Russian bath is enjoyed by all classes of the population. In every village there is a bath-house in which the peasants steam themselves at least once a week. But the chief subject of the volume is the coronation ceremonies. Mr. Logan portrays for us the splendid processions, the impressive ceremonies, and the magnificent banquets, balls, and performances. He and his friend "G" were blest with a courier who was constantly making mistakes that brought them into better positions than they were entitled to.