Page:The Spirit of Russia by T G Masaryk, volume 2.pdf/329

Rh in addition, for narodničestvo likewise signifies the parties and sections of the new narodničestvo and the social revolutionaries which have come into existence since the revolution and the promulgation of the constitution. Some of the Marxists, with a certain malice, will not give the social revolutionaries any other name than "narodniki."

N the old byliny (epic folk-poems) of Russia, one of the favourite heroes is Ilja of Murom, the peasant. When the country is in straits, Ilja awakens from his apathy, displays his superhuman energy, and saves the situation.

Of all the European states, Russia is alike economically and socially the most predominantly agricultural, and we have to note in this connection the peculiar characteristics of Russian agriculture, which on the whole, and above all in the remoter areas, is still in an extremely primitive condition. It is natural that the great concern of Russia, the chief concern alike of the government and of the political parties, should be the peasant and his destiny.

Interest in the mužik and in agriculture had already awakened in the days of Muscovy. From the time of Peter onwards the government perforce became more and more occupied with the matter, for the national finances demanded an increasing revenue. The great landowners, as we have learned, took a selfish advantage of the situation, using their powers, not in the interest of the state, not in the interest of the peasantry, and not indeed in their own true interest.

The mood prevailing at the close of the eighteenth century secured literary expression in the idyllic and pastoral poetry written during the reign of Catherine, by the Anacreontically inclined L'vov and_ others. Doubtless European example exercised a contributory influence. Just as the French disciples of Rousseau were, à la Chateaubriand, making a cult of the Red Indians, so did the Russians discover the mužik.

Great honour was then paid to the mužik. Even before the days of Herder, his songs were being collected and were receiving due literary appreciation, and this aesthetic recognition was followed by an appreciation of folk-performances in other fields. In the days of the enlightenment and of the popular philosophy, proverbs were regarded as incorporating an