Chapter II: Preface

I have endeavoured in this book to provide some kind of answer to the questions which I found by experience are generally put by the traveller who comes to Russia for the first time, and whose curiosity is stimulated with regard to the way in which the people live and to the manner of their government.

I have endeavoured to convey to the reader a single idea of the nature of the more important factors in Russian life. I am only too well aware that what I have to supply in the way of explanation and elucidation is inadequate, incomplete, and superficial. My excuse is that the questions of the average inquirer are, as a rule, neither profound nor comprehensive; and that profound or comprehensive replies, were I capable of giving them—which I am not—would be received neither with attention nor interest. They would be like arrows shot into empty space. For the average inquirer has neither time nor inclination for exhaustive inquiry or minute research. He wishes to be told what he wishes to know in a manner he can understand, and as briefly as possible. But my hope is that I may stimulate the interest of the reader in the subject, and in a manner which may lead him to seek for more exhaustive information at the fountainhead, or at richer sources than mine. This is every day becoming easier.

Some years ago books on Russia which had any serious value or substantial interest were few and far between. Lately the interest in Russian affairs has been stimulated by many causes: by the coming of Russian artists, singers, and dancers to England; by the appearance in the press of valuable articles written by Russian authors; by the publication of adequate translations from Russian authors (Mrs. Garnett’s translations of Dostoievsky, for instance); and by several excellent books written by English authors on Russia, such as the books of Mr. Stephen Grahame dealing with the Russian people, the admirable and encyclopædic work of Mr. Harold Williams, and, in a somewhat lighter vein, Mr. Reynold’s “My Russian Year.” All these books reveal a standpoint, a mastery of the subject, that are far removed from the fantastic, false, and melodramatic concoctions that were abundant some years ago.

In calling this book the “Mainsprings” of Russia, I am conscious of having omitted several of the most important mainsprings of Russian life: chief among them its commerce and industry. The subject is so large that, had I dealt with it at all, there would have been no room for anything else in a book of this size. Also, as far as the actual facts are concerned they are to be found clearly stated in Dr. Kennard’s excellent “Russian Year Book.”

Nor have I attempted to deal with the Army and the Navy, which I consider to be factors which are likely to be dealt with by experts, since they cannot afford to be altogether neglected by foreigners. There is another subject I have omitted—it is not, it is true, a mainspring of Russian life; but it is a sore spot and a question of burning vital interest—I mean the Jewish question.

In a book as short as this it would be impossible to devote sufficient space to the matter without crowding out other things which concern the greater majority; but it is most desirable that competent observers should deal with the Jewish question in Russia, which at present, as far as the rest of Europe is concerned, is almost entirely handled either by bitter Anti-Semites, or by those who are the actors in the drama itself. And there is no question in Modern Russia which is fraught with more far-reaching effects, and probably none which is at present more difficult of solution.

My thanks are due to A. J. Halpern of the Russian Bar for his valuable help in regard to the chapter on “Justice,” to Mr. Dimitriev-Mamonov, and to many other Russian friends for their criticism and advice.

CONTENTS.

I. RETROSPECT 13
II. THE RUSSIAN PEASANT 31
III. THE NOBILITY 72
IV. THE GOVERNMENT MACHINE 97
V. CAUSES OF DISCONTENT 129
VI. THE AVERAGE RUSSIAN 155
VII. THE LIBERAL PROFESSIONS 183
VIII. THE RUSSIAN CHURCH 216
IX. EDUCATION 246
X. JUSTICE 269
XI. THE FASCINATION OF RUSSIA 299

THE MAINSPRINGS OF
RUSSIA.