Identifier: russiathennow18900reev (find matches)
Title: Russia then and now, 1892-1917; my mission to Russia during the famine of 1891-1892, with data bearing upon Russia of to-day
Year: 1917 (1910s)
Authors: Reeves, Francis B. (Francis Brewster), 1836-1922
Subjects: Famines -- Soviet Union Soviet Union -- Social conditions Soviet Union -- Description and travel
Publisher: New York, London, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library

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dy the faces of the lower classes of thepeople as we met them. So far I have been able todiscover but one characteristic that seems to be theproperty of all, resignation and indifference. Theiraspirations seem to be satisfied if they have a piece ofblack bread, a drink of home whiskey, and a corner tosleep in. They look at the passing train in quietamazement, hardly turn their heads, and are out of oursight probably as quickly as we are out of their minds.A study of these people can, of course, better be madein the interior when we meet them face to face and visitthem in their homes—what a perversion of a sacred name! • •••••• The aid extended from private sources is put to thevery best uses. What would become of these peoplewere it not for the English quakers, who are doingadmirable work and who have already expended about$100,000, the private committee working with theBritish-American Church. Good work is also beingdone by the Russian committee, of which the Imperial
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•§ (5 a••» <0 rh ^ •«-< 05 O fe JJ W « O +J O M PH c Bo APPENDIX 131 Crown Prince is the head. They have collected alarge amount of money and are distributing it withmuch wisdom. It • is interesting to note that thehighest classes of Russian society are taking up thiswork of relief with great enthusiasm. The nobility isdoing admirably, and it is not only confined to themen of rank; the women old and young, married andsingle, are vying with each other in their efforts tohelp their stricken country-people. • •••••• Many young women of this class are at the head ofthe soup kitchens in the interior. They are labouringday and night, not as ornamental figureheads, butthey lead in the work and set a good example that isthus more eagerly followed by those under them. Thetaste of practical and useful employment that manyof these people of high rank and birth perhaps now forthe first time enjoy may be of immense value to themand their country in the future. Man

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