IMPRESSIONS OF RUSSIA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1532, 30 August 1912, Page 4

IMPRESSIONS OF RUSSIA.

BY THE HON. MAURICE BARING. Impressions of Russia , and its people was the- theme of a most interesting and entertaining address by the Hon. Maurice Baring to the members of the New Zealand Club at a luncheon which was given in his honour yesterday, ■when, there was a very largo attendance of members. His Excellency the. Governor (Lord Islington), who presided, introduced Mr. Baring ns a distinguished mnn of letters, and one well qualified io speak of Russia, having been for the last ten years resident in that country, and a close and observant student of its people. Mr. Baring, who' was very cordially received, lightly sketched his impressions of the Russ and his country, touching only upon salient points. The people of Russia, ho said, reflected the characteristics of their country, which was uniform iii features, and climatic conditions, right throughout: Tho expansion and development of Hie country had been internal, but the territory was so vast that the process of colonisation though expansive had but thinly populated the surface. It was very much like spreading the butter out very thin on a largo slico of bread. Russia, was a country of colonists, predominant racial , types being the Finns, tho Tartars, and the Slavs. The Slavs woro the predominant race, and their history was the history of Russia. It should not be forgotten, said Mr. Baring,, that in the sixteenth century Russia saved the world from. an invasion of barbarians. Tho climatic conditions of the country had a very great influence upon the character of the people. The Russian peasnut, for example, was engaged in a perpetual sh-ugglc against the forces of nature in his fight for existence, and his successes and disappointments made him tenacious, energetic," strong, patient..submissive, ialalistic-"liappy-go-lueky. lie lacked initiative, but worked well with his fellow*. Ho was malleable. To quote one of the first of Rnswian wrilevs, tho Russian "lacked hypocrisy, _ had no prejudices, was democratic and tolerant, charitable and indulgent, taking no account of caste distinctions or .social differences, and regardini? education as the great leveller. Ho took his religion as he took his work, as n matter of eoiirsoHiis religious observances entered largely into his everyday life. But ho had a great contempt for the priests, although he held his religion in tho most sacred rognrd. ~,.., . , ' Mr. Daring concluded with an interesting review of tho manners and customs of the people. . On the motion of the Hon. 0. M. Luke. M.L.f. (president of Hie club). Mr. IWiiig was accorded n hearty vote of .thanks when, he resumed his scat.