INTEMPERANCE IN RUSSIA.

THE EMPEROR TO THE RESCUE.

By MADAME OLGA NOV1KOFF (“O.K.”).

His Majesty’s noble rescript on the distressing subject of intemperance has made many millions of Russians grateful and happy. Yes, indeed, his determination to save his country from that great peril is a real blessing. It is also a splendid example to us all. For each one, even in the humblest circle, can make some exertion when earnestly desiring to serve a good cause. May I relate some personal experiences in connection with that burning question?

Two years ago I was driving from the Pavlosk Railway Station to my hotel. The weather was bad, not at all like summer. Alas! “our northern summer” is in truth “a caricature of southern winters.” Windy, cold and damp. I thought to myself: when shall I get to my warm room and a nice hot cup of tea? Suddenly the voice of the coachman broke upon my musings with the following strange questions: “You are Russian, madame?” he asked. “Yes, thank God, I am.” “Orthodox, madame?” he continued. I again repeated: “Yes, thank God, I am.” “And do you often see the Tsar?” Unfortunately, hardly ever; but what has that to do with you”? I asked in my turn, somewhat taken aback. In spite of the detestable weather this strange conversation excited my curiosity. “If only you would ask him, madame,” he continued, “tо intercede for us. I am from the Tatevsky school. Mr. Rachinsky has, from my infancy, kept me from drink. I came here to earn my living, and have provided myself with a new coat, horse and cab. I spent a lot of money in order to arrange for my work. But in the evenings one starves, for all the tea, bakers, and pork butchers’ shops close early, at eight o’clock; only the drinking houses are open all night, and there it is impossible to buy even a crust of bread. A man must eat,” concluded my interlocutor with emphasis. Having naturally agreed with him “that man must eat” I became silent.

But what a strange coincidence that I should suddenly have come across one of the pupils of Rachinsky, one of my closest friends—a pupil who thus was imbued with all his teachings. It was very pleasant to see that my friend’s good work in the cause of temperance, in which I had also worked not a little, had not perished. . . . In these latter years I have remembered this conversation. . . . My inability to serve the good cause naturally disturbed me. All the same, I made enquiries of people who were well-informed on the question and who took an interest in the welfare of Russia. (Such people, thank God, are still, though seldom, to be met with.)

One thing became as clear as daylight to me: it is necessary, and that quickly, to replace the existing temptation—which, to the shame and sorrow of the whole land, each day grows stronger in our country—with some counter-attraction. Of course, it is difficult to do good, but evil—how easy; some diabolical power seems always to harm mankind! I will now relate what I did to continue the good work of my friend, Mr. Rachinsky, that untiring fighter in the cause of temperance. As a result of my efforts, I obtained the conviction that the evil could not be wiped out by a single stroke of the pen. No; it was necessary to destroy this temptation, or, at least, to reduce it by encouraging a new and good habit.

To save the intemperate from ruin—moral, physical and material—one could, for example, cheapen the sale of such indispensable articles as tea and sugar. Some fifty years ago teetotalism in England was certainly not so developed as it is at the present time, and tea and sugar were most effective allies to temperance. The practical English treat these two questions incomparably better than we do. N.B.—An English pound (lb) is considerably heavier than a Russian pound. Very good tea can be purchased for 1s. 6d. per lb. (about 70 copecks), and even less. A pound of sugar costs only about 8 copecks.

These figures speak far more eloquently than voluminous politico-economic treatises. I will once more permit myself to point out facts which came under my personal observation. In our village—Alexandrovka (Kozlov district)—I had many opportunities of seeing how much pleasure my peasant guests derived from drinking tea at my house—on certain holy days.

They all knew perfectly well, as, indeed, so did my house-servants, that there could be no mention of vodka. I sometimes noticed how some of the local inhabitants would good-naturedly smile at my detestation of their favourite poison. They would shake their heads, but this did not prevent them from enjoying many cups of my tea.

I used to take advantage of these gatherings to point out the happiness resulting from temperance and the ruin caused by drunkenness. . . . One day I endeavoured to obtain information from one of my guests as to the amount he spent annually on drink.

“I should think about 50 roubles” (£5), he replied dolefully. “But is that not a sin? Are you not ashamed of yourself ”? I exclaimed. “Why, in Tambov Government one can buy a good cow for such a sum and provide the children with nourishing food; there would be no necessity to go about imploring alms for them.” “Quite so, madame,” agreed my guest, and silently finished drinking his cup of tea.

When watching over my poor people, I used to ask them if they liked tea, and I always received the same answer: “Why, certainly, everyone likes it, but it is expensive! Everything is possible to the gentry, but we are humble people, and it is too dear for us. Vodka is cheaper; there is always plenty of that everywhere!” I felt ashamed and annoyed at such considerations. This vexed question: how to combat this great calamity with as little delay as possible kept returning to me and made my heart heavy.

How to make tea more accessible to the very poorest in Russia? Is there not an easy and even simple way of doing so? For instance: lower the import duty on tea and cut down the excise on sugar. Of course, I intend to elaborate other possible measures, but I just mention those that strike me as most pressing and practical. By these simple means the restoration of Russia might be ensured, whilst any loss to the Government would no doubt be compensated by an enormous increase in the sale of both commodities. Trade would increase, for there is not the slightest doubt that temperance enriches not only individuals, but whole nations, not only from a moral and sanitary, but also from a material, point of view. These are not idle paradoxes, but undoubted facts. Those who do not believe this let them go to Plotsk, to the Mariavitan (old Catholic) bishops. No doubt many are aware that the Mariavits number 200,000. Thanks to the efforts and example shown by their clergymen, they are all without exception total abstainers. I know this fact from various sources, but it was also confirmed by their bishop, Michael Kovalsky. It is extremely interesting to note that the entire flock consists almost exclusively of poor men; but they are all imbued with faith in their holy work, and each one gives his hard-earned mite. As a result, the Mariavits build churches, schools, reading rooms, hospitals and workshops. Just think of it; all this is accomplished by the voluntary efforts of these total abstainers, and by their prayers and incessant sacrifices. . . .

As an onlooker, the result of this work deeply rejoices me. Here is an example of what might be done to correct our Russian national failings. When will temperance, with God’s help, develop and flourish in Russia and so bring happiness and pride to us all?