SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of. the week as have not been reserved Jar review in other forms.] Serf Life in Russia. By Alexandra de Holstein and Dora B. Montefiore. (W. Heinemann. 38. 6d.)—The "Russian Grand- mother" who tells these experiences of her childhood was in her "teens" when the emancipation of the serfs took place (February 19th, 1861). Her story begins with a description of the start when the family migrates to its country abode. And it is with the conditions of life in this abode that it is chiefly occupied. It is the domestic serf that commonly appears in its pages ; and it comes almost as a surprise to the reader when he realises the absolute slavery in which these white people were living,—absolute except so far as the fact that they could not be sold away from the place. The ruling powers seem to have been of the tyrannical order, and their habit of thought is contrasted with the recollection of a pious and humane grandfather. There is no attempt to dramatise and highly colour the narrative. It is of the simplest order, largely occupied with the childish fancies of the writer, but all the more effective for this reason. We see the domestic life of a Russian family from the point of view of one who, though belonging to the upper class, had the opportunity of seeing how the lower was affected. It would be interesting at any time ; it is particularly so now.
Previous page
