The Diary of a Superfluous Man, and Other Stories

A very good preserve, with a slightly wild or bitter taste, is made from these berries in Russia. It is a favourite preserve for putting in tea. – Translator.

18

Except during Lent, and for special prayers on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Pentecost (Trinity Sunday), hardly any kneeling is prescribed by the rubrics of the Eastern Catholic Church. During Easter-tide and on all Sundays it is forbidden by the rubrics, on the ground that joy in the resurrection should overpower the sense of sin and contrition. These rules are not always regarded. But a person who kneels much is conspicuous, and spectators assume that the posture indicates great grief or contrition – as above. – Translator.

19

Many exiles caused by the French Revolution found refuge in Russia as tutors. Some founded families there, intermarrying with Russians, and their Russified names are easily recognisable. – Translator.

20

Pass through these hills and come cheerily to me: care thou not for too great a company. Come thou, and think secretly of me, that I may be thy comrade all the way.

21

In central and southern Russia where timber is scarce, fences, and even the walls of barns and store-houses, are made of interlaced boughs. – Translator.

22

The Nobles' Club. – Translator.

23

"I am a picture of sorrow,
Leaning against the wall."

24

June 29 (O. S.) – July 13 (N. S.). – Translator.

25

Formerly all Moscow houses were obliged to get their water in barrels on wheels from the river or from public fountains. Birch-wood is still used for cooking and heating. – Translator.

26

A pud is about thirty-six pounds, English. – Translator.

27

A peculiarly shaped and delicious wheaten roll, which is made particularly well in Moscow. – Translator.

28

St. Petersburg. – Translator.

29

Mínin, the burgher of Nízhni Nóvgorod, and Prince Pozhársky, who led the Russians against the invading Poles in 1612, and expelled them from Russia. Their expulsion was followed by the election to the throne of the first Románoff Tzar, Mikhaíl Feódorovitch. – Translator.

30

These kisses are bestowed on the cheeks, alternately. – Translator.

31

Amy or Charity. – Translator.

32

Leipzig.

33

A desyatína is 2.70 acres. He was obliged to buy the land in his owner's name: serfs could not hold landed property. – Translator.

34

St. Petersburg. – Translator.

35

To the holy pictures. – Translator.

36

See note on p. 273. – Translator.

37

He had been a staff-officer in the civil service, according to Peter the Great's Table of Ranks. – Translator.

38

These numerous maids, in the old serf days, were employed in making the most exquisite linen, lace, embroidery, and so forth. – Translator.

39

The beard was regarded as a mark of peasant origin. – Translator.

40

Neither field-serfs nor the superior house-serfs were addressed by their patronymic (like the nobility). Dunyásha is the diminutive of Avdóty. – Translator.

41

It is customary to have a holy picture, with a shrine-lamp filled with olive-oil burning before it, in bedrooms. – Translator.