[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.
[42] The difference in value between paper and silver money was
considerable in those days, and the sort of currency is generally
specified.--TRANSLATOR.
[43] In Russian: "Berries from the same field."--TRANSLATOR.
[44] In Russian: "If you are fond of sleighing, then be fond also of
dragging the sledge."--TRANSLATOR.
[45] Tiny double loaves of leavened bread, like those used in preparing
the Holy Communion, are sold at the entrances to churches. Any one who
wishes to have the health of his living or the souls of his dead friend
prayed for, buys a loaf, and sends it to the sanctuary before the
beginning of the morning service, accompanied by a slip of paper,
whereon is written: "For the health" (or "For the soul") "of Iván"--or
whatever the friend's baptismal name may be. The priest removes from the
loaf with his spear-shaped knife a triangular particle, which he places
on the chalice (it is not used in the Communion), and at a certain point
of the service, all these persons are prayed for, by name--the Lord
being aware which of the Iváns or Máryas is intended. After the service
the loaf is returned to the owner, who carries it home, and (when
possible) gives it to the person who has been prayed for. It is the
custom for pilgrims to the various shrines to bring back loaves of this
sort to their friends, and these are highly prized. At some of the
famous monasteries, instead of the customary imprint of a cross and the
Greek letters meaning "Jesus Christ the Conqueror," which are used on
the loaves for the Communion, a special holy bread (prosforá) is
prepared for this purpose, stamped with the Saint or Saints for which
the locality is renowned. In the primitive church, the worshippers were
wont to bring offerings of bread, wine, oil and wheat, for the
requirements of the service. As long as the congregations were not
numerous, all such givers were prayed for by name. When members became
so numerous that this would have been burdensome, the custom
was instituted of praying for the Sovereign and his family, as
representatives of all the rest: and this last custom still prevails,
mingled (as above described) with a remnant of the original
custom.--TRANSLATOR.
[46] The shrine of St. Sergius at the Tróitzky (Trinity) monastery,
forty miles from Moscow. The Óptin Hermitage in Tambóff Government. "The
White Shores"--the famous monasteries of Solovétzk, in the White Sea,
and at Byélo-Ózero (White Lake), south of Lake Onéga. Valáam, an island
in Lake Ladóga, with another famous monastery.--TRANSLATOR.
[47] The Korennáya Hermitage lies about sixteen miles northwest of
Kursk, in southern Russia. Mtzensk, nearer the centre, is half-way
between Orél and Túla.--TRANSLATOR.
Transcriber's notes:
The following is a list of changes made to the original.
The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.
torturing forboding gripped my breast. Liza
torturing foreboding gripped my breast. Liza
native parts." Afanásy Afanásievitch was renowned
native parts." Afanásy Lúkitch was renowned
I am punished."--(Akim heaved a sigh.)--"As
I am punished."--(Akím heaved a sigh.)--"As