The extreme superstition of the Greek church, the national one of
Russia, seems to exceed that of the Roman Catholic devotees, even in
Spain and Portugal. The following instance will show the absurdity of
it even among the higher classes:--
A Russian princess, some few years since, had always a large silver
crucifix following her in a separate carriage, and which was placed in
her chamber. When any thing fortunate happened to her in the course
of the day, and she was satisfied with all that had occurred, she
had lighted tapers placed around the crucifix, and said to it in a
familiar style, "See, now, as you have been very good to me to-day,
you shall be treated well; you shall have candles all night; I will
love you; I will pray to you." If on the contrary, any thing happened
to vex the lady, she had the candles put out, ordered her servants not
to pay any homage to the poor image, and loaded it herself with the
bitterest reproaches.