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time dissolute and then famished, ready for all sorts of
follies, but also for business, and who is always thinking
more of the problem of human life than of the rent he
has to pay. The capital of Finland, in spite of the
differences and battle of the languages and what revolves
about it, on a flying visit makes a predominating
Scandinavian impression on a foreigner. It is certainly true
that a large, free, cosmopolitan culture is found among the
best educated Finns, partly owing to their close
connection with a power of the world which it would be quite
impossible to find in a place of the same size in a
Scandinavian country. Nevertheless, frivolity, slander, and
philistinism flourish here, as in other parts of the North.
There is no real standpoint of comparison with Russia
to be found here.
With Poland it is entirely different. Nay, the
similarity at first sight is so striking that it overshadows the
dissimilarities, and conceals the Russian peculiarities.
But, in order to find it, we must begin by eliminating all
the traits which the Poles and Russians have in common.
In this way we naturally approach the qualifications
which have any precise character; but they are not so
insignificant as they may seem. The common observer
sees no difference between the cultured classes of the
European nations. As he moves among these people,
who are everywhere dressed in the same manner, and
who everywhere observe the same rules of life and of
politeness, they seem to him the same; and even if he
thinks he discovers some differences, they seem in reality
to be purely accidental. On the other hand, he who is
inclined to critical comparison, and is, therefore,
accustomed to discriminate between essential and unessential
qualities, typical and accidental traits, and is skilled in
tracing the individual propensities back to the national,
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