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work. The old aristocratic disdain and aversion for
labor exist to this day unchanged in Poland. A young
Polish nobleman who works is cited everywhere as a
phœnix.
It is quite different in Russia. In the aristocracy
here, for the most part, the broad-shouldered, persistent
muzhik shines out.
Here is a type: He is of a princely family; that is to
say, he belongs to one of the only half a hundred
Russian families who are of real princely blood, because
they are descended from the old rulers of the country.
He has inherited hardly any property. Without any
trace of the Ranudo-like[1] disinclination to work, which
is the characteristic of the Polish nobleman, he studies
engineering first in Russia, then in Germany; on
his return goes to work with an axe in his hand,
builds bridges, and lays out railroads, at first in the
employment of others, and afterwards on his own
account. Not that he loves work on its own account.
As a practical Russian, he means to become rich, very
rich. He becomes a manufacturer, gives up his
manufactory to become a financier; as a speculator on the
exchange develops a sagacity and prudence which are
not surpassed by old bankers; has the keenest scent for
money-making, and at forty years of age is a millionnaire.
He is a practical and coarse-grained nature, a mathematical
head, a calculator of probabilities, who has never
known any kind of enthusiasm, and has never had a
glimpse of artistic taste. If he travels to Italy, it is
not to enjoy nature, or see works of art: he is to be
found dallying with roulette at Monaco.
He is practical but not narrow-minded, and not
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