The pretty little horses are harnessed, for trotting
races, singly, to a low sleigh (in summer to a drosky) driven by
one man, wearing the colours of the owner. Two of these start at
once in opposite directions on a circular or oblong course marked
out on a flat expanse of snow and ice, which may be either land
or water, as is found most convenient. It is a picturesque sight,
and reminds one of the pictures of ancient chariot races on old
vases and carved monuments.
The character of a nation can scarcely fail to be affected by the
size of the country it inhabits, and a certain indifference to time
and distance is produced by this circumstance. There is also a
peculiar apathy as regards small annoyances and casualties. Whatever
accident befalls the Russian of the lower orders, his habitual
remark is "_Nitchivo_" ("It is nothing"). Nevertheless, Northern
blood and a Northern climate have mixed a marvellous amount of
energy and enterprise with this Oriental characteristic. Take for
example the Caspian railway, undertaken by General Annenkoff.
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