HPB-SB-10-333: Difference between revisions

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“{{Style S-Small capitals|Jurodivi}}.”—Not only does the vast majority of Russian peasants believe firmly in witchcraft, as we lately showed, but the name of its superstitions is legion. There is scarcely a village in Russia without its “Jurodivi,” or inspired idiot, its “Kaldunja,” or sorceress, and its “Klikusha,” a hysterical screaming woman, subject to fits, who is an especial object of fear and reverence to her neighbours. A strange illness, attributed by some of the most eminent Russian pathologists to the effect produced upon the nerves by all these silly superstitions, has made its appearance in several provinces of the Empire among the hardy and robust rural populations. No efficacious method has as yet been devised for treating this malady, which generally culminates in insanity. The village popes regard it with indifference, and make no effort to discourage the demoralising credulity in which it originates. The district surgeons shrug their shoulders over it, and confess their inability to comprehend the phenomena of its genesis and incubation. Meanwhile, it appears to be rapidly spreading, and largely recruiting the ranks of the “Chlisti,” a fanatical sect which practises fasting and self-castigation with the most shocking results to its followers—especially to those of the female sex. It is obvious that a practical and thoroughgoing system of popular education alone can grapple with and subdue these unwholesome tendencies of the Russian peasantry, and that, even were such a system introduced with promptitude and energy, more than one generation must pass away ere any appreciable progress can be effected in the intellectual and moral emancipation of the moujik.—''Daily Telegraph''.

“{{Style S-Small capitals|The Light of Asia}}.”—Many will remember the straightforward testimony given to the Dialectical Society, by Mr. Edwin Arnold, about Spiritualism, and be pleased to hear how well his admirable latest work is received by the public. The ''Athenæum'' states that “Mr. Edwin Arnold, whose poem, ‘The Light of Asia,’ has passed through two editions here, and eight in America,” has received a letter from the King of Siam—together with the Order of the White Elephant—dated Grand Palace, Bangkok, Dec. 5, 1879, in which his Majesty says:—“I feel much gratitude to those who like yourself teach Europeans to hold our religion in respect. I thank you for the copy of your poem, ‘The Light of Asia,’ presented to me through my Minister in London. I am not a sufficiently good scholar to judge English poetry, but as your work is based upon the similar source of our own information, I can read it through with very much pleasure, and I can say that your poem, ‘The Light of Asia,’ is the most eloquent defence of Buddhism that has yet appeared, and is full of beautiful poetry; but I like Book Second very much, and am very much interested in the final sermon. To mark my opinion of your good feeling towards Eastern peoples, and my appreciation of your high ability and the service you have done to all Buddhists by this defence of their religion, I have much satisfaction in appointing you an officer of our most exalted Order of the White Elephant.”

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  | volume =10

  | page =333

  | type = article

  | status = proofread