Kieff. In the Nefsky there are other honorary Archimandrites, who have been called from a distance with a view of being made Bishops; some too who cannot be made Bishops from their ignorance of Latin.

THE

CHAPTER LXXII.

Church Music.

HE singing in the churches here, as I have said before, is certainly very pleasing, suited to the sense of the words, moving, and devout. It is as attractive as some of the readings, or rather gabblings (for some things are read very well), are disagreeable and repulsive. F. said, "If you buy the books with the musical notes printed in them, you will have in them the music, such as it is, sung in the monasteries and in churches, where there are only two or three men singers. But here in the city, and where there is a choir of singers, some parts of the services are sung to music arranged in parts. This music, which is based upon that of the books, is not printed. It has much in it borrowed from the Italian. Some time ago, a certain first-rate Italian singer being in the kapella or practising-room of the choir of the Winter Palace was moved to tears by what they were singing when she came in, though she did not know a word of Russ, nor

was told till afterwards that what she heard was part of the office for the dead. The singings for the Resurrection at Easter inspire the whole congregation with the most lively joy; it is impossible not to feel transported; the responses to the priest's announcement, "Christ is risen!" are made with an indescribable buzz or hum (cum fremitu) running over the whole church. F.'s mother had a great wish to die in Easter week, and this is a popular feeling.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

John Veniamineff, Missionary.

OV. 23.-Dined in the Millionnaia, and met there

Nov

the priest, John Veniamineff, the missionary of the Aleoutines. He was by origin from Irkoutsk, and the mission was supported by the Russian American Company. He came here, coming round Cape Horn to try to obtain a bishop for his people. The whole population of the islands is 60,000, of whom now 10,000 are Christians. There was a missionary among them before named Macarius, who baptized a number of them, but could not instruct them properly, as he knew nothing of their language; and he stayed only a year. It being reported that the natives were ready to be baptized, the Bishop of Irkoutsk sought for a priest willing to go there, but all declined. At length this priest John, having been interested by what he heard of the natives, offered himself and went. His children were all born in the islands, but at length he sent them with his wife to Irkoutsk for education.

In the islands he made all his own furniture; and when he had learned the language thoroughly he translated some of the Church-prayers, the Catechism, and the Gospel of St. Matthew, which has now been printed in Slavonian letters. Not long ago, after his arrival here, news came overland of the death of his wife. He came by way of Rio Janeiro, and if he starts soon to return by land he will not reach the islands before September, 1841. During the first seven years he conversed with the natives, and taught them through an interpreter, one of the Russian American Company's people. He is now living here in the house of that company. The natives are incredibly zealous in attending divine worship, remaining several hours with great devotion, though they do not understand, yet knowing that it is worship. The service is still in Slavonic. He has a reader or singer, a Russian, who accompanies him, and one native priest. Others are now learning to read, and they have set up schools. They can nearly all say the Lord's Prayer, and a great many the Creed. Those who are not yet Christians are well disposed to become so, and are continually being instructed and baptized. They communicate once in about two years, as the missionary cannot visit all the islands oftener. I asked whether those who chanced to have the opportunity communicated oftener than once a year? He