After having thus attempted to point out to the reader what we consider as the general characteristic features of Slavic popular poetry, we proceed to add a few remarks on the distinguishing traits of the different nations of the Slavic race individually, so far as our limits permit.

And here it is among the nations of the EASTERN STEM that we must look for our principal harvest.  We follow the same order as in the former parts of this work.

The RUSSIANS have very few ballads of high antiquity; and, even in this small number, hardly any one has reference to the heroic prose tales, which are the delight of Russian nurseries.

The Russians have indeed nursery tales (skazki) of all descriptions; and we have often heard, that, during the first decennium of the present century, still many an old-fashioned country squire, many a country gentlewoman brought up among her female slaves like an oriental princess, were in the habit of having themselves lulled to sleep by them.  They are almost invariably told in the same words; and as much as possible with the same intonation of voice.  One Skazkochnik, or Skazkochnitza, adopts this manner from another.  The traditions of Vladimir and his giant heroes are the favourite, but not the exclusive subjects of these tales.  They are also printed and sold separately; with a coarse wood-cut on the upper part of every page, representing the scene described, and the back of the page empty.  We are told that they are mostly got up by “Deacons,” a class of the lower clergy, in their leisure hours.  It is probable that these traditions formerly existed also in the shape of popular ballads; but no trace has been left of them.  In the beginning of this century the work of Kirscha Danilof, of which we have spoken in our view of Russian literature,[20] was first published, containing the ancient traditions; written in the national prosodic measure, but without any poetical spirit; replete with anachronisms and absurdities, without the naivete which can alone make these latter tolerable.  They were, besides, full of interpolations; and were evidently the productions of a man from the people who had acquired half an education.  For this reason they have never gained popularity in this shape.

The more modern heroic ballads of the Russians are of a remarkably tame character.  Lawless and rebellious deeds are sometimes their subjects; but they end mostly with an act of retributive justice.  We shall give a specimen of this species before we part with the Russians.