MOST people have heard of the Russian prisoners, and very few of the thousands who have visited Brighton this season, left without making an expedition to Lewes gaol to see them. In fact, they are quite the lions of the neighbourhood, and the little common deal ornaments, puzzles, &c., with the manufacture of which they occupy their leisure hours, are the popular articles of sale, not only at their own place of confinement, but also at the Brighton shops, where the announcement constantly meets the eye, "Articles made by the Russian prisoners sold here." "Russian prisoners" they are universally called, but very few of them have a right to that title, although captured when serving under Russian colours. By far the greater proportion of them are from Finland, a province formerly belonging to Sweden, and a comparatively recent acquisition on the part of Russia, who even now holds a very uncertain sway, and a still slighter influence over the Finlanders, whose interests are very generally on the side of their Scandinavian ancestry. Shall we take a peep at them in their English home? It will not take us long. The crowd thickens as we approach the Brighton terminus, but we find that most of the passengers have the same destination in view. Almost every one at the station is asking for a "return to Lewes," and when we get upon the platform, the porters instinctively suggest "Lewes?" as we glance undecidedly towards the long row of carriages. The drive is not interesting, and fortunately soon over; and in the course of half an hour we find ourselves wending our way up the steep streets of the town, following in the wake of a long procession towards the gaol. We ring at the bell, and are instantly admitted. No questions are asked, our object is known beforehand, and having written down our names in the book at the entrance, we are at once informed, "This way to the Russian prisoners." After a few turns, we arrive at an open court devoted to the prisoners, most of whom are busy at work under a long shed. They are quite used to visitors, and take very little notice of us, so we may look at them as long as we please. They are a small race of men, sallow and beardless; still wearing their own uniform, dark trousers, a grey great-coat, made very full and strapped together behind, so that it hangs in folds, and a round cap. They are all cutting wood into various shapes. This old man at the corner is carving out some curious little slips, each perforated lengthwise with a slit exactly its own width these are afterwards plaited together, and form a kind of prickly wreath, which, in their own country, is devoted to the homely purpose of a stand to prevent a pot or kettle from burning the table, but which has become a popular drawing-room ornament in the land of their captivity. This youth, who looks scarcely eighteen, is cutting a cross with hanging ornaments; and that man beyond is holding up his handiwork, just completed, for admiration. It is very delicate and ingenious, representing a brooding bird; and will certainly be sold as soon as it reaches the stall on the other side. But we have lingered here long enough-let us follow this warder who is conducting a party over the Russian wards. Their dormitories look very clean and airy, although of course scantily furnished. Each cell contains three beds, generally of iron, though some are only hammocks. There is little to excite our attention, so we will proceed to the reading-room, a detached building, con taining under the same roof a barber's, a tailor's, and a shoemaker's shop, which occupy several hands. The reading-room is furnished with rows of desks and benches, several Swedish and a few Russian books. It is well warmed and looks very comfortable. The books are on various subjects, from chemistry and the sciences down to simple tales. Next our guide leads us to their common diningroom, which is also used as a chapel, and finally escorts us to the TOYS MADE BY THE RUSSIAN PRISONERS AT LEWES. shed where the prisoners dispose of their goods, where he leaves us to make our purchases. They understand enough English to answer inquiries as to the prices, and some few will add "thank you," as they receive the payment, but more will reply "tak" in their native tongue. There stands the man with his bird, and see that little girl decides at once that it is the prettiest, and asks him "how much?" "Von shilling"-and the bargain is made. If we can find another we must certainly secure one—yes, here is a perfect duplicate, which will nicely complete our collection; VOL. II. Y and now, having really seen all that there is to see, we follow very much the same party down to the station, take our places, and in five minutes have left Lewes far behind us. But the ride home will give me time to tell something about the Finlanders which may perhaps be interesting. We have seen how those in England are spending their Christmas holiday time, shall I tell you what their countrymen are doing at home? Every land has its own peculiar customs, especially at this season, and in Finland they observe a very ancient and singular one, which has been handed down from the earliest Christian times. From Christmas to Twelfth-day, which they call the day of the three holy kings, they preserve the remembrance of the star which led the wise men of the East to Bethlehem, by a curious piece of masking or pageantry called "the Star-bearers," which they perform from house to house. Eight persons, besides the actual star-bearers, are necessary to form a perfect "Star;" namely, King Herod; his squire, or "true-man;" the black king from the Morians' land; the three wise men; the Virgin, also called "Venus" and "the goddess;" and the black king's slave. The star is a transparency of oiled paper, cut into rays from three to four feet in diameter, and made to revolve perpetually. Permission to enter the house and act the pageant is demanded by King Herod, whose costume is a dark-blue military dress, decorated with gold spangles and epaulettes, with a crown on his head. Leave being given, the whole company follow him. All except the Virgin are armed with swords, and the black king wears a gold crown. The Virgin is attired in white, with a simple circlet round her head. A chair being substituted for a throne, King Herod seats himself and the whole company sing "A merry Christmas to you all! master and mistress too, May God preserve us all from harm, ourselves as well as you; For Christ is born in Bethlehem to-day at the cock-crow, All sorrow now is fled away, as the holy kings shall know.” Then King Herod inquires, "Where shall Christ be born?" His "true-man" answers "In Bethlehem, in the land of Judea." King Herod replies, "I am a lord and king over that country, and will journey to Bethlehem. But who are those strange men come into my kingdom?" The true-man answers, "Gentiles from the east country who have left Mediham (Media), and come to worship the new-born king. I bear my sword in my hand, at the king's command. I will fight with these wise men." A short combat then ensues between him and the black king, after which he presents himself saying, "I come from the fight, I have wounded He the wise men, and the blood of the Virgin stains my sword." receives due thanks, and the black king next speaks. "Good-day, my lord and king." King Herod inquires, "Who art thou, thou black man?" Black King. "I am lord and king of the Morians' land.” King Herod. "King as thou art, thou must fall down on thy bare knees before me." Black King (turning to his slave.) "Thou canst fall down.' But in spite of this heroic resolve, the slave advances, takes off the black king's crown, the three wise men present swords, and all do homage, King Herod repeating, "My grace be with thee." The next act, if we may so call it, begins by the bearers singing "If Venus could govern all hearts with her power, Many a man were in peril of love; If Venus could govern all hearts with her power Behold then a proof in this very hour The king loves the Virgin and goes to the grove." Meanwhile King Herod approaches the Virgin : they continue "She sprang aside, among wild beasts and bears, The Virgin is trembling with fear lest she stray, Lest wild beasts should meet her and bear her away." They cease, and the Virgin prays : "Oh Father, if thou reign above the sky, Then help thy daughter in her misery! A fear comes o'er me of some unknown harm, The company proceed with their song "The goddess had not ended half her prayer, When she in that same hour became a tree; And leaves and lovely lilies was her hair, Her arms the branches, roots her feet must be." Here the Virgin suddenly suspends before her a piece of linen, on which is painted a spreading tree, and the king comes forward and kisses it saying, "Since thou wilt never my beloved be, All thy life long shalt thou remain a tree; And of thy boughs shall heroes' crowns be made." |