There is no civic ambition in those little rural commonwealths, whilst the privilege of wearing a bronze medal, which commands no respect, and the reception of a few roubles as salary afford no adequate compensation for the trouble, annoyance, and responsibility which a Village Elder has to bear.

The elections are therefore generally very tame and uninteresting.
The following description may serve as an illustration: It is a Sunday afternoon.

The peasants, male and female, have turned out in Sunday attire, and the bright costumes of the women help the sunshine to put a little rich colour into the scene, which is at ordinary times monotonously grey.

Slowly the crowd collects on the open space at the side of the church.

All classes of the population are represented.