The Hawaiian Gazette

Russian Easter.

There have been indulging in a singular custom, the past Easter holidays, in Russia. In that country, Easter is called the great kissing season. Among the unsophisticated Russians the practice is universal between friends, or between masters and servants. It still holds good in court, and on Easter Sunday, from about half-past one till three, the Emperor was seen in the Chapel of the Winter Palace going through an ordeal which, in spite of his perseverance and good humor, must have sorely tried his patience. Think of the number of kisses he had bestowed upon him during that hour and a half. There were first, the officiating priests: then the members of the Council of State; next the Senators; then all the general officers in St. Petersburg - whose name is legion : then the officers of the Imperial Guard above the rank of Major. Of the officers of lower rank only a certain number are sent by each regiment. These are followed by those of the fleet, the same distinction being made between the superior ranks as in the army, while lastly come the officers of the Imperial household. To each individual of this oratode the Emperor gives two kisses one on each cheek - three being the congregational number according to Russian etiquette - but that would take too much time in the present instance. In country Russian society the custom is to present an egg to a friend the first time you meet him or her - most generally her - twelve o'clock on Easter night. The one who presents the egg exclaims, "Christ is risen." The other answers, "Is he risen indeed?" and the three kisses follow. Of course, the second one has generally an egg to present in return. Said swains eagerly take advantage of this custom to obtain the privilege of embracing some fair object whom they would be otherwise too bashful to approach. These eggs are of all kinds - some beautiful eggs gilded or silvered, or colored red, blue, or violet; some, more expensive, studded with a kind of fanciful designs.