Contrary to opinions prevailing abroad, Tsarist Russia was an extremely democratic country, Education—and even higher education—could be had for a mere song and was open to the sons of noblemen and the sons of cooks; while a university diploma guaranteed speedy appointment to some public post. But Russian youth very often preferred gaol and exile to Siberia to the advantages of a career if the latter meant going into "a bargain with conscience." Pre-revolutionary students were genuine in their belief that their mission was service not the Empire but to the People, and that the welfare of the people lay in the overthrow of the autocracy, Tsarism often strove for a reconciliation with the students and the wide circles of the intelligentsia, but the gap between them could not be bridged for the simple reason that the revolutionaries would hear of no compromise and dreamt only of the revolution, St. Tatiana's Day But came St. Tatiana': Day—
January 25—an 1 all Russia joined the students in general festivity. From the European border to the shores of the Pacific, political disputes were silenced, differences of opinion subordinated, and professors, students, lawyers, gioctors, engineers, architects, actors and even functionaries gathered at common tables where merrie ment reigned till the morning. Wines flowed, and student and even revolutionary songs were given lusty performance. Speeches thundered, and their echo later detonated throughout the most distant corners at the Russian Empire. "The light of Christ enlightens all," was the inscription on the facade of Moscow University, and for 150 years, until 1917, these words reflected the truth: everyone, no matter who, could in former Russia imbibe learning in the cloisters of her universities.
Russians in exile observe this traditional celebration jealously. This year a dinner was held in the Sokol Club, attended by many people. "Gaudemaus Igitur" and other student songs were sung, and Prof, M. P. Golovachev, Mr. L. V. Arnoldov and Mr. N. P. Malinovsky gave official speeches.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.