The Russian Historical Society, which this year means to expand its sphere of activities, held its first meeting of the season last Wednesday in the house of Prof. V. V, Lamansky. The Historical Society mainly interests itself in the history and life of medieval Russia, and a number of interesting talks on this subject have been scheduled for the near future The first Guests' Night will be held on Friday, November 4th in the Ecole Remi, when Mr. M. E. Gilcher, an authority on questions regarding Russia's past, will speak on the functionaries of medieval Russia. Mr. L. V. Arnoldov will be in the chair.
Prior to the Don Cossacks' departure from Shanghai, Mr. N. F. Kostrukoff, their director and conductor, gave an interesting interview the' Russian press. He stated that rubbing shoulders with many well-to-do and even flourishing Russians in Shanghai, he, as a newcomer, noted much dire poverty. In Paris, he said, there are at least no Russians who stand out in a crowd because of the shabbiness of their dress, as is the case with many destitutes in the Russian colony. But having toured the world and met Russians everywhere, he was bound to say that nowhere had he seen Russians living in such a compact mass as in Shanghai During his stay here Mr. Kostrukoff was often besieged in his hotel by professional petitioners who "offered to sell him articles of all descriptions, or suggested that he give them material help.
The latest issues of the Prague magazine, "The Russian Architect Abroad," which have just been received in Shanghai, carry a list of Russian architects the world over, Shanghai included, Among its wealth "f material there is an article by Mr. Constantine Pertzoff, who has recently been sent to Europe by Harvard University to study architectural conditions in the continent. A recent article of Mr. Pertzofs published in the American magazine "Pencil Points" and entitled "The Nationalization of Architectural Education, provoked wide discussion among Russian architects.
Col. E. H. Nilus a prominent Tientsin lawyer, has arrived here on matters of business. Col. Nilus plans only a short stay in this city.
A talk on the armed forces of modern Europe was given by Gen. I. S. Smolin in the Ex-Officers' Club on October 26. Due to the recent crisis in Europe, this lecture was attended by many interested listeners, and was followed by lively discussion.
Ecole Remi Inspected Last week M. P. Auge, French Consul-General in Shanghai, paid a visit io the Ecole Remi where many Russian boys and girls receive their education, spending some time in acquainting himself with methods of instruction im that school M. Auge visited class rooms, where he questioned pupils, and inspected the kitchen and the school's nursery, On leaving the Ecole Remi, whose equipment and teaching staff is considered among the best in the city, M. Auge declared himself well-satisfied with discipline and knowledge of its pupils; and after congratulating its principal M. Nicolet de Chalet, asked that all punishments given that day to pupils be rescinded.
Commencing November 1 the Russian Women's League will give English courses for adults, conducted by Miss E. Duffel. In the Russian colony the English language has won for itself all rights of citizenship. Not only does youth graduating from. local schools have a fluent knowledge of English often conversing in nothing but that language, but adults, too, are studiously applying themselves to this, the most widespread tongue in the world. Today Russians not only read Englísh newspapers but each month buy scores of books in the English language.
Lieut.-Gtn, F. L. Gleboff, Chairman of the Council of the St. Nicholas" Military Church on Rue Corneille, recently signified his intention to resign from this office. This caused a flood of protests from members of the church who sent appeals to the pies asking Gen. Gleboff to continue heading the administration of the church. Gen. Gleboff was one of the initiators and the main driving force of the construction of the St. Nicholas' Military Church, and for the last ten years has ably conducted its affairs, Letters to him asking that he reconsider vacating his post are signed by representatives of all military circles in the colony.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.