“A Russian hardly commits any action without the previous ceremony. If he is to serve as coachman, and drive your carriage, his crossing occupies two minutes before he is mounted. When he descends, the same motion is repeated. If a church is in view, you see him at work with his head and hand, as if seized with St Vitus's dance. If he makes any earnest protestation, or enters a room, or goes out, you are entertained with the same manual and capital exercise. When beggars return thanks for alms, the operation lasts a longer time, and then between the crossing, by way of interlude, they generally touch their forehead to the earth.”