Although civilization every year more and more penetrates the ignorant crowds of savages, smoothing out prejudices and superstitions hostile to it; although trade and industry are trying to more closely strengthen the alliance between members of a huge family, savages who are inveterate and faithful to the customs of their fathers will continue to arouse universal interest for many centuries with their rituals and religious beliefs. - We set ourselves the task of presenting, as far as possible, a correct and detailed description of the modern life of the peoples living in Russia, to collect in one whole everything that is scattered in private descriptions and, providing drawings in which, in addition to the type and clothes, the everyday side of the people would also be visible, to publish.