Copper Foreheads. Pictures from Nature

In the next collection of humorous stories by the classic N.A. Leykin, typical themes of that time are revealed. Traditional holidays and ways to celebrate them, including ways to set the table at guests' expense, and the treat for orphans at the noble celebrations — of course, there can be no talk of equal merriment. Ubiquitous merchants, unsuccessfully trying to understand the meaning of plays, ballet, circus performances, the principles of compiling a library (by weight or volume of books), architectural features of urban novelties — fountains and bridges. The latter are particularly alarming: better to travel on the ice than on a bridge, just in case. And about fears: people still fear flying in airplanes, and at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century, they already mourned those going up in hot air balloons, while travelers by train have not changed at all. It's just as creepy at night on the streets, similar fascinating tales are told about abroad, and modern advertisements for sales are just as similar to the old ones — just as what awaits buyers on site. However, it is pleasant that the attitude towards the work of artists is slowly but surely changing for the better.