Most astounding of all--and this brings me to the fact which led me into this digression--the peasants in winter often rush out of the bath and roll themselves in the snow! This aptly illustrates a common Russian proverb, which says that what is health to the Russian is death to the German.
Cold water, as well as hot vapour, is sometimes used as a means of purification.

In the villages the old pagan habit of masquerading in absurd costumes at certain seasons--as is done during the carnival in Roman Catholic countries with the approval, or at least connivance, of the Church--still survives; but it is regarded as not altogether sinless.

He who uses such disguises places himself to a certain extent under the influence of the Evil One, thereby putting his soul in jeopardy; and to free himself from this danger he has to purify himself in the following way: When the annual mid-winter ceremony of blessing the waters is performed, by breaking a hole in the ice and immersing a cross with certain religious rites, he should plunge into the hole as soon as possible after the ceremony.

I remember once at Yaroslavl, on the Volga, two young peasants successfully accomplished this feat--though the police have orders to prevent it--and escaped, apparently without evil consequences, though the Fahrenheit thermometer was below zero.

How far the custom has really a purifying influence, is a question which must be left to theologians; but even an ordinary mortal can understand that, if it be regarded as a penance, it must have a certain deterrent effect.