Sentimentality was no novelty in Russia; it had come in with translations from English novels, such as Richardson's "Clarissa Harlowe," and the like; and imitations of them in Russia.

"Sensibility" was held to be the highest quality in human nature, and a man's--much more a woman's--worth was measured by the amount of "sensibility" he or she possessed.

This new school paid scant heed to the observation and study of real life.

An essential tenet in the cult consisted of a glorification of the distant past, "the good old times," adorned by fancy, as the ideal model for the present; the worship of the poor but honest country folk, the ideal of equality, freedom, happiness, and nearness to nature.
Of this style, Karamzin's "Poor Liza" is the most perfect and admired specimen.

Liza, a poor country lass, is "beautiful in body and soul," supremely gifted with tenderness and sensibility.