A Strange Religion m Russia.— A reli gious sect, called the Skopzen, whose pecnliai views enjoin the most barbarous practises, has existed m .Russia for many years past, but has hitherto succeeded m escaping the vigilance of the police. The doctrine from wSichit derives its name is the mortification of the flesh, which it interprets as signifying delf-mutilation. The members devote them selves to trade, and are very wealthy. The Government has long been anxious to dis cover the leaders of this sect, as also the place iv which their treasures were hoarded, but all its attempts have been baffled till a few weeks ago. Somewhere about the yeai 1850, Count PeSrowsky, the Russian Ministei of the Interior, endeavoured to penetrate the mystery by the assistance of a clever agent, who adopted the manners of the sect, at tended their meetings, and also pretended t< be one of themselves. One day the agenj told the Minister that the operation of muti lation was to be performed that evening oi a new convert It was accordingly arrangee that the house should be surrounded by i large body of police, which was to appear a a certain signal from the ag«-nt; but thi signal was never given. A few days after wards the agent presented himself, lookiuj very ill, and declared that he had made i mistake m the day. Shortly afterwards hi

I left St. Petersburg, giving as an explanation that his wife had inherited some property m the country. It was not till after hh death that the .truth was discovered through the confession of the widow. Without his hav ing any idea of the intentions of the Skopzen, it was himßelf whom they proposed to receive into their body as a new member, and they effected their object by force. As soon as it was accomplished, the head of the Skopzen approached him and said, "I am glad you have become one of us. If you betray us it will not benefit yon, and you will fall a victim to our revenge. 