CHAPTER VIII.

ON THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

Large proportion of Russian population in the army—Military organization—Peaceable natural disposition of Russian people—Strong feelings when roused—Obedience to orders—Anecdotes—Commercial disposition of the Russian people—Their wish to mix with European nations—Education checked by the Government—Military system of Peter the Great—His great objects—Faults of our Government with respect to Russian policy—The army, whence recruited—Great Russians—Poles—Little Russians—Finns, Jews, &c.—Name “Ruski” or Russian—Its origin—The conscription—Soldiers’ marriages—The Cantonists—Emperor’s efforts to improve condition of common soldier generally unsuccessful—Corporal punishment—Labour—“Indefinite leave”—Division of empire for conscription—Amount of population per cent. taken from 1840-1855—Expense of the Russian soldier—Democratic system of army—The cross of St. George—Classification of Russian army—Into 1st, Corps d’Armée, or complete armies—2nd, Local Regular Troops—3rd, Irregulars—Don, Black Sea, and Ural Cossacks—Value and number of Cossack troops—Various Asiatic irregulars—General observations 96