LETTER XVI.

St. Petersburgh, February, 1805.

AND so you wonder, my dear friend, that I have not yet taken notice

of the one subject in which I have always, until this instance, shewn so particular an interest. You ask me, what has become of my attachment to the army, that I have not given you any idea of the state of its establishment in Russia! It is just where it was, the first-born passion in my breast; but, waiting for little more and more information on the subject (which nothing but the return of part of the army from the frontiers could afford me), I have outstaid your patience; and so at present must content myself with quieting your demands by sending merely my first sketch of its appearance and uniforms. Much further I cannot yet describe; for, as I said before, the late absence of the military has deprived us, not only of reviews, but of even the usual ceremony of an imperial parade.

The guards are here, with several other regiments; and from my acquaintance with them, I shall be able to send you a few observations on this department of the Russian empire.

The troops which first strike the eye of a stranger on entering St. Petersburgh, are the Cossacs; and certainly more curious objects cannot be imagined. Their persons, air, and appointments, and the animals on which they are mounted, seem so totally at variance, that you can

hardly suppose a reason for so unequal a union. The men are robust and fit for service: their horses appear completely the reverse: mean in shape, and slouching in motion, every limb speaks of languor, and every moment you expect to see them drop down dead under their heavy burthen but so false are these shows, that there is not a more hardy animal existing; it will travel incalculable journeys, and remain exposed to the heat or cold, day and night, without manifesting any sense of inconvenience.

These little rugged beasts never, like our war horses, know the luxury of a snug stable and a well-littered bed, nor ever enjoy the comfort of a curry-comb or whisp of straw. Their sustenance is of the most scanty sort; but, in spite of toil and rough fare, they endure all with unabated strength; and are thus, of all animals, the best fitted for a soldier's life. Indeed, when I consider their training, and also that of the Russian soldiers in general, I cannot but prefer the simplicity of their wants to the comparatively luxurious habits of our army. A man who accustoms himself to costly fare, may not be less willing than one of poorer appetites to brave all the privations of a campaign, or the famine of a siege; but he must be less able to bear them, and so be more likely to sink in the conflict. One of the first qualifications of a soldier is that of being personally hardy: and wherever we have found the most powerful and popular generals, we see that they accustom themselves to endure every privation which could possibly affect a military life. Gustavus Vasa, and Charles the Twelfth of Sweden, are eminent instances of this; and the great Suwarroff gave not a less meritorious example to the army of Russia.

But to return to the Cossacs. Though now formed into regular regi

ments, they receive no other pay than the usual allowance for cavalry. The origin of this brave race, who in so many wars have been amongst the best soldiers of the empire, was a restless band of fugitives from Astrakhan, and the provinces of Polish Russia, Podolia, and Volhynia. Having left their native soil, they wandered towards the banks of the Boristhenes, where they took possession of several small islands, subsisting themselves by ravages, piracies, and plunder. From this double mode of depredation they soon became formidable to the Turks on the Black Sea. Their maritime adventures, and enterprises on land, formed them into excellent seamen as well as soldiers; and their nearest neighbours regarded them with jealousy and dread.

Stephen Batori, King of Poland, aware of their growing consequence, had the address to attach them to his interests; and, to induce them to serve in his armies, gave them lands and many privileges in the Ukraine, guaranteed to them the right of being governed by their own chief, and put them in possession of the strong fort of Tretimiroff on the Boristhenes. The succeeding Princes of Poland were not so prudent as Batori; and, attempting to entirely subjugate their hardy allies, a sharp contention arose between them; and the Cossacs, overwhelmed by the numbers and discipline of their treacherous friends, emigrated in vast numbers to a tract of country on the banks of the Don and Volga. Others went to the borders of the Caspian Sea, and seizing the town of Azoph, established themselves in great strength. But the Poles continuing to harass them, they applied to the Muscovites for succour; and since then have been most firmly attached to the nation.

They are distinguished by the names of Donski and Ukraine Cossacs; and the Tzar Peter, finding them so valuable an acquisition, allowed

them, unrestricted, their usual government, which is a sort of military democracy. Their chief is called the Hetman, and is elected in a general meeting of the heads of the people, leaving the confirmation of his dignity to the sovereign of Muscovy. The office is for life. Every town has its governor, also called a Hetman, who is chosen annually, and is accountable to the grand Hetman. The Tzar awarded to the Cossacs his protection in retaining to them the enjoyment of their ancient laws and privileges, without paying any tribute to him, provided they would always hold themselves in readiness to appear in arms at their own expence, whenever he should deem it necessary to require their services. I am told that their usual power is 16,000 men, which they can bring into the field any day that is demanded of them by the Emperor.

Their riches consist in cattle and horses. Their habitations are clean, and their diet chiefly fish, flesh, and fruits, cooked in the plainest way. The men are very tall, well-proportioned, and greatly differ in the character of their heads from those of their neighbours. They are hardy, brave, active, and lively; but, like most uncultivated nations, few of them have any idea of the refinements of honour. Their dialect is a mixture of Polish and Russ. When they first accepted the protection of Poland they were pagans; but they now profess the christian religion as it is established in Russia.

Their dress is military and useful; consisting of a close dark blue jacket, and very large full trowsers, under which they wear drawers and boots. Their head is covered with a high black cap of sheep-skin: a red bag hangs from its top ornamented with a chain of white worsted

lace and tassels: a red stripe, rather broad, runs along the outside of