shall fall: Adieu ! my tears are spent.
The sentiment embodied in these words appears modern, but the melody has a charm of antiquity and simplicity, which would make me willing to pass hours in listening to them, as repeated by the voices of the natives.
They formerly danced in Paris a Russian dance, which this music has recalled to my mind. But when heard on the spot, national melodies produce a far more powerful impression than they can do elsewhere. There is more melancholy than passion in the songs of the northern people; but the impression which they cause is never forgotten, whereas a more lively emotion soon vanishes. Melancholy is more abiding than passion. After having listened to this air for some time, I found it less monotonous and more expressive, — such is the ordinary effect of simple music; repetition imparts to it a new power. The Uralian Cossacks have also a song peculiar to themselves, which I regret not having heard.
This race of men deserves a separate study, but it could not be easily prosecuted by a stranger, hurried as I am. The Cossacks form a military family, a subdued horde, rather than a body of troops subjected to discipline. Attached to their chiefs as a dog is to his master, they obey orders with more affection, and less servility, than the other Russian soldiers. In a land where nothing is defined, they view themselves as allies; they do not feel as slaves
THE COSSACKS.53
of the Imperial government. Their activity, their wandering habits, the speed and spirit of their horses, the co-acting patience and address of man and beast, their mutual endurance of fatigue and hardship, constitute, in themselves, а ролуег. It is impossible not to admire the geographical instinct which aids these savage guides of the army to lead the way, without reference to roads, in the countries they invade, whether they be the wildest and most sterile deserts, or the most populous and civilised lands. In war, does not the very name of Cossack spread terror among the enemy ? The generals who know how to make use of such a light cavalry have a means of action at their disposal, which the commanders of the most civilised armies cannot obtain.
The Cossacks are said to be naturally amiable. They have more gentleness and sensibility than could be fairly expected in so rude a community; but their excessive ignorance is lamentable in its effects, both on themselves and their masters.
When I think of the way in which their officers avail themselves of the credulity of the soldier, every higher feeling of my mind rises indignantly against a government which can descend to such subterfuges, or which does not punish such of its servants as dare to have recourse to them.
I have it from good authority, that many of the Cossack chiefs led their men away from their country during the war of 1814 and 1815, saying to them : ' Kill your enemies ; strike without fear. If you fall in combat, you will, within three days, be again with your wives and children; you will rise again, both in D .3
54
POLITICAL SUBTERFUGES.
flesh and bone, body and soul. What then have you to fear ? '
Men accustomed to recognise the voice of God the Father in that of their officers, embraced literally the promises made to them, and fought with that courage with which we are acquainted, — namely, they fled like marauders whenever they could escape from danger, and faced death like soldiers whenever it was inevitable. To excite soldiers by legitimate mean* to brave death, is the duty of a commander; but to lead them to death by deceiving them, and by concealing it from them, is to take all virtue from their courage, all moral dignity from their devotion. If war excuses every thing, as certain people pretend, what shall excuse war ?
Is it possible to picture to ourselves without horror and disgust, the moral state of a nation whose armies are thus directed ? This trait has happened to come to my knowledge ; but how many similar or worse must remain unknown! When once people have recourse to puerile subterfuges to govern their fellow men, where are they to stop ? I will conclude with a fable, which appears as if made expressly to justify my indignation. The idea is that of a Polish bishop's. famous for his wit, under the reign of Frederick II.: the imitation in French is by Count Elze*ar de Sabran.*
L'ATTELAGE. — Fable.
Un habile c·ocher menait un equipage, Avcc quatre clievaux par couples atteles ; Apres les avoir museles,
A POLISH FABLE.
En les guidant, il leur tint se langage :
N'e vous laisser pas devancer,
Disalt il a ceux de derriere ;
N?e vous laisser pas depasser,
Disait-il a ceux de devant,
Qui I`ecoutaient le nez au vent;
Un passant dans cette occurrence,
Lui dit alors a ce propos :
Vous trompez ces pauvres chevaux,
II est vrai, reprit il, inais la voiture avance.
D 4
THE TARTAR MOSQUE.
CHAP. XXIX.
THE TARTAR MOSQUE. THE DESCENDANTS OF THE MONGOLS IN
MOSCOW.TOWER OF SOUKAREFF. COLOSSAL RESERVOIR. —
BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.THE EM
PEROR EVERYWHERE.DISSIMILARITY IN THE SLAVONIAN AND
GERMAN CHARACTERS.THE NOBLEMEN'S CLUB. POLITE EDU
CATION OF THE RUSSIANS. HABITS OF THE HIGHER CLASSES.
. A RUSSIAN COFFEE-HOUSE. RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF THE OLD
SERFS. SOCIETY IN MOSCOW. A COUNTRY HOUSE IN A CITY.
REAL POLITENESS.REVIEW OF RUSSIAN CHARACTER.THEIR
WANT OF GENEROSITY.CONTEMPT FOR THE LAW OF KINDNESS.
SEDUCTIVE MANNERS OF THE RUSSIANS. THEIR FICKLENESS.
