The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-09-02
From the Masonic Mirror.
RUSSIA.

The Russian empire in Europe, is said to
be equal in extent to all the rest of Europe:
its limits, however, have never been accu-
rately defined. 1t is composed of upwards
of so different nations, occupying territory
of about 100000 square miles, and com
prising a population of about 45,000,O0O
souls. In Asia, Russia is supposed to have
territory of 100000 square miles, and a
population of 100000 or 100000. To-
tai population, probably 6O,O0O,00O. The
longevity of the Russians, is without a par
allel. DR.. Granville, in his ST. Petersburg,'
furnishes a synopsis of the Report of the
Holy Synod, published in 1897, from which
it appears that there were living in 1926,
among those who protested the Greco-Rus-
sian religion throughout the empire, no few
er than 840 men, who were 100 and more
years old; among whom 80 who had passed
the age of 100; were between 125 and
100; and A others between 100 and 1876
years of age. The Gazette of the ROYAL
Academy, published in the month of jan.
last, contains a statement of the progress
of the population in Russia, as far as it con-
Germs those who profess the Greco-Russian
religion, in the course of 1896. This doc
ument contains results still more extraordi-
nary for out of 606,681 males, who died
that year, 2785 had passed the age of 90
years 1882 that of 95; and 913 that of
100. Among the latter, 3S were more than
lis years of age "A more than 100; 2
more than 1875; and l was 100 years old at
his death.
The military resources of Russia are i'm
mense; authors are not agreed with regard
to the effective strength of the empire.
Her army is estimated at from 6 20 100000
men-200,000 of which she can call into
immediate service. Her navy consists of
about 400 sail.
In the wars with France, the Russian
generals placed much greater reliance on
the desperate character of the Cossacks,
than on the true courage or correct disci-
pine of the regular soldiery. To fight for
the honor of the Virgin Mary, to die fer
their mother-for all the Royal Family
that if slain in battle, they shall have an
immediate transition to the arms of ninety
thousand VirginS of their church, who Off
ciate in paradise, form an important article
in every Russian soldiers creed. This
prompts them to rush inconsderately to the
! fight, regardless of consequences. When
a peasant is enrolled as n soldier, he places
/ lmDllclL
is entirely at their disposal, and his great
est satisfaction consists in his devotedness
to their most unreasonable demands. Sir
/ Robert Wilson, in his account of the Rus
sian campaigns, gives several instances in
character. The unframed Russian, I'M
daunted whilst he confronts danger, dis
dams the protection of favoring ground, or
the example of his adversary; presents his
body, exposed from head to foot, either to
! the aim of the marksman or the storm OF
the cannonade. "No carnage" says Sir
Robert, " intlmidates the survivors, bullets
may destroy, but the aspect of death awes
not, even when a commanders evident err
ror has assigned the fatal station" "Com-
rades, go not forward into the TRENCH" cried
ont retiring party to an advancing detach-
ment, "retreat with us, or you will be lost
for the enemy are already in possession
Prince Potemkis must look to that, for il
was he who gave US the order," replied the
commander and he and his men marched
forward and persisted, the victims of a cour-
ageous sense of duty. 1t was this frantic
spirit, which, in the breast OF Russian
soldier, supplies the place of courage, tha
enabled Alexander TO compete with the fal
better disciplined troops of Napoleon; anC
| it is this spirit, if they still retain it, tha
must carry them triumphantly through The
contest in which they are now engaged
Soldiers, influenced by such sentiments
and urged on to desperation by false relig
ious notions, can only be checked by thei
entire destruction. Judging from recen
events, however, we are inclined to the be