Washington telegraph., 1854-07-12
Observations in Russia.

Ex- Alderman Wesley Smith. of New York.
who has Just returned from St Petersburg. whith-
er he proceeded in March last. on private bus-
ness. said to relate TO building several ships for
the Emperor. has returned home, and furnished
the Evening Post with his experience and obser-
vations in the capital of the Russian EmpiIe-
The Post saws:
His observations in Russia have convinced him
OF the determination and the ability of the Rus
SLAMS to sustain the war in which they are now
engaged in face Of the most energetic operations
OF the com mbineo assailants. Some fourteen hun
dred thousand men are already under arms. avail
a5e at any moment for the purposes of the Gar
and in the most perfect state of discipline.
Ii was Mr.. Smith S fortune to witness review
of 60000 of them. under the supervision of the
Emperor, on the parade ground near St Peters
burg. Previously TO marching to the field. he
states, the soldiers pass through the cahedras Of
the capital receiving there the last rites of the
Greek religion. They are thus prepared TO throw
away their lives in battle with willingness
which resembles the fanatical reckiessness Of the
disciples Of Mohammed
Mr.. Smith describes the entire population as
filled with enthusiasm for the prosecution of the
which is regarded as sort of crusade for the
defence of the Greek church.
Demidoif has already voluntarily profered to
the Emperor the gift of million of rubles equiv
alent to S750000. Another nobleman has done
the same, while the various officers in command
have insisted on Offering the half of their salaries
for the public service. Even the most delicate
ladies in the upper classes engaged in perform
ing such menial duties as the scraping OF lint for
the soldiers who are about entering the field of
war.
Every precaution has been adopted to secure
the army against the recurrence of the disasters
which are reported to have attended its move
ments on the shores of the Black Sea- Most Of
the chief military officers and engineers have had
thorough training in France or England. and
some OF he most distinguished are natives of
those countries, who have become loyal subjects
of the Gear.
Among the numerous mementoes of his tour
which Mr.. Smith has brought home, are some
dagnerreotype portraits of bis friend Dr. Kott-
man, surgeon and a citizen of louisiana who
stands very high in the confidence of the Eu1per-
OF, from whom he has received, besides various
military honors. the post OF private secretary.
Mr.. Smith states that the principal cause Of the
advantage gained by the allied forces over the
Russians was their practice OF taking the Russian
officers as the first mark for their bullets The
Russian armies, without their leaders. are utterly
powerless. and can I've shot down like 50 many
cattle. They have learned nothing except 70
obey the orders of their superiors. In order TO
avoid any future calamites of this kind the off,
GERS and men are to be clothed alike, or at least
so as 10 lie undistinguis ishable by the enemy.
Mr.. Smith. while residing in St. Petersburg,
was treated with great consideration by the mag
mates oi the Empire, and was elected bv them a
member of the English Cuba club so called
from the adoption of the English system of club
rules-to which the Emperor and his sons belong
The Americans, he remarks. are treated with
the most iraternal coTGiality. and his own recep-
tlon has Doubtless, somewhat contributed TO the
favorable estimate which he has formed of the
Russian nobility ard people. lie informs us that
the same effect has been produced In the minds of
the entire American diplomatic corps in Europe.
including Mason. our minister 70 France: Buchan-
ar Hawthorne. and Sickes who as he saws. are
Russians TO the backbone" Their Sympathies
are wholly with the Gar. SEYMOUR however
the American minister to Russia, whose rnpor-
tant dispatches Mr.. Smith has just left at Wash
Ington-where great sensation. il is reported
has followed the perusal of thenl-is dscreetly
silent.
Mr.. Smith tells us that the people of Russia are
extremely devout and observant Of religious cere-
monies. A manifestation of this trait combined
with the sentiment which gives rise 10 oscuatorv
courtesies, he WILL we hope, forgive Us for mem
tioning.
On Easter-Srnday, be was surprised in the
street of ST. Petersburg by a Baroness OF his ac-
quaintance. who. after presenting him with an egg
fashioned of beautifully ornamented glass. dehb.
erately kissed him on each side of the face and
then OH the mouth. This example was copied by
several other Of his lady acquaintauces among the
most noble and refined in the capital. Several OF
these eggs Mr.. Smith has brought home with
him.