New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-20
RUSSIAN SPECIAL SCHOOLS.

RUSSIAN
Tie London Times declared not long ago ia
leading article that one great source OF war on
TIE part of the Allies N the present war was an
underestimate of the training received by the
officers of the Russian army. 1t was known
that the great body Of the soldiers were Ignorant
and unintelqent, to use no stronger words and it
was supposed that tho commanders were not
much superior. 1--WE expected to contend with
"barbarians," was the acknowledgment; "we
"found ourselves matched by generals profoundly
" acquainted in theory and practice with every
"branch Of military science" We need not say
the. We hold quite different opinion AS regards
the Russian commanders in general, though 1t is
amply justified when we remember the achieve
ments and The now universal fame Of Todteben
Americans are continually falling into an error
rot unlike that referred TO by the London jour
nal. Because popular education is far less gen
eral and thorough in Russia than in our own
land. or in Germany and other countries OF Eu-
rope, it is supposed that the Imperial Govern
ment does nothing for the instruction of the peo-
pie; that the Car himself Is a rough, uncult-
vsted Tartar cheftain, and that the Court consists
of alfsavage princes, reyeng in barbarian splen-
DOR We are even acquainted with instances OF
our countrymen going to st. Petersburg, at cOst
OF huLdreds of dollars and months OF time, in the
expectation that some ratte-brain contriysnce,
no. appreciated at home, would delight the be-
c'ouded intellect ard relieve the Over-burdened
pune of the Sovereign of "All the RHs'ils. -
But what is the TRUTH TIE Emperor Nicholas
was one of the most accomplished and well dis
eiplined men on throne in Europe tho Empe-
ror Alexander is not less educated; and among
the mobiles aGe many OF extended learning, cult
waited minds, and wide observation. Moreover,
it is true that scarcely any country in Europe
has done so much as Russia within the LAST century
for the establishment and maistsinance of schools
of special training, where men from every quarter
of the Empire may be fitted by appropriate courses
Of instruction for practical yet scientific pur-
suits-as the improvement of agriculture, the pro-
lection and cultivation of forests the development
of mines aud the perfection Of manufactures. Here
is one secret of the growth of Russian strength of
its endurance in the present war, and Gifts proms
ing future. The Emperor has studied the wants of
his subjects, and has made it his policy to supply
these first which seemed to him most pressing. At
the present time, when the people of our own coun
try are awakipg to the Importance Of special prep
aratiOn for other pursuits than those of law medi-
cine, and theology, it is worth our while to notice
what the Russian Government is doing in the same
direction.
In the first place, the military schools are cared
for. In the old and new capitals, of Moscow and
st. Petersburg, and in two or three smaller places,
immense academies for the training of officers are
established and munfcently sustained One such
institution in ST. Petersburg had short time since
more cadets than the whole number of officers in the
United States army wilhelm the FIVE nd-twenty mil
itary schools ofthe Empire there were in 1854 more
than eight thousand cadets, or three fourths the
number of our regular troops, officers priyates,
nd musicians included. These schools are for
different objects; one trains officers of the guard,
mother those of the line and others are for the
cavalry, the artillery, and the corps of engineers
all between eight and nine hundred instructors
are employed, and their systems of instruction,
pursued through several years, will compare most
iavorably With those OF the military academies in any
other country. Next to the schools of preparation
for the army are those of the navy. One of these,
the Marine Corps of st. Petersburg with its ninety
officers and nearly six hundred pupils, is in every
respect hrst-class establishment; and among the
other establishments, subordinate to the Ministry
Of the Marine, ten in number, with nearly four
thousand pupils, are schools for training sailors
for the merchant service, the customs, and other
maritime occupations.
Every one knows how rich are the mines
of Russia, and with what success they are
worked. 1t is not so well understood that since
the time of Peter the Great the Government has
made enormous appropriations to maintain corps
of miners, who shall combine the most thorough
scientific training with abundant practical expert
ence. The high school of miners in St. Peters
burg with its thirty.six instructors and two hun
dred and fifty SCHOLARS. is supported by seventy