The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-09
IluIsIa's Cavalry.
The IIorscmcn of tho crnr---Nrurvslous
Riding.

The IIOrscmcn OF the cEur---NIarvsious
Riding.
Writing of review held in 81. Peters.
burg in hohor of the visit OF the En-
peror OF Germany to the Gar, the
correspondent OF the London Daily
NcWS says
The great attraction OF the day was
the cavalry, and that far surpassed any
thing which have ever seen. The two
elements OF excellence were, of course,
the horses themselves, and the horse.
manship of the riders. Can anybody
explain the peculiar charm about Rus.
sim horses Without prcsuming to
answer my own question, 1 think I may
point ont that one secret with trainers
here seems to be to educate the horse /;
to make him Trustworthy, faithful, am
bilious and to dispense with all those
contrivances which, in more civilized
countries, crush the spirit out OF the poor
beasts. In what other country can one
SEQ horses like those which dash along
the Neyeska SO free, and fresh, and
graceful In what other country do
they have such II glossy skin, such swan
like necks, such delicate limbs And
in what other country do they offer
such material for cavairy9 Ono must
reflect, to, that Russians Of certain
class arc born, like Arabs, in tho snd-
die. The horse is a member OF tho
family, brother, companion in every
adventure. Tho Russian Government
had, therefore, good material but it
llas employed it well, and tho proof is
the superb llorsemen who to-day gallop-
ed along by Kaiser Wilhelm and his
German officers. The Russian cavalry
has the ordinary divisions found in all
Continental armies-namely, hrissars,
dragons, cuirassiers, uhlnns, &c. - as
well rs somo species peculiar to itself.
Ipass over tho former, and only call
attention to the horses. These sleek
and muscular bensts had evidently been
selected MS carefully MS tho men them
selves. For each battalion they were
all Of one color, now glossy black, now
o rich light gray, and tho uniformity
seemed to extend even TO their size,
shape, and motion. The effect was
singularly striking. The Tcheck and
Cossack cavalry have been so often de-
scribOd that there is nothing new to be
said about their appearance. The de-
tachment which took part in the cere-
monies OF to-day wore brightred jackets
md sort OF fur lnts of the same color,
and rode chestnut ponies. On their
backs Carbines were strapped, aud in
their hands they carried long red lances.
They led the cavalry division. Tho
first circuit Of the cavalry was merely
for inspection the second was for eyo-
lutions. How impatiently the Cossacks
went through the first, and how eagerly
they entered on the second Thoponies
even, trembled with enthusiasm. As
the cnvnlcade approached the Emper-
ors, the riders settled firmly in their
saddles, loosened the reins little, and
the word is givenl Like Aash of
lightning, and simultaneously, ,thehorses
shoot of, and before the spectators have
caught their breath, are halfway around
the square. What mn astonishing pacel
II horse should stumble, the rider
would never mountagain. The Cossacks
crouch low in the saddle, and shout
like fiends while their long glittering
lances, stretching out horizontally far
beyond the horses, are terrifying even
to friends and non.combatants. The
Germans do not spare their plaudits.
They lovc the uhlans who trampled
down the Turcos, and the Bismarck
Cuirassiers who rodo into the jaws Of
death ut Mars le Tour, but nothing like
these unearthly horsemen from the
plains OF Russia.
We cannot do negative injustice,
however, to tho rest of tho cavalry.
After the second turn around tho field
the whole body formed Mt tile rear, OPP
posite the Emperors and tho nmphithe-
afro The front stretched the whole
length Of the field; somewhat longer
to use comparison which many Eng
lish readers will appreciate-than from
the Seine to the barracks ut the foot Of
tho Champs do Mars, and several regi-
ments deep. There were probably 15,-
900 in all-thc cuirassiers with their
white coats and heavy black horses, the
hussars with thoir spikes, the mounted
grenadicrs and tho dragons, and at the
wings the reckless Cossacks again. The
Grand Duke Nicholas waved his sword,
and the entire force moved toward the
Emperors and tho spectators. At first
it was light trot, then nm oasy gallop,
then faster and fnster, till one could
only sec thousands of glittering uni
forms and superb horses dasliing madly
toward tho crowd. Nearer and nearer
they come, and ever at the same terrific
pace. 1t will be death for the imperial
party who are on tho ground below
Suddenly tho Grand Dukes sword flies
up again in the mir the officers pass the
word along; still the $1,000 horsemen
shake the earth. Tho Grand Dukes
sword falls, and the mighty mass comes
to stop MS il transfxed by an electric
shock. Perfect silence reigns. The
long line OF cavalry is as calm and
steady rs the marble palace itself, and
far buck through the centres all is tran
quill. That was u glorious sight, and
worth journey to st. Petersburg t.
see. shall never look on such spec
tacle again.