National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-06-06
Russia's Cavalry.
The Horsemen or tho Clar...Marveious
Riding.

The IIorsemen or tho Clar...Marveiou
Riding.
Writing OF review held in st. Peters
burg in honor of the visit OF the En-
peror of Germany to 'he Gear, the
correspondent Of the London DAILY
NeWs 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
sian horses /? Without presuming to
answer my own question, think l may
point out 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
see horses like those which dash along
the Neveska so free, and fresh, and
graceful In what other country do
they have such glossy skin, such swan
like necks, such delicate limbs ? And
in what other country do they offer
such material for cavalry? One must
reflect, to, that Russians of certain
die. The horse is a member of the
family, brother, companion in every
adventure. The Russian Government
had, therefore, good material but it
has employed II well, and the proof is
the superb horsemen 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, hussars,
dragons, cuirassiers, uhlans, &c. - as
well as some species peculiar to itself.
pass over the former, and only call
attention to the horses. These sleek
and muscular beasts had evidently been
selected as carefully as the men them
selves. For each battalion they were
all of one color, now glossy black, now
a rich light gray, and the 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-
scribed 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 bright red jackets
and sort of fur hats of the same color,
and rode chestnut ponies. On their
backs carbines were strapped, and in
their hands they carried long red lances.
They led the cavalry division. The
first circuit of the cavalry was merely
for inspection the second was for evo-
lutions. How impatiently the Cossacks
went through the first, and how eagerly
they entered on the second! Theponies
even, trembled with enthusiasm. AS
the cavalcade approached the Emper
ors, the riders settled firmly in their
saddles, loosened the reins little, and
the word is givenl Like fash of
and simultaneously, the horses
shoot off, and before the spectators have
caught their breath, are halfway around |
the square. What an astonishing pace!
If horse should stumble, the rider
would never mount again. The Cossacks
crouch low in the saddle, and shout
like fends while their long glittering
lances, stretching out horizontally far
beyond the horses, are terrifying oven
to friends and non-combatants. The
Germans do not spare their plaudits
They love the uhlans who trampled
lown the Turcos, and the Bismarck
who rode into the jaws of
leath at Mars lie Tour, but nothing like
hese unearthly horsemen from the
plains of Russia.
We cannot do negative injustice,
however, to the rest of the cavalry.
After the second turn around the field
he whole body formed at the rear, OPP
tire. The front stretched the whole
ength of the field somewhat longer
o use a comparison which many Eng
ish readers will appreciate-than from
he Seine to the barracks at the foot of
he Champs de Mars, and several regi-
nents deep. There were probably 15,
100 in all-the cuirassiers with their
White coats and heavy black horses, the
lussars with their spikes, the mounted
,renadiers and the Dragons, and at the
Wings the reckless Cossacks again. The
irand Duke Nicholas waved his sword,
nd the entire force moved toward the
lmperors and the spectators. At first
t was light trot, then an easy gallop,
hen faster and faster, till one could
'nly see thousands of glittering uni
orms and superb horses dashing madly
oward the crowd. Nearer and nearer
hey come, and ever at the same terrific
,ace. 1t will be death for the imperial
,arty who are ON the ground below
suddenly the Grand Dukes sword flies
lp again in the air the officers pass the
yord along still the $4,000 horsemen
hake the earth. The Grand Dukes
word falls, and the mighty mass comes
o stop as if transfixed by an electric
hook. Perfect silence reigns. The
ong line of cavalry is as calm and
teady as the marble palace itself, and
ar back through the centres all is tran
Iuil. That was a glorious sight, and
gorth journey to st. Petersburg to
ee. / shall never look on such spec
acle again.