, 1877-07-08

CnTT'tsrondtnce Lnndnn Standard.
Approach to Giurgevo is now forbidden BY
Cossack sentries, good-tcmpcrcu but incxorable,
perfectly stupid, but firm as fate. No one is
suffered to approach without pass from the
Russian authorities. Every footpath even is
guarded, and tho Commautlant dc Place him
self has taken up his quarters in the railway
station.
Iconfcss that Cossacks are to me a source of
delight everlasting. Their good-humorcd inso-
1encc, their sclfpossession, their pleasant isre-
gard Of the mere foreigner, arc traits unwcary-
ing to observe. It would have been Impossible
for any human being other than 4 Cossack to
smile so blandly for such length Of time as did
one Of the scntries who stopped ME yesterday. A
burly mcrccnary he was, with good broad 1acc
burnt red, yellow hair, ana b1cachcd mustacne
He stopped my horses with Il poadcrous hand
came to the carriage door and smiled. / pro-
duced various papers, all Of which nc took with
good-humorcd contempt, as one takes TOY
when child insists. He studied thcm-upside
down-with pitying affectation OF interest,
handed them back, and smiled more broadly,
more amiably than before.
I thought all was right and told the driver to
proceed. The Cossack, all his teeth on view,
said one syllable, which meant ssno,' and stood
there, grinning in the kindcst manner, but fixed
as the god Terminus. 4 crowd Of unfortunate
Koumanans surged round him, each provided
with pass in the native tongue. lie honorcd
these also with passing smile sometimes, but
his best attentions were all for me. talked,
argued, entreatcd, and reylcd him, without less
ening for IN instant that beam OF comp!acent
amiability. Not word did he reply, and grew
silent, htlshed at length BY the fascination. Then
was suddenly conveyed to me the Interpretation
of that mystic passage in "Wondcrland,
where the Cheshire cat leaves grin behind even
after he had vanished.
The Cozsack's Upright smile taunts me still"
lie nau, however, a companion OF more serious
cast who finally was persuaded to inform US
that an official might be found some miles awav
across the corniicld. Thithcr VIC drove, pursued
to the very town by our Cossack's bca1ning fca-
tures And at the camp we found Col. OrlOft,
who received us with that perfect courtesy and
so1dlcr-likc franlSncss wherein Russian officers
are distinguished above all whom I have met.
His was the regiment shelled yesterday, and be
gave me the account. Under guidante of his
orderly We reached the town across the corn
fields, and to our great disappointment were
dcbarred from triunplins over that Cossack
jester.
Cnrre*pond<nce London .yesrs.
The COssack clValrymen arc a1l com parntiyely
young men, and hare young wives, Whenever
rneF set ont on campaign, they tuy white
scarf or handkerchief to take with them. At
the elise o their period OF service, they return
to their villages, and are met by the whole pop.
ulaton. Now wife who has been unfaithful
to her lord knccls down before him in the road,
puts her face in the dust, nnd places her hus-
bands foot upon hcrneck. This is confession
OF guilt, and Mt the same time prayer for for
giycncss. If the husband then covers his wifc's
head with the white scarf, it means TINT he for
gives her. and agrees to forget her fault. II the
white handkerchief is not produced, the woman
returns straight to her fathers house without
again entering her husbands dwelling,
and a divorce is pronounced. a trasical
frt} ht E11r iHt