Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-03-15
Russian Nobility.

ne city nODleS may De safely divided
into two classes, one OF which remains at
home, while the other rarely. if ever,
returns to Russia from abroad. The
wealth of these men is enormous; they
own whole cities. and, Notwithstanding
their extravaganza. their fortunes con
tinue to increase. Those who make St.
Petersburg. Moscow. kief or other
large towns their homes live in q style
little inferior to that of the Gar HIM
self. They are the lions OF society. al
ways receiving and Icing entertained,
taking great care not to associate with
the commercial or professional classes.
They even keep aloof from successful
doctors, lawyers and professors. whom
they regard as a lower grade OF man.
kind. They never take any interest or
part in polit cal matters, although they
do not fail TO use their int,uen e with
the Gar or his Ministers when they re-
quire favor for themselves or their
proteges. Yet these men are the flower
of the army, the very backbone and
sinew of the Gar 5 warriors. Nearly
every one of them has received a Mill
tary education, and although retiring
into comparatively private life when
there is no fighting to be done. they are
ever ready with their swords and purses
at the sound of the bugle. Look through
the imperial army list and YOU will find
the names of mobiles who for many gen.
erations have figured conspicuously and
have distinguished themselves in battles
by land and water. Their names are
household words throughout the coun-
try, and a soldier would sooner follow
one of these than the most successful
General of ordinary blood. Besides
placing their bodies at the disposal of
the State in me of war, they come for
ward with their fortunes also, and as
long as these mobiles maintain their own
Russia will never fail through want of
the sinews of war.
The second class of the same category
of mobiles is utterly useless to the State.
In early youth they leave the country
for foreign parts, where they remain.
Enjoying great titles and greater
fortunes they lead life OF luxury and
dissipation which has became pro-
verbal throughout Europe. During
during the Paris season they are in
in Vienna, and the man who breaks the
calmly loses his million at the same place,
noble. When the State requires their
swords or their assistance they are not
to befound, yet they brag more than any
body else over the achievement of
their country, as if they were the cause
of every success. 1t is againstthis class
of mobiles that both peasants and citizens
are complaining bitterly, and no Won
der. They take every rouble they can
out of the country, and enjoy all the
privileges and advantages OF the State
without bearing one of its burdens.
The third acknowledged class OF MOBILES
is composed of those who have little or
no property either in ia ms or cities,
but who must MAINTAIN their positions
both in the State and society, and in
their lists may be found the names :
OF Russia's most glorious children.
Should they enter profession or en-
brace the commercial Or financial .
career, they would immed lately be
bla k-balled by society and despised by
the State. Two roads are open to them.
the army and the vilservice, and they
do credit to both. In the army they do
honor to the family name, but do not
retrieve the family fortunes. In the civil
serv ce they do both. To the first class
belong men like Skobeletf; to the second
men like Ignatief, the best modern
soldier and the cleverest m dern diplo-
mat.-St. Petersburg Cor. San Fran
c;sco Chronicle