resent Emperor allows no laxity of discipline in
his efforts to elevate the men in the ranks.

It is said of the grand duke Michel, uncle of Alexander II., that he
was a most rigid disciplinarian. His great delight was in parades, and
he never overlooked the least irregularity. Not a button, not a
moustache even, escaped his notice, and whoever was not _en regle_ was
certain to be punished. He is reported to have said,--

"I detest war. It breaks the ranks, deranges the soldiers, and soils
their uniforms."[F]

[Footnote F: The land forces of Russia are formed of two descriptions
of troops--the regular troops properly so called, and the feudal
militia of the Cossacks and similar tribes.

The regular army is recruited from the classes of peasants and
artisans partly and principally by means of a conscription, partly by
the adoption of the sons of soldiers, and partly by voluntary
enlistment. Every individual belonging to these classes is, with a few
exceptions, liable to compulsory service, provided he be of the proper
age and stature. The nominal strength of the Russian army, according
to the returns of the ministry of War, is as follows:

1. _Regular Army_. Peace-footing. War-footing.
Infantry......... 364,422 694,511
Cavalry.......... 38,306 49,183
Artillery........ 41,831 48,773
Engineers........ 13,413 16,203
------- -------
Total.................. 457,875 808,670

2. _Army of First Reserve_.
Troops of the line........ 80,455 74,561
Garrison in regiments..... 80,455 23,470
Garrison in battalions.... 19,830 29,862
------- -------
Total................... 100,285 127,925

3. _Army of Second Reserve_.
Troops of all arms........ 254,036 199,380
------- ---------
General total........... 812,096 1,135,975

Among the irregular troops of Russia, the most important are the
Cossacks. The country of the Don Cossacks contains from 600,000 to
700,000 inhabitants. In case of necessity, every Cossack, from 15 to
60 years, is bound to render military service. The usual regular
military force, however, consists of 54 cavalry regiments, each
numbering 1,044 men, making a total of 56,376. The Cossacks a