The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

41GEUSSIA IN EUROPE.land, burning the villages, and carrying off the inhabitants into slavery. Butwithin a single generation they were not only curbed, but even compelled to acceptthe sovereignty of the Czar, although still maintaining their relations with theirAsiatic brethren, even as far east as Tibet. But the oppressive interference of theRussian Government rendering existence intolerable to the free children of thesteppe, they resolved to return to their ancestral homes on the shores of LakeBalkash, at the foot of the Altai range, now traditionally grown into a land ofwonders. Nearly the whole nation, variously estimated at from 120,000 to300,000, set out during the winter of 1770-1, with their herds, crossing the iceboundVolga, Yayik, and Emba. The long line of march lasted for weeks, andthe rear-guard had not time to escape before the ice broke up on the Volga. TheKirghiz and Cossacks, also, grouped in masses on their flank, succeeded in breakingthe line at several points. Some few thousands are said to have reached their destination,but the great majority were forced to retrace their steps.After this attemptedexodus the hand of the Czar was felt more keenly than ever, and many thousands,converted willingly or not, were removed to the colony of Stavropol, between Simbirskand Samara, and then enrolled amongst the Cossacks of the Urals. Theterritory of those who, in spite of themselves, had remained Russian subjects, washenceforth circumscribed by the Volga, Caspian, Kuma, and Don. In 1839 theRussian peasantry were forbidden to settle within these limits, but mixed coloniessubsequently founded in the steppe have become central points, and, so to say, somany Russian islets in the midst of the Asiatic populations. Later on began theparcelling of the land amongst " friends," but in very unequal allotments, soas to create opposing interests and weaken the collective power of the nomads.Chiefs raised to the rank of nobility received from 540 to 4,000 acres, while simplemembers of the tribe got only a share in lots of 80 acres, one-tenth of the wholeterritory, estimated at about 20,000,000 acres, thus becoming private property.The Kalmuks of the Bon are obliged to serve with the Cossacks, but do not formspecial regiments. Their chief occupation in the army is to look after the herdsand horses.There are a few Kalmuk nobles who have built themselves palaces, and gettheir children educated by foreign teachers, but the bulk of the people have keptapart, neither adopting the language of the Russians nor their dress and customs.High cheek bones, small eyes, flat noses, and a sallow complexion testify to thepurity of the Mongol blood. No squeamishness is exhibited as regards food ; andalthough mutton is preferred, a proverb says that " Even May-bugs are game in thesteppe."In his treatment of the fair sex the Kalmuk is more chivalrous than hisMohammedan neighbour—at least in public ;but his ancient love of liberty andindependence now survives only in proverbs, as, " The cypress brooks, but bendsnot ; and the brave man dies, but yields not."The Kalmuks are still Buddhists. Pagodas are met here and there in theirterritory, and the incessant drone of the inevitable " prayer-mill " on the "sideboard" of every dwelling resembles the mumbling of a devout worshipper. Atthe same time the Russian Government has taken care to prevent all religious