RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 



CHAPTER I. 



GENEE AL SURVEY. 



HE whole of Eastern Europe, comprising more than half of the 

 continent, forms but one state, the Czardom of Russia. To this 

 vast empire, nearly 2,000,000 square miles in extent, or about ten 

 times the size of France, also belongs more than one-third of the 

 whole of Asia. All the lands subject to the Czar have a total area 

 of over 8,400,000 square miles, or somewhat less than one-sixth of the dry land 

 on the globe ; and this is exclusive of several countries which, though not 

 belonging officially to Russia, are nevertheless directly subject to her influence. 

 But a very large portion of this vast empire is uninhabited, and even uninhabit- 

 able, so that relatively to its size Russia in Europe and in Asia is twice inferior 

 in population to the rest of the world. It may have a present population of some 

 90,000,000, or about one-fifteenth of all mankind. In fact, the true Russia, where 

 the population is dense enough to form a compact national body, and where are 

 centred the chief resources in men and wealth, giving to the state its aggressive 

 and defensive powers, is really restricted to a portion of the European territory. 



This section, comprising about one-half of the region this side the Ural, is 

 nearly limited north and east by the course of the Volga, reaching southwards to 

 the steppes of the Black Sea coast, westwards to Rumania, Bukovina, Galicia, 

 and the annexed portion of Poland, north-westwards to the Gulf of Finland and 

 the mouth of the Neva. The rest of the empire, about seven-eighths of the whole, 

 has not contributed to the growth of its power, and seems rather a source of weak- 

 ness, necessitating the employment of numerous officials, the maintenance of large 

 armies, the opening up of highways, the erection of remote forts and costly stations. 

 Geographically considered, Russia presents a striking contrast to the rest of 

 Europe, forming a single unit as compared with the great diversity of the western 

 regions. Throughout its vast extent, from the icy shores of the White Sea to the 

 steppes of the Euxine, it presents a surprising uniformity in its physical features. 

 Amongst the great continents Europe, properly so called, is distinguished by its 



