416 RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 



land, burning- the villages, and carrying off the inhabitants into slaver}'. But 

 within a single generation they were not only curbed, but even compelled to accept 

 the sovereignty of the C/car, although still maintaining their relations with their 

 Asiatic brethren, even as far east as Tibet. But the oppressive interference of the 

 Russian Government rendering^ existence intolerable to the free children of the 

 steppe, they resolved to return to their ancestral homes on the shores of Lake 

 Balkash, at the foot of the Altai range, now traditionally grown into a land of 

 wonders. Nearly the whole nation, variously estimated at from 120,000 to 

 300,000, set out during the winter of 1770-1, with their herds, crossing the ice- 

 bound Volga, Yayik, and Emba. The long line of march lasted for weeks, and 

 the rear-guard had not time to escape before the ice broke up on the Volga. The 

 Kirghiz and Cossacks, also, grouped in masses on their flank, succeeded in breaking 

 the line at several points. Some few thousands are said to have reached their destina- 

 tion, but the great majority were forced to retrace their steps. After this attempted 

 exodus 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 Sim- 

 birsk and Samara, and then enrolled amongst the Cossacks of the Urals, The 

 territory of those who, in spite of themselves, had remained Russian subjects, was 

 henceforth circumscribed by the Volga, Caspian, Kuma, and Don. In 1839 the 

 Russian peasantry were forbidden to settle within these limits, but mixed colonies 

 subsequently founded in the steppe have become central points, and, so to say, so 

 many Russian islets in the midst of the Asiatic populations. Later on began the 

 parcelling of the land amongst " friends," but in very unequal allotments, so 

 as 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 simple 

 members of the tribe got only a share in lots of 80 acres, one-tenth of the whole 

 territory, estimated at about 20,000,000 acres, thus becoming private property. 

 The Kalmuks of the Don are obliged to serve with the Cossacks, but do not form 

 special regiments. Their chief occupation in the army is to look after the herds 

 and horses. 



There are a few Kalmuk nobles who have built themselves palaces, and get 

 their children educated by foreign teachers, but the bulk of the people have kept 

 apart, 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 the 

 purity of the Mongol blood. No squeamishness is exhibited as regards food ; and 

 although mutton is preferred, a proverb says that " Even May-bugs are game in the 

 steppe." In his treatment of the fair sex the Kalmuk is more chivalrous than his 

 Mohammedan neighbour — at least in public ; but his ancient love of liberty and 

 independence now survives only in proverbs, as, " The cypress brooks, but bends 

 not ; and the brave man dies, but yields not." 



The Kalmuks are still Buddhists. Pagodas are met here and there in their 

 territory, and the incessant drone of the inevitable " prayer- mill " on the " side- 

 board " of every dwelling resembles the mumbling of a devout worshipper. At 

 the same time the Russian Government has taken care to prevent all religious 



