DON COSSACKS. 
2P8 
chap. Cossack. His dignified and majestic 100k ; his 
. XI - ; elevated brows, and dark mustachoes; his tall 
anTof'the helmet of black wool, terminated by a crimson 
Kasltkafa. sack, Wltk its plume, laced festoon, and white 
cockade; his upright posture; the ease and 
elegance of his gait ; give him an air of great 
importance. We found Cossacks in considerable 
number at Kasanhaia, lounging before their 
houses, and conversing in such large parties, that 
it seemed as if we were entering their capital. 
Their dresses were much richer than any thing 
we had observed in Russia, although all were 
uniform. Each person’s habit consisted of a 
blue jacket, edged with gold and lined with silk, 
fastened by hooks across the chest. Beneath 
the jacket appeared a silk waistcoat, the lower 
part of which was concealed by the sash. Large 
and long trowsers, either of the same material 
ks the jacket, or of white dimity, kept remark- 
ably clean, were fastened high above the waist, 
and covered their boots. The sabre is not worn, 
except on horseback, upon a journey, or in 
war. In its stead is substituted a switch, or 
cane, with an ivory head : this every Cossack 
bears in his hand, as an appendage of his dress; 
being at all times prepared to mount his horse 
at a moment’s notice. Their cap or helmet is 
the most beautiful part of the costume ; because 
it is becoming to every set of features. It adds 
