A VISIT TO PERSIA. 253 
non-commissioned officers in charge of these two regiments, in the 
control of which they have been given a much freer hand than has been 
heretofore given to foreign officers. The Russians have had much 
experience in dealing with orientals of every nationality and they know 
how much their own prestige gains through being in charge of a well 
managed concern, but more especially where that is a military organi- 
zation. The importance of having the control of pay and promotion 
cannot be over-rated, for in other branches of the Persian army much 
of the soldier’s pay is embezzled, while promotion is sold to the highest 
bidder. These two Cossack regiments receive better pay than the rest 
of the cavalry and, what is more to the point, they receive it in full. 
They are, therefore, well satisfied with their condition and aro envied 
and looked up to by the rest of the army and the outside public in 
general, matters which have much to do with sustaining the prestige 
and reputation of Russia with the army. 
Hach of these two regiments consists of three squadrons, with a full 
proportion of Persian officers, but all matters of general organization 
and instruction lie completely in the hands of the Russian officers. 
The uniform is a long frock-coat with flowing skirts, with cartridge 
pockets attached to each side of the breast, long boots and a low cut 
sheep-skin cap, with a badge in front ; the dress is picturesque and the 
frock-coat a most serviceable garment. In the matter of saddlery the 
ring bit has been replaced by a simple bridoon, but ‘the high Cossack 
saddle with its cushion-like seat is not an improvement on the 
ordinary saddle of Persia, whete if practice and long use are to be 
taken as a guide, the fitting of both riding and pack saddles should be 
understood better than in any country in the world and the Persian 
recruit must find it a strange experience to be put through a course of 
riding on a saddle so totally different to what he has been accustomed 
to in his own home. ; 
The main Arsenal of Persia, the great source of supply to the regular 
and irregular forces of Persia, is situated in the centre of the city of 
Tehran, close to the principal State buildings which comprise the 
Shah’s Palace, the Council House and the various Government offices. 
The manufacture of material of every description is here carried on, but 
in almost every case are stores of native pattern being now set aside 
in favour of patterns recently introduced by the various foreign officers 
who have been employed with the army. In some cases the European 
patterns are by no means so suitable to the ways of the country as are 
those of native pattern, this is certainly the casein the matter of 
saddlery where the Persian has but little to learn from Europeans. 
The Laboratory Department manufactures most of the cartridges 
required for the army, the machinery for which has been purchased in 
England. Cartridges of many descriptions are required for the multi- 
plicity of arms in use. The majority of cartridges required are of the 
Werndl pattern, this being the rifle with which the infantry are for 
the most part armed. The number of hands employed appears small, 
but working at pressure from 20,000 to 30,000 cartridges can be 
turned out daily. The cartridges, solid drawn, are well made, 
