Cossacks
tribes who inhabit the paying no taxes, but performing instead and, previous to the Russian revolution, southern and eastern parts of Russia, of Russia, belong to the Græco-Roman Church, to the duty of soldiers. Nearly all of them which they are strongly attached. They must be divided into two principal classes, both on account of their descent and their condition-the Cossacks of Little Russia and those of the Don. Both classes, and especially those of the Don, have collateral branches, distributed as of the Black Sea, of the Caucasus, of the Chinese frontiers, and of Astrakhan. of this people and of their name, but Writers are not agreed as to the origin of this people and of their name, but In personal casian and Tartar race. appearance the Cossacks bear a close reappearance the Cossacks bear a close remore slender make, and have features more slender make, and have features expressive. kind of democracy, at the head of which Originally their government formed a choice; while under him was a long series of officers with jurisdictions of greater or less extent, partly civil and partly military, all so arranged as to greater or less extent, partly civil and notice. The democratical part of the constitution has gradually disappeared largest military array on the shortest under Russian domination. Each Cossack, under the Empire, was liable to military service from the age of 18 to 50, and obliged to furnish his own horse. In kind of democracy, at the head of which Originally their government formed a COSSUS 1570 they built their principal "stanitza" and rendezvous, called Tcherkask, on the Don, not far above its mouth. As it was rendered unhealthful by the overflowing of the island on which it stood, New Tcherkask was founded in 1805 some miles from the old city, to which nearly all the inhabitants removed. This forms the capital of the country of the Don Cossacks, which constituted, under the Empire, a government of Russia, and has an area of 63,532 square miles, pop. 3,291,000. Their war strength numbers 5,000 officers and 175,000 men. Reserve, 300,000 officers and men. See RUSSIA.