Cossacks
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Cossacks. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
tribes who inhabit the southern and eastern parts of of Russia, and, previous to the Russian revolution, paying no taxes, but performing instead the duty of soldiers. Nearly all of them belong to the Græco-Roman Church, to 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 Cossacks of the Azoff, of the Danube, of the Black Sea, of the Caucasus, of the Ural, of Orenburg, of Siberia, of the Chinese frontiers, and of Astrakhan. Writers are not agreed as to the origin of this people and of their name, but they are believed to be a mixed Cau- In personal casian and Tartar race. appearance the Cossacks bear a close resemblance to the Russians, but are of a more slender make, and have features which are decidedly more handsome and expressive. Originally their government formed a kind of democracy, at the head of which was a chief or hetman of their own 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 be able in any emergency to furnish the largest military array on the shortest notice. The democratical part of the constitution has gradually disappeared 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 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.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
tribes inhabiting the southern and southeastern borders of Russia. Their origin is not understood. They seem of mixed blood, both Tartar and Russian. Some are settled as fishermen and graziers; but the typical Cossack leads a wild, free life on the steppes, not unlike that of the nomad Arabs. Their wealth consists in tents, horses, and cattle. They are permitted by the Russians to maintain a large degree of independence under chiefs chosen by themselves. Military service is the chief requirement made of them. Each Cossack furnishes his own horse-a tough, wiry, shaggy pony. The Cossacks form a body of light cavalry valuable for scouting and sudden onsets. They are audacious and skillful, and are seldom caught napping. They are devout members of Greek Church , and are loyal to the czar. The authorities make frequent use of Cossacks to suppress insurrections. They have a fine contempt for agricultural peasants and workmen. They seem to have no sympathy with discontent or revolution. The number of Cossacks is placed by Russian authority at 3,000,000. See Russia