RUSSIAN COSSACKS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3783, 30 August 1883, Page 4

RUSSIAN COSSACKS.

A correspondent of one of the London dailies at Moscow describes some feats of horsemanship performed in the Petroifsky Park by the Cossack Guards before the Grand Duke Nicholas and a distinguished company, as completely throwing in the shade tho most daring feats of the circus. The entire regiment went past at full gallop in loose order, Avith many of the men standing upright in tho saddle, others upon their heads with their legs in the air, many leaping on to the ground and then into the saddle again at full speed, somo springing over their horses' heads, and picking up stones from the ground, and yet regaining their scats. AVhile performing these feats all Avcrc brandishing their sabres and firing pistols, throwing their carbines into the air and catching them again, aud yelling like maniacs. Some men Avcnt past in pairs, standing Avith a leg on each other's horses : one wild fellow carried off another dressed as a woman. The effect of the scone Avas absolutely bcAvildering, and it seemed as if tho whole regiment had gone mad. Upon a signal being given, the regiment divided into two parts. One rode off; the other halted, and made their horses lie iloavii on the ground and lay beside them, Availing, asiu Avar, the approach of an enemy. The other section of the regiment then charged down, and in an instant every horso was on its feet, every rider in his saddle, and Avith ■wild yells they rode at the supposed enemy. When these munceuvres Avero over, the regiment rode past singing, and uncommonly well together, a militaiy chorus.