A journey into Siberia, made by order of the King of France / By M. l'abbé Chappe d'Auteroche. Containing an account of the manners and customs of the Russians, with the natural history, and geographical description of their country. Translated from the French.

  • Jean-Baptiste Chappe d'Auteroche
Date:
1770
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A journey into Siberia, made by order of the King of France / By M. l'abbé Chappe d'Auteroche. Containing an account of the manners and customs of the Russians, with the natural history, and geographical description of their country. Translated from the French. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    garrifoned in the mod: fertile provinces, which fupply the pro- vifions neceffary for their fubfiftence in kind. Ruffia, with fo numerous an army, cannot bring into the the field more than fixty or feventy thoufand effective regulars, and even by this the dominions are depopulated. This power not being able to bear any extraordinary expence, on account of its moderate revenues, is not able of itfelf to maintain Rich an army out of the empire, becaufe the provifions which the people in the feveral provinces furnifh, cannot then be con¬ veyed to them. The navy of Ruffia is weak, not only becaufe there are but few fhips, but alfo becaufe the fea officers have as little know¬ ledge as thofe of the land j befides, the Ruffians have no failors, and never will have any while they do not carry on trade themfelves. The Ruffian artillery is very well ferved. Their cavalry is the worft in Europe. The infantry are the bell: troops they havej mod: of them are well difciplined: they are not fit for an attack, but defend themfelves pretty well, even when not covered ; when they are, they are very formidable, efpecially when there is no retreat open for them. The corps of engineers have but little knowledge, and are incapable of conducting a fiege. The Ruffians only know how to bombard a city. r I have thought the knowledge of thefe faCts might be ufe- ful in Europe, becaufe they remove the prejudices which have been entertained in regard to Ruffia ; and this, if there is no other advantage attending it, is correcting a prevailing error. The inhabitants of Lubeck and Hamburg trembled at the name of the Ruffians. Poland and Germany, through which Thave palled, confidered Ruffia as one of the mod for¬ midable powers of Europe. The Ruffians entertained the fame E e e idea
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