The garrison of St. Petersburg seldom amounts to less than 60,000 men, and constitutes, therefore, more than one-ninth of the population. Neither officer nor private must ever appear in public otherwise than in full uniform, and this may suffice to give some idea of the preponderance of the military over the civil costumes that one encounters in the streets. The wild Circassian, with his silver harness and his coat of mail, gaily converses and jest with the more polished Russian officer, while their several kinsmen are busily engaged in cutting each other's throats in the Caucasus. Even in the streets of St. Petersburg, however, it is more safe to avoid collision with these mountaineers, who are sudden and quick in quarrel, wear sharp daggers, and always carry loaded fire-arms about them. Even at a ball or a soiree they never lay their pistols aside, and these are never otherwise than ready for immediate use. Some years ago one Prince Ali acquired some notoriety by his wild pranks, but his handsome person and his general popularity seem to have secured for him a considerable share of impunity. In the crowded streets he would at times amuse himself with pistol practice, the sun usually serving him for a target. His faithful steed followed him about hke a dog, and if the police offered to interfere with his diversion, he was in the saddle in a moment, and galloping away at full speed to some other quarter of the town. The sun was his usual target ; but lamps and lamp-posts were sometimes selected, and occasionally, though not often, he turned the muzzle of his pistol upon those from whom he imagined himself to have received an affront. On one occasion he resented some disrespectful depressions ap)lied to his mother in the Caucasus, by firing at the offender, but fortunately missed him ; not, however, from any want of skill, but because an officer, who stood near him, was able, just in time, to thrust his arm aside.
It would not be saying too much, to say that half St Petersburg are clad in a uniform of one sort or another. For, in addition to the 60,000
soldiers, there are civil uniforms for the public officers of every gi'ade, for the police, for the professors of the university, and not only for the teachers, but likewise for the pupils of the public schools. Nor must the private uniforms be forgotten, that are worn by the numerous servants of the noble and wealthy families. Still there remain enough of plain coats to keep p the respectability of the fraternity. The whole body of merchants, the English factory, the German barons from the Baltic provinces, Russian princesand landowners from the interior, foreigners, private teachers, and many others, are well pleased to be exempt from the constraint of buttons and epaulets ; indeed, so much that is really respectable walks about in simple black and blue, that a plain coat is felt by many to be rather a desirable distinction, although the wearer is obliged on all public occasions to yield the pas to the many-coloured coats of the civil and military employes.
The seasons and the variations of the weather bring about many, and often very sudden changes, in the street population of St. Petersburg, where the temperature is always capricious and unstable. In winter every one is cased in furs ; in summer light robes of gauze and silk are seen fluttering in the breeze. In the morning the costumes are perhaps all light and airy, and in the evening of the same day none will venture to stir abroad otherwise than in cloaks and mantles. The sun shines, and swarms of dandies and petites mattresses come fluttering abroad ; it rains, and the streets are abandoned to the undisputed possession of the " Black People." One day all snow and sledges, the next all mud and clattering wheels.