20 OCTOBER 1855, Page 26

RAXTILA.17SEN'S TRIBES OF TILE CAUCASUS. * TICE Baron Von Haxthansen has

published an elaborate work on Russia, and a book of travels in the Russian provinces beyond the Caucasus. In both cases the writer may be said to have worked under the patronage of the Imperial Government. He was fur- nished by authority with the more statistical kind of information ; he travelled with the permission, or something more than permis- sion, of the Emperor. The oharge of a leaning to Russia has been frequently brought against him • but it seems to us that this, lean- ing is more visible in the present book than it was in Transcauca- sia at all events. The feeling, too, is volunteered, and covertly in the way of comment. The Baron seems to have the aim which has been charged upon Russo-Germans in general—that of caus- ing a differenee between England. and France by endeavouring to show a differenee of interests.

"Russia has partly forced her way through the Caucasus, partly encom- passed it : advancing by slow degrees, and acting with moderation, she has succeeded in obtaining possession of the whole of these countries. By the last treaty of peace with Persia and Turkey, she gained an extremely ad- vantageous and secure military frontier along the heights of the mountain- range, which but for natural obstacles would lay Persia as well as Asiatic Turkey defenceless, and entirely in the power of la sufficiently large Russian "Two obstacles indeed there are, and only two, to this advance of Russia, —England, and the mountain races of the Caucasus. But for these im- pediment', Russia would unquestionably be able, by a great effort, to advance her frontiers to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. The other countries of Europe mightstand by and bear to witness such aggression on the part of Russia: indeed, it might in certain respects bring-advantage to some of them, as the position of Western Russia would be considerably changed, by the diversion of so important a power from that portion of the empire toward the South and East. But England, for her own security and self-defence must of right and of necessity carry on the war to the knife • for the question at issue involves the security of bee-possessions in the East Indies; this momentous question fills the background of the picture."

• The Tribes of the Caucasus. With an Account of Schamyl and the Mundt.. By Baron August Von Haxthausen, Author of "Transcaucasia," "The Russian Empire," ice. Published by Chap:amend Hall. This is true, but not the whole truth. With her frontier on the Persian Gulf, Russia would not be more threatening to India than in several inland points, unless she were superior by sea. With her frontier on the Mediterranean and dominant -lever Egypt, Russia -could interpose obstacles to the overland route, euid interfere with the Levantine trade. But Russia under such circumstances would be far more portentous to France, and afar greater actual danger, not only to Algeria but to the Mediterranean provinces and sea- ports, than she could be to England.

The Baron's speculations on the probable issue of the present contest, and the difficulties of reestablishing the Mahometan vi- tality, have some truth in them, at least as regards the difficulties of the Allies if victorious. The mode in which the Asiatic cam- paign is to be carried on in order to triumph, must, according to Haxthausen, be on a very grand scale.

"If England can succeed in rekindling the fanatic' it zeal of Islamism, now almost expiring—in raising the standard of the faith, in theimrson of Scheme and the principles of Muridiam—in effecting the union of Sunnitea and Shiites, Turks and Persians,—if a large English army were to advance from the East Indies and cross the Persian Gulf, whilst a French army landing in Asia Minor were to appear simultaneously on the theatre of war, forming a nucleus for the military organization of the undisciplined Me: hammedan masses,—Russia would undoubtedly be placed in a very perilous position. But the question is beset with difficulties of extraordinary moment. It is not an easy matter to plant, to form, and to maintain an European army there."

If England or France were to land a moderate army on the East- ern coast of the Black Sea, and march upon Tiflis, the Russian Asiatic army "would unquestionably be placed in a very perilous position? It would be cut off from its base, and, unless vido-. none in the field, must cut its way through or surrender. Even without the assistance of an European army, Turkey seems able to hold her ground in Armenia. Beyond these occasional remarks on topics of passing interest, and a summary account of Schamyl and the Circassian war, 271e Tribes of the Caucasus has little bearing upon actual events, and is disappointing in a literary point of view. Its topics are theo- logical, archaeological, historical, geographical, ethnological, but not practical. Even as an antiquarian essay it has no great at- traction, because too many subjects are introduced to admit of suf- ficient exposition in the space to which the author has confined himself.

The account of the origin and progress of the Circassian war is partly furnished by a friend. If true, the contest is rather a war of religion than of independence ; the new sect of " Murids " being raised up to act as a breakwater against the sea of infidelity, threatening to overwhelm Islam from the North. The Baron paints Sehamyl as the present head of this sect ; and endows him with greater powers of organization and a more comprehensive mind than have been ascribed to him by other writersequally well placed to obtain information. The Baron, however, is strongly addicted to theorize.

" Schamyl likewise is perfectly aware that a power likeTtussia cannot be opposed with any hope of success, or even safety, except by the aid of organ- ization and discipline; and he appears to have established such, both civil and military, fulfilling all the requirements of his position, with remarkable genius, deep intelligence, and persevering energy. " Schamyl has formed an entirely different conception of his task to Me- hemet Ali's: instead of, like the latter, copying servilely the European forms and civil institutions and military discipline, he founds all his institutions upon a religious and national basis, such as he finds existing ; and he adopts European forms and practices only as far as they appear to him needful, practical, and applicable. " The whole of SchamyPs social and civil organization rests on a theocra- tic basis. Allah has set the Caucasus as a barrier or protecting wall to the empire of the Faithful, against Gog and Magog, against the Unbelievers ; there he has planted the mountain races, and appointed them the watchful guards of this frontier defence ; their duty it is to combat to the last with the Unbelievers, whose hostility and attacks grow ever fiercer as the world's judgment approaches. But ae the Khalif is weak, and surrounded by traitors and infidels, Allah, to meet this danger, has raised up prophets and leaders of the holy war- Kazi Moollah was the first consecrated and appointed to this task, and through him Allah made known his will; Gamzad Beg suc- ceeded, and the office has now devolved on SchamyL To these men the.Faith- ful are bound to render unconditional obedience.

" Schamyl declares openly and solemnly to the Merida and the people that he has direct revelations from Allah and the Prophets, and at important moments receives their immediate commands. Before engaging in any great undertaking, Schamyl prepares himself by religious practices : he retires into a cavern, or shuts himself up closely ; no one is allowed to approach him. For three weeks he remains in seclusion, praying and fasting, and absorbed in the study of the holy books. On the last evening he summons the leaders and Moollabs, and communicates to them the revelations and commands which Mohammed, under the form of a dove, has imparted to him. Ha than goes forth among the people, who are collected in large mul- titudes before hie court-yard : he prays, recites verses from the Koran, and declares with a loud voice what Allah and the Prophet have commanded. The people all sing a solemn hymn ; the men draw their daggers, and renew their oath to remain true to the faith and to extir ate the Unbelievers. They then all disperse, crying aloud, Allah is great ; Mohammed is his first Prophet, and Schamyl his second.' "

If all this is true, there would seem to be a means of reestablish- ing Mahometanism in vigour for a time, and on the point where it would be most effective—the mountainousregionrunning from the Black Sea to the Caspian, and forming the natural boundary between Russia and Southern Asia.