In Russia there are three predominating types of soldiers, which embrace the soldiers of all arms,—those of the Caucasus, of the line, the guards, the infantry, the cavalry, the artillery, and the others.
These three types, with many subdivisions and combinations, are as follows:—
(1) The obedient,
(2) The domineering or dictatorial, and
(3) The desperate.
The obedient are subdivided into the apathetic obedient and the energetic obedient.
The domineering are subdivided into the gruffly domineering and the diplomatically domineering.
The desperate are subdivided into the desperate jesters and the simply desperate.
The type more frequently encountered than the rest—the type most gentle, most sympathetic, and for the most part endowed with the Christian virtues of meekness, devotion, patience, and submission to the will of God—is that of the obedient.
The distinctive character of the apathetic obedient is a certain invincible indifference and disdain of all the turns of fortune which may overtake him.