Officers in tsarist Russia have always been a special "caste", different from both soldiers and civilians. The alienation from society was explained, in particular, by the fact that officers did not have the right to join political parties, but had to be guided only by the principles of duty and honor throughout their lives. Ekaterina Astafieva will tell where the officers of the late XIX - early XX centuries spent their time, when they could get married and how they defended their honor.
Do not kuti
In 1904, the captain Valentin Kulchitsky made a kind of set of rules "Advice to a young officer". On the basis of his notes, the "Code of Honor of a Russian Officer" was created, which spells out the basic rules of life - both personal and public. For example, the officers were advised to "behave simply, with dignity, without fathom", but at the same time not forget about the difference between "courtesy with full dignity" and "servility".
In 1904, the "Code of Honor of the Russian Officer" was created
One of the clauses of the code read: "Don't cut it - you won't prove your daring, but you will compromise yourself." True, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy in "War and Peace" very colorfully depicted the carousing of the color of the nation and, for example, the Semyonov officer Dolokhov, on a bet drinking a bottle of rum, sitting on the third floor window with his feet down. In general, a real officer had to be able to do everything in moderation: if he did drink, then not get drunk, if he played cards, then never go into debt.
Money down the drain
Nevertheless, they often got into debt: this is not surprising, because the officer's salary was generally low. Paying the card debt was considered a matter of honor (remember how in the same novel by Tolstoy Nikolai Rostov wanted to commit suicide because of a debt that he was unable to repay). The officer had to purchase uniforms at his own expense, and prices, to put it mildly, bite: on average, a uniform cost about 45 rubles, a frock coat - 32, a cap - 7, boots - 10, a belt - 2, 6 rubles. The mandatory costs also included membership in the officers 'assembly, the officers' library, and borrowed capital. It was especially costly to serve in the Guards Infantry, because the regiments were often located in the capital. The biggest spenders served in the Guards cavalry. They lived in grand style, regularly arranging luxurious dinners, from which the officer could not refuse. The cavalrymen considered it beneath their dignity to sit in the theater not in the first row of the stalls or in the box, from the state horses, which were relied on to everyone, they refused and bought their own, the most expensive ones.
Living by prescription
There were also official instructions on how not to lose their dignity. For example, an officer could not afford to visit lower-class hotels and restaurants, taverns, teahouses and pubs, as well as 3rd class buffets at railway stations. The officer could not carry bags and packages himself, but was obliged to pay for the delivery of goods to the house. It was considered important not to skimp on tips, although not everyone's salary allowed them to waste money.
The officer could not carry bags and packages himself
About the Decency of Marriage
In matters of marriage, the officers were also limited. In 1866, the rules were approved, according to which an officer did not have the right to marry until the age of 23. Until 28, the officer had to ask for a marriage license from his superiors, while providing property security. The bride had to be chosen according to the notions of decency. The future wife had to be distinguished by "good morality and good manners", besides, the girl's social position was taken into account. Officers were forbidden to marry artists and divorces who took the blame upon themselves during the divorce. For marriage without permission, they could easily be fired.
The officer had to ask the superiors for permission to marry
Thursdays and Tuesdays
The officers did not have to choose entertainment. The obligatory attendance at the officers 'meeting was interspersed with home evenings in the officers' families. It was considered good form to host "Thursdays" or "Tuesdays", to which colleagues and their relatives were invited. Those who served in the capital were more fortunate, because they could go out at regular balls and dinner parties. In rural areas, some landowners, who wanted to prove that their society was no worse than in cities, also liked to invite officers to evenings. The lack of theaters in the outback was compensated by home concerts and amateur performances. The "Code of Honor of a Russian Officer" noted, however, that it was not customary for the military to dance in public masquerades.
To the barrier!
The officer's honor did not give him any privileges; rather, on the contrary, it made him even more vulnerable. A willingness to risk one's life in order not to be dishonored required considerable courage. It was considered a sign of bad taste to demonstrate resentment, but do nothing to sort out the relationship with the offender. The price of words was increased by the threat of a deadly duel - a public insult inevitably entailed a duel. With duels in Russia they fought with all their might, but no imperial decrees could prohibit the officers from demanding satisfaction from their offenders. An officer who carried an insult and did not challenge an enemy to a duel was considered permanently disgraced. Interestingly, in 1894, special rules were issued, in some way legalizing duels.
Since 1894, the court could officially rule the need for a duel
According to the greatest command, all cases of officer quarrels were sent to the court of the society of officers, which could already decide the need for a duel. Real cracking was common in the first half of the 19th century. Ryleev, for example, was ready to challenge to a duel with or without reason, and the sun of Russian poetry, Pushkin, prior to the notorious duel, at least 30 times went to the barrier, so, however, without injuring anyone.
