The Tartar invasion, with its direct and indirect consequences, is a subject which has more than a mere antiquarian interest.  To the influence of the Mongols are commonly attributed many peculiarities in the actual condition and national character of the Russians of the present day, and some writers would even have us believe that the men whom we call Russians are simply Tartars half disguised by a thin varnish of European civilisation.  It may be well, therefore, to inquire what the Tartar or Mongol domination really was, and how far it affected the historical development and national character of the Russian people.

The story of the conquest may be briefly told.  In 1224 the chieftains of the Poloftsi—­one of those pastoral tribes which roamed on the Steppe and habitually carried on a predatory warfare with the Russians of the south—­sent deputies to Mistislaf the Brave, Prince of Galicia, to inform him that their country had been invaded from the southeast by strong, cruel enemies called Tartars*—­strange-looking men with brown faces, eyes small and wide apart, thick lips, broad shoulders, and black hair.  “Today,” said the deputies, “they have seized our country, and tomorrow they will seize yours if you do not help us.”

     * The word is properly “Tatar,” and the Russians write and
     pronounce it in this way, but I have preferred to retain the
     better known form.

Mistislaf had probably no objection to the Poloftsi being annihilated by some tribe stronger and fiercer than themselves, for they gave him a great deal of trouble by their frequent raids; but he perceived the force of the argument about his own turn coming next, and thought it wise to assist his usually hostile neighbours.  For the purpose of warding off the danger he called together the neighbouring Princes, and urged them to join him in an expedition against the new enemy.  The expedition was undertaken, and ended in disaster.  On the Kalka, a small river falling into the Sea of Azof, the Russian host met the invaders, and was completely routed.  The country was thereby opened to the victors, but they did not follow up their advantage.  After advancing for some distance they suddenly wheeled round and disappeared.

Thus ended unexpectedly the first visit of these unwelcome strangers.  Thirteen years afterwards they returned, and were not so easily got rid of.  An enormous horde crossed the River Ural and advanced into the heart of the country, pillaging, burning, devastating, and murdering.  Nowhere did they meet with serious resistance.  The Princes made no attempt to combine against the common enemy.  Nearly all the principal towns were laid in ashes, and the inhabitants were killed or carried off as slaves.  Having conquered Russia, they advanced westward, and threw all Europe into alarm.  The panic reached even England, and interrupted, it is said, for a time the herring fishing on the coast.  Western Europe, however, escaped their ravages.  After visiting Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Servia, and Dalmatia, they retreated to the Lower Volga, and the Russian Princes were summoned thither to do homage to the victorious Khan.