XII. ment above her head, scattered the remaining CHAP. liquor in the air. We asked the meaning of this ceremony, and were answered, that it is a religious custom, to give always the first drop of the brandy from the receiver to their God. The stick was then plunged into the receiver a second time; when more brandy adhering to the camel's hair, she squeezed it into the palm of her dirty and greasy hand, and, having tasted the liquor, presented it to our lips. The covering of their tents consists of neat and well-made mats, such as we see brought from India; and also of felt, or coarse woollen cloths. Whenever a Calmuck marries, he must build one of these tents, and one also for every child he has by that marriage. If a husband die, his widow becomes the property of his brother, provided the latter choose to accept of her. A distinction between married and unmarried women is exhibited in the manner of dressing their hair. A married woman wears her hair braided, falling over her shoulders, and on each side of her face; but a virgin has only a single braid hanging down the middle of her back. Their tents were all of a circular form. Near to these we observed a party of their children, from the age of five to fourteen, playing at the antient Grecian game (before mentioned as CHAP. Personal Appearance of Calmucks. common in Russia) with knuckle-bones'. We delighted them by making a scramble with a few copeeks. They were quite naked, and perfectly black. Farther off, a herd of their dromedaries were grazing. Of all the inhabitants of the Russian empire, the Calmucks are the most distinguished by peculiarity of feature and manners. In personal appearance, they are athletic and revolting. Their hair is coarse and black; their language harsh and guttural. They inhabit Thibet, Bucharia, and the countries lying to the north of Persia, India, and China; but, from their vagrant habits, they may be found in all the southern parts of Russia, even to the banks of the Dnieper. The Cossacks alone esteem them, and intermarry with them. This union sometimes produces (1) The Astragalismus; in which game we find the origin of dice, chess, nine-pins, &c. (2) In opposition to this remark, it is stated in Mr. Heber's Journal, that Calmuck servants are greatly esteemed all over Russia, for their intelligence and fidelity;" and we recollect seeing some of them in that capacity among English families in Petersburg. The most remarkable instance ever known of an expatriated Calmuck, was that of an artist employed by the Earl of Elgin, whom we saw (a second Anacharsis, from the plains of Scythia) executing most beautiful designs among the Ruins of Athens. Some Russian family had previously sent him to finish his studies in Rome, where he acquired the highest perfection in design. He had the peculiar features, and many of the manners, of the nomade Calmucks. women of very great beauty; although nothing is more hideous than a Calmuck. High, prominent, and broad cheek-bones; very little eyes, widely separated from each other; a flat and broad nose; coarse, greasy, jet black hair; scarcely any eye-brows; and enormous prominent ears; compose no very inviting countenance: however, we may strive to do it justice. CHAP. XII. Their women are uncommonly hardy; and on horseback outstrip their male companions in the race. The stories related of their placing pieces of horse-flesh under the saddle, in order to prepare them for food, are true. They acknowledged that this practice was common among them during a journey, and that a stake so dressed became tender and palatable. In their large camps, they have cutlers, and other Arts. XII. CHAP. artificers in copper, brass, and iron; sometimes goldsmiths, who make trinkets for their women, idols of gold and silver, and vessels for their altars; also persons expert at inlaid work, enamelling, and many arts vainly believed peculiar to nations in a state of refinement. One very remarkable fact, confirming the observations of other travellers', may bear repetition; namely, that, from time immemorial, the more Oriental tribes of Calmucks have possessed the art of making gunpowder. They boil the efflorescence of nitrate of potass in a strong lye of poplar and birch ashes, and leave it to crystallize; after this they pound the crystals with two parts of sulphur, and as much charcoal; then, wetting the mixture, they place it in a caldron over a charcoal fire, until the powder begins to Armour, & granulate. The generality of Calmucks, when equipped for war, protect the head by a helmet of steel with a gilded crest: to this is fixed a net-work of iron rings, falling over the neck and shoulders, and hanging as low as the eyebrows in front. They wear upon their body, after the Eastern manner, a tissue of similar work, formed of iron or steel rings matted together: this adapts itself to the shape, and yields readily to all positions of the body; and Weapons. (1) Journal des Savans Voyageurs, p. 434. ought therefore rather to be called a shirt, than a coat, of mail. The most beautiful of these are manufactured in Persia, and valued at the price of fifty horses. The cheaper sort are made of scales of tin, and sell only for six or eight horses each; but these are more common among the Chinese, and in the Mogul territory. Their other arms are lances, bows and arrows, poignards, and sabres. Only the richer Calmucks carry fire-arms: these are therefore always regarded as marks of distinction, and kept, with the utmost care, in cases made of badgers' skins. Their most valuable bows are constructed of the wild-goat's horn, or of whalebone; the ordinary sort, of maple, or thin slips of elm or fir, fastened together, and bound with a covering of linden or birch bark. CHAP. XII. tions and of Life. Their amusements are, hunting, wrestling, Recrea archery, and horse-racing. They are not Condition addicted to drunkenness, although they hold drinking parties, continuing for half-a-day at a time, without interruption. Upon such occasions, every one brings his share of brandy and koumiss; and the whole stock is placed upon the ground, in the open air; the guests forming a circle, seated around it. One of them, squatted by the vessels containing the liquor, performs the office of cup-bearer. The young |