CHAP. are stranded'. We saw the wrecks of two, which had cast anchor in good soundings near the coast, but were unexpectedly swamped upon the sands. The east wind often sets in with great vehemence, and continues for several weeks. They have also frequent gales from the west; but very rarely a wind due north; and hardly ever an instance occurs of its blowing from the south. This last circumstance has been attributed to the mountainous ridge of Caucasus, intercepting the winds from that quarter. The sea is so shallow near Taganrog, that ships performing quarantine lie off at a distance of religion: the Note was therefore withdrawn; although the plain text of Exodus fully states (chap. xiv. 21.) that THE LORD CAUSED THE SEA TO GO BACK BY A STRONG EAST-WIND, AND MADE the sea dry land, AND THE WATers were diVIDED: AND the children of Israel wENT INTO THE MIDST of the SEA UPON THE DRY GROUND." (1) "The merchandize brought from Voronetz comes down to Rastoff in barks which will not bear the sea, but are broken up there. Their cargoes are again embarked in lighters, which convey them to Taganrog, and to the ships in the road. As the wind changes to the east, and the water grows shallower, they get farther and farther out to sea, and are often obliged to sail without having completed their cargo. This singular kind of monsoon takes place almost every year, after Midsummer. The Governor said, it seldom failed. Storms are not uncommon; and the navigation is considered as very unsafe, by reason of the numerous shoals, and the want of shelter." Heber's MS. Journal. Mr. Heber's orthography, in the names of places, has been followed, whenever an extract is given from his Journal; the author not deeming it lawful to subject so accurate a writer to any rules which he may have laid down for himself, and to which, perhaps, he has not always adhered. fifteen versts; and vessels, drawing from eight to ten feet of water, cannot approach nearer to the town to take in their freightage. CHAP. XIV. Taganrog. The elevated situation on which Taganrog is Arrival at built rendered it visible to us from the moment we entered the Sea of Azof. The wind, however, began to fail; and it was night before we reached the shore. Several of the inhabitants came down upon our arrival; and being afterwards provided with a tolerable set of apartments, we resolved to remain here for a few days, that we might prepare our journey through Kuban Tahtary. (2) Ten miles. XV. EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC SHORES OF THE SEA Taganrog-Commerce, external and internal-Canal of Communication between the Caspian and Black SeaMarriage Ceremony of the Calmucks-Consecrated Ensigns of the Calmuck Law-Difference between their Sacred and Vulgar Writings-Sarmacand-Various Inhabitants of Taganrog-Antiquities-Voyage across the Sea of Azof-Chumburskaia — Margaritovskaia. CHAP. TAGANROG is situate upon the cliff of a very lofty promontory, commanding an extensive Taganrog. XV. prospect of the Sea of Azof, and all the Euro- CHAP. pean coast, to the mouths of the Don. Azof itself is visible, in fair weather, from the heights of the citadel. At present, the number of inhabitants does not exceed five thousand. The water, as in the Don, is very unwholesome when the winds carry off the salt water; but when a current sets in from the sea, it is more salutary. The foundation of a town, intended for the metropolis of the empire, in a place liable to insuperable disadvantages, was not one of the wisest plans of PETER THE GREAT. The water here is so shallow, that no haven could possibly have been constructed, unless by forming canals at an expense beyond all calculation. The ships now performing quarantine lie off at the distance of ten miles; and all vessels, drawing from eight to ten feet water, cannot approach nearer to the town than fifteen versts. Taganrog formerly contained seventy thousand inhabitants; but, in consequence of a capitulation made with the Turks, the original city was entirely rased. Its revival may be referred to the establishment of the Armenian colony at Nakhtshivan. At present, all the best houses are in its suburbs. The citadel contains a miserable village, full of ruins; exhibiting, at the same time, traces of considerable works, now abandoned. The inhabitants entertain hopes that XV. external nal. CHAP. the Emperor will visit and inspect the place, and that it will then become a town of the first importance in the empire. There is not any situation in the South of Russia more favourable for commerce, were it not for the want of Commerce water. Ships from the Black Sea find here, in and inter- readiness for embarkation, all the produce of Siberia, with the caviare, and other commodities of Astrachan; whereas at Cherson and Odessa they have to wait for lading after their arrival. But it is only during three months in the year that commerce can be carried on at Taganrog. In Winter, the sea is frozen, so that the sledges pass upon the ice to Azof. During the short season of their commerce, the rent of a single warehouse upon the shore is estimated at four hundred roubles. As soon as the first ships make their appearance from the Black Sea, the waggons from the interior begin to arrive'. The (1) "From November to March the sea is frozen, and navigation seldom safe earlier than April. As soon as the ice is supposed to have passed, a small vessel is sent from Taganrog to Kertch (in the Crimea), and vice versa. After this signal, the navigation commences. From April to Midsummer a south-west wind prevails very steadily, which greatly increases the depth of water, and favours the arrival of vessels. About Midsummer the water is generally deepest, and the sea crowded with small vessels. The harbour admits but few. Vessels may then lie tolerably near the shore; at other times, ships of two hundred tons are compelled to lie in the open sea, fifteen versts (ten miles) from the shore. In autumn, the Sea of Azof is often no more than fourteen feet at its greatest depth. From Taganrog to Azof is a shoal, |