The Illustrated History of the War Against Russia Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 Excerpt: ...race. The meaning of the designation which the town receives is, the Jew's Fortress; and it is appropriately named, for it is situated on an isolated and perpendicular rock, many of the houses being built on the very edge of the precipice. The town is surrounded by a wall, the approaches to which are very steep, and defended by a gate, which is closed every night. The most treasured thing in the Jew's Fortress is a manuscript copy of the Bible, said by its possessors to be of great antiquity. The owners of the dwellings are obliged to go to Bagtche' Serai to earn their livelihood, but return again to their rock. Frequently they are obliged to migrate altogether to other towns in the Crimea to earn a subsistence; but it is always their desire, go where they may, to obtain a resting-place at last in the Yalley of Jehoshaphat. The gipseys are like their race everywhere else; so are the few Armenians in the peninsula. Next to the Kairite Jews, the most interesting inhabitants of the place are the remnant of the old Gothic settlers resident among the southern mountains. At all events, the German writers lose no opportunity of holding up to general admiration these relics of the Gothic incursion upon the Crimea. No trade or particular branch of commerce flourishes in this land. Fruit is the principal production of the Boil, which is sent in largo quantities to St. Petersburg and Moscow, where it is highly prized, and which makes it dear on the spot where it is grown. Almost all kinds of fruit common to either the temperate or torrid zone are grown, and are of the most delicious flavour. The inhabitants breed sheep, cattle, and horses; camels are valued on the steppe. The pastures are infested with the vulture and the eagle, while the glens and dales of southern C...