This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1838. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... LETTER XX. SECOND EXCURSION INTO THE INTERIOR OF CIRCASSIA -- GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE CIRCASSIAN TERRITORY ARRIVAL AT THE RESIDENCE OF A PCHI-KHAN HIS HOSPITALITY--DOMESTIC MANNERS MODE OF LIVING VISIT OF A CIRCASSIAN PRINCE. Having, in my last, given you an account of my first impressions of the Circassian people, I shall now proceed to describe my route; and how delightful was every object to a traveller so long wearied with the monotonous steppes of Krim-Tartary The bracing winds of the hills felt refreshing, and imparted additional vigour to the frame. The beautiful mountain scenery, in its endless forms, presented all that could charm the eye and cheer the spirits. Even the frequent shower, the rolling cloud, and the hoarse thunder, were welcomed with pleasure. We were conducted through the lovely valley of Pchad, watered by a fertilizing river, of the same name. But, to describe the beauty of the v scenery, and the fertility of the country, would be only to repeat what I have already said, while relating the details of my former visit to Circassia. However, having now penetrated a greater distance into the interior, my picture will be found more correct. In truth, I was not more pleased than astonished, to see the high state of cultivation exhibited in so remote a country, a country inhabited by a people that we were led to believe had not yet emerged from barbarism; while their little cottages, as they hung on the brow of a hill, or lay clustered by the side of a river, were not much inferior in neatness to those of the Tyrolean and the Swiss mountaineers. Numerous herds of cattle, enclosed by palisadoes, were seen, in one place, enjoying the richest pastures; in another, men, women, and children, were engaged in their various labours of husbandry; giv...