Biographical Memoir of Peter Simon Pallas. 233 



He afterwards proceeded to the Crimea, the ancient Tauris, a 

 singular peninsula, flat, and arid on the side by which it is con- 

 nected with the continent, and raised on the opposite side into 

 mountains which inclose beautiful and fertile valleys. For- 

 merly civilized by Grecian colonies, occupied during the middle 

 ages by the Genoese, afterwards inhabited by the Tartars, who 

 at length acquired tolerably peaceable manners, it has of late 

 fallen into the hands of the Russians. It is well known with 

 what preparation Potemkin led the Empress into this new con- 

 quest, and by what prodigies of expence and despotism this fa- 

 vourite gave for a few days to deserts the appearance of fertile 

 and flourishing countries. It may be said that Pallas partici- 

 pated in the illusion of his sovereign, or perhaps the contrast 

 between the pleasant valleys of the coast, opening to the south, 

 enjoying a view of the sea, and planted with vines and roses, 

 and the melancholy plains of the north of Russia, struck him 

 too forcibly. He drew an enchanting picture of the Tauris*, 

 and, as a proof that he was sincere in his praises, hastened to ob- 

 tain for himself a retreat in it. 



Repose, which he had so long shunned, had now become 

 necessary to him. In his last journey, wishing to examine 

 the banks of a river, the surface of which was frozen, the ice 

 broke under him, and he sunk in the water to the middle. Re- 

 mote from all assistance, and during a very intense cold, he was 

 obliged to travel for several leagues, without a change of dress. 

 This accident occasioned pains, which he hoped would be alle- 

 viated in a milder climate than that of Petersburg ; but his 

 change of residence, far from producing this effect, only added 

 to his physical sufierings evils more insupportable, chagrins and 

 cares of all kinds. 



The empress, informed of the desire which Pallas shewed of 

 living in the Tauris, very handsomely presented him with two 

 villages, situated in the richest district of the peninsula, and a 

 large house in the city of Achmetchet, named by the Russians 

 Sympheropol, which was then the chief place of the country, 

 and with a considerable sum of money for his establishment. 



• Tableau Physique et Topographique de la Tauride (Nov. Act^ Petrop. 

 torn. X.), re-printed at Paris in the year vii. (1800.) 



