f 30 COMMERCE, &c. 



No writer has placed the religion and hiilory of the Tartar-nation* 

 in a more explicit point of view than Mr. Pallas ; every page in his in- 

 terefling journal affords ftriking proofs of this affertion. He has lately 

 thrown new lights upon this obfcure fubjedt, in a recent publication 

 concerning the Tartars, who inhabit parts of Siberia, and the territory 

 which lies between that country and the Chinefe-wall. Of this excellent 

 work the firfl: volume appeared in 1776, and contains the genealogy, 

 hiftory, laws, manners, and cuftoms, of this extraordinary people, as 

 they are divided into Calmucs, Mongols, and Burats. The fecond 

 volume is expedted with impatience, and will afcertain, with minutenefs 

 and accuracy, the tenets and religious ceremonies which diftinguifh the 

 votaries of Shamanifm from the followers of Dalai-Lama, the two 

 great fedts into which thefe tribes are diftinguifhed. Pallas Samlung 

 hillorifcher Nachrichten ueber die Mongolifchen Volkerfchafter-. 



CHAP. 



