Astracan. — Pompeia. — -Milan. 69 



in Russia. They consist for the most part of mud \valls, on 

 which are placed statues of stone coarsely carved. They seem 

 to have been executed by a Mongol nation, if we are to judge 

 from the c-^stume and workuiunship. One of the most remark- 

 able monuments of this kind is to be found near the village of 

 Pribchiboriskoi, in the vicinity of Actuba: it is nearly a hun- 

 dred and fifty feet in circumference, and three fathoms in height. 

 The water used for the walls is a compound of lime, pounded 

 charcoal and sand, and it is as hard as stone. It seems as if 

 this monument covered the grave of some prince; for there were 

 found in it, as well as in some other tombs in that countr}', 

 jewels, ornaments, armour, and vases. The ruins of the great 

 city of IMadscliari are in good preservation, and form three 

 groups. The middle one is the most considerable : it consists 

 in elevated squares half a league in length. The foundations 

 of the ancient houses are eai-ily distinguished ; some buildings 

 in stone are exceedinglv well preserved, but most of them have 

 been constructed of brick ; thev are from four to nine toises in 

 height, and of a jjyrarnidal form. Tombs and mausoleums are 

 found in various parts of these edifices : the wall is so highly 

 finished, and in such a good style, tliat it is scarcely credible that 

 it could have been done by a nomade race. It may be reason- 

 ably concluded that civilized nations have formerly inhabited 

 those countries. These remains of antiquity will speedily dis- 

 appear, without doubt ; for the present colonists are dilapidating 

 them for the purpose of building their houses. 



The excavations of Pompeia are pursued with the most unre- 

 mitting zeal by the Neapolitan Government. The most recent 

 discoveries have been three new magnificent tombs adorned 

 with sculpture, and a hall which is supposed to have been the 

 court of justice, and which is decorated with a triple row of 

 columns. Bronze stoves were also found in the same place, of 

 a most beautiful form, with a Faun and a Bacchus two lieet 

 high and exquisitely formed. Lastly, a small bronze Gladiator, 

 precisely similar to that which has been already so much ad- 

 mired, and which is in the attitude of supplicating life from the 

 pectator.'. A short time ago, there was also found a beautiful 

 silver vase which seemed to liave been used in religious worship; 

 it is covered with figures in relief, and resembles in form that 

 of the (m))erial (Cabinet of France, which has been published by 

 Caylus and Dom Martin. There is a third vase quite similar in 

 the cabinet of the late Cardinal Borgia. 



There has been discovered in the Cabinet of Medals at Milan, 

 a Chinese work, published in 17o0 by order of the Emperor 



E 3 Kieii 



