MEMOIR OP PALLAS. 65 



to great cold, with very insufficient covering. This 

 accident produced pains, which he hoped the mild 

 climate to which he was r»!sorting would abate ; but, 

 on the contrary, change of residence, far from assuag- 

 ing, only added to his physical ailments more insup- 

 portable sufferings, disappointments, and anxieties. 



The Empress, on being informed of Pallas's desire 

 to take up his abode in the Crimea, with much 

 kindness gave him a grant of two villages which 

 were situated in the richest district of the peninsula, 

 along with a large mansion in the town of Sympe- 

 ropol, at that time chief city of the district, along 

 with a considerable sum of money for his settlement. 

 He resorted to this " scene of delights*' at the end 

 of the year 1795 ; but the climate, which had ap- 

 peared so delightful during a short journey, even- 

 tually proved damp and variable; extensive marshes 

 rendered the beautiful valleys pestilential in autumn; 

 the winters also proved tempestuous, so that the in- 

 conveniences of both a northern and southern climate 

 were experienced. Besides, the property which was 

 conferred somewhat unceremoniously, found other 

 claimants, which occasioned its new lord vexatious 

 disputes and lawsuits. Finally, and moi^ than all, 

 Pallas had not sufficiently contemplated the void he 

 would experience when removed from well educated 

 men, and placed in a position where he could not 

 enjoy the interchange of thought. Accordingly, he 

 was now undeceived regarding his terrestrial para- 

 dise, and in the preface of the second volume of his 

 *' Travels," he tl w in the year 1801, expresses his 



