38 CASUALS IN THE CAUCASUS 



particulars," weird sartorial arrangements worn by 

 all the " bloods " of the Lakeland village, and evolved, 

 I fancy, by some old nurse from a favourite " first 

 pair." The, result — a vast one — has transcended all 

 ideas of magical artistry, and it has become impossible 

 to tell from the cut of the things whether the wearer is 

 coming or going. 



Am I writing a book on the Caucasus or on trousers ? 

 Well, both ! You must not chide me, or expect me to 

 keep to the gist of things for long. Did you ever know 

 a woman who could stick to the point ? 



Gaiters of leather, soft or hard, hard mostly, like 

 many things in this flinty world, are usually worn, and, 

 just covering the gaiter edge, a comfortable shoe, like 

 a moccasin, which the poorer classes stuff with grass 

 beneath the sole, for warmth and ease. 



Hats are of the most varied description, but the 

 papak, or fur cap, made in all sorts of shapes, sizes, 

 heights, and materials, predominates. The specimen 

 worn by our Prince was of reasonable dimensions, 

 close-fitting, of very black Astrakhan, or Bokhara skin, 

 as it is always described in the East. 



Most tscherkesskas have the arsenal of pockets for 

 cartridges across the breast, seven or eight a side, and 

 the diagonal rows worn by our companion were filled 

 with little wooden cylinders, highly ornamented about 

 the tops with silver. 



" Princes have but titles for their glories," said the 

 Bard, but he had not seen the Karbardan Beau 

 Brummell, at whose waist, straight down in front, 

 hung a long poniard, elaborately sheathed in silver. A 



