TEAYELS IN CIECASSIA. 



BY LAURENCE OLIPHANT. 

 [MAGA. JUXE-JULY 1856.] 



I. 



THE object of this sketch is to give some account, 

 from personal observation, of Abkhasia and its 

 neighbouring province of Circassia. 



The capital town of Abkhasia is Souchoum Kaleh. 

 Here it was that a large Russian force was perma- 

 nently garrisoned in the war with Eussia, and it was 

 hoped that the troops of the Czar, supported by the 

 powerful influence of Prince Michael, would eventu- 

 ally lead to the subjugation of those wild mountain- 

 eers who professed to OAvn allegiance to their prince,, 

 and to the annexation of the entire province to the 

 Muscovite Empire. That anticipation had not been 

 realised when the war broke out. Notwithstanding 

 the exertions of Prince Michael in favour of Russia, 

 the greater portion of his subjects could not be in- 



