TRAVELS IN CIRCASSIA. 363 



tight at the ankle, it shows to advantage the tiny 

 little white foot peering out from beneath. 



On the following morning we bade a tender adieu 

 to all these lovely damsels, who were paraded upon 

 the green by our host for that purpose. They formed 

 a most fascinating array. In front stood the two 

 daughters of the Bey in their richest attire, and 

 perched upon curiously-shaped pattens, which raised 

 the wearers five or six inches above the ground, and 

 which were richly mounted in silver. Behind them 

 a row of handmaidens waited in respectful attendance, 

 the children of serfs belonging to the great man, and 

 the humble companions of his own daughters. He 

 pointed with a dolorous expression to all this valuable 

 property rendered utterly worthless by the recent 

 firman, which forbids the exportation of slaves, and 

 which he knew perfectly well emanated from the 

 English. Here was an extensive stock-in-trade 

 thrown upon his hands ; and their proprietor found 

 himself deprived of his entire income, for girls have 

 hitherto been the only raw material of Circassia 

 which could be converted into money. The only 

 currency which ever found its way into the country 

 was in exchange for the female part of the popula- 

 tion ; and now that this source of revenue is cut off, 

 the owners will be compelled to barter them amongst 

 themselves for horses. Girls and horses are almost 

 convertible terms in Circassia, and are valued as 

 nearly as possible alike, though I am bound to say 



