OP THE OLD WORLD. 369 



ploymcnts of a peaceful kind. They are divided into 

 several nations, tribes, and castes, which arc a^^aiii 

 subdivided. The principal are the Tclierkesses, the 

 Kabardines, the Abassians, the Mingrelians, and the 

 Georgians. The Tcherkesses, or Circassians, said to 

 be derived from the Tyches, (who settled in the 

 country several centuries ago,) are essentially moun- 

 taineers, and have many qualities in common with 

 the Scottish Highlanders of the olden day. Their 

 element is war, and they possess all the characteristics 

 peculiar to the inhabitants of lofty regions, being 

 divided into tribes and clans, each of which is 

 governed by a chief invested with the power of life 

 and death over his followers. They chiefly profess 

 the Mohammedan religion, but, having no written 

 language, their faith diff'ers considerably from that 

 of other Mussulmans ; a traditionary history and code 

 of laws, which has been transmitted from age to age, 

 and become hallowed from its antiquity, being sub- 

 stituted for the Koran. The old men act as judges, 

 and settle all the affairs of the community, subject 

 to the supreme authority of the chief, whose will is 

 law They are an exceedingly fine and handsome 

 race, the men being tall, well-made, and muscular, 

 though rather of slight build, with pleasing features, 

 flowing beards, and remarkably small hands and 

 feet. 



The dress of the common people in some respects 

 resembles that of the Tartars, but is more elegant ; 

 it consists of a sheepskin cap with high peak of gray 



