OF THE OLD WORLD. 3G1 



sliin cap, with the upper part embroidered, is com- 

 monly worn. 



Their villages consist only of "konaks" or log- 

 huts, plastered with clay inside, and seldom con- 

 taining more than one room. A wooden bench or 

 sedan runs all round, and one part, covered with 

 matting, serves as a bed. The only furniture or 

 garniture are the saddles, arms, and a few brass or 

 copper cooking utensils. 



The customs of ancient Sparta are in some de- 

 gree in force amongst them, the youths being 

 brought up in all bodily exercises calculated to in- 

 crease strength and agility — such as riding, run- 

 ning, wrestling, shooting, and they are accustomed 

 to endure hunger and fatigue. To fall in the field 

 is considered an honour, and to kill an enemy a 

 triumph ; stealing is also allowed and encouraged, 

 that is, provided it is not found out, for if the cul- 

 prit is detected, he is bound to restore the stolen 

 property sevenfold. Murder or crime is generally 

 punished by fine, more or less, according to the 

 rank of the victim. 



Some of the Kabardines and Abassians profess a 

 kind of Christianity, but they are a more degenerate 

 and treacherous race than the Circassians, who, 

 though cruel crafty enemies, are extremely hospit- 

 able and more to be depended upon. 



A petty chieftain, who lived with his tribe in the 

 mountains to the northward of Illori, dined with us:, 

 and as he spoke Turkish tolerably well and was 



