CROWN TAX. m 



off the first young woman who suited their 

 fancy and came in their way. 



At the present day the Svans pay a tax 

 to Russia of one rouble thirty kopecks per 

 annum for each family — a tax excessively light 

 when compared to the eight roubles per 

 annum levied on every family, rich and poor 

 alike, in the neighbouring government of 

 Radcha. But in Radcha the government 

 does something in return for the tax levied ; 

 the roads are kept in excellent repair, and the 

 laws are so enforced as to be strictly respected 

 throughout the province. As there are no 

 roads worthy the name in Svanetia, and no one 

 seems to believe in the existence of laws, I am 

 bound to confess that, light as it is, the Crown 

 tax of one rouble thirty kopecks is quite as 

 much as the Svans ought to be expected to 

 pay for the privilege of being governed. 



The family circle in Svanetia is in most 

 cases a large one for a single home, as, until 



