HERR RADDE'S EXPERIENCES. 295 



and by his knowledge of the native dialects, has set him- 

 self seriously to work to study the customs and mamiers of 

 this sequestered mountain-tribe. This gentleman arrived 

 at Jibiani in company with a native priest, who served as 

 his introducer to the villagers. He found them engaged 

 in hostilities with the neighbouring hamlet of Murkmur, 

 and men wounded in the skirmishes, which were of con- 

 stant occurrence, were brought in from time to time during 

 his stay. The Herr was here robbed of a horse, which was 

 only recovered after much trouble. To avoid the scene of 

 battle, instead of descending the valley, he made his way 

 across the mountains, and slept in the open air, in order 

 to pass through the village of Adisch by night, on account 

 of the ill-name borne by its inhabitants. At Pari, the former 

 residence of the native princes, and present post of Russian 

 Cossacks, he stayed for some days, collecting information 

 as to the language, ballads, and customs of the country. 

 The result of his experiences and researches he sums up 

 in the following words : — ' Amongst the Suanetians intelli- 

 gent faces are seldom found. In their countenances 

 insolence and rudeness are prominent, and hoary-headed 

 obstinacy is often united to the stupidity of savage animal 

 life. Amongst these people, individuals are frequently 

 met with who have committed ten or more murders, which 

 their standard of morality not only permits, but in many 

 cases commands. They are of a taciturn disposition, and 

 their manner when endeavouring to impose upon strangers 

 is most disagreeable.' 



I may add to this the opinion of Malte Brun, who says 

 of the Suanetians : — ' Nothing can equal their want of 

 cleanliness, their rapacity, and their skill in making 

 weapons. We may consider the Pthirophagi, or caters of 

 vermin, who according to Strabo inliabited this country, 

 as the progenitors of the Suanes.' No character can be 



