KISLOVODSK. 389 



owes mucli to the care of the late Prince Woronzoff, the 

 general benefactor of Southern Russia, whose works and 

 name are equally remembered at Tiflis, Odessa, and in the 

 Crimea. The centre of the entrance-hall is occupied by an 

 hexagonal basin ten feet in diameter, in approaching which 

 a slight fizzing sound reaches the ear. This proceeds from 

 the great spring, which bursts out of the ground with 

 astonishing force, and is dignified by the Tcherkess name 

 of the Narzan, or ' Giant's draught.' The whole surface 

 of the basin is in a constant state of effervescence, owing 

 to the escape of the carbonic acid gas, and its appearance 

 resembles nothing so much as a gigantic goblet of very 

 effervescent seltzer-water. A long arcade, open on the 

 south to the sunshine, offers a promenade to the patients ; 

 the baths occupy portions of the same building, and there 

 is a small swimming-bath, with numerous separate ones, in 

 all of which the arrangements are of the best description. 

 We took advantage of Dr. Smirnov's proposal that we 

 should test the effects of the waters ; he warned us to keep 

 our heads well above the surface, a precaution necessary, 

 from the quantity of carbonic acid evolved. We found our 

 dip both invigorating and appetising, and returned quite 

 prepared to do justice to the sumptuous lunch provided by 

 the doctor, who, however, annexed one condition to the 

 entertainment — that in the matter of drinks we should 

 obey implicitly his prescription. This proved to be a 

 mixture of champagne and the water of the Narzan, a 

 preparation requirmg skill, principally, in maintaining the 

 just proportions. 



The park — which, owing to its shade and coolness, makes 

 Kislovodsk a favourite summer resort with all the officials 

 of Cis-Caucasia, and even with those of Tiflis— had next to 

 be visited. The first person we met was an old acquaint- 

 ance. General Orlovski, the Governor of Tiflis, from whom 



