484 TRANSCAUCASIA. 



iinhealtliy, and is besides rendered difficult of access froni 

 the interior by the numerous streams (of which the Ingur is 

 the largest) flowing out of the mountains, none of which 

 the Russians have as yet succeeded in bridging. The future 

 Transcaucasian Railway is to begin at Poti, and endeavours 

 are being made to deepen the bar of the Rion, and convert 

 its second mouth into a harbour. Colonel Schauroff, the 

 officer in charge of the works, is firmly persuaded of the 

 eventual success of the scheme which he has himself origi- 

 nated, and is endeavouring to execute ; but, as is often the 

 case, his superiors do not share his convictions, and their 

 half-hearted support and scanty doles are likely to delay 

 indefinitely the completion of the proposed works. 



On the morning of the 6th we made the first break in 

 our party. rran9ois left us on board the Batoum steamer 

 to find his way home to Chamonix by Constantinople and 

 Marseilles. Later in the day we embarked with Paul on 

 board the small but prettily-fitted boat which was to convey 

 us to Soukhoum-Kale. The sunset was fine, but clouds hung 

 over the Caucasian chain, and deprived us of our last 

 chance of seeing Elbruz, which in clear weather is plainly 

 distinguishable from shipboard. At daybreak on the 7th 

 we were at anchor in the bay of Soukhoum-Kale, alongside 

 the larger steamer to which we were to be transferred for 

 the further voyage. The town, a small seaport, is situated 

 at the head of a southward-facing bay ; a short distance 

 inland the country rises in graceful wooded hills, but 

 Soukhoum-Kale stands on the level marshy shore, and is 

 very unhealthy. Its only sights are some wonderful 

 weeping-willows in the main street, dignified as a boule- 

 vard, and a botanical garden, or rather plantation of exotic 

 trees. There was much ripe fruit there — grapes, pears, 

 and plums — well guarded by a sturdy youth, who assured 

 us they were all reserved for the consumption of a General, 



