440 



RUSSIA IN EUEOPE. 



A far better harbour is that of Mariupol, founded in 1779 a little above the 

 junction of the Kalmius and Katchik or Kalka Eivers. But although its exports 

 are valued at about £1,330,000, it has no import trade, and its shipping 

 amounted in 1877 only to 550 vessels of 132,458 tons. Its so-called Greek 

 inhabitants, originally from the Crimea, have forgotten their Hellenic tongue, 

 but the Bazarianes from the same place still speak Tatar. Berdansh, a little 

 farther down the coast, dates only from 1830, and, although still without railway 

 communication with the interior, ships large quantities of corn, and had a total 

 export trade of £3,410,000 in 1878. Its future commercial prosperity is insured 

 by its deep harbour, good anchorage, and convenient situation near the great 

 bend of the Lower Dnieper, constituting it the natural outport of that river on the 

 Sea of Azov. 



