1833.] Russian Slaves. 237° 
under the charge and seal of two officers. It is opened by the Vizier, 
and first tasted by his people, and then by himself, when it is again 
sealed and dispatched to the King. The daily victuals of His Majesty 
undergo a like examination: the minister eats, he gives to those around 
him, they wait the lapse of an hour to judge of their effect, when they 
are locked up in a box and dispatched! His Majesty has one key and 
his minister another. Fruit, sweetmeats, and every eatable undergo 
the same examination, and we shall hardly suppose the good King of 
the Uzbeks ever enjoys a hot meal or a fresh-cooked dinner. Poison 
is in frequent request, as we may judge by the homely occupations of a 
‘minister of state. The rise of His Majesty himself to the throne he 
now holds is not however without strong suspicion of a free distribu- 
tion of such draughts ; but the detail of those events belongs to another 
portion of my subject. 
I expressed a wish soon after reaching Bokhdra to see some of 
the unfortunate Russians who have been sold into this country. One 
evening, a stout and manly looking person fell at my feet and kissed 
them. He was a Russian of the name of Gregory Putuxorr, who 
had been kidnapped when asleep at an outpost, about twenty-five 
years ago; he was the son of a soldier, and now followed the 
trade of a carpenter. I made him sit down with us, and give an 
account of his woes and condition. It was our dinner time, and the 
poor carpenter helped us to eat our pilao. Though but ten years of 
age when captured, he yet retained his native language, and the most 
ardent love to return to his country. He paid seven tillas a year to 
his master, who allowed him to practise his trade, and keep all he 
might earn beyond that sum. He hada wife and child, also slaves. ‘‘ I 
am well treated by my master,” said he, ‘‘ Igo where I chose, I asso- 
ciate with the people and personify the part of a Muhammedan, I appear 
happy, but my heart burns for my native land, where I would serve in 
the most despotic army with gladness. Could I but see it again, I 
would willingly die.. I tell you my feelings, but I smother them from 
the Uzbeks. I am yet a Christian, (here the poor fellow crossed himself 
after the manner of the Greek Church,) and I live among a people 
who detest with the utmost cordiality every individual of that creed. 
It is only for my own peace that I call myself a Muhammedan.” The 
poor fellow had acquired all the habits and manners ofan Uzbek, nor 
should I have been able to distinguish him but for his blue eyes, red 
beard, and fairer skin. He inquired of me with much earnestness if 
there were any hopes of him and his comrades being released; but I 
