ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. I73 



if present, Is made of thicker material, of cloth or fur. Upon state occa- 

 sions princes and nobles wear a coat of mail and full armor, instead of 

 the under <:!;arment. This coat of mail is ingeniously composed of polished 

 steel rings ; and from the hinder part and sides of the helmet, made in a 

 similar manner and pointed at top, a piece of the same durable network 

 hanirs down and serves as a defence to the neck and shoulders. The 

 armlets also are of polished steel. A broad black belt is tightly fastened 

 above the hips, and serves at the same time as a receptacle for the dagger 

 and pistols. A narrower one hangs around the hips, supporting the bow 

 and quiver with the arrows. The sabre seldom leaves the side of the 

 Circassian, even in the house. The common people wear clothes made of 

 coarser material, and almost always over them a cloak of fulled shaggy felt, 

 which they call biir/ci, and do not willingly lay aside even in the greatest heats 

 of summer. When the Circassian of the lower classes walks or rides abroad, 

 and takes with him neither sword nor gun, he never omits to arm himself with 

 a long, strong stick, furnished at top Avith a heavy iron knob, and at bottom 

 with a sharp ferule of the same metal almost two spans long, "which he can use 

 also as a javelin. {PI. 10, Ji.g\ 17, Circassian prince of the Great Kabardah ; 

 Jig. 18, Circassians of rank In the house dress ; and figs. 19 and 20. in war 

 equipments.) 



The women cover the head with a white cloth which lies flat over the 

 forehead and is fastened under the chin ; but the girls wear caps with 

 embroidery and lace similar to those of the men. The hair is braided Into 

 a thick plait behind, which they cover over with linen. The under 

 garment reaches to the ankles, and has long sleeves. It is open in front 

 and held together by lacings ; the over gown, whose sleeves are cut open, 

 Is not fastened at top in front. Women of rank choose different fancy 

 colors and fine stuffs for these articles of dress, and trim them with gold 

 and silver lace. Married Avomen wear wide trowsers, and all cover the 

 feet with close-fitting boots or rather socks, ornamented at the edges with 

 embroidery or lace ; and over these, when going abroad, they put on stilt 

 shoes. A broad belt or corset is secured or fastened with clasps around 

 girls after the tenth year, which compresses the Avalst very much, and is 

 not to be removed before their marriage. This small wasp-like waist is 

 considered a great beauty amongst the Circassians, as it frequently is 

 among Europeans and Americans also, much to the detriment of health ; 

 and in order that It may be retained for as great a length of time as 

 possible, but scanty food, chiefly pastry and milk, is given to girls. The 

 men also, as has been remarked above, endeavor to preserve their slender- 

 ness of figure. 



Concerning the habitations of the Circassians, Pallas observes : The 

 Circassians live in villages, which they desert from time to time either on 

 account of increasing uncleanliness or insecurity, (fee, taking with them 

 only the best spars and timbers of their dwellings, after having burnt the 

 remainder. They then choose another convenient site for their village, 

 and in case they do not find water in the immediate vicinity contrive to 

 conduct it thither by means of dams and small canals. They build their 



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