COSSACKS OF THE BLACK SEA. 19 
afflict those who reside here. In the environs, chap. 
x. 
however, the air is better. Perhaps, when the > > 
ground is cleared, so as to admit of a free 
circulation, and thoroughly cultivated by the 
increase of gardens, the health of the inhabitants 
will be less injured; but, owing to its damp 
situation, and to the vicinity of extensive 
marshes on the Circassian side of the Kuban, 
Ekaterinedara is never likely to become a 
desirable place of residence. The very founda- 
tion of the city took place only eight years 
previous to our arrival ; so that it still possessed 
all the appearance of a colony newly transported 
to the wildernesses of America, maintaining a 
struggle with inhospitable natives, impenetrable 
woods, and an unwholesome climate. The 
houses of the inhabitants were neater than our 
best English cottages. Each owner had before 
his door a large area, to which an avenue of 
the finest oaks conducted; also an adjoining 
garden, containing vines, water-melons, and 
cucumbers. The sunflower flourishes here 
without cultivation. Many plants, found only 
in our greenhouses, are the ordinary weeds 
of the plain. The climate, from a proximity 
to the mountains, is humid and cloudy; and 
it is often agitated by violent winds, accom- 
panied with thunder, and with sudden tem- 
pestuous rain. 
VOL. II. 
c 
