KUBAN TAHTARY. 
20 
chap. Xu their new settlement, the Tchernomorski 
' ^ — ' still exhibit the mode of life common to them 
orTi'uPuo- before their migration from the Dnieper. By 
1>1( " this means, the Circassians, and even those ot the 
Russians who live among them or near them, 
are instructed in many arts of domestic comfort 
and cleanliness. Celebrated as they justly are 
for their skill in horsemanship, they yet acknow- 
ledge themselves inferior in this respect to the 
Circassians ; whose light bodies, lightly accoutred, 
upon the fleetest horses in the world, outstrip 
them in the chace. Yet it is not perhaps possible 
to behold a more striking figure than that of a 
Tchernomorski Cossack mounted and equipped for 
war. It is then only he may be said to exist, 
and in his native element ; brandishing his long 
lance in the air, bending, turning, or halting 
suddenly when in full speed, with so much 
graceful attitude, and such natural dignity, 
that the horse and the rider seem to be as 
one animal. 
Dress and 
External 
Api>ear- 
ance. 
The reins of government are entirely in the 
hands of the Ataman and his officers, who wear 
the most theatrical and splendid habits known 
to any people in the world. Their breasts are 
covered with chains of gold and gold lace. 
Their sabre is Turkish ; their boots, of red ot 
yellow-coloured leather; their cap, of black 
