KUBAN TAHTARY. 
of embroidered velvet, and the richest silks and 
cloths of every variety of colour; wearing at 
the same time short cropped hair, giving to his 
head the appearance of the finest busts of the 
antient Romans. The distinctive mark of a 
Black-Sea Cossack, borne by the lower order 
among them, of a braided lock from the crown 
of the head, passing behind the right ear, is 
retained even by the officers ; but it is concealed 
by the younger part of them, with very artful 
foppery, among their dark hair. They seemed 
ashamed to have it noticed ; although, like a 
relic on the breast of a Catholic, it is pre- 
served even with religious veneration ; and 
there was not one of them who would not 
sooner have parted with his life, than with this 
badge of the tribe to which he belonged. The 
custom is of Polish origin : but in this part of 
the world, it serves like a sign among Free- 
masons ; and it distinguishes the Tchernomorski 
Cossack from the Cossack of the Don, as well as 
from every other tribe of Cossacks in the Russian 
empire. The Tchernomorski are more cheerful 
and noisy than the Don Cossacks ; turbulent in 
their mirth ; vehement in conversation ; some- 
what querulous; and, if not engaged in dispute, 
are generally laughing or singing. The Cossacks 
of the Don hold this people in little estimation, 
