COSSACKS OF THE BLACK SEA. 7 
been much misrepresented; although, among chap. 
a people consisting of such various nations and w — J 
characters, we certainly could not have tra- 
velled without an escort. The road, if the 
plain unaltered earth may admit of such an 
appellation, was covered with stragglers, either 
going to or coming from the scene of war. 
Their figure, dress, and manner, were un- 
like any thing seen in Europe ; and however 
good the opinion may be that we still enter- 
tain of this people, it were trusting too much 
to mere opinion, to advise any traveller to 
venture among them unprepared to encounter 
danger, where the temptation to commit acts of 
hostility, and the power of doing so, exist so 
eminently. They do not resemble the Cossacks Distin- 
of the Don, in habits, in disposition, or in any from the 
other characteristic. The Cossacks of the Don all ITk^'- 
wear the same uniform : those of the Black Sea 
wear any habit suiting their caprice. The Don 
Cossack is mild, affable, and polite: the Black- 
Sea Cossack is blunt, and even rude, from the 
boldness and martial hardihood of his manner. 
If poor, he appears clad like a primeval shep- 
herd, or the wildest mountaineer; at the same 
time having his head bald, except one long 
braided lock from the crown : this is placed 
behind the right ear. If rich, he is very lavish 
in the costliness of his dress, which consists 
