FROM THE CIRCASSIAN FRONTIER, 
constant croaking, joined with the barking of 
dogs and the lowing of herds, maintained in 
the midst of darkness an unceasing uproar. It 
was our intention to travel during all hours, 
without halting for any repose; but various 
accidents compelled us to stop at Kourhy about 
midnight, a military station like the rest; and no 
subsequent sensation of ease or comfort has 
ever obliterated the impression made by the 
sufferings of that night. It was near the middle 
of July. The carriage had been dragged, for 
many miles, through stagnant pools : in fording 
one of these, it had been filled with water : the 
dormeuse , seat, floor, and well, became, in con- 
sequence, covered with stinking slime. We 
stopped therefore to open and to inspect the 
trunks. Our books and linen were wet. The 
Cossack and Russian troops were sleeping upon 
the bare earth, covered with sacks : beneath 
such a tester, a soldier permitted Mr. Cripps to 
lie down. The ground seemed entirely alive, 
with innumerable toads, crawling everywhere. 
Almost exhausted by fatigue, by pain, and by 
heat, the author sought shelter within the 
carriage, sitting in water and mud. Ihe ait 
was so sultry, that not a breath of wind could 
be felt; nor could he venture to open the 
windows, although almost suffocated, through 
fear of the mosquitoes. ' Swarms, nevertheless, 
