218 
FROM THE CAPITAL OF THE CRIMEA, 
chap. 0 f the fortresses, and other buildings along the 
*■ " — y- ' coast, at Balaclava, and other parts of this small 
district, we shall not find more to interest a 
literary traveller, in any equal extent of territory. 
From the Monastery of St. George we returned 
to Aktiar, having promised to spend the re- 
mainder of the day with Prince Fiazemskoy. 
As there were no post-horses, he had kindly 
supplied us with his own; and his attentions, 
during the time we remained, demand our 
grateful acknowledgment. 
Afterwards, we set out again, by the common 
road, to Balaclava, with a view to examine that 
place, and then to traverse the whole coast, as 
far as Alusta. This journey not only compre- 
hends the finest scenery of the Crimea, but also 
completes our survey of its southern shore. So 
Balaclava • much has been said by travellers of the famous 
Falley of Baidar, that the Vale of Balaclava , 
although hardly surpassed by any scene in 
the Crimea, has hitherto escaped notice. The 
wild gigantic landscape, towards its southern 
extremity surrounding the town ; its mountains, 
ruins, and harbour; its houses covered by 
vines and flowers, or overshadowed by thick 
foliage of mulberry and walnut trees ; make it 
altogether enchanting. The ruins at Balaclava 
are those of the nAA AKION of Strabo ; whence 
