SOUTH COAST OF THE CRIMEA. 
return with him, and drink coffee. Every thing 
around his dwelling, placed in the midst of 
gardens, had an air of peace and repose. A 
marten had built its nest within his chamber ; 
and he had made holes in the window, for this 
bird to pass, in search of food for its young. 
This practice is not uncommon in the cottages 
of the Tahtars, who regard a visit from the 
marten as a favourable omen. The same super- 
stition may also be observed in different parts 
of Turkey ; and its prevalence among the lower 
order of people in England is well known'. 
Upon the tombs both of Turks and Armenians 
are often seen two little cavities, scooped in the 
stone by the relations of the deceased, and, by 
them, continually supplied with water; consi- 
dering it a good omen for the souls of deceased 
persons, that birds should come and drink upon 
their graves. Such Armenian tomb-stones, 
beautifully wrought in white marble , and covered 
with inscriptions, may now be considered almost 
as antiquities of the Crimea. They bear very 
( 1 ) “ This guest of summer. 
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, 
By his lov’d manmnry, that the heaven's breath 
Smells wooingly here : no jutty, frieze, buttress. 
Nor coigne of vantage, but this bird hath made 
His pendent bed, and procrcant cradle. Where they 
Most breed and haunt, I have observ’d, the air 
Is delicate.” Shakspeare, Macb. A.l. 5.6. 
