VALLEY OF TCHORGONA. 
to enjoy the delightful breezes of the evening — 
a fever ; in short, such is the dangerous nature 
of the climate to strangers, that Russia must 
consider the country as a coemetery for the 
troops which are sent to maintain its possession. 
This is not the case with regard to its native 
inhabitants, the Tahlars : the precautions they 
use, added to long experience, insure their 
safety. Upon the slightest change of weather, 
they are seen wrapped up in sheep-skins, and 
covered by thick felts ; while their heads are 
swathed in numerous bandages of linen, or 
guarded by warm stuffed caps, fenced with 
wool. 
The Tahtar Nobles of the Crimea, or Moorza, 
as they are called, by a name answering to the 
Persian word Mirza, so common in our Oriental 
tales, amount in number to about two hundred 
and fifty. Their dress is altogether Circassian, 
excepting that the cap is larger than the sort of 
covering worn on the head by the princes of 
Mount Caucasus. Their figure on horseback is 
in the highest degree stately. Among all 
the Crimean Tahtars, of whatsoever rank, an 
elegance of manners may be remarked : this, 
although perhaps common to Oriental nations, 
affords a striking opposition to the boorish 
figure of a Russian. It is diverting to see them 
