298 
VALLEY OF TCHORGONA. 
chap, converse together : the Tahtar has, in common 
v — with the Russian, an impetuosity and eagerness 
in uttering his expressions ; but it is zeal very 
differently characterized. The Tahtar may be 
said to exhibit the playful flexibility and varying 
posture of the leopard; while the Russian, rather 
resembling the bear, is making an aukward 
parade of his paws. The dress of a Tahtar 
nobleman displays as much taste as can be 
shewn by a habit which is necessarily decorated 
with gold and silver lace : it is neither heavily 
laden with ornament, nor are the colours tawdry. 
The nobles sometimes delight in strong contrast, 
by opposing silver lace to black velvet, for their 
caps; scarlet or rose-coloured silk to dark 
cloth, for their vest or pelisse ; but, in general, 
the dress of a Tahtar of distinction is remarkable 
for its simple elegance, as well as for its clean- 
liness. Their favourite colour in cloth is drab ; 
and the grey or white wool, for their winter 
caps, is, of all other ornaments, the most in 
esteem. The Russian peasant, being of a dimi- 
nutive race, and connected with the Laplander, 
as the next link in the chain between him and 
the pigmy, is naturally of a lively disposition ; 
he is never completely aukward, except when 
Result, metamorphosed as a soldier. The moment he 
enters the ranks, all the brisk and cheerful 
expression of his countenance is gone; he 
