334 
CHER SON. 
CHAP 
VIII. 
Potemkin bestowed upon it many instances of 
patronage, and was partial to the place. Its 
fortress and arsenal were erected by him. We 
found its commerce to be so completely anni- 
hilated, that its merchants were either bankrupt, 
or they were preparing to leave the town, and 
to establish themselves elsewhere. They com- 
plained of being abandoned by the Emperor, 
who refused to grant them any support or pri- 
vilege. But it cannot be admitted that Cherson, 
by any grant of the Crown, would ever become 
a great commercial establishment; and it is 
strange that such a notion was ever adopted '. 
from a Scotchman named Gcddes. The Tomb of Howard is in the 
desert, about a mile from the town ; it was built by Admiral Mordvinof, 
and is a small brick pyramid, white-washed, but without any inscription. 
( Sec the. Vignette to this Chapter.) He himself fixed on the spot of his 
interment. He had built a small hut on this part of the steppe, where he 
passed much of his time, as the most healthy spot in the neighbourhood* 
The English burial-service was read over him by Admiral Priestman, 
from whom I hud these particulars. Two small villas have been built at 
no great distance; I suppose also from the healthiness of the situation, 
as it had nothing else to recommend it. Howard was spoken of with 
exceeding respect and affection, by all who remembered or knew him ; 
and they were many.** Heher s MS. Journal. 
(1) Scherer's promising view of its importance might have led to other 
hopes ; but this author’s prognostication of the advantages Russia might 
derive from the possession of the Crimea , has proved fallible. Speaking, 
however, of the commerce of Cherson in 1786, he says, “ Dans le cours de 
I'annee 1786, sa navigation occupoit cent trente-un batimens / savoir, 
quatrc-iringt-douze Ottomans , trente-deux Russes , et sept Autrichiens. 
L' importation consisloit cn fruits, vins, cabcliau, meubles, $c. Et I'expor- 
tation, enfroment, savon , chanvre, farine, fer, laincs , lin , cordages , tabac , 
bois ,” &c. Histoire Raisonnee du Comm, de la Russ, par Scherer, 
tom. II. p. 33. Paris, 1788. 
