TO VVORONETZ. 
must, perhaps, be attributed to causes which 
may desolate the fairest cities of the world. It 
has experienced calamities, both of fire and 
water; and has been so often reduced to ashes, 
that its inhabitants dread even the sight of a 
tobacco-pipe. Seeing the author kindling his 
pipe, the Starosta of the place came to him, to 
request that he would not use it, especially in 
the open air, as a casual spark might again in- 
volve the inhabitants in flames. Near to the 
upper part of the village is an immense pool 
filled with water, which was formerly land, 
and covered with houses. Suddenly, subterra- 
neous waters, penetrating the soil, rendered it 
so loose, that the ground, with all the houses, 
in one night gave way, and the place was trans- 
formed into a small lake, As the whole district 
is swampy, rendering the soil naturally loose 
and spungy, and water is found immediately 
below the surface, there is reason to apprehend, 
sooner or later, that all the land about it will 
experience the same alteration. This is rendered 
the more probable by an event which occurred 
a few years ago. At a small distance from this 
pool, or lake, is another, caused by a similar 
catastrophe. The inhabitants of Dedilof are pea- 
sants, living in the greatest poverty: their sole 
occupation is tillage. 
