316 
CALMUCKS. 
CHAP. 
XII. 
' 1 
Personal 
Appear- 
ance of 
Calmucks. 
common in Russia ) with knuckle-bones 1 . We 
delighted them by making a scramble with a few 
copeeks. They were quite naked, and perfectly 
black. Farther off, a herd of their dromedaries 
were grazing. 
Of all the inhabitants of the Russian empire, 
the Calmucks are the most distinguished by pe- 
culiarity of feature and manners. In personal 
appearance, they are athletic and revolting. 
Their hair is coarse and black; their language 
harsh and guttural. They inhabit Thibet, Bu- 
charia, and the countries lying to the north of 
Persia, India, and China; but, from their vagrant 
habits, they may be found in all the southern 
parts of Russia, even to the banks of the Dnieper. 
The Cossacks alone esteem them, and intermarry 
with them 2 . This union sometimes produces 
(1) The Astragalismus ; in which game we find the origin of dice, 
chess , nine-pins , &c. 
(2) in opposition to this remark, it is stated in Mr. f teller's Journal, 
that Cal muck servants are greatly esteemed all over Russia , for 
their intelligence and fidelity ami we rpcollect seeing some of them 
in that capacity among English families in Petersburg. The most 
remarkable instance ever known of an expatriated Calmuck, was that 
of an artist employed by the Earl of Elgin, whom we saw (a second 
Anacharsis, from the plains of Scythia) executing most beautiful de- 
signs among the Kuins of Athens. Some Russian family had pre- 
viously sent him to finish his studies in Rome, where he acquired 
the highest perfection in design. He had the peculiar features, and 
many of the manners, of the nomade Calmucks. 
