CALMUCIvS. 
321 
be said of the Calmueks, that the greatest part C ” AP - 
of their life is spent in amusement. Wretched ' — v — 
and revolting as they seem, they would be 
indeed miserable, if compelled to change their 
mode of living for that of a more civilized 
people. Both Gmelin and Pallas relate, that 
they deem a residence in houses so insupport- 
able, that to 'Be shut up in the confined air of 
a close apartment, even for a short time, when 
under the necessity of going into towns, and 
making visits of embassy or commerce, is 
considered by them with a degree of horror. 
Among the diseases caused by their diet 
and want of cleanliness, may be mentioned 
the itch : to this they are very subject. Ma- 
lignant fevers are often fatal to them during the 
heat of summer. The venereal disease causes 
great ravages: it is said to prevail chiefly 
in those camps where their princes reside, 
and not to be often found among the lower 
orders. They give to this disorder a name 
very expressive of the estimation in which they 
hold their mode of life, by calling it “ The house 
disease 1 ." Having occasion hereafter to notice 
this people, we shall only now add the obser- 
vations of one of the celebrated travellers before 
mentioned ; who, after considering the privations 
(l) Or, rather, “ derived from those who live in houses." 
VOL. I. 
Y 
