CHAP. XIII. 
CAPITAL OF THE DON COSSACKS. 
Arrival at Axay — Public Entry — Reception hj the Don 
Cossacks — Population of their Territory — View of the 
Don — Celebration of a Court Festival — Mode of Fasting 
— Analogy between the Don and the Nile — Natural 
Curiosities and Antiquities — Fishes — Extraordinary 
Appearance of Tcherkask— Inhabitants and Public Build- 
ings — Origin of the Cossacks — Causes of their Increase 
— Emigrations — Foundation of their Capital — Circas- 
sians — Commerce of Tcherkask — Polished Manners of 
the People — Remarkable Wager — Survey of the Town 
— Entire Houses moved — Diseases of the People — Greek 
Impostor — Depart ure from T cherkask. 
The Postmaster of Tuslovshaia met us, as chap. 
. . „ , , . , XIII. 
we drew near to ax ay. He had, without our v. , — 
