TAGANROG. 
427 
prospect of the Sea of Azof, and all the Euro- ci iap. 
pean coast, to the mouths of the Don. Azof ■ — . — 
itself is visible, in fair weather, from the heights 
of the citadel. At present, the number of in- 
habitants does not exceed five thousand. The 
water, as in the Don, is very unwholesome 
when the winds carry off" the salt water ; but 
when a current sets in from the sea, it is more 
salutary. The foundation of a town, intended 
for the metropolis of the empire, in a place liable 
to insuperable disadvantages, was not one of the 
wisest plans of Peter the Great. The water 
here is so shallow, that no haven could possi- 
bly have been constructed, unless by forming 
canals at an expense beyond all calculation. 
The ships now performing quarantine lie off at 
the distance of ten miles ; and all vessels, 
drawing from eight to ten feet water, cannot 
approach nearer to the town than fifteen versts. 
Taganrog formerly contained seventy thousand 
inhabitants ; but, in consequence of a capitula- 
tion made with the Turks, the original city was 
entirely rased. Its revival may be referred to 
the establishment of the Armenian colony at 
Nahhtshivan. At present, all the best houses are 
in its suburbs. The citadel contains a misera- 
ble village, full of ruins ; exhibiting, at the same 
time, traces of considerable works, now aban- 
doned. The inhabitants entertain hopes that 
