CALMUCKS. 
433 
of Russia. The canal has never been accom- c hap. 
plished, neither is it likely to be so, without v — ' 
the aid of foreign engineers ; and these the 
Russian Government may find difficulty in pro- 
curing. 
The Calmucks form large settlements in the 
neighbourhood of Taganrog. Their camps were 
numerous at the time of our visit : both Calmuck 
men and women were seen galloping their 
horses through the streets of the town, 
or lounging in the public places. Calmuck. 
women ride better than the men. A male 
Calmuck on horseback looks as if he was intoxi- 
cated, and likely to fall off every instant, 
although he never loses his seat : but the women 
sit with more ease, and ride with extraordinary 
skill. The ceremony of marriage among the Marriage 
Calmucks is performed on horseback. A girl is o/thTcw- 
first mounted, who rides off in full speed. Her mucks ‘ 
lover pursues : if he overtake her, she becomes 
his wife, and the marriage is consummated 
upon the spot : after this she returns with him 
to his tent. But it sometimes happens that the 
woman does not wish to marry the person by 
whom she is pursued : in this case she will not 
suffer him to overtake her. We were assured 
that no instance occurs of a Calmuck girl being 
thus caught, unless she have a partiality for her 
2 f 
VOL. I. 
