1T8 
K AIMUCS. 
ishing- than the acuteness of ‘their sight, and the extraordinary dis- 
tance at which they often perceive very minute objects, such as the 
dust raised by cattle or horses, and this from places very little 
elevated, in immense level deserts, though the particular inequalities 
of the surface, and the vapours which in tine weather are seen to 
undulate over the soil in great heats, considerably increase the diffi- 
culty. They are also accustomed to trace the print of a foot in these 
deserts by the sight alone. The Kalmucs possess many good quali- 
ties, which give them a very great superiority over the wandering 
Tartars. A certain natural sagacity, a social disposition, hospitality, 
eagerness to oblige, fidelity to their chiefs, much curiosity, and a certain 
vivacity accompanied with good-humour, which hardly ever forsakes 
even the most wretched among them, form the fair side of their 
character. On the other hand, they hre careless, superficial, and 
want true courage; they are credulous, and yet cunning and distrust- 
ful, and they have a great inclination, authorized by custom, for 
drunkenness and debauchery. They are less indolent than any other 
Asiatics, Those who exercise any trade, or who lend themselves to 
the Pt,ijssians for labour or for fishing, are very assiduous and inde- 
fatigable. They sleep but little, going to rest late, and rising with 
the sun. But their extreme dirtiness can neither be disguised nor 
justified : this, however, proceeds chiefly from their education. With 
regard to their intellectual faculties, notwithstanding their want of _ 
instruction and information, they possess good natural parts, an 
excellent memory, and a strong desire to learn. They acquire the 
Russian language with facility, and pronounce it well, in which last 
article they very much surpass the Chinese. Though generally of a 
sanguine and choleric temperament, they live more amicably together 
than could be expected in a people that lead so independent a life. 
They seldom come to blows even over their cups, and their quarrels 
are hardly ever bloody. A murder very rarely happens, though their 
anger has something in it exceedingly fierce. The Kalmucs are very 
affable, and of so social a disposition that they W'ill go many miles 
to salute a traveller, and to inquire into the object of his journey. 
When a troop of Kalmucs perceive any person at a distance, it is 
customarv for them to detach one of their number to the next emi- 
nence, from whence he makes a signal with his cap for the person to 
draw near. If this signal is not obeyed, the person is considered as 
an enemy or a robber, and is often pursued as such. They enter wil- 
lingly into friendships, but these connexions are not quite disin- 
terested, for to give and to receive presents are with them essential 
articles. A mere trifle, how'ever, is sufficient to induce them to do 
you all manner of service, and they are never imgrateful as far as 
they are able. Adversity cannot alter their courage, nor deprive 
them of good-humour. A Kalmuc wdll never beg, w'ere he in the 
extremest misery, but rather endeavour to acquire a subsistence by 
labour, or even by robbery. But they are very hospitable. A Kalmuc 
provided with a horse, arms, and equipage, may ramble ibrougli the 
country for months together, w'ithout taking with him either money or 
provisions. Wherever he comes he finds friends, from whom he 
meets with the kindest reception, and is entertained in the best man- 
