520 ALEXANDER MIRZA, A PRINCE OF GEORGIA. 
irreconcilably hostile to that power’s possession of his native 
country. In the first instance, he withdrew into Daghistan, a pro¬ 
vince of the Caucasus lying to the east of Georgia, and stretching 
in that direction to the border of the Caspian. The name 
Daghistan, implies a land of mountains, and it contains some 
of the most inaccessible of this branch of the Caucasian range, 
which runs directly through the heart of this country. The 
eastern side, towards the sea, commands the most level ground ; 
and on that shore we find the district and city of Derbent. It 
possesses a picturesque citadel, though situated at a rather 
unserviceable distance from the town and harbour; but I am 
told that part of the ancient wall named Gog and Magog, 
is very traceable near this old stronghold, and that its 
foundations may be tracked thence, running in a westerly di¬ 
rection, over even the highest mountains. This place, and its 
adjacent district, a position deemed of the greatest importance 
by all conquerors, whether Persians, Greeks, Arabs, &c., who 
could acquire its possession, is now the property of Russia. 
But the mountainous chain to the south-west, which gives 
the stupendous title of Daghistan to the whole province, being 
chiefly inhabited by the savage tribes of the Lesghees, is dis¬ 
tinguished by the name of Lesghistan. Their habitations, like 
those of the Courds of Tahite and the Daroo, are situated on 
the precipitous heights of the loftiest mountains; and their 
manners, if possible, more untameably fierce. Like the wild 
hordes of the Van, they are a nation of banditti, and from the 
remotest ages have preserved their barbarous freedom unvio¬ 
lated. It was amongst these unsubordinate men, that the son 
of Heraclius sought, not merely refuge, but revenge ; and 
leaguing with Sheik Ali Khan, their chief, his turbulent spirit 
fomented every aggression on their side, during the horrors of 
