16 
KHERSON. 
obelisk of whitish stone, sufficiently high to be conspicuous at 
several miles’ distance. The hill on which it stands, may be 
about three wersts out of the direct road, and has a little village 
and piece of water at its base. The whole is six wersts from 
Kherson, and forms a picturesque as well as interesting object. 
The evening having closed when I arrived at the tomb, I could not 
distinguish its inscription; but the name of Howard would be 
sufficient eulogy. At Kherson I learned that the present em¬ 
peror has adopted the plans, which the great philanthropist for¬ 
merly gave in to the then existing government, for ameliorating 
the state of the prisoners. Such is the only monument he would 
have desired, and it will commemorate his name for ever; 
while that of the founder of the pyramids is forgotten — so much 
more imperishable is the greatness of goodness, than the great¬ 
ness of power! 
Kherson is a very considerable town, on the right bank of the 
Dnieper, the ancient Borysthenes. It owes its existence to 
Prince Potemkin. In consequence of its defensive position, and 
proximity to the mouth of the river, government has since 
elevated it into a naval depot, for the fleet on this side of the 
empire. Its arsenal is very complete, possessing stores of every 
kind, requisite for the equipment of any necessary maritime 
armament. Under such an arrangement, it seems rather out of 
the way, that the admiral-commander-in-chief should have his 
head-quarters at so distant a place as Nicolaieff, where the de¬ 
mand for his vigilant eye can bear no comparison with its use at 
Kherson. 
At a few wersts from the town we crossed the Ingouletz river 
on a very ill-constructed raft; and on reaching the bank an acci¬ 
dent happened to my carriage, in getting on shore, which gave 
