DEPARTURE FROM TIFLIS. 
153 
My route from Tiflis to Tabreez leading through both these 
latter chains, I shall defer mentioning the particular features of 
each, till they present themselves in the further details of my 
journey. The time arrived, for its recommencement. On the 
same day, the 7th of November, the gentlemen who had com¬ 
posed the recent embassy from Russia to Persia, were to set 
forth on their return to St. Petersburgh; and, as the usual 
northern passage over the Caucasus was still impassable, from 
the effects of the late avalanche, it was decided they should 
take the road through Derbent and Kislar. As this route lay, 
for one day’s march, in the same direction with my own, I joined 
their party, for that short distance. We set out from the Governor- 
general’s house, about three o’clock in the day. It was a 
fine afternoon; and His Excellency followed up his other kind¬ 
nesses, by seeing us some part of the way. The road, which is 
indebted to him for its freedom from many old impediments, 
takes the sweep of the western bank of the Kur; running along 
the foot of a range of hills, till they break off abruptly, near 
Saganlook, our projected halting-place. On looking back to 
Tiflis, that city wears a very different appearance, on this side, 
from that which intimidates the traveller on his advance from 
the Mskett road. Here, the view is more open ; and its hills, 
and rocks, seem to lose their blackness and sterility, as they turn 
their backs on the north. Gardens and vineyards, shaded with 
tall poplar-trees, shelve down to the river, brightening the stream 
with their waving reflections ; and giving, by such cheerfulness, a 
sort of stirrup-cap to the spirits of the departing traveller, which 
makes full amends for the dolorous impressions that damped 
his approach. 
About five wersts from the city, its hospitable Governor- 
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