304 Mr. Bell on the growing power of Russia. 
posé of Julien Klaproth on the increase of the Russian power in 
this part of Asia, and it is easy to perceive, from the whole tone of 
the communication, how much he and his collaborateurs at Paris 
are delighted with the subject, and are joyfully anticipating its 
farther extension, as the great mean of annihilating British domi- 
nation and influence in continental Asia. It is impossible, from 
the want of a full and accurate map of Asiatic Russia, to trace 
clearly the new line of demarcation, and we must just wait till the 
Russians think proper to give it us. It must be remarked, how- 
ever, that the great Kirguisian horde, supericr in power and num- 
bers to both the small and middle hordes taken tegether, still re- 
tains its independence. The population of the small and middle 
hordes is estimated at 60,000 tents, which, at 10 to a tent, gives a 
total of 600,000 persons, whilst that of the great horde is given at 
120,000 tents, or 1,200,000 persons. But the population of noma- 
dic tribes is matter of mere conjecture. But supposing the esti- 
mate to be correct, Russia has gained a farther accession of 220,0€0, 
square miles, and 600, 000 new "subjects to her wide-extended Asia- 
tie dominions. The Asiatic acquisitions will stand thus :— 
From Turkey, 60,000 square miles, 
From Persia, 80,000 ditto. 
From Kirguis, 220,000 ditto. 
360,000 square miles. 
It is impossible, for want of documents, to state the amount of 
acquired population in the above cessions ; but we are sure, melud- 
ing the population of the Georgian principalities already given, it 
cannot be less than 6,000,060, to which, 1f 591,000 square miles, 
for her European acquisitions, before detailed, from Sweden, Po- 
land, and Turkey, and about 16,000,000 of additional population, 
stated in round numbers, Russia has acquired, since the commence- 
ment of the 13th century, it will make a total of 951,000 square 
miles of territory, and 22,000,000 of subjects; and this is by no 
means an exaggerated statement, for, by another anonymous cal- 
culation given in the Aszatic Magazine for June 1826, Russia is 
stated to have acquired 30,000,000 of inhabitants, and 100,000 
German square miles of territory since 1725. One good result has 
already taken place since the Russians became Here of Northern 
Toorkistaun : That caravans can now traverse the Kirguisian Step 
with safety, whether from Bokhara or Kokaund on the south, or 
Russia on the north. ‘The intercourse is now laid open, and in- 
stead of plundering and pillaging caravans and travellers as for- 
merly, the Kirguis now escort and protect them. The value of 
goods sent to Bokhara als the caravans, now amounts to 20,000,000 
of roubles annually. In the first five months of 1826, three cara- 
vans went from Petropaulevskei, ce nsisting of 101 ‘camels, and 
“372 carts loaded with merchandize: two of these caravans were 
destined fer the Kirguis Steps, and the other for Kokaund. © The 
