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dress of the Caucasian mountaineers, the Cossacks remain true to
the orthodox faith and to the customs of their forefathers, whose
vernacular tongue has never been forgotten by them. The dress so
universally worn by the male sex, even from boyhood, in all parts
of the Caucasus, consists of a single-breasted garment, like a
frock-coat, but reaching almost to the ankles, tightened in closely
at the waist, with a belt from which are suspended dagger, sword,
and frequently a pistol, and having on either breast a row of ten
or twelve sockets, each of a size to hold a cartridge. A rifle,
which every man possesses, is slung across the back; and a tall
sheep-skin hat finished off at its summit with a piece of coloured
cloth completes the costume.

The number of Cossacks in Transcaucasia being very limited, for
a few only are stationed in each principal town, chiefly as an
escort to the governor of the province, their duties are performed
by _Chapars_, an irregular force, equally dashing horsemen, and
trained in like manner from early youth in those singular exercises
and breakneck evolutions for which the Cossacks of the Caucasus
have become so famous. Setting their horses at full gallop, they
will stand on the saddle and fire all around at an imaginary enemy;
or throw the body completely over to the right, with the left heel
resting on their steed's hind quarter, and fire as if at an enemy
in pursuit, or turn clean round, and sitting astride facing the
horse's tail, keep up a rapid fire. A favourite feat, among many
others, is to throw their hat and rifle to the ground, wheel, and
pick them up whilst going at the horse's fullest speed.

Should the traveller elect to proceed eastward, but north of the
great range, he will meet with the Kabardines, the first amongst the
Circassians to enter into friendly relations with Russia; they are
the "blood" of the Caucasus, a noble race, thoroughly domesticated,
hospitable to strangers, and useful breeders of cattle. To the
south of the Circassians, and occupying about one hundred miles of
the coast in the Black Sea, are the Abkhases, who have enjoyed the
reputation, from time immemorial, of being an indolent and lawless
race, anciently given to piracy, now addicted to thieving when the
opportunity is afforded them, for they are determinedly inimical
to strangers. Their mountains abound in forests of magnificent
walnut and box, where the enthusiastic sportsman will find the
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