nslation of which appeared at Gloucester in 1764, or contained in
other works, as an article in Pallas's New Memoirs of the North, were
perhaps still less consulted. Captain King's description, therefore,
supposing the subject in any degree entitled to notice, was neither
unnecessary nor unprofitable. It has been generally employed as the
basis of the subsequent accounts which have been inserted in
gazetteers and treatises of geography. But there have been several
works, entitled to the consideration of being original, published
since its appearance, from which some additions might be obtained, or
which point out reasons for correction,--not so much however, it is
proper to remark, because of errors committed by Captain K., as
because of alterations occurred in the country since his time. A few
of these, unfortunately not much for the better, have been stated, or
will be so, on the authority of one of the last visitors to
Kamtschatka, Captain Krusenstern. This gentleman, however, it ought to
be understood, admits the general accuracy of the previous accounts
given by Krascheninnikof, Steller, and King, and therefore, avoiding
repetition, restricts himself almost entirely to the mention of the
most material changes which have taken place during the last thirty
years. This will readily be allowed enough for our present purpose,
exclusive of any attention to the other productions which have treated
of Kamtschatka, in the intermediate period.--E.

[43] It is in the vicinity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Krusenstern
allows, that the climate is so unfavourable, and the soil, in
consequence, so ungrateful. But he specifies reasons for believing that
the middle provinces of Kamtschatska are equal, if not superior, to
many in European Russia, in respect of natural advantages, though
certainly far less indebted to the hand of man. He tells us, however,
that in the interior, several species of corn are brought to
perfection and many kinds of vegetables are cultivated. In his opinion
the climate is not so bad as it has generally been represented, and he
is convinced that the indolence of the inhabitants, and the incapacity
occasioned by the immoderate use of spirits, are far more in fault as
to the deficiency or unproductiveness of the soil, than the frequent
fogs which are so much complained of, or any