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from the Travels of M M. Pallas and Gmelin.

improved them afterwards, and at length conftructed new ones. The number of these establishments at prefent exceeds 100. They are built for the moft part in a parallel direction with the river, but fometimes alfo perpendicularly to it; always close to the bank, or, at the veryutmoft, at the diftance of only a couple of musket. fhots. Thefe ftanitzas look more like large or moderate villages than towns; as being neither surrounded by walls, nor ramparts, nor even pallifades. Some of them, however, are provided with cannons placed near the entrance and the forties. Kafanka, Piatifbenfkaia, and Cimlienskaia, are reckoned the moft confiderable. Every ftanitza forms a parifh. The churches are lofty, and take up a large fite, as well for the principal building as for the fmaller ones contiguous to it, which are of wood, as are the houses of the place, a very small number excepted. Not withstanding this circumftance, the houfes are good, well-built, convenient, and each of them perfectly infulated from all the reft. The apartments are provided with good chimnies. Several of the houses have galleries, and fuch as are on an elevated fituation have excellent cellars. The fitting-rooms are furnished with hangings; and an air of neatnefs, and even elegance, prevails throughout. Such of the houses as have been recently built are much improved beyond the others; and the Kofacs do not deny that it was in Pruffia they firft learned to know the comforts of handfome habitations, as well as the manner of building them; and that this excited them to have the like. The wall in the moft confpicuous part of a chamber is almoft all covered over with the pictures of faints; and wealthy perfons are not fparing in the various ornaments that luxury hath invented.

Each stanitza is commanded by a
VOL. IV. No 20.

97

chief or Attaman, elected every years who is always one of their own bo-. dy. When this officer has the art of rendering himself agreeable, he is frequently continued longer in his dignity; but this is only to be done by a new election, which cannot be difpenfed with. The falary of an Attaman is not in every place the fame. Some have twelve, others fifteen, and others to the amount of thirty-five rubles per annum. The chiefs of the ftanitzas on the postroad have larger appointments, as they have more to do. Neither is their revenue confined to their pay, as they receive numberlefs prefents, which generally prove a confiderable augmentation to it. The Attamant exercifes over all the Kofacs in fubordination to him the highest degree of jurifdiction, terminates all diffe rences that are not of very great importance, and fees to the execu tion of the orders of the Imperial Court, and thofe of the governor, who refides at Ticherkask. He punifhes delinquents either by imprifonment or the corporeal infliction of the batogues; in cafes of weighty concern he makes his report to the chancery of Tfcherkafk. The Yeffaul is his colleague, or rather the executor of his orders, which it is his duty to make known to the Kofacs. When any Imperial veffels are going down the Don, or if horses are to be provided, he gallops about the whole ftanitza, calling out, that no Kofac is to retire under the penalty of three rubles forfeit; but that every perfon is to hold himself in readinefs to do whatfoever he fhall be commanded. Whenever he convokes them together, he gives them all the title of Attamans, in token of the equality that fubfifts among them. When they are affembled, and formed into a circle, the Attaman places himself in the midst, and then the commonalty apportionated the proportion of public work that N

is to be performed by each as they all think proper. At fuch times they fhow him the greatest refpect; though, at others, no perfon takes the trouble to falute him with his cap. The fines and forfeits that fall remain in common, and are generally drunk out in the ftanitznaia. This flanitznaia, and the taboun, are the two public places in every ftanitza; for it is there that the Attaman caufes the inhabitants to be affembled; and, after having impofed filence, propounds to them whatever concerns the public welfare. The ftanitznaia is at the fame time a prifon, before which perfons convicted of crimes are punished with the fcourge. The taboun is a place without the fanitza, not always at the fame diflance; and is a place, among others, where they are obliged to lead the horses they are commanded to furnish. Whenever they are to proceed to a campaign, all the horfes of the ftanitza are in like manner brought to this place; where, after they have undergone a ftrict examination, the best are chofen out for the expedition.

In fome few of the ftanitzas they have ftill ftarchini, who are people that have formerly ferved in campaigns as colonels of the Kofacs, and after having returned home, take the chief command of one of these ftanitzas, and have an Attainan under them. Thefe colonels are appointed by the commander of all the Kofacs of the Don, the At taman in chief at Tfcherkafk; but they receive no pay except when in actual fervice.

No merchants or traders are to be met with among the Kofacs, who alio pride themselves on the profoundeft ignorance. Nor can one fee a ingle perfon, even among the moit diftinguished, even the flighteft tinc ture of knowledge either in the Iciences or the arts. It is the laborious Maloruffians who live a

mongst them, that do the principal of their work, partly for a fixed falary, and partly instead of the tribute they are forced to pay the chiefs in quality of ferfs. It is of them likewife that the Kofacs purchase their ftrong liquors, they being prohibited to diftil them.

It can only be attributed to the negligence and floth of the Kofacs, that they know not how to value the excellence of their lands, and leave them without cultivation. An extent of country, containg 600 versts in length, and whofe exceffi breadth has not yet been afcertained; a country to which the bountiful Parent of mankind hath granted, in every part, the moft fertile foil; fituated, moreover, in a northern latitude from fifty-two to forty-fix degrees, where they might, from the advantage of its pofition, cultivate in abundance every production of the warmer climates: fuch a country is quite a defert for the greatest part, and wearies the eye with continued fterility. Agriculture is never followed but from the most urgent neceffity; and no more corn is fown than they muft confume in the courfe of the year: fo that if the harvest fhould at any time happen to fail, they neceffarily fuffer an univerfal dearth. The gardens, perceptible here and there, produce the most delicious fruits; the latest of which are in full maturity as foon as the month of Auguft begins. But the Kofacs prefer damfons to all other fruits, because they can fill their carts with them without farther trouble.

Tfeherkafk, the capital of all these people, borders on the Don to the north and weft; towards the fouth it is washed by the Vaftiefka, à river that takes its rife five verfts from the town, and proceeds to fall into the Don, near the spot where was formerly the fort of St Ann. On the western fide it extends al

moft

Biographical Traits of the real Flaherty in the Weft Indian. 99

moft as far as the river Axai, which the Kofacs alfo call Donetz. This town pretends to scarce more than a century of antiquity. It was on returning from the unfortunate campaign of Altrachan that the build ing of it was undertaken. It arrived not all at once at that pitch of great, nefs which enables it at prefent to difpute precedence with other confi derable towns of Ruffia; but, like them, Ticherkask has augmented by degrees. The inundations it experiences, especially in fpring, are very great, and reach to the diftance of ten verfts inland. What is worfe is, that the great floods, having no determinate time for affuaging, continue fometimes to the beginning of July, and even to the end of that month, and confequently render the town unwholefome. The houfes where the inundations are most prevalent are built upon piles; and it often happens, that there is no communication from one of thefe

houfes to another, excepting by boats, as the very bridges are often carried away. The fortifications of the town are conftructed of timber, and have nothing very dreadful in their appearance. Here are fome Kalmuc- Kofacs who have embraced the Greek religion, and connec themselves very frequently in marriages with the real Kofacs. This latter nation obtains its falt from the lakes of Monotski in the fteppe * of Kuban; but, for fecuring it from the attacks of the Tartars, they are obliged to attend it in troops, under arms and on horfeback, and with the moft vigilant precautions. This falt is formed on the furface of the water like flakes of ice. In time of peace, it fells for ten or fifteen copeeks the pood; and, in time of war, from fifty copeeks to a ruble. Tfcherkafk is no longer the mart of commerce with the Turks fince the fortrefs of St Demetrius has taken it to itself.

Biographical Traits of the real Flaherty in the Weft Indian †. AMONG the various biographical notes which are occafionally regiftered in your valuable mifcellany, I hope the following may be thought worthy of a place. Oftenfible characters have undoubtedly the beft claim, especially when they convey to us a ground of ferious confideration.

was much refpected both by the no

The character of Major O'Flaherty, in the comedy of the Weft Indian, is not a fictitious one, but copied from the original in the perfon of Colonel O'B-ne; who diftinguished himself during many years fervice in the Auftrian army, and is now retired upon a penfion of about 200l. per ann. with a brevet de colonel. The laft time I faw him was at the court of Bruxelles in the year 1774, where he then refided, and * Defart.

blee and the military, who paid him all the honours due to fo brave and honeft a veteran; a man whofe courage has stood the test of every trial; whofe intrepidity was beyond example in dangerous encounters. Without the leaft effeminacy, he was fometimes rather too blunt and uncouth; which, however, fo far from giving offence, added new lustre to his actions: difdaining every fymptom of duplicity, he was often too open and fincere. Thefe qualities, joined to his gallant bravery, were always ready to vindicate any affront offered either to himfelf or his friends. Refpecting the first, he generously condefcended to expoftulate before a challenge: in the other cafe, he food forward the arbiter of difN 2

↑ Gent. Mag.

putes

putes, the mediator in quarrels; and if the offending party obftinately refused to submit to his decifions, he had a fure way to bring him to reafon he immediately efpoufed the caufe of the injured or infulted, and made himself a fecond where he could not be admitted as principal. In the numberless engagements which he had of this fort, he was never known to have embarked with rafhnefs or in a wrong caufe. His idea of military virtue, and the point of honour was fo great, he would not fuffer the leaft reflection to be caft on either; notwithstanding, he was a cheerful companion, a folid friend, and of a generous fpirit; but an implacable enemy to every fpecies of meannefs, which he always either corrected, or exposed to the fevereft ridicule. In a few words, he was the advocate of the diftreffed, and the chaftifer of the infolent.

The coachman of a Flemish Baron had defignedly, and contrary to the etiquette of rank, drove againft and damaged the carriage of the Duke of St Alban's. This coming to the ears of the colonel, he infifted that the Duke should fend a meffage to the Baron, demanding an apology for his fervant's conduct; but the latter not complying, he accompanied the Duke to the Baron's coun❤ try-feat, requiring fatisfaction for the indignity done to one of his Grace's high rank; giving him to understand, that he was come as champion for the Duke; upon which the intimidated Baron fubmiffively afked pardon.

Being formerly an officer of Pandours in the Hungarian army, he was fent to Vienna charged with difpatches from the general, containing the relation of fome important advantages. The colonel, at that time only a private officer, unknown at court, and little acquainted with the place, or the ufual ceremonials be Junging to it, was impatient to be

admitted to the Queen; but, wanting the proper form of introduction, he remained fome time unnoticed in the antichambers; till at length the Emperor accidentally paffing, and attracted by his manly figure and particular drefs, very graciously enquired his business. Our honeft Hibernian, not knowing the perfon of the Emperor, but won by his pleafing manner of addrefs, complained of the inattention he had received, more especially as he poffeffed confequential matter in his dispatches, which he declared he would deliver to his Royal Miftrefs only. The Emperor, who till then had been occupied in admiring his martial appearance and ignorant fimplicity of court rules, now made himfelf known: when O'B-ne, fomewhat confufed at this unexpected declaration, immediately inclined with refpect at the Imperial prefence, and presented the packet. The Emperor, reading the letter, with the other hand conducted him to the Queen, where he was favourably received, and both feemed much pleafed at the firmnefs and integrity of his behaviour; which, joined to other circumstances tending to his reputation, they rewarded by advancing him to the rank of major; wherein he diftinguished himself still more by his courage and ftrict regard to difcipline. Many other laudable anecdotes might here be recorded of him; thefe will fuffice to give a fketch of his character. The author of the play has only drawn the outlines of the picture; the colouring is too faint, and not equal to the merit of the original. Mr Moody is ftill further removed in his reprefentation: I have feen him perform the part of Major O'Flaherty, where we could only trace the manner of a fubaltern, not the femblance of a polished gentleman in a confpicuous military flation. The Auftrian and French annals can bring forward more than one example in natives of

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On the Influence of Fashion.

our fifter kingdom, who have rifen by their valour and abilities to a fuperiority of rank in thofe armies, whose names are too fufficiently known to require a particular fpecification in this place. It is much to be lamented that men of fuch acknowledged merit fhould be forced into a foreign service through a point

THE

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of confcience, and excluded from ferving at home by the prefent tenor of our laws. Several of this defcription, whom I have converfed with in my travels, frankly confeffed how pleafing it would be to them to join their legal ftandard, provided no reftraints were laid on their religious principles. O-V-R,

On the Influence of Fashion.

HE influence of fashion feems to be as extensive as it is changeable. Not only the cut of the coat and the cock of the hat are regulated by it, but even the emotions of the heart, with the whole operations of the mind, are affected by its affimilating power. It is true, that but a fmall proportion of mankind are qualified to form opinions for themfelves in matters where the exercife of reafon is neceffary; but where the judgment depends on the fenfations of the heart, moft people, I fhould fuppofe, might take the liberty of employing their own organs. Of the five senses, feeing and bearing are the only avenues to the heart: through these the most exquifite pleasures are conveyed to it, if they be not arrested by the cold interpofition of what a few of the precife are pleafed to call tafte, and which they form from the head and not the heart.

Painting, mufic, and poetry, are fources from whence the moft delightful emotions are derived to those who have fenfibility enough to feel their effects, and who dare be fo much out of fafhion as to indulge their own fenfations. But when the pleafing effects of these imitative arts are regulated by the fober directions of a critic, when the paffions are controuled by the fpiritlefs rules of the connoiffeur; the feelings are blunted, the heart remains unmoved, and inftead of the lively and agreeable emotions which a welldefigned and highly finished painting, or a well written poem, fhould excite, we have only the effete fatisfaction of knowing that the authors have followed with exactnefs the rules of the greatest masters and most correct critics.

Rules were intended for the painter and the poet only, and not to clog the feelings of thofe who wish to enjoy the pleafing effects of their work. Thefe arts are addrefsed to the paffions; and by the fenfations they raife, as being strong and faithful pictures of nature, they should be judged: and furely every man is the beft judge of his own feelngs.

I was led into thefe reflections by being at an exhibition of paintings the other day; where I foon faw there were two old fellows who pafs forconnoiffeurs, and who had formed a tafte for almoft the whole company. What ever piece attracted their attention immediately disclosed a thousand beauties which till then were latent. Every lady faw unveiled in an inftant the inimitable expreffion of the painter's defign, and every gentleman fwore it was the work of a great genius.

I would by no means infinuate that the opinions of those who, by application to the art, have acquired a critical acquaintance with it, fhould not be attended to and refpected. They may undoubtedly point out beauties which will be fenfibly enjoyed, when seen, by those whofe lefs minute obfervation would have paffed them unnoticed.

But then I would have these inferior priefs not attempt to exprefs raptures they never felt-they fhould reftrain their acclamations till they had caught the divine enthu fiafin.

For my part, I think a man might be as eafily acquitted at the bar of fashion, when arraigned for want of a proper taste in painting, as when indicted for not catching the raptures of an Italian air. And yet if a man in the latter cafe pleads a want of ear, I will venture to affert that he will be unanimoufly acquitted by the politest jury in the kingdom. May I not as well urge, as a plea, the want of a good eye for paintings, when accufed of not admiring the fine pieces of Corregio, Vandyke, or Rubens?

The government of fashion in articles of drefs certainly has its advantages-This you may learn from every tradefman.-But what can be the expected end of fubmitting the feelings of the heart and the judgment of the brain to its fway alfo, is not eafy to determine. It may be an uncharitable fuggef tion, but I am afraid it is a perfect want of fenfibility, an abfence of all feelings of their own, that induces many people to adopt fo cally thofe of others.

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