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PLATE XXXIV.
A FEMALE KIRGHI.
IT is said, that these hordes rather improve botli in their conduct and
in civilization; and this is in a great measure to be attributed to their
women, who are not only prudent and good managers, but possess
also a feeling and compassionate disposition, which they particularly
shew towards those slaves, whom their husbands bring home from their
predatory excursions. They have often been known to favour their
escape, even when in danger of ill treatment from their husbands on
that account. The employment of the women consists in taking care
of the cattle, tanning the skins, making woollen cloth, &c. The men
dress in a similar way to other Tartars, and the women not unlike
those of Kazan; and the former also pay as much attention to the
furniture of their horses as they do to their own dress. Of these
different dresses, the Plates themselves alFord the best descriptions.
The Kirghis have the character of being most enormous eaters: their
greatest deliglit is to devour large quantities of fat and butter without
any bread. Like all other Tartars, every individual of these tribes
smokes tobacco to a great excess, and also takes it in powder; and they
prefer the most common sort, because it soonest aftects the head.
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