sovereignty in this region excepting in Bokhara and some other eastern provinces,
at the same time that they have established themselves in countries yet further
east, .and possess a. corner of Europe.
Tlie Tartars of Kasan and Orenburg have acquired much of the Russian
mien and exterior. They are thin in person, have a fresh complexion, with small
eyes and nose, and light hair. They are well made, have a sprightly, agreeable
address, and are said to excel in the mechanic arts.
The Touralinzes differ from the former in their large heads, and robust
forms inclined to obesity, yet they speak the Tartar language.
The Nogay Tartars occupy Little Tartary, embracing the provinces of
Krimea, Kuban and part of Circassia, between Russia and the Black Sea. They
have much the exterior of the proper Mongols, as seen in their small eyès, their
large ears and their clumsy; persons; and the resemblance is further sustained by
their rude and deceitful manner,' and their proneness to rapine. They constitute
many hordes, which are for the most part nomadic.
During the expeditions of the Tartars to the west of Asia, the Usbecks fixed
themselves in the province of Bokhara, on the frontier of Persia, where, more
provident than the other hordes, they formed a permanent settlement, changing
their pastoral and nomadic life for that of agriculture, $nd their movable tents into
settled habitations.* Their language is one of the sweetest dialects of the
Tartar language; and the people of Bokhara are themselves among the handsomest
of this family, owing to their proximity to Persia, and their intermarriages with
the native inhabitants, and with captives from Georgia and Circassia. It is even
asserted that no less than three-fourths of the Bokharians are of slave extraction,
and that their features no longer identify them with the Tartar race.f
The Baschkirs dwell on the rivers Oural, Volga and Kama. They have the
large ears and small eyes of the Mongols, and their hair is often fed or chestnut
color. Among them are individuals of the most repulsive physiognomy, while
the manners of the horde are gross and brutal in the extreme. “ They have
natural good sense, but not the least inclination to cultivate their intellectual
faculties: they are courageous, suspicious, obstinate, severe and consequently
dangerous. If they were not well looked after, they would none of them follow
any other trade than that of pilfering and plunder.”!
Thé Barabainzes rove over the deserts between the Ob and the Irtisch, in
* Tooke, Russia, II, p. 130. t Barnes, Trav. in Bokhara, II, p. 103. Jim. ed.
X Tooke, Russia, II, p. 182. .
Siberia. Their features partake most of the Kalmouk character, although their
language is a Tartar dialect. They have few wants, are dull, indifferent, inoffensive
and honest. Unlike the neighboring hordes, they were never known to
combine for predatory purposes.
The Kirgwnam, although their language is Tartar, have the strong Mongol
features, with a sharp and fierce look, indicative of their real character. They are
proverbially fickle, undertaking the rashest and most contradictory measures, one
moment revolting, the next returning to obedience. In spite of treaties and
largesses, they cannot forego their characteristic love of plunder on every occasion
that offers; and after having oppressed all the barbarous nations around them, they
have in turn become the tributary vassals of Russia.*
Beside the Mongul and Tartar hordes already enumerated, there are many
others that are so evidently a mixture of both, that they cannot justly be classed
with either. Such are the Tchoulmim, between the upper parts of the Ob and
Yenisei; a people, fickle and ambulatory in th.eir habits, yet docile and readily
instructed.
The Yakuts, persecuted by the Burats, fled to the north from the Sayan
mountains, and now dwell on the shores of the Lena, in the government of
Irkutsk. It is rare to see either short or tall persons among them, and in feature,
as in language, they are ;both Mongols and Tartars. They are slow, kind and
honest, and derive their chief subsistence from their herds. The Yakuts have
been placed by some writers as a horde of the Polar race.
To the north of China, in the province of Kin, live the Maudshurs, one of
the most brave and politic of the Tartar nations. Although they do not speak
the Tartar language* they are in all other respects, in manners, customs and
personal appearance, a cognate branch of that people. They invaded China in the
17th century, effected a complete conquest and placed on the throne a king of
their own nation. They have, however, rather adopted than subverted the
Chinese government and institutions, and the two nations appear to be now
blended in singular harmony.
To the north and east the Mongol-Tartars gradually mingle with the tribes
of the Polar race, until their characters become blended in the Kamstchatkans,
the Tungusians, and the inhabitants of the isle of Jezo.
We may here add a few words respecting the H uns. These people were
genuine Mongol-Tartars, whose original seats were west and north of China; and
* Tooke, Russia, II, p. 244, 254.
11