"Section 2.-—JYations of the Western Caucasus.
1. The Western Caucasians consist, as above noticed, of
the Circassians and Abassi. Giildenstedt observed, that
the languages of these two nations are dialects of one mother
tongue, but that they have become so different in the course
of time, that it is necessary to take some pains in order to
discover their affinity. That this is nearly the truth may be
seen at once by inspecting Klaproth’s vocabularies.
The Abassians appear to be very ancient inhabitants of
the north-western part of the chain of Caucasus.* They
are chiefly pastoral and predatory people. They are divided
into two-nations, termed the Great and the Little Abasa.
The Abassians, according to Klaproth, are distinguished
by narrow faces, heads compressed at the sides ; by the
shortness of the lower parts of their faces ; by prominent
noses and dark brown hair.-f-
The Circassians are to the eastward of the Abassians?.
They inhabit the country between Caucasus and the Kuban,
and further eastward the provinces of Great and Little
Kabarda on the Terek. The people of these provinces are
also called Kabardines. The Circassians term Jhemselvels
Adigi, and by the Tartars are named Tscherkess, whence
the appellation by which they are known in Europe. Their
country abounds with high forest tracts, and their climate is
eold.J
The Circassian nation is divided into five classes or castes.
Thefirst consists of the princes, who are called Psheh or
Pschi, in the Tartar Bek. The second is composed of the
Work or ancient nobility, named Ousden by the Tartars and
Russians. The third are the freed men of the princes and
the Ousden. They are considered as Ousden themselves,
but they owe their masters military service. The freedmen
of these new nobles compose the fourth class, and the fifth
consists of serfs, who are cultivators or domestic slaves.
* Mithridates, p. 439. t Travels in Caucasus.
' % Mithridates, ubi supra. Klaproth, Asia Polyglotta, and Travels in Caucasus.—
Malte-Brun, Universal Geography, Book 25.
•' The Kabardines have a proud and warlike aspect, expressive
features, a high stature, and generally great bodily
strength. They observe the laws of hospitality with the
greatest strictness. They h a v e a similar practice with that
of the Arabs in the revenge of blood.
Pallas informs ns that the Circassians are a handsome
race of people. “ The men,” he adds, “ especially among
the higher classes, are mostly of a tall stature, thin form,
but Herculean structure; they are very slender about the
Icing, have small feet, and uncommon strength in their arms.
They possess, in general, f a truly Roman and martial appearance.’
U He thinks, however, that they have some traces
of intermixture with the race of Nogays. “ The women
are not uniformly Circassian beauties, but are for the most
part well formed, have a white skin, dark brown or black
hair, and regular features-; I have met with a greater
number of beauties among them than m any other unpolished
nation!”* Other travellers represent a mixture
of red. in their hair, as a-characteristic of the Circassians t
Klaproth says* “ they have brown hair and eyes, long faces,
thin, straight noses and .elegant forms.”* Reineggs denies,
their claim to superior beauty. He says, “ I know not
what can have given occasion to the generally-received
prejudice in favour of the female Tscherkessians. A short
leg, a small foot, and glaring red hair, constitute a Tseher-
kessian beauty.*^.
§ ECTIOn 3.—Nations of the Middle and Eastern Caucasus.
2. The Middle Caucasians inhabit the high country above
Kabarda and the habitations of the Circassians, towards
the sources of the Terek, and other fivers which flow into it
from the heights of Caucasus.,s There are several tribes or
nations belonging to this division of people, who, however,
seem to be nearly allied in language. The principal of
these are the Mizjeghi, a name which, according to Kla-
* Pallas, ibid. vol. i, page 398. t Malte-Brun, ibid.
X Klaproth’s Travels in Caucasus. § Reineggs, vol. i, page 289.