During the last summer ofmy residence in the Crimea, a circumstance occurred, with the mention ofwhich I will conclude these Notes. When the time for my departure approached, and it became generally known that I was going, I was surprised one morning by a visit from a Tatar Murza with whom I was previously unacquainted. After much ceremony, he informed me, that having heard of my projected return to England> and supposing that 1 would notventure unprotected upon so long and perilous a journey, he waited uponme for the purpose ofrecommending to me two men, to act as an escort or guard. One of these was an old Tatar who was with him, and the other was his own brother. He ended by referring me to a common friend Y for further information, and gave me his address. Upon my asking him how far these men were willing to go, if I should require their attendance? "As far as your own frontiers," said he, " or even to England, ifyou wish it." I informed him of the uncertainty of the time and mode of myjourney, and that I possibly might return by sea from Theodosia ; but I assured him, that if I should stand in need ofsuch attendants, I should not forget his reccommendation.
After this many other Tatarscame on the same errand ; and though the expectation of a handsome remuneration was undoubtedly the motive which induced these persons to make so extraordinary an application, from others of their nation with whom I had more intercourse, and particularly from some of our own villagers, I experienced at the eve of my departure, and indeed during the whole ofmy stay, so many instances of kindness and attachment, that I shall never cease to derive sincere gratification from the recollection of their disinterested good will.
IN THE CRIMEA.
Rubles.
W. Wheat, ten years back, four rubles to twenty, but the average price 10 Arnoot ditto (eight to forty), average 15 Rye -(two to twelve), average .................. 5 Barley generally about the same price Oats (two to eight), average 4 In transporting corn to the distance of twenty ver&ts, I have known two rubles paid for a cart which carried four and a half or five tchetverts.
Hay is sold at from fifty kopeeks to one ruble and twenty kopeeks per pood, in scaree winters, art Theodosia. Oxen cost, on an average, one hundred rubles per pair.
Cows, about thirty-five rubles each, and some few sixty rubles.
Horses, from twenty to one hundred and twentyrubles ; some few, one hundred and fifty to two hundred rubles; the general price about forty rubles.
Sheep and ewes, ten rubles ; lambs, five rubles ; rams, fifteen rubles ; two year wethers, seven to ten rubles. Implements : a plough, twenty to thirty rubles, a cart, twenty to twenty-five rubles.
To hire a plough ten rubles a day are given, for which three men and six pair ofoxen are furnished, who plough as much as four measures will sow.
Labourers are hired from St. George's to St. Demetrius's day, or vice versa. Wages are about twohundred rubles .per annum, and two suits of clothes, comprising shube, tchekmen, two pair of trowsers, two shirts, and shoes of ox-hide; also an allowance oftwo or two and a half measures of corn per month. Russian tchetvert= 5 bushels English.
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8 Ib. Russian = 4 Ib. Tatar= 1 oka.
36 Ib. English = 40 Ib. Russian= 1 pood.
MONEY.
1 ruble = 100 kopeeks. 5 kopeeks = 1 petack.
The value ofthe ruble during my stay may be stated t tenpence.
THE END.
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OF THE NOTES RELATIVE TO THE CRIM TATARS." "Mils. HOLDERNESS, the author of this unassuming volume, resided at the village of Karagoss, in the Crimea, from 1816 to 1820, and had consequently sufficient time and opportunity to observe the characters and customs of her neighbours. What appeared remarkable to her, she noted down ; and the result is here presented, in the most modest form, to the public. She has made us familiar with many particulars with which we were previously unacquainted ; and to the praise of being an unpretending, has earned that of being a meritorious candidate for favourable reception." Literary Gazette, July 14, 1821.