The people of Zaloutch have preserved the character of their ancient Osset homes in their modem houses, with the exception of the towers of defence, which are no longer erected. On two sides of a court the rooms are occupied by the family, usually a numerous one, for sons with their wives and children never leave the roof of their parents; the third side is reserved for friends who come from a distance, and on the fourth side of the court are the stables and sheds. The bedding and bed-chambers we saw were scrupulously ' clean. Cooking and brewing is conducted in the kitchen, which also serves as sitting and dining room; beneath an opening in the roof is the fire-plaCe, having over it a triangle with chain-pulley for hooking and running up boilers; on either side are wooden forms, and between them at one end a low three-legged wooden stool, with raised circular back, rudely carved, the seat for the eldest member of the family, who presides at meals. The Ossets and Swanny are the only people who luxuriate in raised bedplaces, stools, and such-like commodities, the others, according to Eastern custom, squatting upon carpets and coarse matting. The walls and beams were blackened with an accumulation of soot, but nevertheless, the wooden trenchers and platters, the pails and beer mugs ranged upon shelves, were clean and bright.
The starshynd invited us to his house, leading the way with much dignity and importance, and when we entered he bid us welcome in a fine speech, and asked us to do htm the honour of dining. The female members of his family not appearing, he explained their absence by saying that it was not the practice in his country for women to show themselves, to entertain or to be entertained. The Ossets never inquire after their female friends, he added, as such curiosity would be considered offensive; but he supposed that they would all think differently "by-iind-by, when by Google
' they had. like himself, enjoyed intercourse with people more civilised than themselves.
The room was furnished with a table, sofa, and chairs. The moment we were seated, a low three-legged stool was placed before each of us with a lai^e platter on it, bearing the quarter of a lamb that had been killed expressly for our dinner, it beiqg close upon Easter; to my share was added the head and a piece of boiled pork!
Large bowls filled with barley malt (a sort of draught porter quite as good and certainly purer than much of the draught retailed in England) were next brought in, and the slarshyrtd reminding us that it was Lent, said that he and his people were obliged to fast, but they would not fail to do justice to the beer; I was also told that until I had eaten of the head of the lamb, for it is the dish of honour, nobody could join in the festivity. The head was therefore immediately attacked, and then a number of Ossets who had crowded into the room, tossed off their beer and shouted strange noises, which meant that our healths were being drunk. There was no lack of malt; shouts followed upon shouts, and bowls were emptied to the health of the Tzar, of the Karalyeva, ' Queen,' of the English, of the Grand Duke, and of the Governor, We enjoyed the boiled lamb and the excellent barley malt, for we had had a long day, and no weary Osset could have delighted more in his own home-brewed than we did on this occasion.
The feast being ended, we were conducted with Chesterfieldian courtesy to seats on the green in front of the cottage; there was a lai^e gathering of men, but no women. A ring was immediately arranged, and a series of performances commenced with the Usghynka, danced in a style superior to anything we had seen at by Google
AMUSEMENTS OF THE OSSETS. ^
Tiflis, but we missed the grace and coyness of the fair ones. The next was a sword dance, not unlike the broad-sword dance in the Highlands of Scotland, executed witli much agility and precision, but wanting in the rapid whirl. This was followed by... the Pyrrhic dance so martial,