The women, closely veiled, in spite of thengrief, looked around with wonder at the marvels which Balaklava presented, and. were for a time beguiled from 4.'> IX THE CRIMEA. thoughts of their abantloncd dwelliiiijs in Biouk, Miskomiji, Varnutka, J^aidar, Upu, Ozembash, or Tchuliu; but as the sea opened upon them, and they found themselves among strangers, the sense of their position came back to them with redoubled force, and they seemed lost in despair. The procession which I saw was aboxit a mile in length, and was Ibrmed of arabas in single file, as close to each other as they could pack. The head of the train was drawn up by the water's edge in the harbour, and the extremity extended far bej'ond the limits of the town.
I am informed that there was a large encampment of the same poor creatures near Kamara last night, and that they would make their way into Balaklava as soon as their predecessors had cleared away. I also saw several families who had taken refuge in the camp of the head-quarters of the Land Transport Corps last night. As there were no houses for their reception, men, women, and children slept in the streets of Balaklava under their arabas. In the morning they found that the Turkish Colonel who superintended the emigration, and who was evidently unprepai'ed for its magnitude, had only one small vessel ready for them; but he succeeded in hiring two small Turkish sailing vessels in addition. The women and children were sent on board till these ships were full, and then the Turkish and Tai'tar authorities applied to Admiral Fremantle, but he had received no previous intimation, and could do nothing at the moment.
However, he wrote to Sir W. Codrington on the subject, and, as he is a humane man, he will no doubt do all he can to assist these Tartars. When I left Balaklava yesterday there wa-s every prospect of their spending another night in the streets and on the hill sides, nor did their stock of provisions appear very ample. Hitherto, the French have given rations, such as they could spare, to a certain number of Tartars in the valley of Baidar, in return for their services as wood carriers and arabajees. They are a docile, kind-hearted, gentle race, and are much superior in appearance to the Tartars I saw at Kertch and Eupatoria. They have all fine teeth and eyes. Many of the men are very well-looking, and the old men are exceedingly dignified in aspect, and possess great native ease and good breeding.
The young women possess graceful forms, and are believed to be very pretty, but they are not often seen unveiled, and the old women do not display the least traces of beauty. I have never seen anywhere children more lively and handsome in face than some who were among the emigi-ants yesterday. As I was THE TATITAR EXODUS. 4.57 riding through the street some Russian othcers passed, and gave signs of dissatisfaction at the proceedings of the Tartars. The latter were very abject in their bows as their masters passed them. And this is the end of one of the conquering races of the world! Whether the Tartars deserved their fate, or have been treated badly by fortune, one cannot but feel pity for them, if they are punished for the crimes of their ancestors.
They came into the Crimea as conquerors, and they leave it as exiles. It is said that they are going to colonize the Dobrudscha, or to settle at Rustchuk and Kostendje. The first-named place is but a pestiferous marais; it is a grave to those who visit it, and I sincerely trust that these poor Tartars, in whom we ought to take a great interest, for we have brought upon them this aggravation of the e\'ils of their position, will not be doomed to such misery and certain death as they will tind in the Dobrudscha. The number of families ready to emigrate is stated to be 1500. They declare that all the Tartars in the Crimea would follow their example if they could, and it is worthy the attention of the allied governments to inquire whether facilities should not be offered to save these unfortunate people from the fate which impends over them.
The Tartars declare the Russians hate them on account of their sympathies with the allies, and that they will exact a terrible revenge when we are gone. The Tartars still rejoice over the Alma; they rub their hands with delight at the very name, but it has been to them an unhappy victory. May 8. The evacuation of the Crimea is taking place with rapidity, and, if it is desirable, there can be no doubt that the allies can leave the soil of the Czar long before the time which has been granted to us — six montlis after the conclusion of the treaty — has expired. The Tartars bring in terrible stories of the revenge taken by the Russians on those unfortunate brethren of theirs who have given aid to the allies, or have been engaged in their service.