ATKINSON'S AMOOR AND CENTRAL ASIA. * THIS is a noble and
a fascinating book, belonging in right both of subject and treatment to the choicest class of Travel-Literature. The vast panorama it unfolds is one of the most marvellous in the world, and has hitherto been among the least known to the na- tions of the West. It is now set before them with exquisite clearness and force of expression by one who has the highest claims to confidence as an Observer and delineator. Mr. Atkinson leads his reader forth from the frontier town of Semipalatinsk on the Irtisch to explore those enormous tracts of mountain, valley, and plain, in the direction of India and China, which Russia has annexed and colonized with a warlike race, the destined instru- ments of further conquests. His first excursion is into the Steppes of the Kirghis, and here he finds himself among a horse- taming and pastoral people who retain to this day the habits and quali- ties that made their ancestors a terror to the earth in the days of' Timour and Genghiz Khan. Horses, camels, horned cattle and sheep in prodigious numbers constitute their wealth. It is not uncommon to see "a herd of 8000 to -10,000 horses, more than 1000 camels, 20,000 horned cattle, and 50,000 sheep ; but great as these numbers are, the animals appear to occupy a comparatively small space on those vast plains." Freebooting is held in honour among the Kirghis, but they are neither pilferers nor pickpockets. Great hospitality and a wild spirit of chivalry still exist among them, and they are proud of their descent from a race of con- querors. Half their life is spent on horseback, and all are skilled to use their national weapons, the lance and the battle-axe. "If these men are ever trained under good officers, they will become some of the best irregular cavalry in the world, unequalled for long and rapid marches." Should a new leader arise and call them to foreign conquest, they could be ready at a moment's no tice neither encumbered with baggage, nor troubled about the details of their commissariat, for their favourite food is horse- flesh, and like the mounted Indians of South America they could• make their most rapid marches accompanied by their provisions for a whole campaign. How light their other impedimenta would be may be inferred from the simplicity of their household arrange- ments and the character of their wardrobe- " The summer costume of both men and women consists of two, some- times of three, silk or cotton kalats (long dressing gowns). 'These are made double, so that when one side is dirty, the garment is turned, and a new side appears. In time, this also becomes more foul than its precursor' and then in it goes and forth comes the other ; so alternate changes take place, till the garment falls off, a compound of rags and filth, when a new one goes through the same process. The summer costume of the children, up to eight years of age, is still more economical. The juveniles take a roll on the bank of a muddy pool ; the scorching sun quickly bakes the coating they thus obtain, and their dress is complete. When this is worn off or looks shabby, either by sleeping in their furs or by their gambols on the grass, they add a new one of the same material. In winter, men, women, and children of all ages, wear fur coats, making it exceedingly difficult to distinguish the sexes.'
The Tatar merchants of Semipalatinsk carry on an extensive trade with the Kirghis, and the English might create one equally lucrative by means of fairs on the Indus. If these be once esta- blished, "the Tatar and other merchants will attend, and pur- chase the necessary articles for the people amonE whom they vend their wares, and this would soon be felt in Nijne Novgorod, as the distance from the Indus is but little more than half of that from Semipalatinsk to Novgorod." The Kirghis will then supply India with vast numbers of good horses, besides silver and gold, and other commodities which are plentiful in their country.
The advanced Cossack settlement of Ayagus, nearly (' . south of Semipalatinsk, is the centre of the intrigues by whit.: Russia is quietly and gradually creeping on into the plains of Central Asia. A Kirghis chief is courted, paid, and his vanity is flattered by the gift of a medal, a sabre, or a gold-laced coat and cocked hat, with the privilege of attending the yearly council at Ayagus, and blindly partaking in the work of extinguishing his own inde- pendence and that of his people. A young Russian who under- stands his language is then appointed to reside with him, to translate official papers to him, and write his answers, to which the chief puts his seal without understanding a word they con- tain. Sometimes it becomes a matter of importance to the great White Khan at St. Petersburg to obtain a tract of land rich in minerals, and his emissaries generally contrive to effect this without incurring the risk of taking forcible possession. In 1852, for instance, a meeting was arranged to take place between the Russian director of the mines in the Altai and a Sultan of the Kirghis with his chiefs, for the purchase and sale of a district of inestimable value. There was this difficulty in the case, that although the Sultan and the chiefs were willing to sell the arid land, with its rocks and metals, the value of which they could not perceive, they knew well the worth to them of the water which flowed through the country, and were most averse to parting with it. The conference was held with great pomp, a grand banquet being, of course, a most important part of the
proceedings.
"Their appetites having been fully satisfied, the director deemed a favour- able moment to commence proceedings. He therefore desired his interpreter to ask the price at which the Sultan valued the stony tract, and the pastures on its Western side, with the stream of water which bounded it in that Tracels 1 the Regions of the Upper and Lower Anwar and the Russian Ac- quisitions on the confines of India and China. With Adventures among the Mountain Kinthie, and the Maolours, Manyargs, Tounpuz Totmenitz, Gold', and Oelyaks : the Hunting and Pastoral Tribes. By Thomas Witlam Atkinson. With a Map and numerous Illustrations. Published by Burst and Blacken.
direction. Tn reply, the 'Sultan stated that he and the chiefs were willing to sell the land with the minerals on the following terms, viz. : That two hundred and fifty pieces of silver (meaning silver roubles) should be paid to him, and a gold added, like the one presented by the Einperor Alex- ander I. to Boulania. Alio, that another sum of one hundred silver
roubles should be paid to the mulla and the chiefs, to be equally divided among them. But he said that the river they could not dispose of, as that was neeesary for their pastures and for watering their cattle. The director now told them that he must absoltitely insist on the river being included,. as he could not purchase the mines without it. Nor would it, be said, be in- jurious to the tribes, as their cattle could drink at the stream before it entered the mining district, where it passed for many miles through their pastures. He, however, promised to add something more to the amount named by the Sultan, if this point was ceded to him. Having stated this, he ordered the two hundred and fifty new and shining roubles to be placed on the table ; the large gold medal, with its broad red ribbon, was taken, outof its case and plaed near the money ; and a hundred roubles more counted down for the mulla and the chiefs. A gold-laced scarlet coat and a sabre were now added to the heap intended for the Sultan ; a kalat or long robe, of vivid colours, and a gold imperial, were put on the table for each of the chiefs and the mullet. The interpreter was instructed to tell the Sultan that all tliese things would be given if the river were included in the purchase; if not, the negotiation would be at an end, as no further offer would be made. They were not prepared for this mode of settling the matter : it seemed far too abrupt, as their transactions usually oocupy days ; indeed, sometimes weeks are consumed in settling their bargains, time being no object with them. They looked at each other with astonishment, and then at the valuablesepread out before them, anxious to secure them, but still desiring to get more. Having spoken together for some minutes, the Sultan said that it would take time for them to consider the matter; adding that they would consult all the tribes about it, and give an answer in a few days. The director fully understood what was meant by this, and that they in- tended delaying their decision until something more was offered; and knowing that this would be continued for an indefinite period if once per- mitted, he told the Sultan that, as the matter had been under the consider- ation of himself, the mulla, chiefs, and tribes, for several months, they could not require any further time. Besides, he had taken a long journey to meet them, and now he could not, under any circumstances, admit of delay. It therefore became necessary that they should definitely decide, before the sound' broke up, whether they accepted his offer or not ; finally he as- sured them that, if they once left his yourt without concluding the bargain, he should start on his return within an hour. Without further remark, the Sultan began examining the sabre and the coat, desiring that the latter should be tried on. He was quickly invested with it, and viewed the extraordinary change that appeared in his person with perfect satisfaction. The gold medal was hung on his breast, producing a great effect ; but when a Cossack buckled the sabre on his waist, this settled the point. He would have given half the rivers lathe Steppe sooner than be stripped of his weapon and finely. In a few minutes, the mulla and chiefs were bedecked in their new clothing, evidently on the best terms with themselves, and vastly admiring each other. The money was handed to the Sultan, which he rolled up in his shawl and secured round his waist, as this was too pre- cious in his eyes to be trusted to any other hands. The mulla and chiefs followed his example. Shortly afterwards the Sultan stamped his seal on a document transferring to the great White Khan the whole district shown on a map prepared beforehand, with all the gold, silver, and other minerals it might contain, its pastures, and the river. Thus, for a sum of about one hundred and fifty pounds, his Imperial Majesty acquired mines and a free- held property in the Kirghis Steppe, which will, I have no doubt, expand rapidly towards all the points of the compass. 'These mines are of immense value, and are now sending their contributions to the Imperial Mint." On lands acquired by such arts as these Russian settlements siring up with a rapidity that rivals that of the growth of Ame- rican towns. Kopal is the most southerly fort planted by Russia in Chinese Military. Four years before Mr. Atkinson's visit to it, possession had been taken of the site by an officer with a party of a hundred Cossacks and six guns. The place is now completely changed.
"At the present time it contains 11,000 inhabitants, and will gradually increase as commerce extends into these regions. Notwithstanding the de- fective position of the place, wealth will be acquired here, and population is sure to follow. A considerable number of Tartar merchants are estain lished in Kopal, and carry on a most profitable trade with the nomade tribes as well as with China. Such has been the sudden rise of Kopal, and its prom- parity has induced the people to form another settlement on the Almatee, orApple River,' about 200 miles South-west of the former fort. The new town of Yenioje is rapidly springing up on this spot. Russia is thus sur- rounding the Kirghis hordes with civilization, which will ultimately bring about a moral revolution in this country. Agriculture and other branches of industry will be introduced by the Russian peasant, than whom no man can better adapt himself to circumstances. He is ingenious, can turn his hand to any occupation ; indeed, by the aid of his axe and saw alone, he will build his dwelling, and be his own cabinet-maker. He is his own tailor and shoemaker, grows his flax, and his wife and children spin and weave their linen. In short, there are few necessaries which these people cannot prepare. Generally he isa good hunter, and understands the use of his rifle; he can thus procure food wherever game is found. This gives him con- fidence in his new position, and makes him formidable to an enemy if mo- lested. When once made a free agent, his natural capabilities will be de- veloped, and then he will not be behind any European, either in genius or industry. He has my hest wishes for his freedom." Russia prepares her conquests slowly and steadily, and con- summates them at last with a rapidity that only ceases to be as- tonishing, when the means are understood by which the end was patiently assured ; 165 years were spent in making ready for the acquisition of the territory watered by the Amoor ; in six weeks, the splendid booty was secured. "From. 1689 to 1854 the junc- tion of the Await and Shilka was the most Easterly point of the Russian empire in the region of the Amoor. But, during all this period of 165 years, the frontier Cossaoks were constantly pene- trating into the country on the North of the Amoor ; and many wild stories have been handed down of the contests these hardy hunters had with the Manjour race." After the failure of tv- pated exploring attempts made by convicts conditionally par- doned, and by a small expedition which was sent out in 1848, and which never returned, the Governor-General of Oriental Si- beria organized an exploring expedition in 1854. "It was on such a scale that the Chinese could neither check his progress nor prevent him taking possession of the north bank of the river. In less than six weeks, the whole of this vast region, including the country between. the Amcor and the Russian frontier to the North , of the Yabionoi, hacL changed_ masters ; it had now fallen into strong hands; and, before the end of the year, the entire Chinese army could not have dislodged the small body of Cossacks plaeed in position. General Mouravioff had seized on all the plaints which his keen eye and practical experience told him were necee- sary for the security of the new acquisition.' Thus did Russia obtain entire possession of a great waterway of more than 2200 miles, the only one open to commerce between the Pacific and the. heart of Asia, and of a territory abounding in natural wealth of all kinds, and in other respects also most favourable for coknists. Political and commercial results of the greatest moment must in, evitably ensue from this event. Castries Bay will ultimately be the port of the Amour; colonists are settling in the country be- tween it and Pronge, along the Strait of Tartary, and with what prospects may be gathered from these weighty words of our author " Both sides of this Strait will before long be peopled by Russians, and the Island of Saghalien be added to their empire. The latter contains valuable beds of coal, whence Russia can thaw supplies for either a steam navy or for industrial purposes ; it will also give her splendid harbours in the Pacific, and leave her fleets free for operations throughout every part of the year."
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