The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-30 00:00:00

steppes are intelligent,—brave, and hospitable, but
the following will show that civilisation has yet a
few improvements in store for them :

KIROHIS COSTUME.
When I awoke the next morning, the chief, with several
men and women, were sitting in the yourt. I threw off
4,37 covering, sprang to my feet, and my toilet was finished.
The travellerb who visits these Asiatics will be disappointed
should he expect better accommodation. His lavatory must
be the nearest piece of water, and the broad steppe, with its
bine cane his dressing-room. Nor will he lack specta-
tors of either sex.; all will be interested in the (to them)
novel and extraordinary scene. Cleanliness is not a Kirghis
virtue •p they are economical in soap, and the washing of
either person or clothing apparently forms no part of their
domestic duties. The summer costume of both men and
.„Women consists of two, sometimes of three, silk or cotton
Aalats (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
4,8 Precursor, and then in it goes and forth comes another, 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,
11P 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 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.
Russia, ever diplOmatic and crafty, contrived to
obtain a large tract of land and rich mints from
the Kirghis, on much the same principle that other
luropeans barter with savages. After a long
account of the negotiations, the author winds
uP "Thus, for a sum of about one hundred and
fifty pounds his Imperial Majesty acquired mines
and freehold property in the Kirghis Steppes which
Will, I have no doubt, expand rapidly towards all
points of the compass. These mines are of im-
mense value, and are now sending their contribu-
tions to the Imperial mint." After these negotia-
tions were concluded the Russian diplomatist was
Invited to sports of wrestling, which encounters,
When members of different tribes are contending,
generally terminate fatally ; after which a horse
race took place, a race which for distance, endur-
ance, and result, whips our Derby's and St. Legere
most considerably. The race was over 50 versts
of country, equal to about 33 miles, a kind of
steeplechase ; the time was one hour, forty-
two roll:lutes, and the result a dead heat of three.
The Kirghis horses are fine animals, though rather
too high-spirited to be put in harness out of hand
'without any preparatory training ; but the Kirghis
treats his cattle kindly, and expects them to do as
e desires without objection. Carriage travelling
behind these horses must be exciting. Mr. Atkin-
son describes two such rides. One was in a
tarantas and twelve :

The author, with an artillery officer, in a light taran-
tall, had once been driven with Cossack horses to an aoul
about sixty versts from the piquet, where our attendants
left us to return home with their horses the following
Morning. Having spent some days in pheasant shooting,
14 prepared to leave our hospitable host, to visit an"ther
Chief who lived at a five hours' ride distant. Our friend
Provided us with horses and an escort of his Kirghis, who,
with the help of our two Cossacks, succeeded in fastening
six to our tarantas. One of our men mounted the box,
and took the reins of the wheelers, and four Khirgis rode
the others. But all their efforts could not make them move
the carriage a single yard.
The old chief was exceedingly angry, and ordered six
more to be attached, with broad straps of hide across their
Chests, and ropes forming traces—rather slender tackle for
rampant and plunging animals. The lines of horses and
men made a formidable contrast with our small vehicle at
their heels ; bat the chief felt that the honour of his cattle
was at stake. When the word was given tb proceed, some of
the team reared and plunged on ono side, as they felt
the traces tighten against their ribs ; others bounded in the
opposite direction, seemingly intent upon tearing the car-
nage in half. During the confusion which followed the
leaders made a double, and rushed up to the carriage, ap-
pearing more inclined to ride than draw. After many efforts
they were once more got into line, with mounted Kirghis
on both sides of each pair. This succeeded, and away they.
went at a gallop, while the Kirghis shouted with joy as
they rushed onward over the plain.
This was a scene I shall never forget. Tho men were en-
raptured, caring nothing for the bounds of the carriage,
which rendered it no easy matter to keep our seats. Even
the horses entered into the spirit of the race, for this it
more resembled than travelling. After about an hour's
gallop the steeds became more reconciled to their work ;
still, some refractory animal occasionally showed a desire to
be free and range over the vast plain around him. Night
Was closing in fast when we dashed up to the aoul of the
chief, the team white with foam, greatly to the surprise of
the p.
uleople. I have mentioned this incident to show what
harness
Kirghis will do with horses that have never been in
',artless ; but the danger is too great to be pleasant, and
2:9' fellow traveller, as well as myself, thought one such
riiik sufficient.

The Cossacks and Kalmucks display a finer sense
,c).f honour in their hunting than many highly civi-
lised Europeans :