The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-21
The City OF Odessa.

The City OF Odessa.
A. description Of Odessa, derived from authentic
sources, viii be interesting to our readers at the
present moment, We give place in our columns to
the following extracts, taken from II. Arratoe dc
Demidoh's Travels in Southern Russia, work
which has not vet reached the American public
:. Tie first aspect Of Odessa says De Demidof,
is worthy the reputation Of this great city; the
young and iourishing capital Of New Russia could
not be more fifty heralded. Surrounded to remote
distance by immense steppes and endless deserts
Odessa appears before one like land OF promise, a
long-desired oasis; and its walls are entered with
the same feelings of joy az are experienced on
reaching port at the END OF long sea voyage.
The various quarters OF this vast city, still daily
increasing, cover broad plateau, whose perpen-
dcular sides plunge into the Black Sea- From its
steep emnencc. ODESSA commands large bay, the
dark blue waters OF which contrast with the pale
and arid appearance of the surrounding coast,
invariably enveloped throughout the summer in
whirling clouds of dust. Sheltered from the
southern gales. but Unprotected against the parch,
ing winds OF the east the port Of Odessa Is formed
BIZ three moles which divide it into many basins.
One OF these for the reception Of vessels in quaran-
tine il overlooked by the walls of the iazaretto
and the batteries of . fort: the two Others admit the
ships Of the imperial navy, and trading vessels not
coming from a quarantine port. The bottom OF
this bay affords goo anchorage for ships of large
buIthen, but they are much exposed during gales
from the east, and especially from the southeast.
These terrible winds drive the impetuous waves
into the bay of Odessa with fury which nothing
can withstand-a succession of these storms coati-
nually sweep across the Black Sea, in the direction
OF its longest diagonal.
The city Of Odessa is planned with regularity, IS
are the generality of Russian cities: il ia carefully
built but the finest buildings occur in those quarters
nearest the sea. All that part which faces the shore
wears an appearance Of grandeur and opulence.
The long and majestic terrace overlooking the sea,
ia linod with public edfces, hotels, and stately
rnn tpf n full oct hia
semhlage of buildings, Odessa should be entered
from its port. 1t is as though this queen OF the
Black Sea had reserved all her splendors for that
shore, breathing with intelligent souls, wherever
the waves flowing from Asia necessarily dash their
foaming heads. The cliff we have spoken of il not
less than eighty feet high; on its summit along its
whole extent is planted an avenue OF young trees
with their branches arching together; in the centre
OF this promenade. and in the midst of crescent of
lre mansions, stands bronze statue OF the Due de
Riohelieu, monument OF the gratitude Of the CITY,
which owes so much to his creative genius. From
tie foot OF the statue desccnds gigantic fight of
steps, already far advanced towards completion:
when flushed. it will connect, by steps one hundred
feet wide the grand terrace with the lower quay,
and beneath these steps which are to be supported
BY series OF open arches, gradually rising ia
height The various carts and conveyances going to
and fr' M TIE port will freely pass.
After contemplating this magnificent spot if you
explore the rest OF the city, you will nd but very
few buildings, and those scattered at distant inter-
y
favored quarter Broad streets, carefully paved,
and planted with rows of acacia trees, traverse the
length and breadth Of the city, crossing each other
at right angles. A theatre, number Of fine
churches, spacious squares, bazaars, and few
rich looking shops, attract the attention in the
midst of number Of houses too humble in charac.
ter for such splendid streets.
That portion of the road reserved for pedestrians
is broad enough to render the traffic easy at all
times even in the quarters most frequented, morn
ing and evening by the busy and the idle The
more crowded portion Of the city is that adjoining
Rchelieu street, the finest and most populous street
spread out for sale the varied produce of every
country in Europe, assembled thither under the
fostering protection of the free port of Odessa.
Snowy signboards, with inscriptions in every Ian
guage in Europe, bear witness to that unrestricted
freedom of trade which has made the fortune of
this new city. The streets are filled with numerous
droschkes-these kind Of equipages, as useful az
they are light perform immensely long journeys.
At Odessa the same customs prevail as are OBJ
served in all the southern countries OF Europe; the
morning is devoted to business, and the middle of
the day to repose. This habit, which the heat of
the climate seems to dictate, gives ameancholy and
deserted appearance to the city during great part
Of the day. in the evening however, outward signs
Of animation again break forth; the theatre is
much frequented, and the cafes andtlubs are crowd
ed. There the mobiles assemble, further on the mer
chants-Turks. Armenians, Jews even; every class
has ts place OF meeting and in each of these resorts
East spreads its perfumed clouds over the assembly.
The climate of Odessa is remarkably influenced by
the situation Of the city. Elevated above the level
Of the sea- entirely exposed frem all quarters to the
wind which sweeps along the sands of the surround
ing plateau, rising w clouds of fine DUST Odessa
throughout the summer is parshed with drought,
and in the winter from similar causes, enveoped in
thick mists. Much has been said Of the unwholc-
some nature of the air: but If we may judge of the
public health by general appearances, the air has
been wrongly impugned; it is presumable, however,
that sickness generally makes its appearance with
the occurrence of sudden changes Of temperature,
and in this respect Odessa is unfortunately condi-
toned Although the latitude under which IL is stu
atod is generally temperate this city is visited with
n more rigorous winter than Is observed elsewhere
under the same latitude; while the contrary, in
summer, the heat may be compared to that Of the
to1id zone. This results from the complete make l.
ness OF the countries of which Odessa is the capital
and it should be added that these unfavorabe coni-
tons common to all the cities upon these end.
less steppes.'