Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-08-09
New AsIatic Explorations.

NJ Vanbery, a Hungarian traveller has recently
penetrated, in the disguise of dervish, through
the territory of the Turcomans 10 kh-Ra, Bokhara
and Samarcand in Central Asia; travelling through
districts which have not been visited by European
since the days of Marco Polo. After several years
Of preparation in MOhomInedan college, he Joined
at Yeheran in March, 1853, company of poor pill
grmS who were returning to Tartary from Mecca,
giving out that he pous Mussulman trayel-
ing to Central Asia with a religious object and in
q Communication just laid before the Royal Geo
graphical Society he announces the result of his
observations as follows:
ON Vanbery crossed the Southeast corner Of
the Caspian Sea on board rurcoman corsair and
landed at Geumushtepe, e. the silver HILL camp
Of about two thousand tents of the TamuL tribe
From this place he visited the ruins Of tie wall
built by Alexander the great which commences on
the shores Of the near this place. and stretches
about one hundred miles inland, in the form of an
embankment dotted With 'turrets and Notifications.
Continuing with the party in northerly direction,
east Of the Caspian, he passed the river Attrek,
crossing the Hyrcanian desert, horrible journey
Of twenty two days. aud rtact.el KhiVs at the be-
ginning of June. The present condition Of the coun
try Of which KhiVa is the capital he describes as
most wretched.
"The reigning Prince, Seid M5hrmmed sick
tyrant does little else but slaughter hundreds of his
subjects for mere trf.S which he calls transgrss-
sions of the holy religion of Mohammed. N. Van
berry made excursions as far as Koongrad, and was
astonished at the great fertility of the country.
which he thought superior to anything he had
hitherto seen in Asia.
AFTER spending month in Bokhara, n. Van
berry prncee led full of anticipation to the city of
Samarcand. He travelled for six days through q
thickly Peopled and well cultivated country, and
was greatly surprised at the quick succession OF
towns and villages on the road. But in Samarcand
he was much disappointed lie found the capital
Of Timour in a state of decay and although he saw
few remains of its ancient glory, was convinced
that the ancient reputation Of the place greatly
exaggerated.
"The most remarkable of the ancient ediGces
were the medresses or colleges, Of which,
ted by the wife Of Timour Chinese Princess was
most splendid building but the magnificent por-
tico, one hundred feet high nlaid with mosaic in
the form OF roses, is now all that remains of it
The palace OF Hmour he described as very inter-
estng, especially his tomb and huge block Of green
stone, the base Of his throne, which must have
been derived from some distant country, although
how it was conveyed to the place is difficult to
surmise. NJ Vanbery terminated his narrative
with his arrival at Herat in October; the country
to the north of which place he found in great dis
order owing to the revolt against the afghan yoke
consequent upon the death Of Dost Mohammed."
In the course of discussion which followed the
reading of N. Vanbery's communication IN the
Geographical Society, Sir Henry RawinSon said
the country which NJ Vanbery had traversed was
interesting in two fold point of view. In the first
place it had hitherto been terra iRcognitd and in
the next place it possessed great political interest,"
as forming the debaable land which interviewed be-
tween the Russian Empire aad our own India pos.
sessions. He adds:
"1t would be remembered that 25 years ago great
alarm was felt at the extension of Russian influence
in Central Asia. That feeling which brought about
the afghan war had passed away and had been
succeeded by feeling of supineness which was as
little to be justified as the previous alarm. We
have very much lost sight of VII 1t had been going
on during the last 25 years while We have been i'm
agining thatall was quiesceut the Russian and EGG
llsh7frOntieTs have been gradually approxiuating
space Of 900 miles, so that at present there
is only breadth Of 500 or 600 miles between the
two frontiers.
"Thisis matter which ought to interest the
English public and to which attention should be
drawn lie begged to be understood that he attri
buted no hostility to England on the part of the
Russian Government in this extension of frontier
towards India The journey of NJ .Vanbery was
therefore Of great value, because it will make Ms ac
quainted with countries full of so much political in
terest to England. Many portions of the route
which he had followed were entirely new. and he
pight fairly claim the honor of having been ths
first European who had visited and described Sam
arcand, for four hundred and fifty years"
An account Of VI. Vanberys travels Is abopt IN he
published in London by Mr.. Murray.