New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
VAMBERY'S TRAVELS.

Tho tonr which furnished the materials Tor tins
interesting volume was undertaken with view to
certain special researches in philoogy, although the
narrative in its present form is devoted to the Illus
tration of the manners and customs OF region re-
mote from the usual courses of travel, and but httie
known to European geographers. The author VINO
is a Hungarian by birth, had long cherished
passion for the study of linguistic affntles, WIN
reference especially to certain languages OF Europe
and Asia and for the sake of pursuing his favorte
;nouires he assumed the disguise OF an etfendi or
eastern deryish and in this capacity, accomplished
-, .xtons;ve tonr in Central Asia. He had already |
resided several wears in Turkey and was familiar
with Mahometan schools and horares; 'nisehapieu
him to carry his bold and somewhat periious design
into effect with remarkable success; ana the result
Of his vanderngs is here presented in series OF
brilliant sketches depicting the social and personal
,sayes of the strange races with which he came in
contact The present volume, accordingly, is OF an
entirely popular character, the author reservng 'he
fruits of his pathological labors for publication at
some future day in another form.
Joining a caravan Of Tartar deryishes, the author
started from Teheran about the end of March, 1863
and at once set his face toward the distant East
some striking features. This was at the encamp-
ment Of Gomushtepe, in form like hundred bee
hives lying close together, which was reached by
the caravan after several days hard travel by land
and water The report of their arrival had spread
like wild-fre and produced the greatest commoton.
The number of the pilgrims was greatly exag-
gerated. Men, women, and dogs all fastened IN
dire confusion out of the tents to gaze upon the
strange visitors. The author was at loss to decide
whether he should first pause to admire the singu-
lar construction of the tents formed OF felt and the
women with their silken shifts reaching down tothe
ankles or at once CRAFTY the wish implied by their
outstretched hands and arms. Young and old With
out distinction of sex family, all desired TO touch
the sacred hadjis on whom still rested the dust Of
Mecca and Medina. To his utter aInazemont, women
of the greatest beauty some young girls even
hurried up to embrace the facttious deryish. He
was both wearied and dumbfounded with such de-
monstrations of religion and hospitality. On com
ing before the tent of the chief priest, new con-
test arose as to who should have the honor of en-
Pertaining the venerable guests. At length they
were CHARTERED in different tents; but instead OF re-
pose our traveller found himself beseged by visi-
TORS who fingered till late hour at night asking
thousand questions until the serenest patience was
completely exhausted. The supper was served by
the son of one of the chief men, lad twelve years
old. 1t consisted of boiled fish and sour milk in &
large wooden dish. The appetite with which it wal
attacked gave visible pleasure to the hospitable en-
tertainers.
The whole company Of pilgrims were constantly
invited to religious banquets, which were an almost
intolerable bore to our efend On such occasions
the host would throw down before the tent some
pieces of felt or if he in apartcularly sumptu
Gus mood of carpet upon which the guests would
seat themselves in groups of five six in circle
each group receiving large wooden dish Of siz'
and contents adapted to the number and ages o.
those who were to share it. Every guest plunged
his half opened fist into this dish, until he touched
bottom. Horse-fesh and camel-fesh were promi-
nent viands on the Tartar table, while other substi-
tutes for venson are passed il discreet silence.
During the visit of the caravan, the son of the
chief-twelve years old, as before mentonsd-was
betrothed TO a little damsel two years younger than
himself The affair was celebrated by grand fcs-
tival. During the banquet, the young lady was
completely occupied in working shawl. Her man
ner showed perfect Inconsistencies Of the pres
ence of others; did she betray Throughout the
whole repast which lasted two hours, the slightest
interest in the company.
After leaving this hosptable sojourn, the caravan
penetrates further and further the untrodden wids
Of Central ASIA until they reached the sandy desert
Oh the route TO Bokhara. Here they were doomed
TO encounter the most dismal terrOrs. 1t was the
month of July. The first station brought them to
sea Of sand, extending as far as eye can reach.
On one side, it was formed into high hills, like
waves dashed into that position by the Storm On
the other side, it like the smooth waters of a
still lake, scarcely rippled by the western wind.
The camels and asses sank TO their knees at every
etep Not a bird was visible in the air; not worm
or beetle upon the earth. The bones of those who
had persisted on the way, whitening in the sun as
they lay collected in heaps to guide the march OF
future travellers formed a so1nber memorial Of de-
parted life. The strength of the cames had been
exhausted before they entered the DESERT they f,ll
I'll through the torments Of the sand and heat and
two of them died at the first days station. The ter
rble heat had already left the travellers without
strength; two of the poorer members of the com
pany, who had tramped on foot by the side of their
feeble beasts, became Sick that they were unable
10 sit or ride and had 10 be bound at full length
upon the cames. AS long as they were able TO ar
ticulate, they kept excaiming Water! water"
the only words that escaped their lips. On the
fourth day, one of them was relieved by death
from the torments of thirst. Before he drew his
last BREATH his tongue quite black, the roof of
his mouth of grayish white, his lips shrivcled,