The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-30
TURKlSTAS.

Lecture Of Professor Robert Won Schlagint.
weit-The Connection of the Remotest In
habitnnts Of Europe with Asia.
Professor Won Schlagntweit delivered his sixth
and last lecture in the German language yesterday
evening at Steinway Hail on the subject OF the
travels and explorations OF himself and brothers In
Central or High Asia. The previous lectures were
fully reported in these columns, giving vivid pic
ture OF the geographic condguration OF this noun
famous territory as well as OF the ethnographic
character and modes OF life OF its Indigenous nhabi.
tants. While sojourning to obtain rest, for few
days near the lake Kinkki0l, at height OF 1890
feet they made some experiments to test the trans
parency OF the water and this subject series Of
exceedingly interesting details given as to the
frequency with which the eye is deceived In the sp
posed depth 10 which objects may be seen under
water anu the experience and measurements OF
along the banks OF the river Earakash, where they
came upon series OF hot salt springs around which
pure crystals OF salt In immense quantities were
found the water itself having emperaure VARYING
from seventy 10 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Further on
they met with ruins OF houses and numerous Isolated
buildings. said to have been toll houses of the
Chinese and also spot called Sikandar Mokam,
which tradition claims to have been camp OF Alex
ander the Great SiSandar being the name given to
Alexander. In this connection the Professor referred
TO the interesting fact that from the best sources OF
history 1t IS known that Alexander never reached so
high north as that place; yet among the people
there, as well Of Southern India, whittier
he also did not advance, traditions OF the
victorious Macedonian are numerous, while among
the people whom he did fight and conquer
IN the Punjaub and among the Singhs no memory OF
Alexander is preserved. On their further journey
nortnward, from Sumgal to Busha, they met with a
serious accident, being almost swept away by the
rapidly rising current while taking refuge on
sandbank In the midst OF the river description OF
the passage Of the Kunlun range OF mountains with
peaks as high as q 900 feet given In vivid terms
and OF the intense cold they had TO endure--eleven
and half degrees below zero at altitude Of $4,000
feet on the sd OF August 1856. The Professor then
described the peculiar character OF the land as 1t
mountains, and the aniable and open-hearted
character OF the people, whose nintock muskets,
however, bore the stamp OF Russian manufacture.
How the people lived and moved was told with many
amusing anecdotes and humorous contrasts with
modern habits OF civilized life They did not pro.
coed to Eldir, large town with many Chinese but
after tarrying while they returned again to Sch,
the capital OF Sadak. Giving general recapitula-
ton Of the geographical and ethnographica discov.
cries, the Professor 1oKe OF the present political
condition OF the land since the Chinese yoke was
thrown on and expressed 1t as his opinion that for
Europe and for mankind 10 would be beneficial IL
Russia were TO proceed and to succeed In subecting
that country to her dominion. One-for the
ethnograpcal history OF the human race-exceed-
ingly important discovery should be mentioned. On
their return they found deserted quarry containing
nephrlte, an exceedingly hard rock used by the
natives Tor idols. OF this rock no traces can be
found In Europe. Yet, on searching among the
lately discovered pile habltatlons the bottom OF
swiss lakes, tools, such as axes and some things
acmbling chses, made Of this nephritc, were found
dispelling the former idea that these the assumed
primitive inhabitants OF Europe were autochthones
but connecting their origin with the centre OF Asia.