The New York herald., 1874-07-20
LITE r At U r e.

The Russian Campaign Against Khiva.
Mr.. J. A. MacGahan's book OF travel and adven-
ture In Central Asia is an extremely interesting
volume. IL is replete with the experiences Of .
stranger travelling many miles on strange mis-
sion, and the narrative is as bright and fresh az II
part OF the story had ever been told before Mr..
Macgahan was the HERALD correspondent who
joined General Kaufman while the Russian forces
we're marching upon Khiva II was his first ex-
pecration to overtake Kaufmann's column at Kazala
or Fort No. on the ancient Yaxartes. In order
TO do this preliminary journey OF 900 miles from
st. Petersburg had to be accomplished under very
great difficulties Upon his arrival Mr.. MacGanan
found that the Russians were already far on their
march, and the commandant Of the fort would not
consent 10 his following, on the score OF the ex-
rreme danger Of the journey. This necessitated
his going to Fort Perovsky where he obtained his
outfit and began his search alter General Kauf
mann. The search occupied many days. Night
after night he was entertained in the kIbitkas or
tents belonging to the auls or wandering villages
OF the nomadic Kirghiz. These simple people. who
have travelled the same journeys on the same
days Of the year for generatlOns, received him
with uniform courtesy and Kindness, and listened
to the stories Of AK-MamatOff, his servant, with a
wonder never before felt IN the desert. Even
HERALD correspondents are scarce In Central
Asia, and 1t is no wonder the nOmads Of the East
were surprised at mission they could but dimly
comprehend.
The narrative OF this part Of Mr.. MacGahan's
journey occupies about one-third OF the volume,
the country traversed being the great desert OF
Kyzi-Kum. from the Syr to the Oxus. Four DAYS
brought the adventurous journalist to Irkibai,
where the Russians had impr0vsed fortress.
Two days more brought him to the mountains OF
BukanTau After seventeen days journey through
| the desert he rode into the camp and fortress of
Khala-Ata This he at 1rst supposed was Kauf-
| mann's encampment; but in answer to his first
| question, he ascertained that the army had
marched nve days before. And here severe de-
tentiOn occurred, Colonel Weimarn, the com.
mandant-descrihed by the Russian officers as
canaA!e dAuemand- refusing to allow
him to go forward. In the end he
escaped, however, and, after stih further painful
| journeyings, reached the Oxus in safety, but
found only the dead ashes OF the camp; and then
| going forward again his thirty days. chase ended
in finding the army. Kaufman had no hesitation
| in allowing him to accompany the army, and in
| the remaining parts Of his book MIR. Mace ahan
describes the march on Khiva and the capture OF
the city, and gives an account Of the war with the
Turcomans which followed. We neeu not pursue
the narrative further as the whole story was long
ago related in the HERALD; but the book itself is
none the less interesting or valuable on that &C
count.
Mr.. MacGahan was the only correspondent with
the Russian army in Central Asia. That he Is q
true knight OF the press mis- thirty days. wander
ings in the desert Of Kyzl-Kum are SUFFICIENT
proof Few men would have had the courage to
undertake such q journey. Fewer still would have
shown sufficient persistence to carry 1t out. The
KhIrgiZ, he was told, were marauders and mur-
derers. Even II he escaped them the Turoomans
would have to be encountered before he could
oRo fho Dr1oo hacor hoa ofTA rad
obstacles that were next to insurmountable But
he oraved every danger and steadily pushed his
way toward the Oxus, sleeping in the auls of the
natives at night and sometimes the sands Of the
desert. At times he suffered from hunger and
thirst. while 1t was well nigh impossible for his
horses to struggle through the sands OF the desert
His servants were dsobedient and treacher0us,
| and Ak-Mamator especially endeavOred to thwart
him all the way from the Syr and, worst Of all, he
| had at no time any certain information in regard
to the Russians so that his doubts added much to
the sufYerngs Of his journey. His greatest fear
was that Khlva would be taken before he could
reach the Russians, and this troubled him as it
could only trouble the soul of journalist But he
me. hospitality everywhere, principally because he
was an American. His book throughout Is q mar
rative Of what he saw and heard and felt There
is no attempt to be learned profound, but, what
is more admirable than the guesswOrk OF most
Eastern travellers his facts are the results Of
experience and observation, his style ID pic
turesque, and his descriptions are truthful and
! lifeiike. No such book was ever before written
on Central Asia, because no trained journalist was
ever there before; and while 1t Is not pretentous
book 1t Is an exceedingly good one. Every chapter
Is as crisp and fresh as loaf Of new made bread.
And besides descriptions Of the strange life Of
| almost unknown people 1t has historical value.
For all English speaking countries it the authority
upon the Russian campaign In the East, and the
fall of Khiva, and, indeed, in Russia also, where
it has been translated and Is much appreciated.
1t Is the key to the designs OF the Czar in that dis
tant land and to the probable consequences OF
Russian rule in Central Asia. The Eastern ques-
ton has shifted its ground and whoever would
understand the future complic ications OF European
politics regards Asiatic interests must 60 to Mr.
MacGahan's book as the nrst step toward forming
an intelligent opinion. And the reader will rise
from the perusai Of the volume thankful for the
entertainment it AFFORDED and ready to say with
General Kaufman, that the author is q molo
dyets-a brave fellow.
The London academy thus speaks OF Mr.
MacGahans book
"Long, perhaps, before the Russian orlcia
the book before us wiil have been read IN the
Russian language In oil the capitals of the empire.
kind. rhe great dexterty which ne displayed
throughout may be read only between his modest
lines, but more GENIAL spirit and happy frame OF
mind never pervaded an account OF travel The
| work is clever, well written and full OF quaint
humor; but we have, perhaps, said enough to
AWAKEN . curiosity which will be fully grati1ed
! when the book Is read. 1t is book which will
wortnily meet the demand for information on the
| subject IL treats Of Mr.. MacGahan has earned y
mark OF the Emperor's appreciation OF his indom
table energy and bravery" etI f3 ,r
| CAMPAIGNING ON THE OxUs AND THE FAIL OF
KHIvA. BY J. A. MacGahan London: Sampson
| Low, Marston d Co. r