The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-27

to tell the story OF their adventures. but
hands OF the merciless and bloodthirsty khans.
Little, therefore, has been known about it, and
that little was vague and unreliable. An oasis in
the middle of the wide and almost impossible des-
erts OF the Turcomans and the Kyzil K0om sur
rounded on all sides by an ocean OF sand hundreds
and mysterious as some distant, undiscovered
island In the South Seas, or the wild and lonely
regions around the North roie-an eyesore and
source OF constant irritation to members OF
learned bodies like that at whose invitation i am
here tonight The difficulties, therefore, OF
any tbing like comprehensive and detailed ac-
count OF place SO little known are very great,
to the almost inevitable snortcomnss IN such an
attempt. l will endeavor to give the greatest Dos
slble information IN the fewest possible words,
tempt at rhetorical display nope you win not mar.
Dor Tor moment the thought that 1t is because
an effort. First, then, as to the position OF
Khiva. 1t lies on the left bank or the Amoo
Daria or Oxus OF ancient history. twenty miles
the Aral Sea- about 400 miles east from the Caspian
and 1900 from st. Petersburg 1t is in latitude Il,
sides by what has hitherto been considered an Inn
passable desert Tor an army. From the shores OF
the Caspian on the west almost to the Hlndoo
OF 100 mics from the frontiers Of Aighanis-
tan and Persia on the south to the
norta, 900 miles, it is level expanse
OF plain alternating between sand ana gravel, in
plants and grapes can find nOurishment and life,
and only relieved mere and there Dy q low chain
of barren, sandy, slaty mountains. The greater
part OF IT, aud especially that portion lying east
and south OF the Aral Sea, is 800 ieet below the
level OF the ocean, and the whole of it is supposed
to have formed, at some time In the history OF the
earth, the bed OF an immense, shallow. inland sea,
OF which only the Caspian and the Aral now
remain, In the middle Of this desert is the
oasis OF khiva. II has length OF about 200
miles, with an average width OF seventy five, and
contains population OF nearly 100000 souls.
Krghese, Kepchinks, Kalmucks and Turcoman
together with about 49, 900 Persians, who before
the u @1as campaign mp were slaves Although
and research IN the peoples or Central Asia, and
although little Is positively known OF their origin
stated that they all belong to that branch Of the
MongOIian race known as Tartars, approaching
ana ana tvns al {neI nom NV the original Mopgo
mixed with neighboring peoples OF the Circassian
race-the descendants OF those same Tart rs who
annihllating every trace Of Western civilization
Their principal vocation IL filling the SOIL varied
bors Of Kokharo and Russia, and the plundering Of
caravans passing to and fro through the desert
The lecturer then related an adventure which
Defell him one evening, giving an account OF the
interior OF the palace and a description of the
harem. and drawing a graphic picture OF the old
Illustrated by Photographic views. In concluding
his paper, the lecturer said
Ana now, MIR. President and Fellows of the
American geographical Society, before saying the
hnal word, beg to thank you Tor this your cordial
reception tonight. When arrive in the Old
lish and Russian friends who nave heard Of aXmeri
can institutions" that by far the most active and
prospsTSHs s have found Is the American
able and Accomplished ''' Chief o's Justice H your
will tell General Kaufman and the Grand
OF Central Asia and the Khiva campaign than
K6anate, and shan assure ST Henry Rawnson
and the Royal Geographical Society, before which
have been invited to appear. that your learned
body Is bound 10 become tine leading geographical
of it in the enthusiastic audiences these eminent
guests and the frequent occasions upon which you
nOnor travellers even OF as humble merit as my
self9
After several beautiful stereoscopic views or
scenes 10 the Caucasus had been exhibited and
merriment BY saying that wnen the lights were we're
put out there would be some additional light
thrown on Khiva by General Sherman whom he
had now the honor OF introducing to them.
GENERAL sHERMAN's ADDRESS
General SHERMAN, on coming forward to address
the meeting, was loudly applauded. He said thai
they had heard the only notice he had received
that he was to give them some light and in1orma.
night 70 hear his friend MacGahsn, whom
he had listened to with the greatest
some points wnen he had an opportunity of doing az:
go. When he General Sherman) was in the
East two ago he de-
not Welcome news, but Mr.. aacGahan ca mas
ionable man. He had listened to him with extreme
pleasure and he dbl not intend, al that late hour,
MacGahan wtn regard to the Caucasus which M ny
between Central Europe and Asia as the
connecting link between ancient and modern
that beautiful Caucasian race, because they had
clean water and thew were accustomed to hear of
General Ia Of
Kot, where there was village or town that was
Russian, pretty much like place in Pennsylvania,
lots. but nobody invested: lCheers.) There was
a railroad to This. They expected to find
Bat ' they ala not see many. They eG msas
the Journey 20 TINS partly BY raIi and partly BY
carriage. They found there Russians in garrison
q fine, pleasant, agreeable gentleman, Of excellent
the tS Srand Duke Michael He
and pouring into what is now known as the eau
casus. Those races came from the Oxus and com
and their children, having the best OF clean water,
had produced the Caucasian race. tCheers.) He
OF the Caucasus were the dirtiest people thew
ever saw. He did not believe they ever washed
their faces or their bodies; but in the Soutn where
The Russians had established civil and military
bureaus in Khlva, and he had no doubt that the
government was adapted to the people and was as
appeared to be justice tempered with mercy.
good military system was established, the officers
were extremely intelligent and the Russian soldiers
IN That country would iavoraby bear comparison
with our own. ,Cheers:) The people were mixed
with all the races Of Asia, and they were at war
almost from time immemOrlal until about the
close Of the American civil war, when the RussiaEs
captured Schamyl hero Of whom they might
have read. They travelled in the country, they
paid for what they had and got little to eat Dur
Ing the journey he had not received a hard
word, and he had experienced no more danger
than he had lear Of now. He thought that the rule
OF the Russians In the Caucasus had been for the
advancement Of civilization, and therefore he
was glad TO hear thai the Russians in
tended to extend their power in the
East. When the wild Turcomans and
Khivans were subdued, the old Persian Empire
would have chance to rise from its degradation
and take its place among the nations of the world.
,Cheers.)
A vote of thanks proposed by DR.. Hayes) to Mr..
MacGahan and General Sherman brought the pro-
ceedlngs to close.
THE AMERICAN MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.
The American Microscopical Society of the City
of New York held Its annual meeting and election