The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-13
SOME NEW hooks.
ttfe in Russian Turkestsn-A Great Fair In
the Kirghiz Steppes.

nercial travellers will find Turkestan more &C.
essibe than Mexico. Yet II was but yesterda y
bat certain wiseacres were disposed to repudi-
te Vambery, applying to his accounts OF that
rGion the well-known argument against mira
bes, that II was not contrary to experience for
Hunearilns to lie, whereas 1t was contrary to ex-
berience for a Christian to return from Samar-
nnd alive. For the moment, indeed, our infor-
nation respecting the conditions OF life in the
three Khanates, and the obstacles which the
Russian civillzers must encounter In the work
Hsocial reconstruction, Is to be sought mainly
rom military and oficial sources. Thus the
bu'hor OF the work before us-Die Russcn IN
Tnrkestdn, by ID. lvANoFF, translated into Ger
man b. A. Won Drygalski-is himself Russian
ofhcer, and having participated In the recent
Campaigns which assured the conquest OF Cen
trial Asia, IL qualified to offer some valuable con-
rihutions 20 our knowledge OF the country. The
rnre pictures In which this book abounds are
,aid to be faithful, and are certainly conspicu.
DIS for vivid outline and bright color, and one
h them, the description OF a great annual fair
m the kirehiz steppes, Is well worth reproduce
hon. In It will be found concentrated, as In a
focus, all the varied activities and characteris-
uo traits Of this nomad pc pie, which once gave
Khan TO Muscovy. and by singular reverse
OF fortune have become the subjects OF their
former slaves.
Ii was after shutdown, the only part OF TIC So. &C.
during which travel on the steppes IL endursble
in the dry season, that our author reached tho
Russian outpost, near which the Kirghz fair
WIS to he held. He found great numbers OF no.
MAIDS already massed about the temporary ba~
saar, while from all points OF the horizon fresh
caravans could DO seen converting to the place
where the trafiic and diversion OF a year would
be compressed In the space OF few days. The
c1meis come on at n lazy amble, one behind an
other. their broad, fleshy soles falling soft and
Doiselcss on the level steppe aud 10 ving In Its
dust round, smooth print From the bells
dangling about the neck OF the animal, curious
hollow tinklinu signals the approach of the train
from great distance. The tired cross grained
ship OF the desert jerks and plunges stretching
his neck TO Its full length, and bellows with pain
from the stake thrust through his nostrils
which, by this time. are torn and bleeding. by
starts, therefore, like the tap OF a hoarse drum,
he sends forth prolonged, hideous groan, but
tha kirghiz driver, who bestrdes the fore lost
beast, Il never reused by the compl ANTS of the
misused brItes from his deep, trance.lke reve-
rie. From the camel's TANKS swing aud a lD all
possible sorts Of bales and sacks, with big coils
Of rops, while beneath protrude the crooked,
heavy boughs ola dwarf tree used for fuel.
great tresses Of long reeds com letely hiding
the animals back and letting their bushy tops
trail along the ground. Some OF the Kirghizes
60 on foot before their camels which sit cross
legged their women-"dusk faces. with white
silken turbans wreathed"-and others, again.
mounted on short, lean ponies turn to account
The easy trot over the nat sand, their tongues
not resting for moment.
Long after nightfall the bazaar is noisy with
fne hum OF voices, mounting the peculiar gut
lerals and aspirstes OF their oriental speech
with bawling, outcry and uproar, broken at In
tervals by the neghne Of horses and believing
OF camels, or here and there a quavering song.
Only toward midnight does certain degree Of
quiet envelop the tents Of the nomads, but the
hme conceded to sleep by these impatient chill
drcn OF the waste Is very brief. At least two
hours before sunrise new swarms OF men with
loaded camels begin to stream into the plaza.
stiil more intense grows the hustle and the pres
sure as day draws near, till the sun. mounting
tho horizon, reveals an impressive, unique
sableau.
L. ,s hard to portray scenes OF this nature,
where the bouDdless variety and entauglement
OF It's features Constitute tho distinctive char
scter OF the picture. Horses, dromedares,
camels goats, rams, cows, men on foot, on horse
back and on camel back, all showing and darling
NJ sinst. over and under one another, the pecu-
har native tongues. the erumblng, the scream.
Ing. tue screech OF the dromedary, and tho
tranpng OF cattle, the whole Wild chaos Of tone
and color. set IN the peaceful framework Of the
rAy, treeess waste, startles the stranger like
bone abrupt paroxysm OF nature. The FOREIGNER
who views u hlrghiz fair for the 1rst time may
well fail to connect 1t with the idea Of trade, but
ibe trained eve and ear Of the native merchant
recognize IN the wbirl and din only wild species
Of nomadc order, aud quaint mode Of trans
aching business by no means irren OF results.
n fnfr "A Of "A aaf adj 10
anssd diminutlve huts OF clay, divided by par
uuon walls, suggesting the rows OF stalls in
ZONE vast stable. These booths are occupied by
Me larger foreign dealers, the travelling mer-
shants proper, but only during the season Of
The fair, the shops being closed for the rest Of
The year by mailing rough boards across the
tront. The owners OF these relatively sumptu-
sus warehouses present a medley Of the most d.
verse races, including Armenians, Georgiaus.
Persians, natives Of Paschkend, Cabul, and Bas-
sora out all these, OF course are civilized folk.
maintaining relations with the productive in
dustry of settled communities, and accorded by
the nomad population a wonderful degree OF
consideration. Although the stately demeanor
OF these Oriental peddlers betrays a profound
consciousness Of superiority, they do not forget
shat the Wild rOamer OF the steppes, who falls so
Tar short OF townsman's experience and ex.
pertness IN the pricing aud choosing Of wares, Is
Tor that very reason precious pigeon, whom It
h well to coax and humor. Accordingly, their
Hock OF merchandise represents to the kirghlz
mind the sum total OF earthly temptations.
Here, for instance, are caft ans, aud fur or felt
eaps gorgeous russian carpets, iron bound
bLcsts and leather pouches, rosin, and cutlery.
while the klrghiz beauties are naturally capt.
vnted by wax beads, false pearls, gilt finger
hnss, packets OF perfumed soap, rouge pots
bes. rouge bots In the steppe-hanl mirrors, and
Admired other knick -knacks. even 10 mention
winch makes them smack their thick, red lips
IL l. before these magazines Of luxury that tho
crowds press with special interest and wonder
while Ia the interior Of the booths 20 on pro-
tracted scrutinles aud angerings OF wares, and
endless haggling about prices.
o. the open square are drawn IN in Gles the
Ambulatory shops Of the small Klrghz hucA-
bters, whose slender stocks seldom exhibit any
thing but the coarse stuns and rude Implements
Of native workmanship. The middle Of the
plaza Is occupied by the so-called movable
bazaar, where such merchandise as tho nOmads
have brought with them Is battered or sold
from the backs Of camels. Every nook and cor
ner OF the enclosure not seized upon by trade
rOlk Is packed with spectators; indeed, tho num-
oers present at this particular fair were to DO
no nod In