New-York tribune., 1876-10-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
scHUYLERs TURKIsTAN.
SURKIsrAN: NOTES OF JoUENEY IN kUs7I,

svo. scnbuer, Armstrong, x co.
Ar,ono +bc recent works which have enriched the
American library Of foreign travel, high place
must be assigned 20 this elaborate record OF an eX-
tepsive tourney IN Central Asia. The author is
man Of singular courage and enterprise, OF large
experience in diplomatic and political affairs, q
prompt and acute observer familiar with the IAN
ruage and habits of Russia, clear THINKER ana 1"
vigorous writer His work is storehousc OF IaI'
and curious information Devoted 10 n Iesioi'
which though often partially explored, mas never
been thoroughly understood, 1t throws 1res ii3' "r
its geography, natural history. popular customs ana
roliticol relations. MIR. Schuyler modestiy dis
claims the uurpose Of relating stories OF personal
adventure or accounts of scientific exploration, bu
The reader viii find much of both kinds to tempt
ms curiosity, and reward diigcnt perusa ol 'Iie
volumes. The primary aim Of the author has Deen
10 describe the condition of the provinces recently
annexed bv Russia and 20 compare the state OF the
people under the new rule with that Of those Suii
living under the despotism of the khans
Starting from st. Petersburg, March %, 1873 10y
rail. Nh Schuyler reached the station oI S"I@to'
nbout $40 miles, on the morning OF tAe 2Oth' "l,io
he renamed the rest Of the day, to make piePaI"-
lions for the subsequent journey Inc country was
covered with snow and he was Obliged TO 'IaI'l IL
sledres. Crossing the Voga he found The Ieit D1nk
coyered fo n great distance with German colonies
most Of them IutheTans who had settled there M
der Catherine H. in the year 17G9 They live III thc
endowment of certain privileges, exemption rom
military duty among others, and are IN hiehly
Aourishing state. A hundred years has NOS dhlHh-
isbed their attachment to their old German ways lie
towns are close to each other with we'll bult agree
able houses huge barns and granaries, fine churches
and every sign of material prosperity Inc posi- sa
tiops were always comfortable, one was sure OF Ai-
ing GOOD bread and butter and cup OF coiee' WINE
at the Russian post villages nothing was to De h""
but yillainous black bread and an eGg on TWO oe'"
siCnally.
The first glimpse of Oriental life was obtained al Il
Bashkir village called KUzebal. The houses were
rude structures Of clay, half under ground "ltn nat
clay roofs on which the dogs of the house kept Up
continual promenade, and assaiing the stranger
with their hideous bark. At the other end oil the
VILLAGE rose the wooden cOne-Capped nlnaTet OF the
poosoue The station was not on the direct post
road and there was great difficulty IN obtaining
horses. Our traveller drove into dirty court lui
of sush and melted snow, ahghtlng at the single
room which constituted the habtation of the Bash
kir horse owner. The inside Of the house was tdy
as possible: on one side there was an immense stove
and half the room was divided 9h by print curtains
A broad divan covered with gay felt rug cNtehde"
along the wall and in the corner next the door were
calf and young colt, that had been brought III o"
account of the cold The low brick stove was sur
rounded by young woman and number oi shlah
children. and on one end Of tine dvan was a"orn-ou
looking woman with diminutiye infant, apparently
horn a few hours before. The master of the house
wore q LONG caftan, and a small black skull-cap ON
his shayen head He was disposed to be auiable and
further the progress Of the journey He explained
that tho drivers had all gone away with thelr
horses and sent out to find Others III the village.
Anumber Of men soon made their appearance, old
fellows with grizzly boards, and awkward thich-
Tipped young men, one of them dandy o. the IIneSt
kind, with a broad white shirt collar and an orhd-
mented silver belt around his dark blue caitan. lie
evidently felt his importance, and demanded an eN-
tortionate price for the horses. The others followed
hisexaulple. and were incOntinently dispatched. \
new set of jockeys then came II, put th'
traveller had to accept their outrageous terms.
When it was agreed to take the horses one
of the old men recited the first chapter Of
the Koran. they ali stTObed their boards, and the
bargain was made. At each successive station siml-
lar treatment was received, TIL the pnce OF the
horses grew INTO round sum. The road led Tor
many miles over low hills all white with snow.
Notbinp Int the track was visible, the cold WAS III
tense, and there was every sign of a violent
storm. The Cossack capital Uralsk was soon
reached. Mr. Schuyler found 1t duapdaled ana
dirty. There was hardly decent bulldng III tht
whole town. The streets were full Of khirgiz
mounted on camels, which gave an Oriental aspect
to the place According to the author the opinion
of the Cossacks which prevails in the West Is de-
cidedly erroneous. They are thought to be an un-
civilized savage race supTemely addicted to plundeI
and acts of barbarty. But in reality, they are md
auliable and hospitable. They are the pioneers OF
Russian civilization. When brave, manly fellows
are required for any service, they are the men Tor H.
Though fond of an occasional raid on the uncylzed
tribes. they are in the main peaceful and orderly
citizens The women hard workers and good
housekeepers. Mr.. Schuyler never arrived at post
station kept by married Cossack, but he found
everything clean and neat, with milk and eggs at
least and perhaps something substantial to eat.
The male Cossacks from eighteen to twenty are in
the military service within the district. After a
wear of rest they are then liable TO serve outside
their district for nominally fifteen years, but they
are always at home again long before the eXpIa-
tion of that period. Every Cossack is supposed
TO be in the army, but there are some exceptions
when several members Of the same family are III the
service I'm time Of war all can be called upon. The
Cossacks, strange as it may seem, form an almost
ideal community. The land belongs collectively to
the whole army Every member has the right to I'll
the ground TO cut hay, to pasture hs cattle where
he pleases respecting of course the rights Of Others
as settled by custom Even the fishing in the Ural
and in the sea is common property. The days OF
fishing arc regulated, and 10 one dares TO
cast net or a harpoon before the firing of the
signal cannon. The produce of cayiare, isih-
glass. aud salted surgeons is very great
This arrangement makes wealth moro uniform
than elsewhere. There arc rich and no poor
Even the poorest man las his house, and horses
and cattle.
On arriving at Orenburg, Mr. Schuyler found his
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