The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-10


operative in Siberia, and the latter is
consequently colder than these Euro
peapp countries lying within the same
parallels But Siberia is, nevertheless,
not altogether the frozen land it has been
supposed to be.
Only few years ago, M. de Bourbon
Ion, the French Minister to China, &C
companied by his wife, on returning to
Europe, made the homeward journey
overland from Peking to St. Petersburg
through Siberia. Madame de Bourbon
lon, lady educated in the United
States, published an exceedingly inter
esting and instructive book narrating the
incidents and observations of that ad-
venturous journey. The book would
we'll pay translation, but we are not
aware that the work has ever appeared
in an English dress. p
Madame de Bourboulon's spirited ac-
count of what she, observed in passing
through those regions throws much light
upon subjects connected with Siberia,
and which goes TO confirm Prof. Nor
denskjold's report concerning the natural
produetiveness of that country. For il
Illustrating these views we translate from
Madame de Bourboulon's book some Of
the passages bearing upon this point.
The travellers have crossed the great
Desert of Cobb, and are near Ourga, a
a city on the southern frontier of Siberia
adjoining Mongolia, and have just crossed
the River Toula. The season is June.
Writing at this point, she says: "From
this ford we rejoiced in beholding a
splendid panorama. The Toula, strewn
with islets planted with alders, willows,
and poplars, divided its transparent wat
ers into numerous branches, which MUIR
INJURED over their pebbly beds and refec-
ted the sharp outline of their picturesque
banks. Beyond, the immense prairies
spread like carpet of green velvet on to
the limits of the horizon, where it seemed
to mingle its green with the azure of the
sky. An agreeable and widespread move
ment enlivens this magnificent landscape.
Droves of cattle, of sheep of goats are
seen scattered everywhere in the fat pas
lures of these vast plains, guarded by
rough-looking herdsmen, while whole
herds of half-wild horses are disporting
themselves at play.
Large groups of Yaks, perfectly white,
are seen collected together, forming cir
cular specks upon the verdant horizon.
Throngs Of women and children are fetch
ing water from the river, fishermen, osier
gatherers, and bathers are wandering
along its banks. In the distance we dis
cern the pallisaded streets and the tent
built houses of the city of Ourga, which
resembles vast encampment, overlooked
on the left by the cupolas, the towers
! the thousand gilded pagodas of the two
: palaces of the Grand Lama, the Guisor
Tamba. And finally, to crown thi
magical scene, to the right, pushing it.
rocky columns out in the waters of the
Toula, forming rapids and cascades there.
in, rises the holy Mountain the mys-
terious retreat of the superstitious Budd.
hists, crowned with an impenetrable for.
est, whose sombre verdure is broken in
upon in places by huge white rocks, con
secrated by symbolic characters writer
on their face"
This is not the picture of desolatior
commonly associated with Siberia. I
shows the pastoral nature of the pursuit
, common to Siberian people of the nativ,
I race, who are descendants of the Cos
sacks. That the country is capable o
: yielding other products than grazing i
noticed as our travellers proceed on thei
: way into Siberia. Of this, Madame d
: Bourboulon says: "We saw here a spec
: tacle of the greatest industrial activity
s A great number of gardeners had estab
V lished themselves in the low grounds
: and were utilizing the water from
, a small stream to fertilize thei
gardens. There were growing asparagus
cabbage, carrots, turnips, cucumbers
e salads, and, above all, onions and garlic
: There were potatoes also, yellow an
) round, which are cultivated with grea
J, skill. Among their fruits, pears apples
e peaches, were seen, well formed, not
n withstanding the rigors Of their earl,
' springtime. The sight of this abundance,
adds the writer, Showed what human in
s dustry is able to bring forth by sucl
. culture of this magnificent country, sit
uated in the latitude of Berlin, an,
|, which the nomadic pursuits and Gus
toms Of the original people have faile,
| to produce because of their raisin
: nothing but cattle and horses. Despit
: the severe cold Of their winters, the grea
r heat of the summers, refreshed by fire.
s quent showers, renders Southern Siberi
/. one of the most fertile countries of th