The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-03
SOME NEW hooks.


knowledge OF the Mussuman Khanates OF Cen
trail Asia which has boon made In recent years
n now offered us In narrative OF travels and
adventures In tho region southeast Of the Cas-
pisn by Mr. EDMOND O'DoNovAN tPutnams).
The two volumes which compose this book arc
collectively entitled The Mer'p Oasis. because.
although the scope OF the authors wanderings
was much wider. the reader will be specially
Interested in the account OF Merv. whose
strateGical Importance 70 Russia Persia. and
England Is well known. but which was long re-
garded as we'll nigh inaccessible There Is
reason to believe that the plan OF the Merv
Oasis and It's water system. published with this
book. ia the hrst over based on an actual sur
vey, and that rs much may DO said OF the plans
showing tho old cities and their relative posi-
Nons With this record OF Ave months ros-
hence In Merry Is completed the long process
which began with Vamberys visit to Samar-
cand. and which had for Its object tho reds-
eovcry OF Turkestan BY Europeans. Samar-
eAnd. Bokhara, Khiva. and Khokand are' now
directly or virtually incorporated with Russia;
xashgar has been reoonQuered by the Chinese;
Balkh still acknowledges q nominal depen-
dence upon Cabul. and tho Tekkes Of Merv. who
command tho route from tho Caspian TO Herat.
must soon fall. II they have not already fallen.
under the power.ot Russia. 1t is much to Mr..
has TO say about Merv and its people no has
confined himself 10 what he actually saw and
heard among them. being careful to abstain
from quoting the recollections and opinions Of
other writer's. In this respect his book pre-
sents an admirable contrast to 6chuyler's
"Turkestan."
Tho travels which are recounted In these
volumes covered period Of three years. but
We need not dilate upon the authors expert
snces among the Russian settlem ents on the
eastern shore Of the Caspian. or on his adven-
lures in Persia. for SUFFICIENT information re-
lAting to those countries may be derived from
other sources. We shall therefore pass over
the nrst volume and take up the thread Of the
authors narrative at the point when he re-
oeived an invitation to Merv which, after the fall
Of the Akhal Tekke capital Cock Tepe. became
the last stronghold OF the Independent Turco-
mans In this quarter. The defender Of Geek
Tepe. Makdum Kuli Khan. informed Mr..
O'Donovan Of his intention to leave the banks
Of the Tcjend River with the forces he still COM
handed. and to fall back toward Merv.
which. By the way. is not now . city
q all Though there were three ancient cities
81 that name) but rather . collection
It Turcoman settlements. The Khan pur-
posed 70 construct in the Merv Oasis new
stronghold. and he invited the correspondent
ei the London Daily Netos to be present at the
ceremonies by which its foundation was TO be
celebrated Mr.. ODonovan was resolved to 60.
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