, 1892-03-02

of that portion of the Russian Empire which
Adults on the Chinese frontier, from the west
EN- slopes of the Tent Shan TO the valleys
OF the Trans-Alai, which form the approaches
to the Pamirs from the north. He first dealt
with the province Of Semerechia, which might
be described as an Asiatic Colorado. The
average temperature appropriated to that
OF Southern Germany but the mazima OF
heat and cold exceeded those Of central Eu.
rope. Although Semerechia derived its
name from it's rivers, they were geographi-
cally less Interesting than the lakes with
which the country abounded. A description
Of Semerechia would be incomplete without
q reference to Kuldscha, q Chinese province
on the upper waters of the Iii river. This
fertile oasis in the midst OF the Monaghan
wilderness of rscks and deserts presented q
StriI ing parallel to the position Of Egypt in
another continent. Kuldsoha was the home
of an. Industrious Mahomedan population,
which drove out its rulers at the time of the
Tapping revolt, and the subsequent disorders
led to foreign Intervention. Russian troops
occupied for q series of years the province
which was the key and granary Of Western
Mongolia, and, in reply to the protests OF
China, that Power was assured that, as soon
as she could give satisfactory guarantees Of
the mai ntenance of order on the frontier,
Kuldscha would be restored to her. These
conditions were fulfilled, and the Russian
Government had hOnourably carried out It's
undertaking, and the Chinese had resumed
possession. of the revolted province. In
view Of the criticisms Of Russian earth hanger,
of which we heard 80 much at present., this
retrocession Of Kuldscha should not be over
looked as q fact on the other side. His
own acquaintance with Semerechia dated
from November, 1890. He arrived there
along the post road which runs from
Samarcand and Tashkend to Vierny and
Semipalatinsk. Passing Tokmak, he began
the ascent of the ravine Of the Chu river. This
ravine was known 81 the Buamsky Uschelye.
The view which present ed itself to the travel.
Ter as he emerged from the canon Of the Chu
into the broad Issik- Kul valley was one of the
most striking in the world. In Karakol, as in
most other places throughout his journey, the
Russian officers, both civil and military, receiv-
ed him in the most friendly manner, and he
passed three months there in shooting excur-
sions into the surrounding country, q thorough
ly enjoyable time, despite the late season Of
the year. Having resided in Russia for years
and travelled thousands OF miles, unattended
and unintroduced, IN various parts Of the
empire, he had had considerable experience Of
Russian Tchinovniks. In no single instance
had he been received otherwise than courteous
ly, and be could recall many instances Of
friendly consideration quite beyond mere off.
cial politeness. The attacks of Jews and
Nihilists on the Russian bureaucracy obtained
such prominence in the English Press that he
felt bound ~tostate his experience in this respect.
InFebruary, 1891, he proceeded from Karakol
to Kashgar. He reached Fort NarNn, where he
stayed for g. week. and then continued his
journey with al escort of q couple OF Cossscks,
He arrived at Kashgar on March 2 "a.
The recent appointment OF q British Consul
at Kashgar was an excellent step only too
long delayed. The English intercourse
with the country WAS small; but the total
number of Indian subjects interested in the
country was consid cradle. After q three days
stay in Kashgar he resumed his Jour.
ney. The road ON Chinese territory to
the frontier fort of Irkeschtam presented no
special difficulties The writer descIibesF his
journey rs far as Marghilan and KokAn.
From Kokan he rode to Hodschent, and from
there to Dschau Boulak, on the Tashken road.
His horse was now nearly worn out, and pro-
gress very slow aud to add to his discomfort
it began to rain. So he disposed Of bis stsed
to the Srarost (~postmaster) at the ~next7sta-
ton, and completed his journey to Tashkend
on wheels, having been 48 days. including
stoppages, on tho way from Karakol and
ridden nearly 1000 miles over some Of the
worst roada in the world From Tashkend