The morning call., 1894-06-10

young he read accounts of travels and
travellers, ana had great desire to be
himself able to relate his own experiences
As he says: "When one reads the menu of
a good dinner one is anxious TO taste a
similar repast. Each time that | opened
a book of travels | was stimulated by am
bition and desire to Initiate the example
of those described"
Prince Wlasemsky is descendant of
RurIk. and was born in Moscow in 1852
In 1888 he was married, and his wedding
Journey was made on horseback around
the Mediterranean Sea. With his bride
he crossed Asia Minor and Paies tine. then
the Isthmus of Suez, and thus they reached
Morocco.
When the Prince, planned his journey
through and around Asia his friends
called him insane but he left Moscow in
July, 1891, and after twenty-nine months
he returned to the land OF his birth. Dur
ing six weeks the Prince travelled in
troika: aiterward he bought a dozen
horses and with them crossed Siberia.
When he reached Mongolia, on Chinese
territory, he was accompanied by Captain
Zarembo, an Interpreter, photographer.
a cook and some COssacks. He crossed
the desert of Cobb by the most ancient
road in the world, a road the wells Of
which were sunk by GengIs Khan. In the
villages the Prince never stopped, because
he did not wish to arouse hostile demon
STATIONS, but in the towns soldiers pro-
tected the caravan.
But. As the words OF the Prince are most
Interesting I quote him: Zone evening
we were attacked by guns; the Celestials,
who should have watched over US, fled,
and we were obliged 20 gallon away in
order to escape a massacre. A ball struck
me in the leg and L was obliged 10 con-
tinue nv Journey for 200 miles i'll a sedan
chair. In the southern provinces We met
with less hostility. There, the Chinese
are more prudent-an effect of their last
war with France. l entered Ionquln from
the north in Marct, 1892, and there re-
ceived a cordial greeting. On horseback |
reached AMMAN. and from there L arrived
at the MekOng, then at the country of thp
Mois. After many adventures l visited
the ruins of Pimar, sailed down the Mekong
on a raft. stopped at PnOur Peuh, passed
by AngkOr and Cembodge, afterward
entering Slam. In Siam l was Obliged to
change my Siberian horses for elephants,
because in daytime they clear the roads of
all incumbrance and at night protect cara
vans against tigers. On an elephants
back | went to Bangkok, the capital Of
Siam; then trayersed BiTmania from east
to west and from south to north. Ele-
plants carried us more than 1900 miles
from RangOOn. following the course of the
Irawaddi to Mandalav, then across the
Manipour, Assam and Bengal. In Febru-
ary, 1898. / was at Calcutta, and after
staying three months in India L crossed
the Himalayas at an altitude OF 1900 10
$4,000 feet. When in Thibet | became
friendly with the BONES who live IN the
converts. The Buddhists are kind and
hospita BILE. and | was able TO unyeil some
of their secrets. l now understand the
special regime by which they abstain from
food and drink during longer or shorter
time. / am the only European who has
the key TO this mystery. In Europe these
experiments could only be ATTEMPTED in
winter, and even then they would be the
cause of great physical fatigue. These
BONES perform many miracles. and believe
| that hey can raise the dead.
when in the west of Turkestan
| thought | had reached the end Of nv
undertaking with great success. Alas
We were attacked by horde of Mussul-
man brigands, caravan thieves, who
robbed us of all our baggage. During
! fifteen days we were obliged to exist on
cakes made by our cook from little flour,
all that was left us by these robbers.
| Among other things | lost my collection
| of souvenirs, and that can never be re-
| placed. was really prisoner. because
! the band Is were watching US. At last one
of my servants escaped to Kashgar and
informed the Russian Consul, who sent
! forty Cossacks to my add"
Persia and the Caucasus were the last
points visited, and at Teheran the Prince
| had an interview with the Shah. The
| latter said: ~ have travelled much and
until now l believed myself the greatest
traveller in the world. You have sur
| passed me-"
Prince Wiasemsky intends soon to set
out on another voyage toward the I'M
known and the mysterious. He will go to
Mount Athos. which is to a Russian what
Mecca Is to the Arabs. Then he will
| cross Africa from Egypt to the region OF
the great lakes, lamb and Southern
Africa.
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR.