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From The Examiner.

Travels in the Regions of the Upper and Lower Amoor and the Russian Acquisitions on the Confines of India and China. With Adventures among the Mountain Kirghis; and the Manjours, Manyargs, Toungouz, Touzemtz, Goldi, and Gelyaks: the Hunting and Pastoral Tribes. By Thomas Witlam Atkinson, F. R. G. S., F. G. S., Author of "Oriental and Western Siberia." With a Map and Numerous Illustrations. Hurst and Blackett.

MR. ATKINSON, who in a former work has more than sketched Siberia, in this volume extends his account of a great region almost unknown to the traveller, and, following the example of the Russians, masters the Amoor. His new work closes with a valuable topographical detail of the course of the Amoor, with tables of the natural history of the region, and with an ample index that exhibits while it adds to the substantial value of a narrative against which we can object only that it is written perhaps with a little too much deference to the taste of the general reader who must, above all things, be amused. It is enough to say of Mr. Atkinson that he is an artist who has devoted himself for many years to the enjoyment of wild scenery and adventure among the remote tribes whom, together with their steppes and pasturages, he describes; that his activity seems to be indefatigable and that he is of all Englishmen, probably of all men, the one who knows most about the remote Asiatic tracts to which he has devoted his entire attention. His enjoyment of life and adventure among the encampments of the great horde of the Kirghis Tartars is delightfully fresh, and gives vivacity as well as accuracy to all his descriptions. He is not dry, even when in the deserts. This, for example, is his account of day's ride across the waste:

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"There was a belt along the edge of the desert, about two miles in width, on which tufts of rough grass were growing, and broad patches of plants having succulent leaves and deep crimson flowers. These were quickly passed, and we entered upon a sandy waste, which, to the south, the east, and the west, appeared a sea of sand. Stopping my horse, I glanced back at the aoul and the herds we had left: a few camels and horses only could be seen, now diminished almost to specks; but the yourts and the people were no longer visible. I desired the Kirghis to point out the direction of our route, which was nearly south-west, and then we started onwards. For many miles the sand was hard like a floor, over which we pushed on at a rapid pace. After this we found it soft in places, and raised into thousands of little mounds by the wind. Our horses were now changed, and in an hour these mounds were passed, when we were again on a good surface, still riding hard.

"Hour after hour went by, and our steeds had been changed a second time; those we started with seeming as fresh as when they left the aoul. In our route there was no change visible,-it was still the same plain; there was not so much shadow over the steppe, could give a slight varias a cloud floating in the air, that, by casting a ation to the scene. At noon I called a halt, to look round with my glass; but nothing appeared on the sandy waste. When mid-day had passed, my attendants desired to stop. The horses were piqueted in three groups, but we could procure them neither grass nor water. The Kirghis produced smoked horse flesh and their Koumis botof boiled mutton having been secured from last tles, and they and the Cossacks dined. A piece night's feast, on this I made my repast.

While the men were taking their meal I walked along about half a mile. The whole horizon was swept with my glass, but neither man, animal, nor bird could be seen. One of the Kirghis galloped up to me, bringing my horse, and urged me to be gone. Having resumed my saddle, we rode on for several hours, but there was no change of scene. One spot was so like another, that we seemed to make no siderable distance, nothing could be observed to progress; and though we had gone over a conindicate that we were drawing near a grassy region. No landmark was visible, no rock protruded through the sterile soil; neither thorny shrub, nor flowering plant appeared, to indicate the approach to a habitable region. All around was 'Kizil-koom' (red sand).

arid plains, deserted alike by man, beast, and bird! Men speak of the solitude of dense forests: I have ridden through their dark shades for days together; but there was the sighing of the breeze, the rustling of the leaves, the creaking of the branches; sometimes the crash of one of these giants of the forest, which, in falling, woke up many an echo, causing the wild animals to growl, and the frightened birds to utter shrieks of alarm. This was not solitude: the voices; but on these dreary deserts no sound leaves and trees found tongues, and sent forth

"What a solemn stikness reigns on these vast

was heard to break the death-like silence which hangs perpetually over the blighted region.

"Fourteen hours had passed, and still a desert was before us. The sun was just sinking below the horizon. The Kirghis assured me that two hours more would take us to the pastures and to water; but they doubted our finding an aoul in the dark. Our horses began to feel the distance we had travelled, and now we changed them every hour. We still kept on at a good speed; and though two more hours had elapsed, there were no signs of herbage. It had become quite dark, and the stars were shining brilliantly in the deep blue vault. My guides altered their course, going more to the south. On inquiring why they made this change, one of them pointed to a star, intimating that by that they must direct their course.

"We travelled onward, sometimes glancing at the planets above, and then anxiously scanning the gloom around, in the hope of discerning the fire of some dwelling that would furnish

food and water for our animals. Having ridden on in this manner for many miles, one of the men stopped suddenly, sprang from his horse, and discovered that we had reached vegetation. The horses became more lively, and increased their speed, by which the Kirghis knew that water was not far off. In less than half an hour they plunged with us into a stream, and eagerly began to quench their terrible thirst, after their long and toilsome journey."

When the Emperor Nicholas, in 1848, converted the people on the Trans Baikal into Cossacks with a view to carrying out his plans for extension of territory upon the Amoor, the change closed the silver mines of Nertchinsk, and stopped the supply of native lead. Search was made for mines, and there were found near Tchingiz-tau, among the Kirghis, far beyond the Russian frontier, mines from which vast quantities of lead, besides much silver, could be obtained. A meeting for negotiating transfer of the land was arranged therefore between the Kirghis Sultan and the Russian director of mines in the Altai. The minerals are distributed over a space nearly twenty miles long by eight broad, but the chief of the mines saw that a broader district, which included a small river, had to be secured. The settlement began, of course, with feasting of the chiefs :

"Their appetites having been fully satisfied, the director deemed it a favorable moment to commence proceedings. He therefore desired his interpreter to ask the price at which the sul tan valued the stony tract, and the pastures on its western side, with the stream of water which bounded it in that direction. In reply, the sultan stated that he and the chiefs were willing to sell the land with the minerals on the following terms, viz. That two hundred and fifty pieces of silver (meaning silver roubles) should be paid to him, and a gold medal added, like the one presented by the Emperor Alexander I. to Sultan Boulania. Also, that another sum of one hundred silver roubles should be paid to the mulla and the chiefs, to be equally divided among them. But he said that the river they could not dispose of, as that was necessary for their pastures, and for watering their cattle.

"The director now told them that he must absolutely insist on the river being included, as he could not purchase the mines without it. Nor would it, he said, be injurious to the tribes, as their cattle could drink at the stream before it entered the mining district, where it passed for many miles through their pastures. He, however, promised to add something more to the amount named by the sultan, if this point was ceded to him. Having stated this, he ordered the two hundred and fifty new and shining roubles to be placed on the tables; the large gold medal, with its broad red ribbon, was taken out of its case and placed near the money; and one hundred roubles more counted down for the mulla and the chiefs. A gold-laced, scarlet coat and a sabre were now added to the heap in

tended for the sultan; a kalat or long robe, of vivid colors, and a gold imperial, were put on the table for each of the chiefs and the mulla. The interpreter was instructed to tell the sultan that all these things would be given if the river were included in the purchase; if not, the negotiation would be at an end, as no further offer would be made. They were not prepared for this mode of settling the matter; it seemed far too abrupt, as their transactions usually occupy days; indeed, sometimes weeks are consumed in settling their bargains, time being no object with them. They looked at each other with astonishment, and then at the valuables spread out before them, anxious to secure them, but still desiring to get more.

"Having spoken together for some minutes, the sultan said that it would take time for them to consider the matter; adding, that they would consult all the tribes about it, and give an anstood what was meant by this, and that they inswer in a few days. The director fully undertended delaying their decision until something more was offered; and knowing that this would be continued for an indefinite period if once permitted, he told the sultan that, as the matter had been under the consideration of himself, the mulla, chiefs, and tribes, for several months, they could not require any further time. Besides, he had taken a long journey to meet them, admit of delay. It therefore became necessary and now he could not, under any circumstances, that they should definitely decide, before the council broke up, whether they accepted his offer or not; finally he assured them that, if they once left his yourt without concluding the bargain, he should start on his return within an hour.

"Without further remark the sultan began examining the sabre and the coat, desiring that the latter should be tried on. He was quickly invested with it, and viewed the extraordinary change that appeared in his person with perfect satisfaction. The gold medal was hung on his breast, producing a great effect; but when a Cossack buckled the sabre on his waist, this settled the point. He would have given half the rivers in the steppe sooner than be stripped of his weapon and finery.

"In a few minutes the mulla and chiefs were bedecked in their new clothing, evidently on the best terms with themselves, and vastly admiring each other. The money was handed to the sul tan, which he rolled up in his shawl and secured round his waist, as this was too precious in his eyes to be trusted to any other hands. The mulla and chiefs followed his example. Shortly afterwards the sultan stamped his seal on a document transferring to the great White Khan the whole district shown on a map prepared beforehand, with all the gold, silver, and other minerals it might contain, its pastures, and the river. Thus, for a sum of about one hundred and fifty pounds, his imperial majesty acquired mines and a freehold property in the Kirghis Steppe, which will, I have no doubt, expand rapidly towards all the points of the compass. These mines are of immense value, and are now sending their contributions to the imperial mint.

"The council broke up, and all parties were satisfied. When the sultan left the yourt and appeared before his tribe in all his splendor, nothing could exceed their astonishment; they evidently thought no earthly monarch could surpass him in grandeur."

prise of the people. I have mentioned this incident to show what the Kirghis will do with horses that have never been in harness; but the danger is too great to be pleasant, and my fellow traveller, as well as myself, thought one such risk sufficient."

Nevertheless greater risk was run some time afterwards in a sledge and three.

A Kirghis horse race differs greatly from that of a Goodwood Cup day, for it is over a course thirty or forty miles long, the object Many details in the work will interest the being to test the endurance of the horse as naturalist. We quote an anecdote destined, well as his speed. The festivities attendant no doubt, to find its way into many a boy's on this advantageous contract with the direc-book :tor of the mines ended with a horse race, in "I have mentioned in my former work that which the distance of thirty-three miles was the bearcoot is trained for hunting by the Kirghis, run in an hour and forty-two minutes. Car- But I have said nothing of his prowess in his riage travelling behind these horses must be wild state, when he sports on his own account, exciting. Mr. Atkinson describes two such and sometimes plunders other ravagers of their rides. One was in a tarantas and twelve:- prey. The following incident will illustrate his power and courage, besides showing that he "The author, with an artillery officer, in a would prove a formidable opponent to any unlight tarantas, had once been driven with Cos-armed man, if hunger prompted him to dispute sack horses to an aoul about sixty versts from possession of his game. the piquet, where our attendants left us to return home with their horses the following morning. Having spent some days in pheasant shooting, we prepared to leave our hospitable host, to visit another chief, who lived at a five hours' ride distant. Our friend provided us with horses and an escort of his Kirghis, who, with the help of our two Cossacks, succeeded in fastening six to our tarantas. One of our men mounted the box, and took the reins of the wheelers, and four Kirghis rode the others. But all their efforts could not make them move the carriage a single yard.

"Three of these dark monarchs of the sky were seen soaring high above the crags to the south, which were too abrupt to ride over. We therefore piqueted our horses to feed, and began to ascend the mountain slope. In about an hour and a half we reached the summit, and descended into a small wooded valley, when we observed the bearcoots wheeling round towards the upper end, in which direction we hastened. Having gone at a quick walk for about three miles, we reached a rocky glen that led us into a valley of the Bean, known to be a favorite resort of the animals we were seeking. A small torrent ran foaming through its centre, and mountains rose on each side far above the snow

and luxuriant herbage in the valley, the lower slopes facing the south were almost destitute of verdure, while those facing the north were clothed with a dense forest.

"The old chief was exceedingly angry, and ordered six more to be attached, with broad straps of hide across their chests, and ropes form-line. In singular contrast with the rich foliage ing traces-rather slender tackle for rampant and plunging animals. The lines of horses and men made a formidable contrast with our small vehicle at their heels; but the chief felt that the honor of his cattle was at stake. When the word was given to proceed, some of the team reared and plunged on one side, as they felt the traces tighten against their ribs; others bounded in the opposite direction, seemingly intent upon tearing the carriage in half. During the confusion which followed the leaders made a double, and rushed up to the carriage, appearing more inclined to ride than draw. After many efforts they were once more got into line, with mounted Kirghis on both sides of each pair. This succeeded, and away they went at a gallop, while the Kirghis shouted with joy as they rushed onward over the plain.

"We had scarcely entered this sylvan spot when a singular spectacle was presented to our view. A large maral had been hunted down by three wolves, who had just seized him, and the ravenous brutes were tearing the noble animal to pieces while yet breathing. We instantly prepared to inflict punishment on two of the beasts, and crept quietly along under cover to get within range. We succeeded, and were levelling our rifles, when Sergæ called my attention to two large bearcoots, poising aloft and preparing for a swoop. He whispered, "Don't tire, and we shall see some grand sport."

"Presently one of the eagles shot down like an "This was a scene I shall never forget. The arrow, and was almost instantly followed by the men were enraptured, caring nothing for the other. When within about forty yards of the bounds of the carriage, which rendered it no casy group, the wolves caught sight of them, and inmatter to keep our seats. Even the horses en- stantly stood on the defensive, showing their tered into the spirit of the race, for this it more re-long yellow fangs, and uttering a savage howl. sembled than travelling. After about an hour's In a few seconds the first bearcoot struck his gallop the steeds became more reconciled to their work; still, some refractory animal occasionally showed a desire to be free and range over the vast plain around him. Night was closing in fast when we dashed up to the aoul of the chief, the team white with foam, greatly to the sur

prey: one talon was fixed on his back, the other on the upper part of his neck, completely securing the head, while he tore out the wolf's liver with his beak. The other bearcoot had seized another wolf, and shortly both were as lifeless as the animal they had hunted.

"The third brute snarled when his comrades set | imals, and the feathered race that inhabit them; up their wailing howls, and started for the cover; and the daring attack by the bearcoots was the he was soon within range, when a puff of white most interesting scene he had witnessed." smoke rose from Serga's rifle, and the wolf rolled over, dead. The report startled the bearcoots, but we remained concealed, and they commenced their repast on the stag. Their attack had been made with so much gallantry, that neither the old hunter nor myself could raise a rifle against them, or disturb their banquet. When satisfied, they soared up to some lofty crags, and Serge took off the skins of the poachers, which he intended keeping as trophies bravely won by the eagles.

"My old friend had spent thirty years in the vast forests and mountains of Asia. He was thoroughly acquainted with the habits of the an

We have quoted only from those lighter portions of the book which will ensure its popularity, but it is most to be valued for its interesting geographical details and for the sketches of characteristic scenery with which it is illustrated. Mr. Atkinson cares quite as much for plains, rivers, and mountains as for men in those far lands; he has a painter's pleasure in the rock and water, and as to the ground he traverses, has also science enough to tell him what to tell.

THE word "ventilate " is of no modern origin; it was used in England before the existence

of America was known to civilized man.

" Ventiler, v. a. Il signifie aussi, discuter une affaire, agiter, débattre une question avant que d'en délibérer en forme. Il faut ventiler premièrement cette affaire; ce sens est vieux." Arno's Court. JOHN WILLIAMS.

It was the ordinary term used in courts of law from the earliest day to signify the raising of a discussion on any point. (See Du Cange,Notes and Queries. "Ventilare causam-eam agitare, de ea disserere.")

An instance of its use in France is cited, A.D. corroboration for belief in this incantation, and FOUR-BLADED CLOVER.-J. N. asks for some

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I may mention that in the west as well as in the "Et toutes leurs causes mues et à mouvoir," far north" of our country, although the belief soient ventillées et determinées. . . en nostre chambre de Parlement."

Another instance is cited more than two cen

turies earlier :

"Cumque diu hæc causa fuit ventilata."

In pleadings in our own courts, especially the ecclesiastical, the word is of ordinary occurrence,

and has been used for at least seven centuries. X. X.

Your American correspondent H. N. will find that the word "ventilate" was used in England in its present sense above three hundred years ago. It is in Sir T. Elyot's Governour, and in Bishop Hall's Old Religion, the quotation from which, being shorter, I add :

"The ventilation of these points diffused them to the knowledge of the world." C. 2.

Harrington also has it in his Oceana; and other examples will be found both in Johnson's and Richardson's Dictionaries. D. S.

has not fairly died out, it is in a rapid state of decay. Boys and girls in their summer rambles in the fields may yet sometimes be discovered carefully searching for the four-leaved clover, not however as an object of superstition, but as one of curiosity, being extremely rare to be found.

Its use in dispersing the power of "glamour," or of witchcraft, has been famous since the most ancient times; indeed nobody knows how long. A curious illustration may be cited from the Last Battell of the Soule in Death, by Mr. Zachary Boyd, 1629 (p. 68; reprint, 1831, p. 24), wherein "The Pastour Man":

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says to

The Sicke

"Sir-it shall bee your farre best to suffer the louc of Christ swallow vp the loue and all other considerations of worldlie thinges, as Moses his serpent swallowed vp the serpent of the Magicians. Whateuer seemeth pleasant into this world vnto the natural eye, it is but by juggling of the senses: If we haue the grace of God, this grace shall be indeede like as a foure-nooked Clauer, is in the opinion of some, viz. a most powerfull meanes against the juggling of the sight: If wee could seeke this grace, it would let vs see the vanitie of such thinges which beguile the natural

This word has long been used by the French in the sense to which I suppose H. N. alludes. The Dictionnaire de l'Académie has the follow-senses." ing:

-Notes and Queries.

G. N.

From The Saturday Review, 21 July.
INTERVENTION IN SYRIA.

It is now some time since any event has
occurred calculated to cause so much dis-
quietude as the massacres in Syria. The
outbreak assumed a new character when a
large city like Damascus was successfully
attacked, and the fanaticism which had pre-
viously been engaged in the destruction of
hillside villages ran riot in the capital of
Syria. The loss of life has been terrible,
and thousands have to mourn homes burnt
or pillaged, and relatives killed or carried
off to a fate worse than death. But the suf-
ferings of the Syrian Christians, great as
they have been, seem a small matter by the
side of the grave consequences to which
these massacres will probably give rise. The
sultan appears to have written a note to the
emperor expressing the sorrow which the
outbreak has caused him. He may well be
sorry and alarmed. It is hard for him to
deal with Christians, but it is harder still to
have to punish Mahometans. The plot dis-
covered last September at Constantinople
revealed one of the most serious dangers with
which the Ottoman government is threatened.
The conspiracy then detected was a move-
ment of the subject Mahometan races against
the dominant race and the whole system of
government which has been adopted in re-
cent times by the Porte. The outlying Ma-
hometan tribes seem to be penetrated with a
notion that the Porte is at once faithless to
its religion and inefficient in its adminis-
tration. It is considered wicked and weak;
and a notion more dangerous to a govern-
ment could not be entertained. For some
years these tribes have been longing for an
opportunity to recall the nominal head of
their religion to a sense of his duty; and a
combination of circumstances has inspired
the belief that it would be safe and easy to
do so.
The Porte must, therefore, watch the
mission of Fuad Pasha with the greatest ap-
prehension. If he acts fairly, and makes an
example of the offenders so striking as to
prevent an imitation of their offence, he will
encourage the persuasion that his govern-
ment is false to its religion. If he attempts
to compromise matters, and to exact only a
colorable vengeance, he will strengthen the
conviction that his government is weak.
The relations of the sultan to his Mahometan
subjects are therefore full of difficulties; but
his relations to the Christians are still more
embarrassing. The sorrow which he states
himself to have felt on hearing of the mas-
sacres will be considerably heightened when
he reads the ominous article in the Constitu-
tionnel. He will find that a scribe who is
known only to hold the pen while the em-
peror
dictates has announced that the time

of bearing with the impotence of the Turkish empire is over. France is prepared to see the government of Syria pass into firmer hands. No intimation is given as to the future to which Turkey and Syria are destined; but France has taken the first step, and it is a very long step, towards ending the rule of the sultan on the borders of the Mediterranean.

Any alteration in the position of the Turkish empire affects England so nearly that this manifesto in the Constitutionnel, evidently intended to pave the way for French intervention in Syria, is scarcely less alarming to us than it is to the Turks. It is useless to shut our eyes to the fact that the influence of France in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean is spreading very rapidly. The Christians of Candia have gone over by thousands to the Latin Church, in order to secure French protection; and the little vitality that exists in Syrian Christianity is all on the side of the power which is supposed to befriend the pope. We cannot compete with the French in this combination of politics and religion among half-savage tribes like the Christians of the Lebanon. Protestantism is admirably adapted to the area of intellectual civilization, or to the simple savages of such utterly barbarous tribes as are open to the influence of the fatherly care and personal courage of English missionaries. But it is not suited to tribes whose notion of Christianity is that it is a name to fight for, and who love to compensate for the crimes of bandits by ceremonial observances and asceticism. Our bishopric at Jerusalem is a dead failure, whereas Latin Christianity is not only an enduring but an increasing religion in the Eastern Mediterranean. The French have a basis of intervention which we have not, just as the Russians have a basis of intervention in the Christian population of European Turkey. The threat of intervention held out in the Constitutionnel is therefore very alarming. For it must be remembered that the occupation of Syria is only one part of a great scheme of French policy which has for some years been steadily pursued. The idea which floats before the eyes of those who think it is the business of France to reconstruct the map of the world consists in the foundation of a great dependency which shall rival British India, and make France the mistress of Europe. This dependency is to include Algeria, Egypt, and Syria, the eastern coast of Africa, and Madagascar. This may only be a dream, and, as most Englishmen would think, a foolish dream; but steady endeavors to lay the foundation for at least a possibility of realizing it are made every year. The Suez Canal has been so managed that, if France

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