TRAVELS IN THE CRIMEA.

17

(whofe name furpafles all titles*) has erected a redoubt, whichis farther ftrengthened by the natural trenches gradually formedby the currents of rain-water ; and in which, according to theplan now abandoned, it was the intention of Government tobuild a cathedral. During the latter period of the precedingreign, building was accordingly commenced in feveral quarters,efpecially on the declining bank of the Salgir, in a wefterndire&ion towards the fields; and, in the old town likewife, afew refpe&able houfes have been finifhed along the banks ofthis rivulet. Since the Crimea, however, has been incorporatedwith the provincial government of New Ruflia, of which it atprefent forms a feparate diflriä:, the rifing profperity of thistown has very confiderably decreafed; and many of the defertedhoufes are already in a ruinous ftate; becaufe the commercialintercourfe is checked, in confequence of the diminifhednumber of confumers, fo that the inhabitants have been inducedto difperfe.

The old city of AkmetüSet is built in the manner of all Tartartowns; it exhibits throughout narrow ftreets croffing eachother at irregulär angles, being unpaved, and extremely filthy.As all the courts or premifes are encompafled with high walls,and the dwellings, built within thefe courts, are very low onthe ground, little of fuch habitations can be perceived; and aftranger is apt to imagine that he is wandering among half-ruined walls raifed with rough lime-ftone. The houfes areuniformly built of a white calcareous foflil refembling marl,which is very common in this country, cannot be fplit into

This unqualified praife will, probably, be contefted by the impartial hiftorian.

Tranß.

VOL. II.

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