OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA.

53

fituation, however, and the fecurity afforded by this port,many veflels, efpecially during the vernal feafon, enter theQuarantine-Bay, partly with a defign to remain there tili theappointed time is expired, partly with a view to difpofe of afew articles of merchandize ; or, laftly, in order to be repaired.As the port of Balaklava has been fhut againft foreign fhips,fuch an exclufion of merchantmen from that of Akhtiar mightoften prove a dangerous meafure to the navigation of the BlackSea.

A great inconvenience to this town is the want of good,wholefome water. Although the more wealthy inhabitantsmay procure this commodity from a well four fathoms deep,and five verfts diftant from the town, on the road leading toBalaklava; yet the common people, who cannot afiford fuchexpences, are compelled to make ufe of the brackifh wateryielded by a few fprings on the fhore; which circumftance,together with the great confumption of falt provifions, probablycontributes to produce the fcorbutic difeafes that prevail hereduring the winter feafon. The only good fpring in this fea-port town is that fituated at the entrance of the fmall harbournear the barracks occupied by the garrifon, but which isexclufively appropriated to the fupply of the land-troops. Itwould, however, be highly expedient to pay fome regard tothe health of fo many thoufands, by forming a proper aque-duct. The inhabitants of ancient Cherfonefus, doubtlefs,enjoyed the advantage of fuch water-works; otherwife thenumerous people that, from the veftiges ftill remaining, mufthave exifted in this country, could not have been prefervedfrom the effe&s of thirft. Hence the former aqueduct, traces of

which