484

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE PENINSULA

arfhines, (or 54,444 Englifh yards,) are carried out of thecountry. Iron would likewife aflford a lucrative obje£t ofmerchandize, if a fupply adequate to the demand could re-gularly be procured. In the year 1800, this metal was foeagerly brought-up in the ports for the Turkifh markets, thatthe price of a pood was raifed to three rubles.

The principal imports are the following: namely, raw andmanufa&ured cotton of different kinds; filk ftuffs of variouspatterns, and in the Eaftern fafhion; farther, the wines of theArchipelago, and thofe prepared near the Canal of Conftan-tinople; Sekißaya-Vodka *, or brandy diftilled from fruit, andthe lees of grapes; Turkifh leaf-tobacco ; and a variety offrefh and dried fruits.

The total amount of the export-trade may be computed atfrom four to five hundred thoufand rubles, ad valorem; andthe firft of thefe fums nearly correfponds with the üatementsof the Cuftomhoufe-Regifters : on the other hand, the importa-tion may be eftimated at one hundred thoufand rubles belowthat calculation. The balance is paid, partly in ducats, butchiefly in the bafe Turkifh fdver coin, which is extenfivelycirculated within the peninfula ; and, perhaps, large fums areconcealed among the Tartars. Prior to the year 1794, thismoney became current, in confequence of the artful manoeuvresof the bankers and merchants, who principally carried on a

* The Sektßaya yodka has received its name from the ifland of Scio, which theTurks call Seiis. It is there diftilled to a great extent; though it is alfo extra&edin other Greek iflands from wine-lees, as well as from the pulp of fruits, and is fold ata low price. The farmers of the brandy-diftilleries import large quantities of it, andconvert it into an indifferent fpirituous Liquor.

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