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Art. IX.—Abstract of a Notice of the Circassians, drawn up by a German, named Charles Tausch, who resided for eight years in an official capacity at Psihiad, near the Port of Ghelendik
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2011
Extract
Circassia is a country as yet unknown to Europeans; and, for this reason alone, it is supposed to be an inhospitable country. This general opinion deprives its inhabitants of intercourse with those nations from whom they might receive the benefits of civilization. Masters of the eastern borders of the Black Sea, between the territories of Russia, their coast is only frequented by the Turks, who are but little capable of refining their manners and diffusing among them the seeds of industry; and it is not therefore surprising that the Circassians, thus left to themselves, should still exist in the state of barbarism which they have inherited from their ancestors.
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* The Turks furnish them with all the merchandise which they require from abroad. This commerce consists principally in cloth of different kinds, manufactured in Natolia, and of which the annual importation into Circassia amounts to about 2,500,000 piastres, or nearly 70,000l. in value. The other articles imported are, salt, iron, steel, tin, gold and silver wire, morocco-leather, arms, gunpowder, and some articles of hardware, to the value of 500,000 piastres, or nearly 16,000l.
The Circassians give in exchange, wax, honey, salt provisions, and skins of various sorts, either for tanning, or as furs; but the principal item of their exports is slaves.
* Liquor which is prepared by fermenting millet flour in water.
† Pasta is millet boiled to a paste: the common drink is bouza, but those tribes that have vines substitute wine, and even brandy.