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by long grassy avenues; and the carefully-kept fences which enclose the pleasure-grounds are evident marks of the frequent residence here of the lords of the soil. Villages are abundantly sprinkled over the rich valleys we traverse, where the hay is quaintly stacked in the pollard trees; while tempting fruit is piled upon the road-side, and groups of picturesque Tartar maidens are clustered round some sparkling fountain, overshadowed by the spreading arms of a patriarchal walnut. But the enchantment even of such fairy land as this would be incomplete, were it not for the magnificent views which continually burst upon the delighted gaze, when the wildness and grandeur of the distance seem to add an additional charm to the surrounding loveliness.

We descended abruptly to the Castle of Alupka, the residence of Prince Woronzoff, passing through extensive vineyards which belong to this property. The numerous domes and pinnacles which peep out over the trees as we approach, indicate a palace, Oriental in its style and magnitude; while the glittering cupola and tapering minarets of the elegant mosque, which almost adjoins it, lead us to imagine that the noble owner of all this magnificence is Hadjy-Selim-Ghiri Khan at least. A few moments more, however, and we find, to our perplexity, that we are driving under the lofty walls and frowning battlements of a feudal chieftain's fortress; and as we pass through the solid gateways into the spacious courtyard, and look up at the massive square tower

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and belfry to correspond, we find it difficult to decide whether the building before us bears most resemblance to the stronghold of the Black Douglas, or the palace of the Great Mogul.

Notwithstanding the mixture of such incongruous styles of architecture, the general effect of this splendid chateau is charming. The Prince has spent an almost fabulous amount of silver rubles upon the house and grounds, and has succeeded in rearing an edifice worthy of the scenery amid which it stands. The taste displayed is unexceptionable. Placed almost upon the borders of Europe and Asia, the Eastern character so strongly developed throughout the structure is most appropriate; while the dash of feudalism, as suggestive of the former uncivilised condition of the West, is a graceful allusion to the present state of that country in which it is situated. The façade overlooking the sea is magnificent; terraces and gardens, ornamented with rare plants, extend down the steep slope to the water's edge, while paths are seen winding among broken rocks and between accumulated volcanic masses; and, impending over all, the stupendous crag of the Ai Petri seems to threaten annihilation to the noble edifice which nestles at its base.

It is not long since the Crimea became a fashionable resort among Russian nobility. Prince Woronzoff was the first to set the example, which has been followed by the Emperor and the wealthier

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members of the aristocracy. The estates of the latter, lying for the most part between Alushta and Alupka, along the narrow strip of coast which we had followed, are charmingly diversified by the valleys which traverse them; while they are sheltered from the north winds by the high range of calcareous cliffs, to the existence of which the extraordinary fertility of this part of the peninsula is mainly attributable. It is only recently that any advantage has been taken of this prolific soil. Till within a short period, the few vineyards which existed were situated on the northern slopes of the Tauric chain, and in Soudagh and the neighbouring valleys. Owing to the energetic exertions of Prince Woronzoff, and in spite of the difficulties which always accompany experimental enterprises of this nature, wonderful advances have been made in the cultivation of the vine. Within the last ten years, however, the statistical reports show very little increase in the amount of wine exported from the Crimea. This arises probably from the difficulty of finding a market for wines of an inferior quality, which the Crim wines undoubtedly are, notwithstanding the highsounding names with which they are dignified. The absence of any roads across the steppe renders it impossible to export wine into the interior to any great extent, although I have occasionally tasted Crim wine in St Petersburg; while so long as the wines of the Grecian Archipelago are allowed almost free entry into the ports on the Black Sea, competi

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tion in that quarter must be quite hopeless. The present value of wine sold annually amounts to 500,000 rubles, or about twice the revenue derived from the vineyards in the country of the Don Cossacks.

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STUPENDOUS CLIFFS THE PASS OF BAIDAR-A RUSSIAN'S NOTIONS
OF SCENERY-BAIDAR TARTARS OF THE COAST, AND TARTARS

OF THE STEPPE-BALACLAVA-ENTER SEVASTOPOL.

WE made rapid progress along the excellent new road which now connects Yalta and Sevastopol, to the great convenience of the proprietors through whose estates it passes, and whose handsome equipages we occasionally saw hurrying towards Sevastopol, where the Emperor was hourly expected. Prince Woronzoff had just arrived at Alupka from Tiflis, the present seat of his government, on his way to attend his Imperial Majesty in an inspection of the garrison and fleet. The road gradually attained

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