THE CRIMЕА:

ITS TOWNS, INHABITANTS,

AND

SOCIAL CUSTOMS.

BY A LADY,

RESIDENT NEAR THE ALMA.

LONDON:

PARTRIDGE, OAKEY, AND CO.,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

EDINBURGH: SHEPHERD AND ELLIOTT.

1855.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Author of this little Book had no intention of ever bringing herself thus before the public; otherwise, her long residence in the Crimea, and her many opportunities of acquiring information, would have enabled her to write a much larger volume. But the earnest request of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, many of whom are now interested in that country, induced her to attempt the following little sketch. During a period of nine years the author resided in different parts of the Crimea, and travelled repeatedly over almost the whole of the Peninsula, so that she is well acquainted

with it; while her position in society there, and her knowledge of the different languages, enabled her to hold intercourse with the various classes of its inhabitants.

This little Book, then, contains the observations of an inhabitant, and not those of a hasty traveller through the country, and may consequently be found to want the freshness of first impression; but if it serve to give an idea of that country, which has emerged again from comparative oblivion, the Author's object in publishing it will be attained.

LONDON, FEBRUARY, 1855.