TCHERKAS or Tcherkess, the Circassia of Europeans, a country on the northern face of the Caucasus. It contains many tribes of various appearance and dignity ; some of them allege an Arab descent, others are Tartars. The Chetchinzi were considered the most formidable of all the tribes which inhabit the innumerable rocky valleys of the eastern line of the Caucasus. Their predatory excursions, whether in large or small bodies, were not only a dread to their own immediate neigh bours, tribes like themselves, though of less extent and power, but their sudden descents, turibus cades, and continued warfare kept the disciplined Russians constantly on the dert. These lords of the mountains seemed never to rest, day nor night. Unwearied in their watch for prey, like lightning in attack, for they struck or were lost to sight as quickly. As the Muhammadan was the last religion attempted to be introduced amongst these people, they suppose themselves to be good Muslims, but,they have not any knowledge of its doctrines.
The bride brings a dower, consisting of cattle, etc., proportioned in value according to the wealth of her family. She is brought home to the house of her betrothed husband, and then the ceremony is completed by dancing, drinking, and carousal. From the custom of the sons never migrating from the paternal spot, families, from one stock, increase from single sheds to considerable villages. Each habitation of these people is separated into three divisions,—one for the women, another for the men, and a third for the horses and other cattle. The whole little establishment is then encircled by a fence of wicker-work or stones.— _Porter's Travels, i. p. 62.