BATCHESERAI, more properly BAKTCHESE RAI,.or BAC1ITCHESERIA, the ancient residence of the Khans of the Crimea, is situated, like Matlock in Derbyshire, on the rugged flanks of two high moun tains, and on the interjacent valley, which is watered by the rivulet Dshuruk-sn. The hanging gardens, the towers of the mosques, the black Italian poplars, the terraces, and bubbling _fountains, contribute to the beauty of this picturesque town. The principal street, which is nearly a mile and a quarter long, con sists of two rows of miserable wooden shops, which arc kept by Karait Jews, who live at Dschoufoulkale, a town about a mile and a half from Batcheserai. They repair to their shops on horseback every morn ing, and return to their houses in the evening. The palace of the Khan is situated in the centre of the town near the Dshuruk.su, on the edge of a quay. A stone bridge across this rivulet conducts the tra veller to a gate opening into the outer court ; on the left hand is a large and handsome mosque which be longed to the Khan, and farther on are the stables, while the palace appears on the right. It is'only one story high, having several fronts of different alti tudes, with roofs of various fords. On the slope near the palace is a fruit garden, divided into four terraces. The cemetery which contains the bodies of
the khans and their families is behind the mosque. The favourite residence of the khan was a magnifi cent edifice; delightfully situated beneath a mountain on the slope of a beautiful vale ; but the wanton bar barity of the Russians was fatally displayed in the total destruction of this and the other ornaments of Bat cheserai. The fountains of this city, which amount to 75, arc seen in every part of the town discharging the most limpid water, and the Tartars repair to them four times a day to perform the ablutions which their religion demands.
Batoheserai contains about 31 mosques, a few cut lers shops, a manufactory of red and yellow leather, and some of felt carpets. The houses are built of wood and ill-baked bricks, having wooden piazzas and sloping roofs of red tile. Population 5776, con sisting of Tartars, Jews, and Arminians. A full ac count of the palace will be found in Dr Clarke's Travels in various countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Part i. p. 46I--485 ; a wdrk full of new and interesting information. See also Travels in the Cri mea, &c. in 1803, by Renilly, who visited this coun try after Dr Clarke ; Pallas's Travels, vol. ii. p. 29.
and DSCII0CFOULKALe. (a.)