The Circassians arc, upon the whole, a handsome race of people. The men, especially in the higher classes, are mostly of a tall stature, thin form, but Herculean struc ture ; they are very slender about the loins, have a small foot, and uncommon strength in the arms. Some of these particulars in their conformation are not produced, however, altogether independently of artificial aid. It is a practice here, to compress the waist as much as possible from early infancy, for the purpose of securing that un common thinness between the loins and the breast, which is so prevalent a characteristic of the people of this coun try ; and the unusual smallness of their feet, is no doubt the consequence, in some degree, of their forcing them, as they are accustomed to do, in the tightest manner within their Morocco slippers. Yet nature has not been unkind to this people. The males, for the most part, poss-ss a truly Roman and martial appearance, though not entirely unmarked with traces indicative of the existence in some of them of a mixture of Nagai blood. The women, if not uniformly Circassian beauties, are yet generally well formed, have white skins, smooth clear complexions, beautiful black eyes, with dark brown or black hair, which they dispose elegantly in tresses on the two sides of the face, and regular features. The loveliness of their countenances, which are always in full view, it not being the custom here, as in most of the other provinces in these parts to have the face covered, is rendered yet more attractive, through the effect of their good humour, and the lively freedom of their conversation ; and the tout-ensemble of an engaging appearance is favoured by the elegance of the head dress. Altogether, the instances are few of an equal or a greater proportion of beauty being to be found in an unpolished nation. As in the case of the males, indeed, nature is, with a view to this object, assisted as far as may bc, and seconded by art. According to the Cir cassian idea of elegance of form, a woman ought to have a very narrow waist, and the abdomen should protrude to ward the lower extremities. What is deemed, in these respects, the most advantageous conformation for a wo man, the girdle of chastity, before mentioned, may has e its use in realising. Its efficacy is at least conspicuous in the astonishing smallness of waist that is here so pre valent. The shoulders indeed are, by the same means, rendered proportionally broad ; but this defect is little thought of, on account of the beauty of the breasts, to which this treatment is equally subservient, and which it is the fashion of this country very much to expose. In order to promote the same end, the girls are very spa ringly nourished, their whole allowance consisting sim ply of a little milk and pastry.
As to their rural and domestic economy, it is to be ob served, that the Circassians both cultivate the ground, and devote a considerable portion of their time to the rearing of cattle. Their principal species of grain is millet, of which are made cakes, hasty puddings, various kinds of pastry, as well as the liquor called by them hautkups. Maize, or Turkey wheat, is also much cul tivated, and used as a substitute for other food, especial ly during journeys, and on military expeditions. Seve ral culinary vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, the tur nip-rooted cabbage, onions, gourds, and water-melons, are likewise planted in gardens. The species of domes tic animals attended to are chiefly goats, sheep, oxen, cows, and horses. The sheep, generally, are an excel lent race, of a white colour, and long tails, and produce a fine wool. The horned cattle are of a small size, and are much employed in drawing the two-wheeled carts used in the country, known by the name of Arbes. The
care of horses, as might be expected to be the case among roaming and predatory knights, is in these parts a very particular object of attention. In conducting this business, which is prosecuted with a zeal and assiduity suited to its conceived importance, the Circassians ainr not merely at beauty, but also at strength, ability to en dure hunger and fatigue, and at superior swiftness ; all qualities necessary to secure the success of the expedi tions of one kind or another in which they are so f•e quently engaged. They pride themselves much on the supposed excellence of their horses; and almost every princely and noble family boasts of a particular breed, which is marked out and distinguished by the impres sion upon the animals when young, of the characteristic mark of the race. In this matter, so scrupulous is the adherence to custom, so conscientious the regard to the strictest rectitude, that any one who should attempt to burn a character expressing noble descent on a foal of common extraction would, for such a forgery, forfeit his life. The Circassians rear, moreover, poultry of almost every species, such as chickens, geese, ducks, and espe cially Indian fowls of a peculiar size and beauty. They pay considerable attention to the cultivation of bees, on account of the intoxicating quality of the mead, which is their favourite beverage. These bees they keep in hives placed on stocks, and carry them along with them as they remove and change their habitations.
The manufactures or commerce of the Circassians seem to be but inconsiderable. The points of their ar rows are the only articles of iron which are wrought up by themselves. Their women make a very strong thread of wild hemp, but are not acquainted with the art of weaving linen. Of the wool produced in the country, part is carried to market in a raw itatc. Of the portions of the remainder, the women prepare very good cloths, but which are narrow, and remain undyed. Of such cloth, there are manufactured entire upper dresses for sale. The black and coarse species of wool is used for felt cloaks, which are of a texture singularly light and durable. A few articles of leather, embroidered housings for horses, &c. are also fabricated in this coun try. The principal traffic of the Circassians consists in slaves, honey, wax, skins of cattle, deer, and tigers. Their agricultural produce is barely sufficient for their own use. Sheep and horses are considerable articles of their com merce, particularly the latter, which sell at very high prices. They have no money, and their whole commerce is carried on by exchange. Upon the whole, the balance of trade would be considerable against them, but for the number of slaves which they frequently obtain in their predatory excursions. These are chiefly Georgians ; and the daughters of such slaves receiving the same edu cation, and being fashioned to the desired shape in a simi lar manlier as the young women natives of the country, are sold, according to their beauty, from 201. to 1001. These latter, it is said, enter also themselves largely into the same description of traffic, being sold for the use of the seraglios in Turkey and Persia, where they often marry to great advantage, and thus make the fortune of their families. The merchants who come from Constan tinople to purchase these girls, arc generally Jews, who, as well as the mothers, are reported to be extremely care ful in preserving the chastity of the young women, know ing the value that is set by the Turks, particularly, up on the marks of virginity.