The favourite musical instrument of the Circassians is the camil, a kind of flute, made commonly of silver or some other metal. It is about two feet in length, having only three finger holes towards the lower extremity of the tube. The mode of blowing this instrument is re markable. A small stick is placed in the upper end of the flute, which is open at either extremity, and, being drawn out to the length of an inch, is pressed by the per former against the roof of his mouth. It is difficult to conceive how tones may be produced in this manner, as the performers mouth is kept open the whole time, and he accompanies the notes w ith his own voice. From the straining of every muscle in the countenance, it would appear that the playing on this instrument is a work or great difficulty and labour. The sounds produ ced resemble those of the bagpipe.
The dances of the Circassians do not resemble those of any other nation. Ten, fifteen, or twenty persons, all standing in a line, and holding by each other's arms, be gin lolling from right to left. They lift their feet as high as possible, to the measure of the tune ; and the uniformity of their motions is interrupted only by sud den squeaks and exclamations. It should seem that the situation of the performers in the middle of the row must be extremely uneasy, yet even these, squeezed as they are from one side to the other, testify their joy in the same inanner as the rest.. After some time there is a pause, when a single dancer, starting from the others, prances about in the most ludicrous manner, but exhibit ing two steps which may be assimilated to the movements of a dance as practised among the European nations. The first consists in hopping on one foot, and touching the ground with the heel and toe alternately of the other : the second, in hopping on one foot, and thrusting the other before it, so as to imitate the bounding of a stag.
The religion of the Circassians is Paganism; for though some of them were formerly Christians, and others Mahometans, and the rite of circumcision is still in use here, they have neither priests, Alcoran, or mosque, like other Alahometans. Every one offers his own sa crifice at pleasure, on certain days, however, appro priated to that purpose, more, indeed, from custom than in consequence of any positive command. The most solemn sacrifice is that of a he-goat, which is offered upon occasion of the death of near friends. At such times, both men and women meet in the field, to be present at the celebration of the solemnity. Then, the animal being killed, it is flayed, and the skin, with the head and horns, is stretched upon a cross at the top of a long pole, placed commonly in a quickset hedge, to keep the cattle from it. Near to this spot the sacrifice is of fered, by boiling and roasting the flesh, which is after wards eaten. When the feast is over, the men rise, and, having paid their adoration to the skin, and muttered over certain prayers, they are left by the women, and conclude the ceremony with drinking a great quantity of aqua vita, which generally leads to a quarrel before their final separation. The state of degradation in this
country, as to virtue and morals, is at least fully in pro portion to the smallness of the attention paid in it to religion. The Circassians are accused of frequent per juries, and violation of treaties. Oaths taken on the Bible, or the Koran particularly, it is said, they break without scruple. Yet there are certain forms of oaths, it is alleged, as well as certain places, supposed to be the remains, or spots in the neighbourhood of the re mains, of Christian Churches, which are more respected amongst them, and which insure their fidelity. The courage of this people, great as it is, it may be remark ed, is not proof against religious terrors ; and like all barbarous nations, they believe, that what is called acci dent may be influenced in respect to the manner of its occurrence, or retarded or prevented through the use of particular ceremonies. • There are several distinct tribes of the Circassians. The designations of the principal of them are the follow ing : The Kabardincs, the Beslene, the Temirgoi, the Pshcdukhs, the Ilattukai, the Shani, the Shagaki, and the Alukhoshians. These tribes occupying respective ly their particular territories, and subject to the autho rity of their own rulers, agree in the main as to_thc lead ing outlines in their condition and character. Gene rally, they apply themselves more or less to agriculture, and to the rearing of cattle.. Some of the tribes arc wealthy and powerful. The resources of others are less considerable. In various degrees they arc addicted to robberies, and frequently are involved in broils, either amongst themselves respectively, or with one another The amount of the population of this whole country it is difficult accurately to ascertain. From some data, however, on the subject, there seems reason to believe, that the Kabardines alone can bring into the field a power of about 10,000 privates, and 1500 usdens. The Temergoes, with their allies of Beslene, Alukhoshians, and Pshedukh, arc stated to possess, when united, a force of at least 5000 effective men. When to these numbers is added the population of the other tribes men tioned, it may be readily understood how much, but for the prevalence of divisions among themselves, the neigh bouring powers would have occasion to dread their too near approaches. Neither is this danger grounded solely on the consideration of their numbers. They are a gal lant and warlike people, and are bound by every tic to follow their prince into the field, and zealously and faith fully to yield an implicit obedience to his commands.