ASTRACAN, or ASTRAKHAN, the greatest city in Asiatic Russia, and the capital of a viceroyalty of the same name. It is built on several eminences, which are surrounded by the marshes of the Volga, not far front the outlet of that river into the Caspian Sea. This ci ty, being the great emporium of the Russian commerce in the east, is furnished with a dock-yard, spacious quays, and stores for naval equipment ; and its port is frequented by a numerous shipping. The permanent inhabitants, it is said, do not exceed 20,000; but, in cluding those who have only a temporary residence, the whole population may be estimated at 70,000 souls. Here may be seen adventurers from all parts of the globe, Russians, Germans, French, British, Italians, Swedes, Georgians, Persians, Tartars, Armenians, Greeks, Kabardinians, Indians, and people from Ethio pia and America ; who being generally dressed in the costume of their respective countries, altogether form an assemblage not to be equalled for variety in the whole world. The houses are for the most part Con structed of wood, a circumstance which has frequently been the cause of much loss by fire ; and the attempts of government to enforce the use of brick have hitherto failed. There are here 25 Russian churches and two convents. The established religion is the Greek, but all denominations are tolerated. Arminians, Papists, Lutherans, Mahometans, and even the followers of Bra ma and Buddhu, have places of worship after the man ner of their own countries. The walls of the city are much neglected, but it is commanded by a respectable fortress, garrisoned principally by Russians.
The district or viceroyalty of Astracan is of prodi gious extent ; comprehending the old Tartarian king dom of that name, the Caucasian country, and the north eastern division of the Kuban. The jurisdiction of the archbishop of Astracan extends over the whole of the province. This is the only government of the empire which is washed by the Caspian. The other Russian ports on this sea, besides Astracan, are Kisliar and Gu rief. This last is a considerable place, and is protected by a strong fort. The chief rivers are the Volga and the Ural, which both fall into the Caspian. The forts,
or redoubts, as they are called, on the eastern frontier; are numerous ; and are garrisoned by the Kozaks. These have generally a corps of 12,000 men ready to act, at a short notice, against the Kergishes, who infest these parts. For this service the Kozaks enjoy the free grant of the lucrative fisheries on the Ural.
The general aspect of this country is characteristic of its inhabitants ; it is nearly in a state of nature. The hand of industry has, comparatively speaking, ef fected nothing in these immense regions, which, being traversed only by a barbarous scanty population, may very well be denominated deserts. In those places which are not occupied by saline marshes, herds of no madising Tartars feed their cattle. The nature of the soil, particularly in Astracan Proper, is adverse to the growth of corn, since the ground is there flat and soft, and strongly impregnated with salt ; that necessary com modity is therefore derived from the neighbouring coun tries. But, notwithstanding this defect, the fitness of the soil for other productions is unquestionable, as we may judge from the plants and vegetables which it sup ports. Besides a luxuriant vegetation, which at parti cular seasons adorns this neglected country, the most delicious fruits are here found in abundance ; such as melons of different kinds, apples, pears, peaches, apri cots, plums, quinces, cherries, and many other sponta neous productions. In 1613, the vine was for the first time introduced, and planted with Persian stocks. It thrives remarkably well, and produces both purple and white grapes of the finest flavour. The vintage conti nues during the whole of September, when the clusters, which grow to an immense size, are some of them sub jected to the press, and others packed up fresh, and sent to all parts of the empire. Cotton is also culti vated with some success in particular spots ; as likewise the silk-worm, which here finds abundance of its favour ite food, the mulberry leaf. These, however, are as yet but feeble efforts towards cultivation : the extensive plains are in general over-run with innumerable herds of cattle, and with hares, rabbits, and wild goats.