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2 seasoned goat-skins, which are continually tossed about until
3 it begins to ferment. According to the opinion of the Kirgises,
4 the kumiss is better when the milk is procured from mares
5 of different colours. The fresher it is, the better for the health.
6 To give the reader a slight synopsis of my journey from
7 Bokhara to Russia, a little map, on which the thirty-five stations
8 are traced, is annexed.
9 On my arrival at Orenburg, I was greatly delighted to meet
10 with several German generals, who were in the Russian service,
11 and also German physicians. The deep impression which this
12 meeting made upon me, can only be conceived by those who,
13 like me, had for several years been deprived of all intercourse
14 with their countrymen. But that enthusiasm was increased
15 still more, when I was told that a new mode of curing dis-
16 eases had been discovered, diametrically opposite to that which
17 had hitherto been followed.
18 Who will blame me for having this irresistible and ardent
19 desire to see Europe once more ? Providence had appeared to
20 yield me an opportunity of extending the horizon of my know-
21 ledge, for the benefit of mankind ; and the same internal voice
22 which twenty years before had induced me to abandon my
23 friends, my relatives and my dear native country, admonished
24 me also to renounce the favor of a powerful ruler, the prospects
25 of becoming powerful myself, and the influence by means of
26 which I could enjoy the most splendid ease, in order to be
27 instrumental in introducing a hitherto unknown healing system.
28 From Orenburg I continued my journey by post over Kazan
29 to Nishni-Nowgorod, and I arrived, without any material acci-
30 dents, at the latter city. It was just the time of the fair, to
31 which people from the nearest and remotest countries were
32 flocking, to purchase and sell their merchandise. Provided
33 as I was with cash, I lent a willing ear to some friends, who,
34 from their local knowledge, advised me not to take ready
35 money with me, but to buy sable skins. They gave me this
36 advice, as sables would not increase the bulk of my luggage
37 like other merchandise, and added that the skins could be