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Of the Chircasses. Their Religion, Com∣plexion, Drinking, Dancing, Govern∣ment; Souldiery and Witch-craft.
THe Chircasses hold the same Greek Faith with the Russians, but are not altogether so superstitious; for they permit Strangers to come into their Churches. One of their Protopopes had appointed one in the Parish to come to him about mid-night unto private con∣fession,
but as the story goes, she fail'd of her promise. Next morning in the Church she stands aloof by her self, and after the Protopope had incens'd the rest of the good women, he comes to her, and instead of a Benediction, he de∣mands why she kept not her promise; to which she replied. Chichaco Boyallis, I was afraid of Chichaco (a curst Cur which he had) then he incens'd her again, and said he was tyed up, Then (quoth she) Moya Dooshinco, My Dear, Ah what a sinner was I, that I knew not so much before. Excuse this Drollery, which only serves as a Farce to fill up the Scene of a jejune story; for I shall hard∣ly make the Description of this barba∣rous place worth the pains and trouble of Reading.
Now we are in Chichass Land, it will not be amiss to tell you what people they are, viz. A kind of Tartars, a rude swarthy look'd people; their Women are very unhandsome, gross, and grosly given to drinking; so that at an Enter∣tainment they will be drunk before meat comes on the Table, and with eating recover themselves, and after Dinner
be drunk again, and then recover them∣selves by Dancing, which they love so much, that they count him a mean man who does not keep a Fidler in his house. Their Government is perfectly Anarchi∣cal, for upon an Insurrection they de∣stroy'd all their Nobility and Gentry, and are now govern'd by Collonels of their own chusing, with whom the meanest is Hail Fellow well met. Soul∣diers they call in their Language, Cos∣sacks, which makes some mistake, and think them to be a Nation. These people are much devoted to Witch-craft, and count it an extraordinary piece of learn∣ing practised by the chief Women in the Countrey. They are more hospitable to Strangers than the Russians, and their Countrey or Land is better and war∣mer.