The Russian Shores of the Black Sea in the Autumn of 1852: With a Voyage down the Volga, and a Tour through the Country of the Don Cossacks

This classic includes the following chapters:

I. St Petersburg—The Rail to Moscow—Russian Railroads—Their Extension and Probable Political Influences—The Kremlin—Journey to Nuni Novgorod—Accommodation at the Fair.

II. The Great Fair of Nijni Novgorod—A Russian’s Experience at Greenwich Fair and the Crystal Palace—River Shipping—The Bridge of Boats—Costumes—The Chinese Quarter—Commercial Advantages of the Pair—Its Trade and Internal Economy—Street Scenes—Adoration of the Virgin—View From the Kremlin.

III. Volga Steam—Tugs—Official Despotism—A Forage Party—Pericartes—Dangerous Collision—Russian Steam-Companies—The Samson—Its Crew, Accommodation, and Domestic Arrangements—The Banks of the Volga-An Adventure With the Inhabitants of Maza—The Corn Trade—A Midnight Glimpse of the Tchouvasses.

IV. Kazan—Its External Aspect and Internal Accommodations—Striking View From the Kremlin—A Tartar Village—A Passage From the History of Its Inhabitants—Sterlet Fishing—The Kama—Inland Navigation of the Empire.

V. Another Wood Station—Spiritual and Temporal Destitution of Serfs—Agriculture—Haxthausen on Serfdom—Evils of the System—Its Present Working—“Obrok”—Scarcity of Villages—Absence of an Urban Population—Its Effect Upon Agriculture—Russian Notions of Political Economy.

VI. Simbirsk—Statue to Karamsin—The Jigoulee—Samara—The Government of Orenburg—Votaries of Vodka—Government Spirit—Monopoly—Grace Before Meat.

VII. Singular Misapplication of Steam—Timber Rafts—Volsk—Sheep From the Caspian—A Merchant Prince—Saratov—Emancipation of Serfs—Volga Fever and Ague—German Colonies—The Robber Stinkorosin—Leave the Samson—Reflections.

VIII. Dubovka—The Tram-Road—Advantages of a Canal—Trade-Calmuck Tartars—An Exodus.

IX. Parting Sensations—First Discoverers of the Volga—Trade in the Thirteenth Century—Prohibitive Policy of Russia—Steamers on the Caspian—Astrakhan—The Shores of the Caspian—Arid Desert of Astrakhan.

X. Don Cossack Steppes—Wild Travelling—Posting Experiences—An Unpleasant Discovert—Somovars: Their Merits—Costume of Peasants—A Don Cossack Highway—The Donetz—Meeting a Traveller—Novo Tcherkask.

XI. Don Cossacks: Their Origin—Don Cossacks as Soldiers, as Agriculturists—Extent of Arable Land—Don Cossack Statistics—A Bad Road—Delays—An Aide-De-Camp From the Caucasus—The Posting System, and a Russian’s Notions of It.

XII. Colonies—Nackchivan—Rostov: Its Commerce—Obstacles to Its Prosperity—Quit the Country of the Don Cossacks—Taganrog: Its Historical Associations—The Wool Trade—Merinos—A Dilemma.

XIII. Taganrog as a Port—The Wheat Trade—Want of Labour—The Prohibitive System—Its Effects—Fluctuation in the Price of Corn—The Cause of It—Supplies From India.

XIV. The “Bertha”—The Sea of Azov—Our Accommodation—A Mercantile Retrospect—Arrive at Yeni Kalè—A Custom-House Official—Eastern Aspect of the Town—Kertch: Its Historical Associations.

XV. Kertch: Its Disadvantages as a Post—Tumuli—Steppe Cultivation—A Tartar Conveyance—No Samovar—An Amusing Interpreter—A Railway to Theodosia: Its Prospects—A Steppe Apparition—A Midnight Scene—Karassu Bazaar—Approach to Simpheropol.

XVI. Tartar Quarter—Street Scenes—Bactrian Camels—The Fair Costumes—Variety of Races—Valley of the Salghir—Artar Quarters—A Restless Night—Ascend the Tchatir Dagh—A Magnificent View—The Cave of Foul Kouba—Perilous Descent—Taouchan Bazaar—The Pass of Alushta.

XVII. Tartar Village of Alushta—A Russo-American Idiosyncrasy—A Caravanserai—An Extortionate Postmaster—Coast Scenery—Marsanda—Prospect of an Adventure—Lovely Scenery—Alupka—Vine Cultivation.

XVIII. Stupendous Cliffs—The Pass of Baidak—A Russian’s Notions of Scenery—Baidak—Tartars of the Coast, and Tartars of the Steppe—Balaclava—Enter Sevastopol.

... and 8 more chapters.