- Forst. [22] This Is A Place At The Mouth Of The Dniester Called Ak-Kierman By The Turks; Tshelatalba By The Walachians; Belgorod By The Russians; Aspro Kastra By The Greeks; And Moncastro By The Genoese.

It was the Alba Julia, of the Romans.

- Forst.

[23] This circumstance was before noticed by Rubruquis, and is likewise mentioned by Busbeck. Father Mohndorf met with many slaves in the gallies at Constantinople, who were descended from the Goths, and spoke a dialect of German. Now that the Crimea belongs to Russia, it is to be wished that the remaining traces of the Gothic language may be inquired after; as this language might serve to explain and illustrate the remains we still possess of Ulfila's translation of the gospels into Gothic; while the names and customs of this people, together with many of their phrases and turns of expression, might throw light on the manners and customs of the ancient Germans. It is even possible, that some families among them, of the higher rank, may still possess some books in their ancient language, which would be a very important discovery. - Forst.

[24] Otherwise called Erdir, Erdil, Atel, Athol, Etilia, and now the Volga or Wolga. - Forst.

[25] Likewise named Citracan and Astrakhan, Astracan. - Forst.

[26] There is an obvious blunder here, for this account of the trade must be understood as follows: "That the trade in silks and spices from the East, which now come by way of Syria, came over land by way of Astracan to Tanna, whence it was transported by sea to Venice." The concluding sentence, "That no other nation but the Venetians then traded with Syria," is quite inexplicable; as the Syrian trade could not possibly come to Venice by way of Astracan and Tanna. The various routes of trade from India or the East to Western Europe, before the Portuguese discovered the way by sea, have been well illustrated by Dr Robertson; and will be explained in the course of this work. - E.

[27] Riazan on the Oka, the capital of a province or the same name. - E.

[28] Even at present, they make an inebriating liquor in Russia, from millet, called busa, which is very heady, and is probably what is named bossa in the text - Forst.

[29] I strongly suspect that this passage is wrong translated, and that it ought to have been, that the castle as encompassed with wooden walls, as it is well known that the city of Moscow environs the castle or Kremlin. - E.

[30] This expression has no meaning. Barbaro probably wrote that four pounds could be had at Moscow for the same money that would buy one in Venice. - E.

[31] The Caspian, besides the names of Bochri and Bakhu, is likewise called the sea of Khozar, and the sea of Tabristan. - E.

[32] Zagathai was one of the sons of the great conqueror Zingis Khan, and received that part of the empire for his share, which comprehended Turkistan, Mawaralnahar, and Kuaresm; which extensive country took from him the name of Zagathai. - Forst.

The furs mentioned in the text could not be brought from this country, which besides, is to the south-east of Kasan. To the north-east lies Siberia, the true country of fine furs; and which Barbara, by mistake, must have named Zagathai: though perhaps it might at one time form part of that extensive empire. - E

[33] Moxia is the country of the Morduanians, one tribe of whom call themselves Mokscha, or Moxa. - Forst.

[34] This word signifies the New Castle; of this name there are two cities and provinces in European Russia, Novogorod proper, and Nisney Novogorod: The former is the one here meant. - E.

[35] This is near Wilna in Lithuania. - Forst.

[36] I imagine that Slonym is here meant; formerly a place of note, and which used to be the appanege of one of the Lithuanian princes. - Forst.

[37] Varsonich is an evident corruption for Varsovich, or Warsaw, the capital of Masurea or Masovia. - Forst.

[38] It is not easy to determine the situation of Mersaga; but, as on the borders of Poland, towards Brandenburgh, and in the direction of Francfort on the Oder, it is probable that Meseriz, or Miedzyrzyez, is here meant. - Forst.

END OF VOLUME FIRST.

End of A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 1, by Robert Kerr

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