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Suliman, and the tomb of Asef Barkhia the vizir of Suliman is still shewn here it is of great size: the throne of Suliman is on a small hill west from Osh surmounted by a building with a dome. In the spring great numbers of people repair hither in pilgrimage to the tomb from all the surrounding countries, bringing with them, articles of various description for sale and barter. A bazar is held in Osh every Tuesday. In the warm season the place swarms with musquitoes, and the people construct a tall frame of four long posts in the centre of their houses, and sleep on the top of it. Nimbegan is the name of a city two stages from Osh, W. N. W. the fruit of which is very famous. Andejan the former capital of the Kings of Ferghana now deserted lies 3 stages west by N. of Osh, and is one stage west of Nimbegan. The father of Baber the emperor of India, Omer Sheikh Mirza, resided in Andejan.

Ardaneh (4) 8 hours; W. by N. A large station, the residence of a tribe of Badakhshanis: it is famous for its gardens: the road runs between mountains, but is good as the mountains do not approach very close: there are many Tartar stations and places where droves of horses are pastured: on the way, wheeled carriages, are em ployed from Osh to the other cities of Ferghana.

Mangtappeh (4) 3 hours, W. a large station: the adjacent country is covered with the flocks of the Turks and Kapchaks, which are allowed to graze at will during the spring and summer monthsThese two tribes amount here to about 12,000 families: they are a strong good looking people apparently in a prosperous condition and of military propensities, and, present a striking contrast to the Kirghizes who are a mean looking race, ill fed, housed and clothed, and furnishing few soldiers.

Yulkhaneh, (45) 8 hours; W: a station: Andejan is one march to the north and in the same direction at a short distance in a place called Ki. On the road are both Kirghizes and Kalmaks, the latter are Musselmans.

Kuperdeg (5) W. by N. road good: many stations on the route: a river on the way crossed by a bridge.

Merghinán (i) 6 hours; W. by N. It is alsó called Merghilan and is one of the chief cities of Ferghana. It contains the tomb of the celebrated monarch Secander Zul kernin (Alexander the Great,): the place is exceedingly pleasant and the people well disposed. The ruler is an officer of the chief of Kokan. Silk and Shawl. Wool, are abundant

here, and the people manufacture Shawls although of an inferior, workmanship to those of Cashmir. The bulwarks are of clay, but they are in a dilapidated condition: there is a large minareh in the town of brick.

Akbeg (3) 5 hours; W. by N.: on the roads, the station are numerous, but we crossed part of a desart.

Kera khatai (5) 4 hours; W. by N.: a station of Moham medans: there are two roads from Merghinan to Kokan, one thickly peo. pled, the other leading through a desart-which latter we followed.

Kokan (8 hours; W. by N. It is also written Khokand (i) It is a large city without a wall; from the time of Narbuta Be it has become populous-beyond it, there are no more stations; it has a number of streams running past every house. Amer Khan is the present ruler-two years ago it was subject to Alem Khan his elder brother, but in consequence of his tyrannical conduct, he became the object of universal detestation, and upon his march to Tashkend, the whole army mutinied, and deserting him raised the younger brother to the sovereign ty of Kokan. After a short time Alem Khan returned to Kokan to recover his authority, but lost his life in the attempt.

Alem Khan and Amer Khan were both sons of Narbuta Be: the Amir of Kokan maintains a force of ten thousand horse, and pays them by grants of villages, and lands; they cannot keep the field above two months at a time, as they carry with them provision for no longer a period. The other troops raised by the tribes amount to thirty thousand, but they only engage to serve one month at a time, and that only once. a year. Their services are not paid by the Amir. The people subject to the Government of Kokan are of the Kirghiz, Turk, Kepchak, Meng, and Kazzak races. The troops are mostly armed with spears-some carry matchlocks. The chief cities belonging to the Amir are Osh, Nimbegan, Kasán, Chus, one stage from Nimbegan, Andejan, Mirghinan, Kánbadám, Ashferek, Khojend. All these except Chus and Nimbegan are to the left of the Sir, the same river as the Sihun. Nimbegan and Chus and the mountain of Indejan are on the right of the river, and the country is rich in verdure and abounds with fruit. Other cities are Sharukhiah, Tashkend and Siram. The country about Tashkend is called Turkestan. Formerly Tashkend was named Shash; it is very pleasantly situated; the river Chirchek flows below it: to the north of the mountains of Andejan the country is a wil

derness, to the north of which are the ribes of Kazzaks and Kera Kalpaks dependant on Russia: the capital of the Khan of the Kipchaks, Bulghar, now known by the name of Kazan, is in the Russian territory. the western boundaries of the wastes extend to the sea of Kalzum, the east to the possessions of China.

The chiefs of the Kazzaks have not the title of Khan, but Tureh or chief or head man. Amer Khan strikes coin in his own name, one tangeh is equal to 16 Pals, and one pal is about two Mashas. A gold Tila of Bokhara sells at Kokan for 150 tangehs, the coin of the country, which is a copper coin washed or plated with silver. The Khotbeh is not read in the name of any one person, and although there is a good understanding with Bokhara in appearance, there is at bottom great animosity. There is entire independance of that state, and Alem Khan even raised forces against the King of Bokhara, and reduced him to great streights. The language of Kokan is Turkish: the people of the city are Tajiks or Persians: the chief civil minister of Amer Khan is Mirza Yusef of Khojend. Mirza Asmet Ullah is his deputy. I received great kindness from Mirza Yusef, and he was very desirous I should remain in Kokan.

[To be Continued,]

HINDU FICTION.

(Continued from Number

Story of Saktideva, continued.

Having finished her story the Princess recommended to her father to benefit by the lesson, and to be cautious to whom he gave credit, and she repeated her wish, that he would not be anxious with respect to her marriage, as she was contented to remain unespoused. To this the king replied, that it was not good for a young woman to grow up unmarried. The world was censorious, and very ready to attach blame undeserved, and the more amiable the character, the more was it the mark of malice. In proof of which he cited the adventure of Hara Swami.

Story of Hara Swámi.

On the banks of the Ganges in the city of Kusumapur resided a holy man named Hara Swami, the simplicity of whose manners, and whose uninterrupted course of devotion, had won the regard and esteem of all the citizens: there was one man however on whom they produced an opposite effect, and who unable to bear the sight of so much piety resolved to attempt the ruin of the Ascetic.

With this intent he contrived to disseminate a report, that Hara Swami was very far from being the character he appeared, that his sanctity was assumed, and that in secret he was the worshipper of some of the terrific divinities, to whom he made a practice of sacrificing children. The rumour soon gained ground, and it was asserted and generally believed, that a great number of children had recently been lost to their parents, whose disappearance was thus accounted for.

The people of the city now flocking together would have proceeded to the hermitage of Hara Swami to put him to death; but the chief Brahmans, standing in some awe of his character, prevailed upon them to be satisfied with his exile. Messengers were sent to him, therefore, to desire him to leave the neighbourhood without delay. Highly surprised by this command, Hara Swami begged to know how he had incurred such a sentence, and on being informed, determined with the courage of conscious innocence to face his accusers. He therefore repaired to the city, and addressing the people collected on the walls, begged them to listen but for a moment, before they condemned him for ever. Has any one amongst you, continued he, lost his child? The question startled them. Each looked at his fellow and saw himself reproached for precipitation. Many had their children by their sides others went off to their different homes to ascertain if their children were safe, and in a short time all were obliged to confess that the accusation was

wholly unfounded, and that they had unjustly banished the pious man! So easy is it, said the Prince, to affix a stigma on the most spotless characters. You must not expect my child, added Paropakari, to escape, and should this happen, should calumny blight your youth, you will be the means of plunging a shaft in your father's heart.

When Kanakarekha observed her father thus earnest,she forbore to press the subject, contenting herself with repeating her readiness to marry any one of the priestly or martial tribe, who should behold the Golden city, and with this the king was compelled to be satisfied. Story of Saktideva, Continued.

In the mean time, Saktideva ashamed of the exposure he had suffered, and deeply enamoured of the princess determined to discover this unknown city, or perish in the undertaking. If he succeeded, he should win the only object, for which he now felt life desirable, and if he failed existence was well sacrificed in such a cause.-Resolved therefore to return successful or return no more, Saktideva quitted Verddhamana, and directed his course to the South.*

After winding his way for some time through the intricacies of the Vindhya forest, he came to a hermitage by the side of a pellucid pool, the residence of a pious ascetic and his disciples: having been received with kindness and hospitably entertained by the venerable Sage who had counted a hundred years, Saktideva informed him of the object of his journey, and enquired of him, if he knew where the Golden city was to be found. The Sage replied, he had never heard of the name, but recommended Saktideva to seek the hermitage of his elder brother, t

The incidents that follow, are precisely in the style of the marvellous in the Arabian Nights and many of them will be recognised as occurring in that collection.

Thus in the story of Mazin of Khorasan, Mazin in his search after the Islands, Wak al Wak, is directed by the seven good Genie, to one of their Uncles Abdal Kuddary, a venerable old man, who re-. fers him to Abdal Sulleeb his elder brother.

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