We present to our readers another of our characteristic sketches of the people of distant lands. In the bold grouping of the armed mounted militia of the Texas, which embellished the first page of one of our former numbers, we enlisted the interest of many of our subscribers who had affixed their eyes upon the Eden-like allurements of that fertile territory, and whose curiosity-newly awakened by the pencil of our artist-appealed to us for information with no small eagerness, and asked our advice and guidance regarding the selection of the new country as the emigrant’s home. The subject of the present sketch is of character similar to that of the former one, of interest is quite of another kind. Circassia does not, like Texas, afford any lure of advantage to the oppressed and over-abounding population of these realms; but yet we regard its destinies as a country with no small sympathy, and its people have many claims upon our peculiar regard. In a political sense, we may regard the land as one of the hardiest barriers against the ambition of Russia; in a social sense, we have possessed to an extraordinary degree the respect and affections of its entire people. The deep reverence which the Circassians have taught themselves to entertain towards the name and character of Great Britain has become proverbial among travellers. They have appreciated, and even magnified our power; they have courted our alliance with the warmest protestations of regard; they have looked to England as their giant-arm of protection against aggressive Russia; and have, we lament to say, bestowed upon as a much larger amount of good feeling than we have ever had the gratitude to return. They are honest, hardy, brave, and powerful, and deserved better treatment at our hands. Russian ambition is now pouring into their territory large armies of barbarian troops, and the persecution which Circassia hoped to have seen averted by England is hot and vengeful in its pursuit of her sons. In the group which our artist has depicted, a Circassian woman is supposed to have escaped from the invading enemy, and is bringing intelligence to her countrymen in arms.
The Illustrated London News, London, England, Week Ending July 16, 1842
