CHAPTER XII.

KIACHTA.

Approach Kiachta--Maimachin--Chinese elegance--The frontier--Russian eagle--The commissary of the frontier-- "Times" newspaper--Kiachta--Troitskosarfsk--Meet a countryman--Part from our Mongols--Their programme--A Russian bath--Siberian refinement--Streets and pavement-- Russian conveyances--Aversion to exercise-- Semi-civilisation--Etiquette--Mixture of peoples--Wealth of Russian merchants--Narrow commercial views--The Chinese of Maimachin--Domestic habits--Russian and Chinese characters compared--Chinese more civilised than the Russians--The Custom-house--Liberal measures--Our droshky-- Situation of Kiachta--Supplies--Population--Hay-market-- Fish--The garden--Domestic gardening--Climate salubrious-- Construction of houses--Stoves--Russian meals--Commercial importance of Kiachta--Inundation of the Selenga-- Travelling impracticable--Money-changing--New travelling appointments--Tarantass--Passports--Danger of delay--Prepare to start--First difficulty--Siberian horses--Post-bell 203