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TOBOLSKI

Volume 18 · 453 words · 1797 Edition

the capital of Siberia, is situated at the confluence of the rivers Tobol and Irtish, in N. Lat. 58° 12', E. Long. 68° 18'. The city stands upon the ascent of a high hill, the lower part of which is inhabited by Mahometan Tartars, who carry on a considerable traffic upon the river Irtish, and convey their merchandise quite across Great Tartary, as far as China. The river Irtish is reckoned as rapid as the Danube; runs from the south, and empties itself into the Oby: the Tobol washes the other side of the town, and a little below it falls into the Irtish. By means of these two rivers, there is a constant flow of merchandise into the city during the summer season. Tobolski is therefore a great mart for the commodities of Mucovoy, Tartary, and other countries: and here is a great concourse of merchants. All sorts of provisions are plentiful and cheap. An hundred weight of rice is sold for 16 copecks, equal to about eight pence Sterling; a flurgeon weighing 40 pounds, for half that money; an ox for two rix-dollars, and every other article in proportion: the adjacent country abounds with game in great variety. The supreme court of judicature for all Siberia is held in this city, which is also the seat of a metropolitan, sent hither from Moscow to exercise spiritual jurisdiction over the whole kingdom. Tobolski is well fortified, and defended by a strong garrison, under the command of the waiwode, who resides in the place, and takes charge of the fur tribute, which is here deposited in proper magazines. This governor enjoys a very extensive command, and can occasionally bring into the field 9000 men, besides a strong body of Tartars on horseback, to make head against the Kalmyks and Cossacks, in their repeated incursions. A sufficient number of Ruffians, called Temniks, are kept in continual pay by the government, on the banks of the Irtish, to supply travellers on the czar's account with men, boats, or carriages, to convey them as far as Surgut on the Oby, a voyage of 200 leagues by water. This is the common method of travelling in the summer; but in winter the journey by land is not half so long, being performed in sleds over the ice and snow, with which the country is covered. These sleds are moved by a pair of dogs, which will draw a load of 300 pounds with surprising expedition. They are hired at early rates, and during one half of the year may be seen flying over the snow in great numbers. The city is supposed to contain 15,000 inhabitants. It is 800 miles east from Moscow, and 1000 from Petersburgh.