Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/42

Sterlet, Schevrlga, Osseter,—the three last are a kind of sturgeon,—and Bielaribitza, which is a little white fish of most excellent flavour. It is supposed that the greatest part of these come down thither from the Volga. Moreover, they say, that two other rivers take their rise at the sources of the Occa, namely, the Sem and the Schosna. The Sem flows through the principality of Sevrera, and passing by the town of Potivlo, falls into the river Desna, which last river runs through the town of Czernigov, and joins the Dnieper below Kiev, The Schosna, however, makes its way directly into the Don.

Corsira is a town on the banks of the river Occa, six miles above Columna. It formerly had a governor, who held it in his own right; but being reported to Prince Vasiley as one who conspired against his life, he was invited, under a plausible pretext from the prince, to join him in the chase. He armed himself (for some one advised him not to go unarmed), and went to the prince during the hunt. He was not admitted, however; but was ordered to be taken, under the charge of Michael Georgivich, the prince's secretary, to the neighbouring town of Czerpach, and there to be confined. On his arrival, the prince's secretary desired him, according to the usual custom, to drink to the prince's health. When he found himself thus caught in a snare, which he had no means of escaping, he sent for a priest, drained the cup, and died. By this infamous crime, Vasiley became possessor of the town of Czerpach, which lies eight miles from Corsira, on the banks of the Occa, near which there are iron mines situated in a plain.

Coluga is a town on the river Occa, thirty-six miles from Moscow, and fourteen from Czerpach. They make there cleverly carved cups of wood, and other articles for domestic purposes of the same material, which are exported thence into the various provinces of Russia, as well as into Lithuania, and other surrounding countries. The prince is accus-