The principal authors who have recently written on Circassia areBodenstedt, Moritz Wagner, Marlinski, Dubois de Montpéreux, Hommaire deHell, Taillander, Marigny, Golovin, Bell, Longworth, Spencer, Knight,Cameron, Ditson; and from their pages chiefly has been filled the easelwith the colors of which I have endeavored to paint the followingpicture of a career of heroism nowise inferior to that of the mostfamous champions of classical antiquity, of a war of independence suchas may not improperly be compared with the most glorious strugglesrecorded in the annals of liberty, and of a state of society perhaps themost romantic and the most nearly resembling that described in the songsof Homer which the progress of civilization has now left for theadmiration of mankind.