"This monument was constructed under the direction of Lieutenant
Ratmanoff; and his anxiety to complete it previous to our departure,
made him overcome every difficulty in the way of such an undertaking
in Kamtschatka. It would have been an injustice in me not to have
supported and contributed by all the means in my power to its
completion; and as I gave them not only workmen, but also such
materials as we had on board the ship, we had the satisfaction of
seeing it entirely completed previous to our departure. A deep ditch
surrounded the whole; and, in order to screen it against any
accidental injury, it was inclosed in a high paling, the door of which
was to be kept constantly locked, and the key to remain in the hands
of the governor of Saint Peter and Saint Paul."

Every heart that is capable of humane emotions will respect this
labour infinitely beyond either the magnitude or the importance of its
effects, and will gladly applaud the virtuous sentiment that prompts
generous minds, in defiance of the narrow and perishable distinction
of name and nation, to reverence the kindred excellence and the common
lot of their fellow creatures.--E.

[41] Every reader will be pleased to learn, that Krusenstern bears ample
testimony to the general accuracy of Captain King's drawings and
descriptions of the bay, &c. This intimation is probably sufficient
for most persons, without any special exemplification of the
coincidences betwixt these two writers.--F.

SECTION VI.

General Account of Kamtschatka.--Geographical Description.--Rivers.--
Soil.--Climate.--Volcanoes.--Hot Springs.--Productions.--Vegetables.--
Animals.--Birds.--Fish.[42]

Kamtschatka is the name of a peninsula situated on the eastern coast of
Asia, running nearly N. and S., from 52 deg. to 6l deg. N. latitude; the longitude
of its southern extremity being 156 deg. 45' E. The isthmus, which joins it to
the continent on the N., lies between the Gulf of Olutorsk and the Gulf of
Penshinsk. Its southern extremity is Cape Lopatka, a word signifying the
blade bone of a man, and is so called from its supposed resemblance to it.
The shape of the whole peninsula is not unlike that of a shoe, widening
from the toe (which we may suppose to be Cape Lopatka) toward the middle,
and narrowing again toward the heel, the neck of land above mentioned
connecting it with the continen