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SUANETIA 223
for the first time, the mountain-barriers. The exjaedition produced
no jiermanent political result.
In 1857 the Kussian Government was brought face to face
in a very dramatic manner with the difficulties every civilised
government in turn meets with when, from reasons of high policy,
it tolerates disorder within its frontiers. The first breakdown in
the system of non-intervention was brought about by the violence
of a certain Constantine Dadish Kilian, one of the feudal princes
of the lower valley. This ruffian, who had already in a private
vendetta slain one of his uncles .and wounded his cousin,
was known to be fomenting trouble. Sent for to Kutais hy
the Governor and ordered to live elsewhere than among his
vassals, he did to his ruler as he had done among his own
]-ieople. He stabbed that official and three others. The Dadish
Kilian met with the usual fate of murderers ; and as a result
of his crime a Russian force was sent into the valley, the
culprit's castle was razed to the ground, and a garrison of ten
men placed in his
village. The Independent Communities were,
however, still left alone. This was the state of affiiirs at the
time of my first visit. In the upper hamlets Russian orders
did not run, and the Government was openly defied. Private wars
still raged, individual against individual, femily against family,
liamlet against hamlet, community against community.
The first travellers to visit Suanetia were two Russian officials.
General Bartholomai and Herr Bakradze. They Avrote pamjjhlets,
describing chiefly the ecclesiastical treasures and inscriptions exist-
ing in the district. Herr Abich and Dr. Radde, the well-known
botanist, and curator of the Tiflis Museum, visited the valley in
1864 and 1866. Two years later Dr. Radde was followed by
the first party of English travellers, who owed much to their
predecessor's book and friendly advice.
In the following year (1869) Count Levashoff, then Governor
of ^lingrelia, assembled an armed force and marched with some
pomp over the Latpari. M. de Bernoville, a Frenchman, who was
allowed to take part in the expedition, has given a detailed account
of its progress. The Suanetians met the Russian force in arms