“The discrepancies are partly explained by the fact that De Quincey followed Bergmann’s account,—­which account differs avowedly in some particulars from that of the Chinese memoirs.  In Bergmann I find the original secession of the ancestors of Oubache’s Kalmuck horde from China to Russia is pushed back to 1616, just as in De Quincey.  But, though De Quincey keeps by Bergmann when he pleases, he takes liberties with Bergmann too, intensifies Bergmann’s story throughout, and adds much to it for which there is little or no suggestion in Bergmann.  For example, the incident which De Quincey introduces with such terrific effect as the closing catastrophe of the march of the fugitive Kalmucks before their arrival on the Chinese frontier,—­the incident of their thirst-maddened rush into the waters of Lake Tengis, and their wallow there in bloody struggle with their Bashkir pursuers,—­has no basis in Bergmann larger than a few slight and rather matter-of-fact sentences.  As Bergmann himself refers here and there in his narrative to previous books, German or Russian, for his authorities, it is just possible that De Quincey may have called some of these to his aid for any intensification or expansion of Bergmann he thought necessary.  My impression, however, is that he did nothing of the sort, but deputed any necessary increment of his Bergmann materials to his own lively imagination.”

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1 1.  The first three paragraphs of the essay, comprising the formal introduction, are intentionally rather more picturesque and vivacious in style than the ordinary narrative that follows.  If these paragraphs be read consecutively aloud, the student will surely feel the sweep and power of De Quincey’s eloquence.  Attention may well be directed to the author’s own apparent interest in his subject because of its appeal to the imagination (p. 1, l. 4), of the romantic circumstances (p. 1, l. 11), of its dramatic capabilities (p. 2, l. 8), of its scenical situations (p. 3, l. 8).  Throughout the essay effort should be made to excite appreciation of the significance of words, and De Quincey’s mastery in the use of words may be continually illustrated.  In paragraph 1, note the fitness of the word velocity (l. 12) and the appropriateness of the epithets in almighty instincts (l. 17), life-withering marches (l. 18), gloomy vengeance (l. 19), volleying thunders (p. 2, l. 1).

1 5.  Tartar.  Originally applied to certain tribes in Chinese Tartary, but here used for Mongolian.  Look up etymology and trace relation of the word to Turk.—­steppes.  A Russian word indicating large areas more or less level and devoid of forests; these regions are often similar in character to the American prairie, and are used for pasturage.

1 6,7. terminus a quo, terminus ad quem.  The use of phrases quoted from classic sources is frequent in De Quincey’s writings.  Note such phrases as they occur, also foreign words.  Is their use to be justified?