Russia on the Black Sea and Sea of Azof: Being a narrative of travels in the Crimea and bordering provinces; With Notices of the Naval, Military, and Commercial Resources of Those Countries

About this book

This work is a nineteenth‑century travelogue and reference guide that blends the author’s own observations with an extensive compilation of contemporary authorities on the Crimea, the Black Sea coast, and the Sea of Azov. Henry Seymour explains that the book emerged from his visits in 1844 and 1846, and from the research of scholars such as M. Dubois de Montpereux, M. Haxthausen, and the Hommaire de Hell family. The opening pages lay out a purpose: to present a concise, fact‑based picture of the region’s geography, resources, and military organization, while acknowledging the limits of his sources and the political biases of his French and Russian informants. The narrative proceeds from a factual introduction into chapters that cover geology, archaeology, naval strength, and the economic conditions of the southern Russian empire, all framed by the author’s desire to inform a curious public.

Written in a formal, scholarly voice typical of mid‑Victorian travel literature, the text interweaves detailed description with polemic on Russian expansion and the strategic importance of the Caucasus. Its style is dense, citation‑heavy, and reflective of the era’s diplomatic discourse, making it appealing to readers who enjoy historic geography, military history, and the nuanced perspectives of 19th‑century European observers of Russia.

Opening lines

The following work is partly the result of my own personal observation, and partly a compilation from some of the most approved authors who have written on the Crimea and the resources of Russia. It was prepared for the press during last winter, and the publication of it has been retarded by the attention which, for the last few months, I have been obliged to bestow on other matters. As the Crimea is still an object of deep interest, and as I am not aware that the notices I have collected have yet been presented to the public in a succinct form, I hope by the following pages that I may help to satisfy public curiosity and add something to the stock of information which we possess respecting the Southern parts of European Russia. …

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