SCHAMYL AND HIS SON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 286, 28 July 1855, Page 4

SCHAMYL AND HIS SON.

Within the last few weeks Schamyl has been rejoiced by the return of his son who, eleven years ago, when of tender age, had the misfortune to be taken prisoner by the Russians. Since then Schamyl had not heard of the boy, and long ago gave him up for lost. It appears, however, that when he was captured, the Russian General, Piince Woronzoff, sent him to St. Petersburg, where the late Emperor took a liking to the lad, and had him educated in the Military Academy. It happened last year that Schamyl, in some sudden surprise look several Russian ladies prisoners, amongst whom was the Princess Tcharawaddy. They were conducted to one of Schamyl's .m Jtintain fastnesses and confined there as prisoners of war, but treated with the respect and decorum due to their rank and sex. The Governor-General of Tiflis sent a flag of truce to Schamyl, to demand the release <v" the captured ladies, offering a large sum of money and the liberty of several Ciicassian ladies who had been made prisoners by the Russians. But Schamyl replied that, if his son were alive, and the Russians would restore him, he would restore all the lady captives. The Emperor Nicholas sent for young Schamyl, gave him his liberty, and fitted him out with the needful equipment to undertake the long journey. The exchange took place at the end of January. Young Schamyl, who, when at St. was not required to abjure the Moslem creed, has 'profited by his involuntary sejour at the Russian capital, and has no.v returned to his overjoyed father an accomplished cavalier, with a comparatively civilised education. It is said he entertains great gratitude to the Emperor for his personal treatment, and it is not impossible that his return to his native mountains may have an effect on the future mode of Circassian warfare, and the introduction of more civilised manners and customs generally amongst his countrymen. The following was related by one of the Prussian officers of the 6ih Cuirassiers, (Emperor of Russia's) who were sent in the year 1842 to St. Petersburg as a deputation from the regiment to congratulate the Czar on his having been five and tweuty years colonel of that corps. Nicholas, who received tlie officers with marked distinction, took them in propria persona to in--4 spect his different military establishments, and amongst others to the school for cadets, where all the lads were drawn up in tbe long hall. The Emperor, closely followed by the Prussian officers, walked down the line, when he suddenly stopped before one of the youngest cadets, patted his cheeks with both hands, and then lifting him up _,kissed him most affectionately. Then, turning to the Prussians, he said: "Gentlemen, you will never gutss who this lad is. He is the son of my most bitter enemy, the Circassian chieftain Schamyl, who has placed him under my care for his education!"