Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/travelsofsirjohnOOchar ! i ■ \ \ * ■ London Printed fcrr M.ofes Pitt in Duke street Westminster. 1686. > I 4\ THE A VE L O F Sir John Chardin INTO anD the €aft IJntitts The Firft Volume, Containing the Author’s Voyage from Taris to Ifpab. an. To which is added, The Coronation of this Prelent KING ofPerfia, SOLYMAN the Third. LONDON: Printed for Mofes fitt in Duke-Street IVeflminJler . i6%6. At the Court at Whitehall March 23* i K To the KIN G. I Frefume to Prefent to Your Royal View* the Firft Volume of my Second Voyage into <; not fo much to give it Credit by ib Ambi^ tious a Dedication, as to acquit my Sell of an Xm* difpenfable Obligation upon me to Offer to Your Majefty the Firft>Fruits of a Work, whereof the Publication is a Debt lolely due to Your Majefty from me. a I rfhe Epijtle Dedicatory* I can fincerely affirm to Your Majefty, That it is the Produ6t of Your Royal Grace and Goodnefs to me ; and that the chief Motive I had to under¬ take it, was, Becaufe I perceived it to be a Subject well-pleafing to Your Majefty, being Compoled under the Shadow of that Auguft Throne which Your Majefty does fo Glorioufly replenifti ; Nor had I taken fo much time from the Neceffary Oc¬ cupations of my Life, to propole it for the Prels, but out of an earned: defire to publish to the World the Refentments of my Heart, for the many Fa¬ vours I have received from Your Majefty, and my Admiration of Your Majefties Heroick and Vraiv fcendopt Virtue* I , «• ; r:: ) f Ft ( ) f From the time that the Bounty of Heaven had blefted me in the happy Choice I made of eft a bli fil¬ ing my felf in this Land of Promife , quietly to en¬ joy in it the defirable Fruits of my long Travels, I was ahvay Gracioufly received by the late King of ever blefled Memory, who as a Mark of His Efteem was plealed to Honour me with a Charader of Dig¬ nity. And the Nobility, who of themlelves are lb Affable and Generous, were not wanting in their Civilities to me, to imitate fo admirable a Pattern of all Iliuftrious Virtues. The moft Celebrated Societies in Your Majefties Kingdom, have done me the Honour to admit me into tlieir Bodies; and I was by Soveraign Autho¬ rity imploy’d in a, moft Important Negotiation with the Neighbor-State: But though I received lo many great Effects of His Majefties Bounty to me, I am in Duty bound for many Realbns to apply the Ac¬ knowledgment thereof to Your Sacred Majefty, which may be comprehended in that perfeft Union which Your Majefty had with that Great and Good King) in participating with him not only in the moft important Affairs of his happy Reign, but even in the leaft and meaneft of his Cares, whereby * j Your Majefty hath a juft Title to fhare in all the Gracious ASts of his Royal Beneficence, The particular and immediate Teftimonies of Favour which Your Majefty (of Your own Perfb- nal Goodnefs) hath extended to me^ are too nume-i rousto be related ; and I am defective in words to defcribe the Gratitude wherewith my Heart is pbfi- felled in the fenfe of them : Wherefore in this my Incapacity to exprefs iny Refentments of Your Ma- jetties Benefits to me, I arti lefs able to Delineate thofe Heroick Qualities which all Europe admire in Your M&jefties Sacred Perfon, and Which enable Your Majefty with fb much Renown to fuftain that Glorious Crown which is deriv’d to Your Ma¬ jefty from Your Mighty Anceftors. I have had the Honour to approach Kin^s, which pafs abroad for the Mightieft Monarchs in the World; but none of thofe Magnificent Images of Divinity,* are equal to Your Majefty in the Divine Refem- blances of Affability, Courtefie, Vigilance, Know¬ ledge and Conftancy. None of them ever brought fiich Confummate Experience to the Government of a great and mighty Empire, or was ever pof- fefs'd with fo mudh Juftice and Fortitude to uphold or augment it : None of them have ever joyn d to the Science of Commanding on Land, fuch vaft and exquifite Knowledge in Maritime Affairs as well for War, as the Art and Improvement of Navigation. I might advance farther in this Parallel, where Your Majefty has fb much the advantage, if I did not find my Eyes dazled,when I attempt to fix them; ftpbii Your Majefty. I The Epijlle Dedicatory . i have indeed taken the Liberty in the Volumes which are to lucceed this, (and perhaps not been altogether unhappy therein) to give the Chara¬ cters of the molt famous Monarchs of the Eajl But though my Zeal for Your Majefties Glory is very great, I find my Force at prefent too weak to ex- prefs that of Your Majefties, in fo illuftrious a man¬ ner as the Merit of the Subjetft requires. However, I may endeavour hereafter to attempt it; and in the mean time I fhall continue my Prayers to Al¬ mighty God, That Your Majefties Reign may be Long and Erofperous ; and that Your ‘Throne may be always an Inviolable Refuge and Santtuary to the Op - preffed , and Your Scepter as Immoveable in the Hearts of Your Subjells, as in Your Triumphant Hands ; and that in the End for an qlA cumulation of Cjlory , Your Majefty may fecure and preferve an Accumulation of Felicity to Your People . Thefe are the Add relies which fhall be Affidu- oufly made at the Throne of Grace for Your Sacred Majefty, by, <'SVLay it pleafe Your Majefty , Your Majefties mojl Humble , moft Obedient , and moft Faithful Subjetl and Servant , JOHN CHARDIN, PREFACE His is the Fir ft Fart of tny Relations of Perfia, which I haje divided into Four Vo- lumes , whereof the Fir/l (which is this I now Fublifh) contains that part of the journal of tny Voyage from Paris to Ifpahan, which ends in the Month of June in the Year 1675. ^ thinly it Ffeedlcfs in this place to Anticipate the ‘Readers Expectation with Reciting any of the Particulars of it, hecaufe the whole is Velhered at large in the en - fuin? IF'eatife , h (The The PREFACE. -— - y— -----;— f —- ^ The Second V art (which is the reft of my four ml of the Tear 1673) contains a General Lefcription of the Empire of Perfla and its Force, together with the Laws, (governments, zSManners and Cujlomes of tlx Perfians, of their Mrts and Sciences, and their Ciyil and Mechanical Induflry, with a particular Lefcription of Ifpahan, (which is at this time the Qapital City of that vafl Empire') and .Five and Thirty or Forty Cuts Engraven in Copper, of the fairefl and moft Remarfa- ble "Buildings therein, or other Eminent Particularities thereof The Third Tart (which is my fournal of the Year 1674.3 contains (amongfl other things) the Ruines of Perfepolis, reprefented in Twenty Two CopperTPlates y as alfo an Exact, and Ample Lefcription of them, with Ohfervations Interwoven of the lefs Intelligible Parts of thofe Ruines, (which are the mof (jlorious Monu~ ments and Ofobleft Remains of oJlntiquity Extant) together with a Relation of the Religion of the Perfiaus, collected as well from their Public/{ JVorfoip, as their Writings, whereof there are many Copious Traductions. The Fourth and lafl Part (which confijls of my fournal of the Year 1675. and the two fucceeding Years) concludes with a Piece wholly new and unlyiown to Vs in Europe^ which is an Abridgement of the Eli- flory of Perfia, Extracted from their own Writings. And thus having informed the Reader of the Subjell of my Memorials, I jhall mention fomething of the time, and means which I imployed to colleB them. I Traveled by Land to the Eaft-Indies, in the Year 1665, and arrived in Perfia at the beginning of the Year 1 666. where I flayed all that Year, and a good part of the next . 4 I The Preface* I came back^ to Perfia -from India in the Year 166p« where I remain'd Six Months before my return to Eu¬ rope* This was my firfl Voyage. And though I then provided my felf of Objervations, (tnd all forts of Ma¬ terials for a Relation of it, in as great a Veg ree or perhaps greater than thofe that haye yifited thofe Coun¬ tries before me (having Learn d many things from the Turkifli and Perfian Languages, which haye not beeti obfervd by any that haye hitherto Writ of Perfia,) yet I did not then thinly my felf fujficiently inflruffed for the ‘Publication of fo compleat a Worf, as I intended . But in the mean time I entertain'd the World with a little Treatife of the foronation of Soli man, which confjled of Jome few Curious matters of Faff, whereof I was an Eye-Witnefs. And the earnefl defire I had to improve my knowledge in that yafl Empire of Perfia, to be enabled to produce to the World ufeful and Ample Relations of it, induced me to undertake a Second Voyage thither, which I did in the Year 1671. (as the fame will appear in this four naif) I flay'd there until the Year \6jy, chiefly following the Court in its Remoyals > but likewife I made fome particular Journeys, as well of Curioflty as Buflnefs, to profecute my intent ions, fludying the Language, and afjiduoufly frequenting the mofl eminent and mofl knowing Men of the 3 fation,the better to inform my felf in all things that were Curious and 3 few to us in Europe, concerning a Country that may Weil be called. Another World, both in refpeff of the Diflance of place it has from us ; and the different Manners and Maximes of it. In a Word I was fo folicitous to know Perfia, that I kyiew Upahan better than Paris (though I was Bred and Born therei) The Perfian Language was as eafe to me as French, and I could currently Bead and Write it, I had often Traveled The PREFACE. Travel! d 0 through the whole Country in the Length arid ‘ Breadth thereof 3 and Jeen its Seas (both the Cafpian and the Ocean) from one end to the other ; ] haye vifeted its Frontiers in Armenia, Iberia and Media, and Arabia alfo 7 as far as the River Indusj and have been Jo exactly inform'd of thofe few Places where I have not been , that I am confident I could know them (if I may Jo fay') upon any fudden Tranfporta- tion thither ; which I Jay only to let the Reader fee what (f round he may haye to rely upon the Truth of the following ‘Relations. As for this Tranflation, I frail not fay much of the Exprejjions and Phrafe ufed in ity being no competent fudge thereof but I can aver that it was done under my Infpeclion , and I have review'd it with Attention , and Knowledge enough to affirm , that it is exactly my Senfe, but I mufl not omit to mention , that in my Reyfeon of it , there was fcarce a Leaf where I did not difco - yer fome confederate Faulty as a Parenthefisy Line or IVord omitted , and fometimes my Thoughts imper- feclly rendered , (*though the fubfiituted Senfe was nei¬ ther Incongruous nor Perplexed .) In brief I have Cor¬ rected many Miftakps o[ this forty which could not be Perceptible to any but an Author , who carries the Senfe of bis IVor/g JVord by fVord in his Head . As for Exampley in, deferibing the Cultiyation of the Vineyards of Colchide, I fiaidy * That they cut their Vines there, once in every four Years j and my "1 ranjlator had expreffed it y f That they cut their Vines four times every Year. One cannot fay that this proceeded from a defect of Senfe * or want of ‘Under fianding the French Pongue , for he knows it * On taille la vigne tons les qnatre Anns une fois. As if l bad faid) On taille la< vigne qnatre fois.en un An, mil, The PREFACE. well, and is otbenvoys a Man of Letters * and has quicfnefs of Thought, and is yery able for fuch Worlds , but Mi [takes are inevitable in long Tranfations : And as I belieye that this of my Toof is nearer the Original than any Verfon that I have feen of other Voyages, fo I am convinc'd that there are no Tranfations wherein many Errcurs may not be found againjl the Senfe of the Authors * The Copper Plates are done by different Gravers* which will not happen in the others of my Volumes, where all of them will be Engraven by that Hand which has done the Draught of Tauris* and 3 \fine or Ten other Figures. I have Written nothing of the Indies* becaufe IIV ved but fiye Years there, and under flood only the Vul¬ gar Languages, which are the Indian and Perfian, without the Knowledge of that of the Brachmans* which is the proper and neceffary Organ to arrive at the Knowledge of the Wifdom and Antiquity of the Indians : but neyerthelefs I did not altogether wafle my Time there in Idlencfs : On the contrary, as the "Winters in that Country will not permit One to Tray el * I imployd that time in a JVorf which I had long in my Thoughts, and which I may call, My Favourite Defign* by the P/eafure wherewith 1 laboured in is, and the Profit which I hope the Tublique will receive thereby ; which is certain Tfotcs upon very many Taf fages of the Holy Scriptures * whereof the Explication depends on the Knowledge of the Cufloms of the Eaftera Countries* for the Eaft is the Scene of all the Hi - forical FaBs mentioned in the Bible. The Language of that Divine Book, (efpecially of the Old Telia- tnent) being Oriental* and yery often Figurative, and Hyperbolical * thofe Tarts of the Scripture which i c are The PREFACE. are Written in Verfe, and in the Prophecies, are full of Figures and Hyperboles, which, as it is mamfefi, can > not be well under flood without a Knowledge of the ‘Things from whence fuch Figures are takpn, which are Vfatural Proprieties, and Particular Manners of the Countries to which they refer - I dijcernd this in my firjl Voyage to the Indies : For I gradually found a greater Senfe and ‘Beauty in divers Pajfages of the Scriptures than I had before, by having in my view the Things either Sfajural or aPKPoral, which explain d them to me, and in perufng the different Pranfations, which the greatejl part of the Pranfators of the Bible had made, I obfervd that every one of them (to render their Expo ft ions (as they thought) more intelligible ) ufed fuch Expreffions as would accommodate the Phraje to the Places where they Writ; which did not only ma - ny times pervert the Pext, but often render d the Senfe objeure, and fometimes abfurd alfo. In fine, confulting the Commentators upon fuch find of Pajfages, I found yery jlrange Mijlafes in them, and that they all along guefs'd at the Senfe, and did but grope (as in the Tariff) in the fearch of it. And from theje Rgfle~ chons, I too\ a Refolution to makp my Remarks upon many Pajfages of the Scripture ; perfwading my felf that they would be equally Agreeable and Profitable for ufc. And the Learned, to whom I Communicated my Hefign, Incouraged me yery much (by their Qommen- dations) to proceed in it: And more efpecially when 1 inform d them. That it is not in Afia as in our Europe, where there are frequent Changes more or lefs, in the Forms ofPhings, as the Habits, Buildings, Garden - ings, and the lil^e. In the Eaft they are conflant in all Pkings ; The Habits are at this Hay in the fame Manner, as in the Precedent Ages ; So that one nUly reajonably believe. That in that part of the World, the Exteriour The PREFACE, Exteriour Forms of Things (as their Manners and Cufloms ) are the fame now, as they were Two Thou - fand Years fence, except in Jucb Changes as may haye been Introduced by c I{eligion, which are neyerthelefs yery Inconfiderable. T'hefe Notes upon the Bible will be the lajl Things which I jhall expofe to the Publick* unlefs I /ball un - derjland that they are defired fiooner : In which cafe I may Publifh by Advance, thofe I have made upon the Boof of Genefis for a Tafie of the refi. oMnd the fame defire which I have to (fratifie the JVorld\ and particularly the Englifh Ufation, to which I have fo many Obligations, will induce me to Fublifh the { Third or Fourth Part of my Relations before the Second, if I jhall find that they are defired and expelled before it.' \ < The Bookfeller was defirom to add to this Volume the Piece which is to be feen at the End of it, which contains, A Relation ot the Solemn Coronation of the Prefent King of Terfia ; whereof I was an Eye~ JVitnefs my felf about Twenty Years ago, and which I caufed to be Printed at Paris Five Years after, at my Firfi Return from my Travels. And though I can - not but fay that the Narrative is Faithful and Exall, yet I mufi confefs that it ts too Tijfufc, and often In - terwoven with fetch fmall Incidents, as I would haye omitted, could the Bookfeller haye been prevailed with to wait the Tublifhing of it till after That of my Second Journey. THE A Jo an Chardin Mjl:ad loCaJn^xittjta. Dejerta, inter et Meo tides MEoti & Pales Turcis Bailee k Delia ills v-e- Maz e Pifcitmi , 2 2 Taurica Clierfone.fi Crtm Tatars i-c- ^ J Xartarja Crmi?eiiiis\,3- i ifi- ^ CJlolcJxO 5 iiicoli.s Odifche alias .Mingrelia Iinuette'.al: Bacha.-tehauk PONTUS Euxinus Turcis c MARE NIGR . icaUzike Ca/teUwn. C Oiiftau txn ople mm PONTI E UX IN I cum Reuionibus VI'.RSUS SETTENTRlONtSI EX OniXNTF.M AdjacenaibuS Nova tabula an* 672 Circassia Alba Ama z O N Jl KEGIO CoTATENA 4Lml Pars Pol onijl t Cafak<4\) CIRCA55IA 5 epTEKTRIONAXI 5^ i ° 1 >' • Z/£':s: Tod ox ia ~A~~^ZS <1 - Seem Aar Cafh W*/ /ZaC 1 A/. ■y. / A / fv, extruccu ■ • A> . /•- -m 1 2 2 Gurxel • £ a THE TRAVELS O F Sir John Chardin INTO PERSIA, ‘Through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. Departed from Paris, with an Inten- tion to return to the Eafl-Indiss , the Seventeenth of Augnfl i6yi, juft Fifteen Months after I came from thence. I undertook this tedious Journey a fecond time, as well to perfe<5t my felf in the Knowledge of the L anguages, the Cuftoms, the Religions, the Trades and Sciences, the Commerce and Hiftory of the Oriental People, as to en¬ deavour the Advancement of my Fortunes and Eftate* B 1 z The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, I found at my Return into Eranceyhzt the Religion wherein I had been Educated made me incapable of all forts of Imploy- ment; and that it was requifite for me either to change it, or altogether to renounce whatever is call d Honour and Prefer- ment. Roth the one and the other feem’d to me to be fome- what fevere : for we are not at liberty to believe what we pleafe. Thereupon I prefently bethought my felf of return¬ ing to the Indies, where, without altering my Religion, or abandoning the Condition of a Merchant, I could not fail to gratifie a moderate Ambition : for Trade is there an Imployment fo confiderable, that even Soveraign Princes pub- lick ly follow it. The deceafed King of Terfza made me his own Merchant, by his Letters Patents in the year 1 666 . and gave me in charge to order the making of feveral Jewels of a great value, of which his Majefty defign’d the Models with .his own'Hands. Madam Lefcot , a Lady much more famous for her Wit, and her ad venturous Boldnefs in Undertaking, then for her Wealthy Gettings, joyn’d with my deceafed Father to encourage me to go on with my Commiflion, and both promis’d to go Halves with me. Monfieur %aijin of Lyons , a Perfon of very good Repute, and my Companion in my former Travels, embarkt himfelf once more in this fort of Trade \ and though we differ’d in our Religion, yet for all that we Jiv’d Peace¬ ably and in Unity together. For Chriftians learn in the Eaft , robe at Peace, and keep agoodCorrefpondenceone with ano¬ ther, notwithftanding their difagreement in Opinions. There are a thoufand Se&s, but there are only theie two Beliefs, the Chrifiian 7 and the Mahumetan. For Fourteen Months toge¬ ther we made it our Bufinefs ro fearch in the Richeil Coun¬ tries of Europe for the biggefl colour’d Stones,the larged Pearls, and the faired wrought Coral that could be found We or¬ der’d the making of feveral Rich Pieces of Goldfmiths Work, Watches and Clocks extraordinary for Curiofity of Work- manfhip ; and becaufe our Stock was not as yet all fpent, we return’d into Italy Twelve Thoufand Ducats of Gold. My Companion arriv’d at Legorn in lefs then a Month , by the way of Genoa ; and 1 my felf got thither toward the end of October , by the way of Milan , Venice and Florence. The i oth of November we Embark’d in a Veiled under a Holland Convoy, bound for Smyrna. This Fleet was com¬ pos’d of fix Merchant Men, and two Men of War, The whole Cargo amounted to three Millions of Livers 7 belides t what 9 through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. what the Paflengcrs, Mariners, and Captains themfelves kept clofe and undilcover’d, ro prevent the Payment of Freight) Cuftom, and the Conluls Dues. We touch’d at Mejpna^ Zant , and ieveral other Iflands of the Archipelago. Near the Ifland oi Micona we had a confiderable Difpute with a Corfair of Legorn , about one of his Men who had made his efcape aboard us, byTwimming a Mile. Upon demand of him, the Corfair fent us word, He would Fight us, if we did not redore him his Seaman j and for our parts we did not think it worth our while to. protect him. 1 here are ufually about Forty Chridian Corf airs Cruifing up and down in the Archipelago , belonging fome to Majorca, fome to Villa Franca , others to Legorn and Malta. Thefe Veflels are for the moft part but of fmall Burthen, and very ill Vi- dhialfd *, but Mann’d with People whom Milery and a long habit of doing Mifchief have rcnderd refoluteand cruel. There are not any Villanies or Violences imaginable which they do not commit upon the Wanders of thefe Seas, where-ever they can but fet foot a-fhoar though the Inhabitants are all Chri- dians, and mod part acknowledge the Popes Jurifdi&ion. I cannot forget the Anfwer which a Corfair , call’d the Che¬ valier de Temericourt , gave upon a time to the Marquifs of Fruilly , who commanded one of the French Kings Ships, call’d the Diamond. Thefe two meeting together in the Ifland oi Millo the Marquifs gave the other an Invitation a-board, at what time among other things falling into difcourfe about Pi¬ racy, Sir, faid the Marquifs to the Knight, as I was inform’d not long after, by fome Gentlemen that were prefent, The Robberies , the Murders , the Sacriledges , which yon clayly commit , your Dlafphemies , and in a word , fo many impious and barbarous Crimes , do they not flrihy a Terr our to your Soul ? Canyon ever hope for Paraclife P Or do you believe there is any Hell P IVho l! reply cl the Knight, Not at all. 1 am a Lutheran , 1 believe not a tittle of any fitch thing. Thus you may lee the Natural Difpofition of Pyrates, Concerning whom 1 will add this one Particular more. While we flaid for a Wind in the Port of Micona , there ar¬ riv’d in that Haven two Fird-Rate Venetian Men of War. They enter’d in the Night-time. The Admiral coming to an An¬ chor, fir’d Ieveral Squibs from his Main-Top-Mad. This is call’d Giving the Dgcqnet^ from the Italian word ^ ocquetta , which flgnifies a Squib : And this is done to give Notice to the Chridian Corfairs or Rovers, if any fliould happ’n to be in The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Port, to weigh and be gone before Day. Two were there at that prefenf time. They fet Sail early the next Morning, and came to an Anchor behind a Promontory, not above a League from the Port. The Admiral was a Nobleman of Venice , to whom I gave a Vifit, and defiring to know ^the reafon of his firing the Rocquets, he told me he had Or¬ ders fo to do ; for that the Republick being engag’d to the Grdnd Signior by the Treaty at Candy , to clear the Arcbi *» pelago of all the Chriftian Rovers, and to take as many of ’em, as they could, yet in regard of the feveral good Services which the Rovers had done the Republick in the Taft War, he took that courfe to fatisfie the Port, without ailing to the pre* judiee of the Rovers. And this was the realon that the Ships of the Republick were oblig’d always to make themfelves known in the Archipelago , to the end the Chriftian Pyrates might keep at a diftance from ’em, and not approach within ken *, that fo they might be faid not to have had any fight of ’em. In the Day-time, added he, we are known by our Co¬ lours ; but in the Night, when we enter any Port, we let off thefe Rocquets *, and fometimes alfo we fend certain Officers afhore, to difcover whether there be any Chriftian Rovers in Port, and fo give ’em Notice to be gone. I arriv’d at Smyrna the feyenth of March 1672, after being four Months at Sea. In which tedious Voyage we endur’d much Cold, and many a boyftrous Storm. We were in wane of Victuals j nor could We have made this Voyage with more Danger or moreHardfhip I {hall not trouble my felf to make any Defcription of Smyrna , where I found nothing worthy Remark, or in any other part of the Archipelago , more than what is to be found in the Relations of Sport, and other Travellers, Men of Learning and Exa&nefs, who have been there fince my time. I ffiall therefore content my felf with recounting fome Particulars re¬ lating to Commerce and Hiftory, of which they have not Ipoken. The Englifh drive a great Trade at Smyrna , and over all the Levant. This Trade is driv’n by a Royal Company fet- jed at London ; which is Govern’d after a mod prudent man¬ ner, and therefore cannot fail of fuccefs. It has ftood almoft thefe hundred Years, being fit ft Confirm’d towards the middle of Queen Elizabeth's Raign. A Raign famous lor having, among other Things, givn Life to feveral Trading Compa¬ nies, particularly thofe of Hamborough , %nfpa, Greenland , the through the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchis. EaftAndies and Turtle, all which remain to this Day. Trade was then in its Infancy ; and there is no greater Mark of the Ignorance of thofe Times, in reference to Countries, though but a little remote, then the AOociation which thofe Mer¬ chants made : for they joyn’d feveral together in one Body, for mutual Conduct and Affiftance. That Company which relates to the TurkiiTi Trade, is of a particular fort : For it is not a Society, where every one puts in a Sum for one General and United Stock : It is a Body which has nothing in Com¬ mon, but a peculiar Grant and Friviledge to Trade into the Levant . It affumes to it felf the Name of The Regulated Com¬ pany. None are admitted into it, but Sons of Merchants, or jfuch as have ferv’d an Apprenticefhip to the Trade, which in England is for Seven Years. They give to be admitted into the Society about an Hundred and Twenty Crowns, if under the Age of Twenty Five Years; and double ii above that Age. The Company never commits to any one fingle Perfon their Power, nor the foie Management of their Affairs, but manage their Bufinefs among themfelves by the Plurality of Voices. So that who has fufficient to drive a Trade that will bear an lin- pofition of Eight Crowns, has as good a Vote as he that Trades for an Hundred Thoufand. This Affembly, thus Democratical y fends out Ships, Levies Taxes upon all their Commodities, prefents the Ambaffador whom the King fends to the Fort , Eledts two Confuls, the one for Smyrna, the other for Aleppo, and prevents the fending of Goods which are not thought proper for the Levant. It confifts at prelent of about Three Hundred Merchants, befides that they bring up in Ttrkie a great number of young Perfons well defcended, who learn the Trade upon the Place it felf. This Trade amounts to about Five or Six Hundred Thoufand Pounds yearly, and confifts in Cloaths made in England , and Silver which they carry as well out of England , as out of Spain , France and Italy: In exchange of which they bring back Wool, Cotton-Yarn, Galls, Raw Silk and Wov’n, together with fome other Commodities of lefs value. Now the Company , finding that Malice which In- terefl begets among Perfons of the fame Profeffion, would in time be the Ruine of their Society, by Enhancing or Loring the price of Goods on purpofe to under-fell one another ; and that the fame Malice caufes the Merchants to be at variance with the Confuls, the Confuls with the Ambaffador ; (which is the reafon that many times where Expences are requifite, an iinfeafonable Sringinefs in the Ambaffador caufes great Impofi- C tions 6 ( The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, tions and Fines, and other (evere Vexations to the Nation) The Company, I fay, fovefeeing thefe Mi (chiefs, have pru¬ dently provided a Remedy to prevent ’em. For the Engliih Cloth, of which they (end into Tnrfye about Twenty Thou- fand Pieces yearly, and the chiefeft part or the reft of their Merchandize is fent to the Factors with a Bill or Invoice of the Price at what they arc bound to fell ^ together with ano¬ ther Bill of the Price certain for thofe Goods which they give order to be bought j and by that means it never happens that the Merchants receive any Damage in the Profpett orDefign of their Profit. For the prevention of thefe and other diforders,the Company gives a Penfion to the Engliih Ambafiador, who refides at the ! Tort } to the Confuls^nd all their Principal Officers,as the Mini- ffer,the Chancellor, the Secretary,the Interpreters,the Januaries and others. Which Officers have no Pow 7 er to Levy any Taxes or Sums of Money upon the Merchandize, whether under the pretence of Duties, or Prefents, or any other extraordi¬ nary Expences. But when any thing of that Nature is to be done, they give Notice to the Deputies of the Nation, who are Two Perfons appointed to A6t in the Name of the reft. Thefe Deputies examine and debate with the Ambaffador, cr the Conful, What is fit to be given, What journeys are ne- ceflary to be made to the Tort , and what is there to be tranl- adfed : Not but that the Ambaifador or Conful may not A£t of themfelves, but they oblerve that method to acquit and juftifie themfelves; and fometimes upon Emergent and Ex¬ traordinary Affairs they affemble the whole Body of the Na¬ tion. So foon as they are come to a Reftilc, the Deputies give Notice to the Treafiner to provide what is neceflary, whe¬ ther it be Money s Toys or Curiofities. This Treafurer alio is fetl’d by the Company, and provides Money for every thing, difeharges pun&ually all manner of Charges and Ex¬ pences, and pays exactly the Wages of every Officer. Thus the Ambafiador and Confuls have no more to do but only to mind the Security of the Engliih Nation, and the good of Trade, without being incumber’d and diverted by their own Interefts. There are alfo many other excellent Regulations and Orders for the fupport of their Trade in the Levant } by which means they carry it on with Honour and Profit beyond any of their Neighbors. Th Oi e f through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. The Hollanders alio drive a great Trade at Smyrna, and more then any other Nation of Europe , but they have lit¬ tle to do elfewhere \ all their Dealing in all the red of the Cities in the Levant amounting to little or nothing. Their principal Profit confids in carrying the Armenians and their Goods into Europe , and carrying ’em back again. They al- fo make great Advantage of their Money, of which Jurfye is very full. This Money of theirs is made of bafe Mettle, and notorioufly intermix’d with Counterfeit pieces. It chief¬ ly confifis of Crowns, Half-Crowns, Teflons , or Eighteen- penny pieces, and pieces of Fifteen Sons. 1 he Crowns and Half-Crowns for the raoft part carry the Dutch Scamp. Which the Turks therefore call Aflani , that is to fay Lyons $ in regard of their being mark’d on both fides with the Figure of a Lyon. The Arabians, either out of Ignorance or otherwife, mistak¬ ing the Lyon for a Dog, give emthe Name of Abcn-Kyelb, or T>o^s. The Quarter-Pieces are almod all Counterfeit 5 or at Bed, but Half Silver. However the Turks are fo void of Judgment and Underdanding, that they efteem this Mony beyond that of Spain , which they call Marfillies , by readn that the Merchants of Marfeilles fird brought it in great Quan¬ tities into Turtle. The States maintain a deficient at the Port, with an Allow¬ ance of Four Thoufand Crowns a Year. Which Kejident has befides the one Moyety of the Revenue of the Dutch Con- fuhliips in the Levant , which fometimes amounts to a confi- derable Sum , there being one Dutch Conful at Smyrna , who got Fifty Thoufand Crowns by Duties. When I arriv'd there, it happen d that there was a great Quarrel between the Conful and the Merchants: For he accus’d them for Cheats j Appeal¬ ing to their own Books for the truth of his Affirmation ; and dedr'd they might be view’d 5 to which the Merchants would by no means give their confent. The Tyfedent not daring to determine this Difference, both Parties referr’d themfelves to the States. But at lad, for fear the coming of the Convoy, fhould occadon farther didurbances, the Merchants and the Conful agreed the Duties of the Confulfhip, at Ten Thou¬ fand Five Hundred Crowns, for all that the Convoy brought in, and Shipt off. The French are very numerous in Smyrna , and over all the Levant , there not being a Port of 7 hrlyie upon the Mediterra¬ nean Sea, wherein there are not feveral. They are for the mod part all Trovencalls. But the Trade which they drive is fo. The Tels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, fo inconiiderable, that one Merchant in each Place mipht dif- patch all the Bufinefs* At Smyrna, for example, there are a- hove a Hundred Merchants j and vet the Truth .is, that in home Years the Effects that came out of France confign'd to all thofe Merchants did not amount to above Four Hundred Thouland Litres j and there are many that have not above Five Hun¬ dred Crowns Stock: Befides that they agree but very badly together, as being a fort of people that Love to harbour Divi- fion and Contention one among another. So that it is no wonder if their Trade decrcafe, and turn to lofs rather then profit. For they who better underftarsd the Nature and Maxims of Trade, affirm, That that fame Dil-union is the Thing which ruins’em in the Levant, fo that if we fhould compare thepre- fent with the former Trade which they drove, we fhould find it more miferable and pitiful then ever. 1 hey add moreover that the Provenqalls have formerly had in 'Turbje thole fortu¬ nate Chances and Luckie Opportunities, that it is highly to be wonder’d, that they did not fill their Country with Wealth in that happy Conjuncture. One of thofe Lucky Scafons be¬ gan about the Year i6$6, and lafled Thirteen Years, during which time they drove a Trade, by which they gain’d Four- Icore and Ninety per. Cent. This Trade which was really and truly a great piece of Kna¬ very confided in thefe Fiv&-Sous~Vieces that have made inch a Noile. For the Tu rks took the firfi: that were brought at Ten Sous apiece: At which rate they held up for fome time ; tho afterwards they fell to Seven Sows and a half. There was no other Mony Stirring: All Furl^ie was full of it ; nei¬ ther was there any other Mony to be had ; for that the French carri’d all the other Money away. This good Fortune fo intoxicated their Senfes, that not content with fuch great Gains, they fill thirfted after more *, and to that purpoic they let themfelves to alter their own pieces of Five Sons , and made others of the lame fort, but of bafe Mettle, which they Coin'd firft at Dombes , then at Orange, and afterwards at Avignon. More then this, they Srampt far worle at Monaco and Florence : And lafly they made more of the fame Stamp in the remote Cadies belonging to the State of Genoa , and other private places, which were only Copper plated over. The Merchants of Marseilles , to utter this Money, brought down the price themfelves, and put off their Pieces in payment, and to the Mony-Changers at a lower Rate then the. Current Value. The Turks were a long rime before they perceiv’d the Cheat 9 through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. Cheat that was put upon ’em, though lb palpable and of (b great a Confequence ; but fo loon as they found it out, they were fo incens’d, that they laid moft heavy Impoficions upon the French, ufing ’em no better then Counterfeiters oi Money, though the Dutch and Genoefes had a hand in it as well as they. Thereupon they forbid ’em to utter any of thofe Pieces which they call’d Timmins, but fuch as were (damp’d with the real Arms of France , which they alfo brought down and put at Five Sons apiece. So that all the European Merchants, ex¬ cept the Englifh, were loaded at that time with great Quan¬ tities of thole Fimmi s. Their Warehoules were full, whole Ships Loadings of ’em arriv’d daily, and they began to Coin ’em in all parts. But foon after , this Money being cry’d down, leveral oi thofe Money-Merchants loft all their Gains, and many much more then ever they got. The Englifh were the Procurers of this Decry. For had that Money continu’d Currant, their Trade had been ruin’d, which confided chiefly in the purchafe of Silks. And the reafon was, becaufe the T//#w/>i-Merchants caus’d an advance to be made upon the price of Silks, not caring what they gave, provided the Sellers would take their Pieces of Five Sons in payment. I have feen above Fifty feveral forts of Coins of this fort of Money. But the mod common lort carried on the one fide a Womans Head with this Motto, Vera Virtutis Imago : On the other, the Arms of France , with this Imprele, Currens per totam Afiam. There are no People in the World that have been more fre¬ quently cheated , or that are more eafily gull’d then the Turks $ as being naturally very dull, and thick-skull’d, and apt to believe any fair Story : Which is the reafon that the Chriftians have impos’d a Thoufand Cony-catching-Tricks, and Cheats upon ’em. But though you may deceive 'em once or twice, yet when their Eyes are op’n, they dr ike home, and pay ye once for all. And thole fort of impoficions which they lay upon Offenders in that Nature, are call’d Avanies ; which are not always unjuft Impofitions neither ; they being like the Confifcations fo frequent in Cuftom-Houfes : Where for the mod part the Chief Minifters and their Officers devour the People, while the Fort winks at all the firfl time, and only exhorts to Amendment. If the Complaints ceafe, the Offence is ftifl’d but if the Clamour grow too loud, the Fort fends to take off the Head of the Party accus’d, and Confifcates his Efface. By which means the People are fatisfi’d, the Trea- D fury The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, fury is fill’d, Juftice is done, and the Example remains to ter- rifie others^ . , , The Merchants of MarfeiUes affirm, That the Impofition of thefe Fines was the main thing that lpoil d the Trade of the French in the Levant, as having coft ’em fuch prodigious Sums. But of all the Impofitions that ever I heard of, there is one which I fhall never forget, that was laid upon the French Mer¬ chants, at the time that M. de Sefy was the Ambaffador of France at the Tort, which happen’d thus. His Excellency had a great defire to turn one of the Grand Signior s Farmers, and to Farm the Cuftoms of Conjlantinople and Smyrna. But at the end of Six Months, M. de Sefy find¬ ing himfelf a Hundred Thoufand Franks in Arrear, requeued to be difcharg’d : which was a favour granted him on con¬ dition he would pay what he ow’d. But in regard he wanted Money, the Turks oblig’d the French Nation to pay for him. Thereupon he told the Merchants, That he had not tak’n upon him to Farm the Cuftoms, but in hopes to advance the Trade of the French , and to prevent the Squabbles and Diffe¬ rences which daily arofe between the Turkj and Them about the payment of their Duties. To which the Merchants fail’d not to make a fair Apology, and to juftifie themfelves by fo- lid Reafon : but all to no purpofe : there was no more to be done, but they mu ft pay down the Hunderd Thoufand Franks ; fo that for want of Money of their own, they were reduc’d to that Exigency, as to borrow the Sum rf the Jews at Five and Twenty per Cent, for Six Months. And I am certainly allur’d by perfons that were well acquainted with all the pafia- ges, that it was fo long before the Hunderd Thoufand Franks were paid, that the Intereft amounted to three times as much as the Pi incipal ; fo that this Avante, or Impofition coft the French Nation near an Hunderd and Fifty Thoufand Crowns. Two other Impofitions they paid, during the Embaffie of M. de la FAaye , the Son, which amounted to Two Hundred Thoufand Franks. I have alio heard that one of his Prede- cefFors for Fifteen Years together took of e^ery French Mer¬ chant-Man that came to Conftantinople Five Hunderd Crowns, to re-imburfe himfelf of a pretended Expence of Six Hundred Ciowns for the Advancement of the Trade of the Nation ; and when they made it out, that he had repaid himlelf that Sum a hunderd times over, he made anfwer, I will fhew ye my Accompts , I take no moye then is my cine. The through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. The Venetians maintain a Cfitful at Sniyrna, as a!(o the Ge¬ noefes ; yet there are few Merchants, Natives in either of thofe two Republicks, that live there j efpecially of the Genoefes^ who have little or nothing to do in the Levant. They were only feti d there at firft by reafon of the great Trade which they drove in Five-Sows-Pieces, in regard of the great profit which they gain’d. So that as loon as that Trade was prohi¬ bited, their principal Merchants retir'd : Only two or three remain’d at Smyrna , and one at Conflantinople. Thereupon, their Levant Company began to dilfolve it felf, and there is no queftion but the whole Eftablifhment of the Genoefes had ut¬ terly gone to ruine, by the recalling their pefident from the Port, and their Confnl from Smyrna, had they not been better advis’d then to make that Revocation, upon two Confidera- tions. Firft, Becaufe the Tnrhy never fufifer Nations that are fetl’d among ’em to retire for good and all. Secondly, be¬ caufe fuch an entire abandoning the Country, would have too manifefily difeover d the beggerly Realon that fway’d the Republick in an Enterprife that had coft ’em fo dear, and which had given France an Occafion to fhew how highly file was dilpleas’d at their Conduct. For the better under- Handing of which Tran faction, the Reader perhaps may not think his time ill fpent in viewing three or four Pages. In the firft place therefore give me leave to obferve, That the Genoefes were formerly very powerful in the Levant , as being the Lords and Mafters of feveral Ifiands in the Archi¬ pelago, of feveral Places upon the Coaft of the Grecian , and feveral Cities upon the Placg-Sea. Per a alfo, now the Su¬ burbs of Conflantinople , was under their Jurifdi&ion. Upon which there is no need for me to dilate, in regard the Stories of paft Ages have giv’n a fufficient Account, how and at what time they loft all this fair Extent of Dominion. But t»he War in Candy, which happen’d in the Year 1645. encou¬ rag’d ’em to revive their Commerce in the Territories of the Grand Signior imagining they fiiouid make themfelves Ma¬ ilers of that Trade which the Venetians drove there before the War. And to the end they might bring about this Defign with more Ipeed and lecurity, they apply’d themfelves to the King of France for his Recommendation, as being the moft Antient, and moft Confiderab’e Allie of the Ottoman Empire. Which was eafily condefcended tc by the King’s Council, who had Affairs in their Heads of greater Importance then Trade. In 12 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, In To much that they did not forefee the great Dammages which it would bring upon the French Nation ; of which the moft confiderable was the prejudice done to the Articles of the Treaty between the Crown of France and the Port , being a kind of Annihilation of one of the Principal Capitulations, wherein it was concluded, That all European Nations, that fhould dcfire to fettle in the Levant, Jhoulcl not he permitted to Trade, but under the 'Banners and Protection of France. How¬ ever the Genoefes being thus recommended by the King, M ds la Haye , the Father, then the French Embafiador in Turhqe, us’d the utmoft of his endeavours to affift ’em. Nevertheless it came to nothing, becaufe, as they fay, it was not profecu- ted with that vigor as it ought to have been. In the Year 1 66q.. they were very fierce upon it again, en¬ courag’d by the great Profit which was got by Pieces of Five- Sous. But they could not then exped that the French fhould follicite in their behalf as they had done before, becaufe the Face of Affairs was alter’d, as well in refpedt of Traffick in General, as ol the Levant Trade in particular; rather they faw that their Enterprize would be difpleafing to France : How¬ ever they believ’d, that the King of France had fo embroil’d himfelf with the Turl^, by the Affiflance which he had givn the Venetians and the Emperor, that they did not think his Op- pod cion or his Recommendation would Hand ’em in any Head. Thereupon they fought the Afilftance of England and the Em¬ pire, and as tor France, they fatisfi’d themfelves with giving the King a bare Information of their defign. Their Refident inform’d the King that there was a Levant Company fetting up at Genoa, and that the (Republic had a defign to fend an Am- bafiador to the Port, in hopes that his Majefty would favour their Negotiation. But the King laid no more, then only that he wifil’d the Republic^ all good fuccels. Which Anfwer increafing the Sufpicions that the Genoefes had already conceiv’d, and putting ’em into a deep doubt what Re¬ ception they fhould meet with at Constantinople, they lent Incog¬ nito the Marquifs of T>ura%r^o, as a Perfon that had the chiefcll Interefi: in the Company, to fift out the Truth, and to treat privately with the Vizier ; to which purpofe he went with Count Lefley , the Emperors Extraordinary Ambaffador, as one of his Train. In fiiort, he faw the Vizier, and treated with him, and by the Mediation of the (aid Ambaffador, and the Ambaffador of England , who were very adtive in forward¬ ing the Negotiation, obtain’d that the Genoefes fhould have the t fame' through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 13 fame Articles with the Enghfh and Hollanders. Upon which, the Envoy, having the Grand Vizier’s word in the Name of his Highnefs, return’d to Genoa , and gave an Account of his Ne¬ gotiation with the Divan. Prefently thereupon the Genoefes fitted out two Ships, and fent the fame Marquifs of Dura^o again in Quality of an Ambaffador. However the fir ft Conferences which the Marquifs had with the Vizier were not fo fecretly carried, but that the French in the Levant had private Intelligence of the Marquifs's Proceed¬ ings. Immediately they were much troubl’d at this Defign of the Genoefes , fearing it would be a great prejudice to their Trade ; which Was the reafon that they wrote into France, that their Trade would be much impair’d, if the Genoefes came to be fetl’d in Turhqe ; and therefore that all means were to be us’d to prevent 'em. Which Addrels procur’d a Refolution to hinder ’em, and Inftru&ions to that purpofe were fent to the French Ambaffador at the Port , who was then M. de la FLaye-, the Son. Nofooner therefore Was he come back from Adrianopley\ 7 hcrQ he had been about other AfFairs, but he receiv’d Orders to op- pofe the Eftablifhment of the Genoefes. Which made him fend back immediately for leave to return. For in Turhqe no Ambaffador muft appear at Court without Permiffion. But it happen’d that the Grand Vizier was not then in Town, be¬ ing gone toward Theffaly , to haften the Siege of Candy. And as for thg Caimacan, who is as it were his Deputy, He, having private Intelligence of the new Jnftrudtions which the Am¬ baffador had receiv’d from France , made anfwer, That he could not grant the Ambaffador leave, without the Grand Vi- %iers con fent. This the Ambaffador look’d upon as a flat Refufal; and therefore fent a Gentleman to Adrianople with Inftru&ions, to reprefent to the Chief Minijlers , That by the Capitulations be¬ tween the Emperor of France and the Grand Signior , the Fort was oblig’d not to entertain any European Nation, new Comers, but under the Colours of France , and fo it was contrary to the Capitulations to Treat with the Genoefes 5 for which rea¬ fon if they did proceed to a Conclufion of the Treaty, He would be gone. Which Meffage, together with fo much of his Inftruitions as he thought requifite, were lent to the Grand Vizier, and debated in the place where he lay. But the An¬ fwer which the Vizier return’d, was very harfh and unci¬ vil Which was not to be wonder’d at in regard the Vizier F was 14 The Travels of Sir Johil Chardin into Peril a, was at that time highly incens’d for the Affront which he had receiv’d in Hungary , by means of the French . His Reply therefore was, 4 That the Port was open for him as well to 4 go, as to come : That the Emperor of France had nothing to 4 do to hinder the Grand SGuior from making a Peace with his 4 Antient Enemies, or to grant ’em their Capitulations when 4 they came to demand ’em : and that it might fuffice his Ma- 4 iedv to be acknowledg’d at the Port under the Titles of Em* 4 peror and Chief Monarch of Chrifl’ndom , without taking up- 4 on him to prelcribe to others what they were to do. The Ambadador of Genoa arriv’d at Confiantinople at the fame time that thefe Endeavours were usM to prevent his Pvecepti- on. Which was to him however no furprize, in regard he had already had Intelligence w T hiIe he was at Sea, that fome luch thing was in Agitation. Relides, he had Advice, that the Refident of Genoa in France , having made known to the King, that his Mailers had fent the Marquifs of Durango in the Quality of an Ambadador to Confiantinople , the King fhould return thisAnfwer , l wifi the Ambaffador of the fepubhefiagood Voyage , but / lyrrnv not what our Own has done at the Fort upon this Occafion. I have feen feveral People who were of Opinion, that if the Grand Vizier had not had a particular Peek agajnft the French , and fome kind of averfion to the Ambalfador’s Per- fon, that the Genoefes had not been receiv’d into the Levant. For that the Fort had no fuch high value for an Intered of Trade,to grant a favour to the prejudice of France. from which their Hands were fo fpecioully ty’d with a fair pretence. After I had (laid twelve days at Smyrna , I embark’d for Confiantinople , where I arriv’d the Ninth of March , and Landed without any trouble, any danger, or any expence a very great Quantity of Rich Goods, which 1 brought along with me, be¬ ing more then two Horfes could carry. For M. de Flointel did me that favour as to give me leave to put his Name and the Flowre de Lices upon my Cheds, and then fent for ’em as be¬ longing to himfelf. Which was done with the greated eafe in the World. For he prefently fent his Interpreter to the Officer of the Cuftom-Houfe , to let him know that he had two Cheds aboard a Flemifb Veflel that arriv’d the day before, w hich belong’d to him ; and therefore defir d they might be deliver’d Cudom-free. Accordingly the Oidcer gave fuch Order, that the Interpreter went aboard the Dutch Veffel, un¬ laded the two Cheds, and fent’em to the Ambadador’s Houfe, who through the Blick^Sea, and the Country ^Cblchfs: who did me Kindneffes to fend ’em to my Lodging the next day. For all Ambafladors, Refidehts, ^nd Envoys that redds at the Tort , have the Priviledge to Import and Export whatever they pleafe j provided they undertake to own the Goods as belonging to themfelves j nor does the Officer of the Cuftoms dare to take any Cognilatice of it. Which is a Civility and Generoficy of the Turks not to be parallelled in Europe. When I arriv’d at Conjiantinople , M. de Nointel was prepa¬ ring to attend the Grand Signidr at Adrianople , in order to the Renovation of the Articles. It was an Affair of great Impor¬ tance, and which had made a great Noife in the World, as having hung in fufpence for Seven Years together, and for that the Turks ftill Rood upon their Terms and haughtily flighted the Ambaflador notwithstanding that they were then entring into a doubtfull War againft Toland. And now I fhall give ye an accompt of the Original of the Differences that were at that time grown to a great Height between France and Turkic. At the beginning of the Pcaign of Mahomet the IV. the pre- fent Emperor of the Turly, who afeended the Imperial Throne at Seven Years of Age, in the Year 1648. the Government was folely in the Elands of Women and Eunuchs, who fill'd all the Chief Places of Honour and Trufi with Inch Perfons as they pleas’d themfelves. And the Turly acknowledge, that the Ottoman Court was never io corrupt, not in fuch a ftrange Confufion as at that Time. You fhould fee alrnoft every Month a new Grand Vi%ier y who after lie had been lome few days in his Office, was not only dif charg’d from his High Im- ployment, but many times depriv'd of his Life. Now it is the Cuffom in Turkic, that upon the Advancement of any Grand Vizier, all Perfons of Quality go to kils his Hands, and carry him lomeconfidcrable Prefent. More particularly all Ambafi fadors are oblig’d to that Ceremony. But M. de la JTaye the Father, then Ambaflador of France at the Tort, obferving thue frequent Changes of Grand Filters at that time, concluded that there would be no Reformation of this ev il Management during the Emperor’s Minority, and that all -his Vifits and Prefents to the New Vizier, were but fo many Vifits and Pre- fentsloft. So that herelblv’d to fit ftill Quietly, and to fpare his Compliments and the charge of his Prefents. It happen’d in a fliort while after, that Cupcrly Mahomet Tuchity receiv’d the Seals of the Empire, that is to fay, was advanc’d j The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, advanc’d to the High Dignity of Trime Vizier. But the Am- baffador ftill believ’d that his Fortune would be no better then that of his Predeceffors, and that he had but a very Oiort Raign , but he was deciev’d j for it fo fell out, that this Grand Vizier upheld himfelf in his Office, till his Death, which hap¬ pen’d in the Year 1 662. So foon as he was advanc’d, every one pay’d him their Vi fits, and made him their accuftom’d Prefents, and among the Reft all the Forraign Minifters, except the French Ambaflador. To which as they fay, he was adviz’d and feveral times moft earneftly prefs’d} but his good Husbandry for the Nation was fuch, that he would not be over-rul d. However at length percieving that Cuperly fix’d himfelf at Court upon the Ruine of feveral of the Grandees, and tiiat according to all outward Appearances he was like to continue Grand Vizier , at length he made him both his Vifit and his Prefents. But then the VHier, hainoufly offended at his Remiffnefs, and the little value he had teftifi’d for his Perfon before, had laid a defign to be reveng'd not only upon him, but upon all the French Nation. And this in truth was the Source and Ori¬ ginal of that Mifundcrftanding between France and Turtle, as well during that whole time the Grand Vizier liv’d, which was Twelve Years, as alfo during the Prime Miniftry of his Son that fucceeded him. So that the fcverity of the Tort toward the Three laft Ambaftadors oi France , M. de la Haye , the Fa¬ ther, M. de la Haye , the Son, and Monfieur Nointel , and the feveral Impofitions that were laid upon the French, for Twen¬ ty Years together, are to be Originally attributed to a particular and Perf nal Enmity, notwkhftanding all the Reafons after¬ wards pretended, of which the Principal and jufteft were the Enterprize of Gigery , and the Succors giv’n to the Emperor and the Venetians . Nor was the Vizier long before he found an Opportunity to Thunder forth his Refentmcnts. Such a one, as he could not have wifh’d for a better to advance hismifchievousDefign. For then was the War very hot in Candy , and France had fe- cretly aftifted the Venetians at the beginning of the War. Nay more, it is faid, that M. de la Haye had Inftru&ions to hold a private Torrefpondencc with the Venetians , and to give ’em In¬ telligence of theTurkifli Defigns. Now it happen’d in the Year 16^9. that a French-Man, who went by the Name of Verta - mont , and who had a very confiderable Imployment in the Ve¬ netian Army, defir’d leave of the Captain General , to go and f fee I through the Black-Sea, and the Country o/~Colchis, fee Constantinople. Prefently the General gave him a Pafs, and charg'd him with a great Packet of Letters for the French Am- baflador. But the French Man , who had no other defign then to turn T urg, apply’d himfelf to the Caimacan of Con - jiantinople , and told him, That he had quitted the Camp of the Chriffians, as being refolv’d to abjure their Religion, and embrace Mahumatifm } and more, that he had a Packet of great Importance to deliver into the Hands of the Grand Vizier. Upon which the Caimacan order’d him forthwith to be con¬ vey'd to Adrianople , where the Court then lay. Nor was this perfidious Renegade, contented only to renounce his Faith, but difeover’d to the Grand Vizier the fecret Correfpondence be- tween the Ambaffador of France and the Venetians ; and far¬ ther told him, That the Packet of Letters which he had deli¬ ver’d into his Hands would convince him clearly of the Truth of what he faid. The Grand Vizier had a jealoufie of this fecret Correfpon- dence before, but being now in a manner affur’d in his fufpi- tions through the Difcoveries of the %enegade , it may be rea¬ dily conjectur’d to what a degree his paflion tranfported him againft the Ambaffador of France , incens’d as he was already, and boyling with revenge, efpecially being naturally inhuman and bloody. However at this time he put a curb upon him¬ felf, and fhew’d more referv’dnels and moderation then could be expected from him. M. de la Haye , who well underflood VertamonV s Defign, and what his Errand was to the Court, and befides was well acquainted with the Grand Viziers Difpofition, his Implaca¬ bility, and the Importance of the Affair, made no queAion but the Intercepted Packet would put him to a great deal of troublej and therefore he confulted with his Interpreters and his Secretaries. Immediately the Secretary for his Ciphers took fuch a fright at the Unfortunate Accident, that he re¬ folv’d to march off, well knowing that the Grand Vizier, up¬ on the like occafion of a Letter in Ciphers Intercepted, had caus’d an Interpreter to the Venetians to be Drubb’d to Death, Thereupon , addreffing himfelf to M. de la Haye , Sir, faid he, 1 am naturally fo ‘very timorous , that fo foon as I feel the Drub - bing-SticC , there is no fecret which 1 floall not revealand there¬ fore fecure me, or let me make my efcape. Upon which the Am- baffador order’d him to be conveigh’d into a private Conceal¬ ment, and prepar’d to abide the Shock, whatever happen’d. He then kept his Bed, very ill of the Stone, fo that he could F not iB The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, not go to Adriajiople , though he had receiv’d Orders to appear there. However he fent a Meflage to the Caimacan who Tent him the Order, to tell him, That he was lick a Bed, lo that it was impoflible for him to Travel ; neverthelefs he would fend his Son in his Head® But fo it happen’d, that all the Letters which the Grand Vi - %>ier met with in the Venetian General’s Packet, were writ in Cipners; fo that all the Renegado’s and Interpreters in the Ottoman Court were fent for in vain ; for there was not one that had a Key to the Lock: which enrag’d the Vizier fo much the more. And as for M. de la Haye the Son, he found him in fuch an ill Humour, at his coming to Adrianople , that up¬ on his returning him an Anfwer, fomewhat more boldly perhaps then the Circumftance would bear, Cuperly tranfport- ed with paflion, not only caus’d him to be abus’d in his Perlon, but fent him Prifoner to a Tower adjoyning to the Wall of the City ; faying withal, That he ivm not to endure that from an Ambajfador’f Deputy , though his Son , which he might bear with in the Ambaffador himfelf. However, the Vizier did no harm either to the Merchants or the Interpreters, that went along with M. de la Haye : nor to the Secretary or Chancellor; be¬ ing all difeharg’d at the expence of that fear, into which he had put ’em at firft, by Threats and cruel Menaces of Tor¬ ment and Death if they did not Decipher the General’s Let* ters. Only one of the Interpreters fell into fuch a Diftemper upon ir, that he has continu’d fick every lince, and *tis thought he will never recover. The Ottoman Court was then at Adrianople , as I have laid, making great Preparations for the Tranfyhanian War. So that M. de la Haye the Father, undemanding the Grand Vizier was ready to march, and fearing his departure before he had en¬ larg’d his Son, as it really fell out, fhove with his Diftemper, and took a Journey to Adrianople ; to which his Daughter-in- Law perfwaded him, urging him continually, That if he did not fpeedily labour theDifcharge of his Son, he might be in danger of his Life ; and that the Vi%ier was cruel and incens’d $ and therefore he ought to ufe his utmoft Endeavours to pacific his Fury. A Month after the Viziers departure, the Ambafiador ven* tur’d upon a bold Exploit, that deferves to be remember’d. A little before Vertamont's coming to Conjlantinople , there arriv’d in the fame place a certain French Man, whofe Name Was Qjtidet) together with his Wife, and another French Man F whofe -£££ through the Black^Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 19 whofe Name was Poulet , fo enamour’d of Quiclets Wife, that he never foribok her in all her Rambles. This Quiclet was a great Interpreter of Ciphers, a Man of Learning, but of lit¬ tle Judgment. He had aho been employ’d to Decipher Cha¬ racters by feveral Minifters of State, and divers Ambafladors. But he was fo much a Beggar, that he could not well be poorer then he was; nor do I know what unlucky Star brought him to Conflantinople. It is reported however, that he having heard of the great Rewards which the Grand Vizier promis’d to any one that could Uncipher the Captain General's Letters, the Wife of this wretched Fellow addrefling her felf to fome Gentlemen that belong’d to Monfieur de la Haye , gave it out, 'That though his Excellency refus'd to lend her Hits hand Money , yet if he would him felf, he could have what he pleas'd of the Grand Vizier. I am not certain whether it were really fo', as the Thing was related to me : but however it were, Monfienr de la Haye , who well knew the great delire which Cuperly had to underftand what was contain’d in the Intercepted Letters, and fearing left they fhould reveal fome Things as well to his own, as to the Ruine of all the French in the Levant , he fent for the Fellow, carry’d him up to the Terrace of his Palace that lookt into the Garden; and after he had walk’d two or three Turns, holding him in a difcourfe, which what it was, no body knows, he gave a fign to fame perfons plac’d there for the purpofe, who threw him headlong over the Battlements, at what time another Gang, pofted near the place where he fell, perceiving he was not dead with the Fall, flnifh’d the Work, and buri’d him privately. After this, the French Ambaflador having Audience of the Grand Vizier, he fent for the Intercepted Letters, and defil’d the Ambaflador to explain ’em. To which Monfienr le Haye made Anfwer, That it was well known to all the World, that the Ambafladors and Minifters of the Chrijlian Princes , never wrote one to another linlefs it were in CharaCfers, whatever the Subjed: were *, neverthelels they did not underftand the Characters themfelves} as having their Secretaries who com¬ pos'd and writ the Ciphers, and then explain’d them when they had done : That as for the Perfon by him employ’d for chat purpofe, he had fent him back into France, about fix Months ago. Yet if the Grand VHier would permit him to carry the Letters home, he would try to Uncipher’em, and it it could be done, he would be fure to let him know the Contents, But the Grand Vizier having heard this Anfwer, only fmil’d Upon Q SThe ^Travels of Sir John Chardin into Periia, upon the Ambaftador, and To prefently rofe from bis Sear, without ipeaking fo much as one word. Some few days after the Chief Minifter departed for 7 ! ranfyW'ania^ leaving Monfieur de la Haye , the Son, in Prifon, but not fo clofely reft rain’d as before, and Monfieur de la Haye , the Father, without any manner of Anfwer. The Grand Signior did not go in Perfon to the T ranfylvanian War, but remain’d at Adrianople , where the Ambaftador alio tarry’d, in hopes to obtain of his Highnefs his Son’s Enlarge¬ ment \ but no body durft open their Mouths to the Emperor without the Grand Vizier's order. Who having put a quick end to the TranfyIranian Dilorder return’d Vi&orious to Con- fiantinople. Where fo loon as he arriv’d, he was put in mind of both the Monfieurs de la Haye. At which the Vizier , faigning a kind t)f lurprife, And what , faid he, Are tbofe Gentlemen jhll here ? Which was as much as to lay, They might go where they (pleas’d ; as it appear’d by the difcharge of the Son, which was order’d forthwith : And lo both the one and the other re¬ turn’d to Co-fantinople without fo much as feeing the Vizier's Face. When it was known in France how unkindly the Grand Vi¬ zier had us’d Monfieur de la Haye , the Cardinal difpatch’d a Gentleman to the Prime Minifter, to prevent the ill Confe- quences of inch Proceedings. Cuperly , whofe Malice augmen¬ ted through deiire of revenge, as one that mortally hated the two Monfieurs de la Haye , would fain have fent them back, and oblig’d the Gentleman to have tak’n upon him the Title of Ambaftador in their Room, engaging to intcrpofefoeftfedhially, that the Alteration fhould be approv’d in France. But the Gentleman would not hear of that Propofition by any means, exculing himfelf fairly and genteelly. And it is moreover re¬ ported that he highly pleas’d the Grand Vizier’s Humor in all their Tranfadting together. lamforry I know not his Name, which would have been an Honour to this Relation. The Accompt which the Gentleman gave of his Negotia¬ tion, caus’d Monfieur de la Haye to be recall’d. However there was not any one lent to fucceed him; only he had orders to lea*’e in his Place, as Refident, a French Merchant, that had liv’d for feveral Years in Confantinople , whofe Name was Mon- ficur Pyohcly . Nor had France any other Minifter in thofe parts till the end of the Year 166$. The King, who had then tak’n the Government into his own Hands, and Rul’d with no lefts Renown then Siicceft, had through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. had already fufficiently reveng’d himfelffor the Affronts offer’d to the Family of his Ambaflador, and for the heavy Fines and Impofitions laid upon his Subjects in Turkje, by lending pow¬ erful Succours to the Enemies of the Ottoman Empire. All which did but heighten the bad Underftanding which was be¬ tween the Two Empires, and Things were arriv’d to that Point, that there mull either be an ablolute Breach, or a New Alliance. The Importance of the Levant Trade advis’d the latter 5 fo that the King refolv’d to fend an Ambaffador to Constantinople to renew the Articles of Peace. Monfieur ck la Haye was then at Tam, folliciting for Imployment, and feve- ral Arrears due to him as Heir to his Father, who had been dead in that City fome years belore. Now in regard he under hood better then any other Perfon, the Gains and Advantages of a Conftantinopolitan Embalfie. together with the Splendor and Authority that belongs to it, he made great Fr ends for the Place } and to remove ah Opposition and Obllrudtions in his way, he offer’d to quit all his Arrears to the Chief Mi- niller. Thereupon, his Trknds at Court alledg’d His great Expe¬ rience in the Affairs of Turtle ; and that his Courage and Re- lolution was fuch as was requifite for an Embalfie to the Otto¬ man Port . On the other fide, that it was for the King’s Ho¬ nour to fend him thither, were it only to humble the Grand Vizier , who mull now be conllrain’d to honour that very Per¬ fon, whom his Father had abus’d and hated ; Meaning Cuperly Mahamed Pacha , who dy’d in the Year 1662. after he had fetl’d his Son in his Room. Nor can I tell how this Counfel, as bad as it was, came to be embrac’d, unlefs it were in profe- cution of that Defign which the Court always had to bring the Turfy to a Compliance by force. The Event of Affairs will lliew that there was fomething of that Nature in the Ma¬ nagement of this Bufinefs. Monfieur de la pdaye arriv’d at Confiantinople in the Month o! November 1665. ^e a ^° ma d e a Magnificent Entry, and behav’d himfelf for five Years together that he continu’d Am- baffador, with as much State as could be expected from a Re- folute Minifter, and one that bore the Chara&er of an Am- bafiador from a Potent and Formidable Prince. He difcours’d of nothing in the Vifits that he made to the Ministers of the Divan but of the Grandeur of the King his Mailer, and the Invincible Strength of his Armies. This offended the Vizier extreamly, who lookt upon it as an Affront done to him, and G the T he i 'Travels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a 3 the Grand Signior , even in his own Court; and this Fore ft ail¬ ment oi his Honour, caus’d him to treat the Atnbaftador with dildain and contempt. So that when he gave him Audience, he receiv’d him with that pride and fcorn which was unfuffe- t able, not vouchlafing lo much as to look upon him, or to rile from his Seat according to the ancient Cuftom, and the ufual practice at the Reception of Ambalfadors either from the Em¬ peror or any other Crowned Heads. And not content with that, he upbraided him in bitter Language, with the Succours which France had lent into Hungary and Candy , and the Enter- prife of Gigery . Monfieur de la Flaye diffcmbl’d his R efentment, believing that when he took his leave, the Vizier would fliew him more Civility : blit he was deceiv’d; for the Vizier difl mifs’d him with the fame IndifFerency, wherewith he had re¬ ceiv’d him. The Ambaffador reflecting upon the Affront, which the Vi- ‘Ziier had done him at that Audience, fent to him to demand another, upon Condition that he fhould receive him Handing, and forbear any farther Reproaches. The ^ aifquitab , w 7 ho is the High-Chancellor of the Empire, and the Vi%ier s Kia'ia , or Chief Controller of his Houfhold, anfwer’d the Interpreter, That he might allure his Mailer, the Vizier would receive him, as became him. Thereupon, the Ambaffador relying upon a promile, that indeed carry’d with it a manifeft Equivo¬ cation, went to his Audience, but his Reception was nothing different from what it was before. Which difgulled Monfieur de la Haye to that degree, that he told the Fvuer^ That the Emperor of France having fent him to the Fort , to Confirm the League of Amity between the two Princes, he would not take the Audience which he had giv’n him lor an Audience, becaufe he had not paid him thole Honours which were due to the Ambaffador of the Greateft and moll Potent Monarch in Chriflendom. Moreover he declar’d, That he had Order to give him up the Articles of Peace, and return into France in the fame Veffel that had brought him, if he did not treat him an- iwerably to the Grandeur oi his Mailer. Which fo incens’d the Vizier, that he fell into a pallion, and vented his Choler in reviling and reproachful terms. On the other fide, the Amhaflador was fo highly provok’d , that Inatching the Arti¬ cles o' Peace out oi the Interpreters Elands, he threw ’em at the Knees of the Haughty Minifler, and riling from his Seat, flung out oi the Room without fpeaking a word, or vouch- fafing to tarry for an Anfwer. But he was flopp’d ac the Door of through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 23 of the Anti-Chamber ; at what time the Vizier fent for the Mufti, Vani Efftndi the Grand Signior s Tutor, and the Cap¬ tain Bafba , to deliberate what was to be done in an Accident of fuch Importance as this. The Refult was, 1 hat they fhould inform the Grand Signior , who was then gone a Hunt¬ ing Twenty Leagues from Conflantinople 5 which was the Rea- fon that the Anlwer was delay’d for three days, during all which time, Monfieur de la Haye lay under Confinement in an Apartment of the Grand Signior s Palace. In the mean while the Captain Bajha brought a Meffage in the Vizier s Name, That if the Ambalfador would Kifs his Gar¬ ment, he would receive him as he had receiv’d Count Lefley y Ambalfador from his Imperial Majefty ; that he would alfo re¬ ceive him (landing, and pay him all thole Honours which he had paid to that Count. To which the Ambalfador anfwer’d, That he was not to be govern’d by Prefidents of any Perfon, when they were prejudicial to the Honour of the Emperor of France. The Captain Bafba demanded what he could object againft the Example of Count Lejley , rvhofe Maftcr Witt the Emperor of Seven Kings ? a Title which the Emperor allumes among the Turly , as being Elected by Seven Electors. At length, after many Difputes on both fides, and that the Grand Signior had given his Anfvver, it was concluded between the Vizier and the Amballador, That he might return to his Lodg¬ ing when he pleas’d, that the two Audiences which he had receiv'd fhould Hand for nothing, and that he would grant him another with all the Cuftomary Civilities and Cere¬ monies. This Audience was giv’n him in the Month of January \666. At what time, the Grand Vizier, becaule he would not be oblig’d to rife when the Ambalfrdor was introduc’d, order’d him to be brought into a particular Pvoom of State, whither he came to meet him. At his firlt Entrance he demean’d him- felf with an extraordinary Civility, approaching the Ambaf- fador with a Imiling Countenance, and reaching forth his Hand. On the other fide, Monfenr de la Haye, who was glad to fee fuch a Compliance, anlwer’d his Civilities and Com¬ pliments with all fuitable Decency, as if he had never feen him before; and the Audience ended with all the Comtefie and Decorum that could be expected on both fides: The Am- baffador and his Retinue being Treated with Perfumes, Coffee, Sorbet, and Four and Twenty Turkifh Y r efis. The next Month he had Audience of his Highnefs, where every thing was ma- 2-4 ^The T ravels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, nag’d according to the ufual Cuftom, with all Civility 5 it not being proper to difcourfe of Bufinefs to the Grand Sig - nior. Monfienr de la Haye had Orders to demand the renewing the former Articles of Peace, and Liberty of Trading to the Eafi-Indies through the Red-Sea. But the Grand Vizier would not confent either to the one or the other, upon the Conditi¬ ons that were propounded : and in March he 1 HtConJlantinople^ and attended the Grand Signior to Adrianople , from whence he departed for Candy. At the fame time alfo Monfienr de la Haye follow’d the Court to Adrianople , where he had fevera! Conferences with the Caimacan in reference to his Negotiation 5 but in regard that Minifter durft not conclude any thing with¬ out confulting the Vi%ier y Monfienr de la Haye return’d to Confiantinople , having made no farther progrefs in his Bu~ finefs. Soon after happen’d the Treaty of Genoa , already fpok’n of, which put the whole Affair into an abfolute Confufion, and exalperated both Parties. For on the one fide, the Genoefes were entertain’d notwithftanding the Proteftations and Threats of the Ambaflador, and on the other fide, the Ambaflador, in his Complaints and Protefts, made ufe of Expreffions that offended the Turkifh Minifters. They had written to him, as I have already related, That it was not for the King his Mafier to oppofe the K ece ption of any whoever they were , whom the Grand Signior was pleas'd to favonr with his Friend(hip, and that it was fufficient for his Mafier to be acknowledg'd at the Ottoman Courts for the firfi; Frince in Chriftendom. To which Monfienr de la Haye made Anfwer, That as for what concern d his High Titles , the Emperor of France was only be¬ holding to God and his Victorious Arms. Which was tak’n very ill, as being the fame Titles which the Grand Signior afiumes to himfelf, and which the Tnrby believe to be only due to his Highnefs. And therefore the Minifters fignifi’d to Monfienr de la Haye , That never any Ambafifador had made nfe of thofe Titles before } neither was it a Thing which had been ever al¬ low'd by the Divan, to any other F erf on whatfoever. In the mean time the French fent very confiderable Succours to Can¬ dy , which much retarded the Conqueft of the Idand, while the Tnrhy on the other fide opprefs’d the French Merchants with new Impofitions and Extortions. In fb much that their Complaints, which grew louder and louder every day, oblig’d the King to fend exprefs Order to Monfienr de la Hays , to re- i turn through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 25 turn to France , and lay afide all thoughts of renewing the League, at leaft if it were not a T hing ftrft fought and deftr'd by the Miniftcrs of the Tort. Which Orders were deliver'd to him toward the end of the. Year 1 < 568 . not a little to his dift fatisfa&ion. However he did not forbear to Vifit the Caima- can atConftantinople, telling him that he had receiv'd Orders from the King his Mafter to return home j to which purpofe he expe&ed rhe Arrival of the Veftels which his Majefty had fent, and his leave of the Port, in order to his Departure j re- quefting him withal to write to the Court, that he might be fent for withal Expedition. The Court was then at Larijfa in Tbejfaly , whither his High- nefs was gone, to the end that being fomewhat the nearer to Candy , he might be a means to haften the Conqueft. And therefore, before the Caimacan , who is as it were the Grand Vizier's Lieutenant, would write, he demanded of Mon fie ur de la Haye , Whether any other Ambaftador came in his Room ? To which he anfwer’d, Not any } but that the Emperor his Mafter had commanded him to leave a Secretary or a French Merchant for his Reftdent, like the Reprefentatives of the Hol¬ landers and Genoefes. The Caimacan ask’d him, Wherefore no Ambaffador was fent? To which the other reply’d, that it was not a China which he could declare in publicf. By which Anfwer the Caimacan apprehending that he had iomething of - fecrefie to impart to him, gave him a private Audience. And then it was that the Ambaifador difeover’d to him, the reafons which oblig’d the Emperor of France to recal him, with a Re- folution never to fend any more Ambaftadors ro the Ottoman Tort. Firft, for that the Dignity of the Ambaftador of France had not been regarded nor refpe&ed as it ought to be. That no heed had been given neither to the Complaints nor Requefts which his Majefty had made for three Years together. That they refus’d to renew the Capitulations of Peace, which was an unlufferable Damage to the French Merchants, who were conftrain'd to pay Five i’the Hundred Cuftoms, whereas the Englifb, Hollanders and Genoefes paid nor above Three per Cent. That they had entertain’d the latter in Turkic, contrary to ail his Remonftrances and Protefts, and had forc’d the French to pay within left then three Years, above Two Hun¬ dred fhouland Litres, for unjuft: and oppreffive Impofttions. To which Monfieur de la Haye farther added, That’if thefe Grievances might be taken into Confideration , io that the Emperor Ids Mafter might be allur’d of Redrefs, he did not H qneftiog a 6 The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, queftion but that his Majefty would reft fatisfi’d and not repal him. Upon this the Caimacan made anfwer, That he would write to the Caimacan of the Port , who is alio another of the Vizier 0 s Lieutenants, and one who never ftirs from the Ferfon of the Grand Signior } and alfo that his Excellency would do well to write himfelf, which would add the greater weight, and give the quicker difpatch to the Affair. Neverthelefs all the Anfwer which the Caimacan of the Tort fent to Monfienr de. la Elaye , was only this, That he would give an Accompt to the Grand Vizier of what he had writ, and that he ihould know his Anfwer with the firft Opportunity. While the Ambaffador tarry’d for this Anfwer, Four of the Kings Men of War arriv’d in the Haven of Confiantinople ,being fent to bring back the Ambaffador. And this Squadron ftruck no fmall fear into the Turks at firft *, but finding that Monfienr d'Almeras , who was the Commander, had fent to the City, fo foon as he came to an Anchor, for Fifteen Hundred Weight of Bisket, and that with no fmall Importunity too, they began to flight him under the want of Provifion, and reduc’d to fuch a Condition that he could not fubfift, if they fhould refufe to fupply him. In March \66an~ ner of France^ and the (protection of that Kings Ambaffador. T This through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, 3 1 This Priviledge was granted by the Turks to the French in the Capitulations made in the Reign of Francis the Firff ? and the French en)oy’d 'em till the beginning of this Age ; at what time by reafon of certain Pyrates that Cruis’d upon the Coafl of Egypt under French Colours, the Port (Iruck out that Article in a new Agreement then concluded. Afterwards the Article was reftor’d, and the fame Priviledge granted a fecond time in thele words. All Nations of Europe, that do not maintain Publicly Agents at the Port, nor are in Alliance and Confederacy with the Grand Signior, which jhall come into the Lev ant under French Colour jhall be there receiv'd and entertain d^ and enjoy the fame Ad¬ vantages which the French do. But the Tu:\< refuse to acknow¬ ledge thefe latter Capitulations ; 2 d therefore making ufe of the former, they alledge moreover,, That the words [ j hall come J are not exclulive ; and there! ore though the Port be oblig’d to receive all Strangers that (hall come under French Colours, yet they do not debar the Grand Signior to entertain Strangers, if it be his Pleafure, that come under other Co¬ lours. Secondly, That the French (hall not pay above Three in the Hnnderd Cujloms , which is no more then the Englifh, Hollan¬ ders, and Genoefes do. . ■ 1 Thirdly, That the Grand Signior f fall grant Free Liberty to the French to Traffcly to the Indies, through his Dominions and Territories , more efpecially through the Channel of the Red-Sea, without paying any other Duties then thofe of Entrage. Fourthly, That the Grand Signior flaall rejlore to the PylF gious Orders of the pyman Catholicky the Holy Land, and the Holy Tlaces jrom whence they were expelfcl by the Greeks in the Tear 1638. Fifthly, That the King of France Jhall be achyiowleclg'cl at the Port the Sole Prcte&or of the Lhnjlians. Sixthly, That all the Pom an Catholicly Chrijlians that live Within the Dominions of the Ottoman Empire , Jhall be looby up- fv d conjider d as under the Protd ” of his Majejly. Seventhly, The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Seventhly, That the French Capuchins , that live at Con- llantinople, may have Liberty to Rebuild their Church at Ga~ lata, which was burnt down about Fifteen Lears ago. Eighthly, That all the Churches of the Toman Chrijlians with* in the Ottoman Empire , may for the future be Tgpair'd or Re¬ built ^ as often as need /hall require , without being put to the Trouble of asking Leave. Ninthly, That all the French Slaves /Joall be fet at Liberty * The other Propofals were of lels Importance in particular, only their Number render’d ’em confiderable. But the Tort look’d upon thefe Demands to be fo extravagant, nay fo ridi¬ culous, that the Prime Miniflers believ’d, or elie pretended to believe, that the King fought only an Occafion to break with his Highnefs. Thereupon the Vizier fent to know of the Ambaffador, Whether he had any Letter from the Emperor of France directed to the Grand Sfnior or Him, which con¬ tain’d thofe Propolals, fet down in the Memorial which he had deliver’d in his Ma jellies Name. For that he could ne¬ ver think the Emperor of France would ever give Order to make fuch Propofals to the Tort, fo exorbitant, and fo remote fromReafon and Jitflice in his own Name, unlefs he faw ’em exprefly written in any Letter under his Majellies Hand. Af. de Nointel taking no farther notice of the Vizier’s Demand, return’d only for anfwer, That he had Letters of Credence from his Mafler for the Grand Signior , and the Grand Vizier, which was fufficient, for that his Majefly did not life to write about Bufinefs himfelf. And therefore that the Tort was un¬ der a mi flake to queflion the Mind and Intentions of the Em¬ peror of France , becaule it was not ihown in Writing under his Majeflies Hand. True it is, that fhe Ambaffador fpoke Reafon, and the Impediment pretended by the Vizier was only a Litigious Nicety. However, notwithflanding all that Id. de Nointel could fay or alledge to the contrary, he would not grant him Audience, till he promis’d and engag’d to fend for a Letter from the King that fhould contain precifely the fame things that were let down in his Memorial, and that the I etter fhould come in fix Months. It was toward the end of February 1671. that A/. de Nointel made this promile : and the next day the Grand Vizier lent to him, through the Blade-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. him, to let him know that cii the Morrow he fhould have Au¬ dience or himfelf, and that two days after he fhould have Au¬ dience of the Grand Signior like wile, upon condition that he would not difeourfe of any Bufinefs True it is, the Vizier gave him but a cold Reception. For the Ambafiador entring into dife, urfe upon feveral Subjects, which were all too long and tedious for the Turkifh Humour, they went in at one Ear and out at the t’other : The Vizier ror the mod part giving him no other Anfwer but only a fhort Yes, or as brief a No, Particularly Monfieur Nointel enlarg’d upon the Grandeur of the King, and his vaft Forces : which the Vizier taking to be a kind of lecret Threatning, les, laid he, the Emperor of France is a Great Monarch, hut his Sword is but a new Weapon yet. In¬ timating that the King had done no Exploits that deferv’d fuch loud Elogies , but therein he was not well inform’d of what had pafs’d among the Chriftian Princes. Neither did Monfieur Nointel elcape fome other Quips of the fame Nature. For the Ambafiador talking of the Antiquity of the Alliance between France and Turkey, was laying, That the French were the Turks true Friends. To which the Vizier finding, Ay, faid he, the French are our Friends indeed , hut we always find 'em among our Enemies. But the next was more home and fiiarp. The Ambafiador being ready to take his leave, order'd the Interpreter to tell the Vizier, That he had Orders from the Em¬ peror his Mafler , earneflly to recommend to him the Bufinefs of the Red-Sea. That it was a Thing which his Majefly had fet his Heart upon , and defir d the Port would give him Satisfa&ion in that Particular with all Expedition To whom the Vizier drily, Can it he , faid He, That your Emperor, fo great a Monarch as you fay he is , floonld fet his Heart fo affectionately upon the profit of his Merchants ? Nor was the Ambafiador better fatisfy’d with the Audi¬ ence which he had of the Grand Signior. For after he had made his Reverence, they led him up to the end of the Room of State, Face to Face to his Highnefs, to whom he made his Harangue, which lafted about a quarter of an Hour. But it fignify’d little. For the Interpreter explain'd no more then the Senle of it to the Vizier, which the Vizier abbrevia¬ ted in two words to the Grand Signior. Which done, M de Nointel began to difeourfe of Bufinefs to his Highnelscon¬ trary to Cuftom, to the Viziers Requefi:, and his own Fro- mife. The Grand Signior liften’d attentively to what the fn~ terpreter faid, and for anfwer, looking upon the Vizier , who K upon 31 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, upon fiich Occafions is always near the Grand Signiors Perfon, 'This Ambaffador, fa id he, addreffes himftlf to our Lala. Which word Lala fignifies both a Tutor , and a Father. The Turks made ufe of the word, to denote a Perfon who has a particular Care and paternal affection for another. Then again, it is the Cuftom, after the Ambaffador has had his Audience of the Grand Signior, for him to Dine in the Divan, where the Ambaffador fits with the Grand Vizier j and the Gentlemen of his Retinue Eat with the Viziers of the Bench m , who are the Greatefl: L ords of the Empire. There would M. de Nointel be talking alfo of bufinefs. Which put the Vizier fo out of Patience, that being forc’d tobefomewhat rude with him, after he haff defir d him to be filent, Good Mr. Ambaffador , faid He, Keep to your promife, in Six Months we Jball underjiand whither you are Friends or Enemies. This was the firft Difappointsnent of M. de Nointel, and the fuccefs of his Journy to Adrianople . He return'd to Co«- jlantinople in March i6;i. from whence he wrote to France , what he had done at the Port, and upon what Terms he flood with the Fi^icr. Ry which it was apparent to the Court,that the V'i^ier did but make [port with the Ambaffador and the French. Upon which it was debated whether they fhould break with the Fort, or whether they fhould diflemble fuch an Affrontive Entertainment. And therefore that they might not proceed with too much Precipitancy in an Affair of that Importance, the Chief Prefident of Aix, M. d’Oppede, was order’d to affem- ble at Marfeilles all th e Levant Merchants, and others that were verft in the Affairs of Turkey, and to take their Opinions up¬ on what feveral People had offer’d to the Council. That France might refrain from Trading into the Levant, at leaf for feveral Tears , and that it was eafie to do fo much Dammage to the Turks by Sea, that the Grand Signior fhould be conferairfd to grant his Majefly his Gian Demands. Upon which the Refult of the Affembly, by the Plurality of Voices was, That the Fro- pofalls were certainly true j that Provence was fo fufpciently fioclfd with Turkey Commodities , that there was enough to fnrnifb France for Ten Tears: And that if the King would fend but Ten Veffels into the Grecian Seas, and particularly to the Dardancls, there would foon be fuch a Famine in Conftanti- nople, that the Feople would certainly make an InfnrreClion to the Advantage oj the French. , Upon through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, 35 Upon this the Trovenqalls made no quedion but that there would fuddainly be a War with the Grand Signior. They wrote over all the Levant , what had pafs’d at Maifeilles , and adur’d their Friends that the King was fetting forth a Fleet of Fifty Ships to lend againd the Turks. And M. de Nointel aeciev’d Letters from Marfeilles , which afcercain’d him the fame thing. In lo much that the News was fpread in an Indant through Conftantinople , Adrianople , and over all the Ports of the Levant. Belides, I have been credibly inform d, that the Grand Vizier, and all the Prime Miuiders of the Port , were very much dartl’d at it. Infomuch that he lent to the other AmbalTadors and Reddents of Chriftendom, to know whi¬ ther the King of France intended a War, and were making preparations for it. To which they all lent him aulwer, that it was true that the French were fetting forth a very great Fleet. But whither it were defign’d againd Turkey or no, they could not tell i but the general Report, and that which they believ’d to be the trued was,that they were intended againd the Hollan¬ ders. Which Anfwers abated the Fears of the Turks'■> and loon after a French Bark arriving in two Months at Conftanti - nople rid ’emoi all their Jealoufies. For tho they thought at fird, that it had been a Boat which had brought freOi Orders to the Ambadador and for all the French Njtion^ yet were they no lefs glad, when the Mader being ask’d, where the French Fleet Jay, that was delign’d againd the Turks'-, made an- fwer, that he did not underdand what they meant} that he had heard no talk of a Fleet, and that he was lure there was no fuch things as any Preparations at Toulon. The fird of September , the Grand Vizier wrote to M. de j Nointelj That the Six Months were expir'd, which was the time he had taFjn to fend for a L etter from his Mafter } defying jar - ther to fnow whether it were come , what it contain'd , and what InfrnStions he had receiv'd from his Majcfly. To which the Ambadador reply’d by word of Mouth to the Medcnger who brought the Letter, 1 hat the Emperor of France’/ Anjwer was not yet come , which was all he could fay to the Grand Vizier, be¬ ing refolv d not to give any other Anjwer to a Letter , that did not give his Mafer all the Titles that belong'd to his Imperial Majcfty. Which M. de Nointel did on purpote, for that the Vizier had not given the King either in his Letter, or in the vSuperlcripti- on, any other Tide then that of Craul y which among the Turky is not fo high as that of Tadcha , though they both fignihe a Soveraign Prince. But Tadcha is the Title which they always VJJ 6 L Tbe \Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, give the Grand Signtor , and which they were always wont to allow the King of France. Fadcba being a Terftan word; Cranl a Sc-lavonian y and the very Title which the Tolonians give their King : and in France the word Fadcba is tak’n for Emperor. , All this while the Refolutions and Refults of the Council of France in reference to the Affairs of the Levant , after the Affembly held at Marfeilles , did not anfwer pubiick Expecta¬ tion in the Profecution of that Affemblies Advice. For the King clefigning a War with Holland , would not engage in another with Turkey at the fame time, which requir’d the bed part of his Navy to maintain. Therefore he relolv’d to fpin. out time, and to endeavour an Accommodation; that fo he might not be oblig’d to break with the Turks, To which purpofe Monfieur de Lyone wrote to the Vizier, That the Em¬ peror of France admird he fljould refufe to give Credit to his Am - baffador , fince the Port had never till then quefliond the Truth and Reality of the Fropofals of the French Ambaffadors. That his Imperial Majejly would not trouble himfelf to explain his mean¬ ing any other wife then by his Ambaffaclor M. de Noin tel: fo that if the Grand Signior or his Miniflers refus'd to give him Cre - dence, they would do well to let him return in the Veffel that brought the Letter. With this Letter M. dHervieu , Interpreter to the Dolphin , and at prefent Conful at Aleppo , was fent, having Orders to deliver it himfelf to the Grand Vizier, and withal to carry the King’s lad Inftriudions to the Ambaffador. He fee Sail f> om Marfeilles in September , in one of the King’s Men of War call’d the Diamond , commanded by the Marquifs de Frully , but did not arrive at Conjlantinople till February following, bad Weather having detain’d him Four Months between Malta and Conjlantinople. So foon as the Veffel arriv’d, and that M. deNointel had feen the King’s InftruClions, he wrote to the Vi%ier , That his Ma - jefiies Anfwer was at length come , after it had, been Five Months upon the Seas , and that he only tarry d for Leave to appear at Court , that he might impart it to him. To which the Vi%ier return’d anfwer, That he might come when he pieces'cl, and be Welcom. More then that, he had fuperferib’d his Letter ac¬ cording to the Ancient Cudom, To the Ambaffador of the Em* peror of France; whereas he had only writ upon his former, To the Ambaffador of the King of France. The fame day alfo that the Ambaffador receiv’d this Letter, the Caimacan fent a f Meflenger through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, Meflengcr to him, to let him know, That he had Order from the Vizier to furnijh his Excellency with Thirty IVayons, Twelve LLorjes , and a Thoufand Crowns toward the Expence of his Jour¬ ney j whkh jhould be fent him with all fpeed. In fhort, the Money Was brought the next day, and the Wagons and Hor- fes were punctually ready according to the time which the Arn- baffador had prefix’d. And this was the State of Adairs and Condition of the Al¬ liance between France and Turkey when I arriv’d at Constanti¬ nople in March 1672. The Ambafiador departed from Conftantinople the 29th of March , carrying along with him the Abbot of Nointel his Bro¬ ther, a Gentleman, a Confeflor, a Steward, a Secretary, three Interpreters, two Janifaries, and of meaner Officers a com¬ petent Retinue. Befides all thele, he had alfo in his Train, M. d’Hervieti , who brought the Letter from M. de Lyonne to the Vizier } one of the DireClors of the Levant Company , whofe Bufinefs it was to Treat about the Conditions of the Ofed-Sea-Trade ; Two Spaniffi Fryers, Commiffaries of the Holy Land , who were to follicite the Reftitution of the Sacred [Places , from whence they had been expelfd by the Greeks by Authority from the Tort, about Thirty Years before ; a Mer¬ chant of Marfeilles , who had Bufinefs at the Port , together with Four French and Italian Gentlemen, who, as I my felf, made that Journey meerly out of Curiofity. The Caimacan alio fent a Chiaus to attend the Ambafiador, to provide him Convenient Lodging, and to prelerve that RefpeC): to his Per- fon, and his Retinue, which the Turks are lubje& to violate upon the flighteft Occafions, if not overaw’d by the dread of Puniffiment. We were Six Days upon the Road ; it being reck’nd Fifty Leagues between Conftantinople and Adrianop'le . A Road no way to be found fault with, as being very broad and level, over Plains, and a lovely Champain Country : be¬ fides that we pafs'd through a great many very neat Villages, accommodated with fair and handlom Inns. We lodg’d half a League from Adrianople , in a moli plea- fant Situation, upon the River Hcbrus , call’d Bofna-lfoy, that is, the Village of the Bofneans. Ten days after our Arrival, Panaioti , the Vriiers Interpreter, of whom we have already fpok’n, came to vifit the Ambafiador in his Mailers Name, and to know the King’s Refolutions touching the renewing of the Alliance. After which Preamble to M. de 'Nointef he told him, That it was the Grand Viziers Opinion, that it was not L convenient The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia^ convenient for him and the Ambaflador to have any Perfonal Interviews and Difcourfe together, till all Affairs were con¬ cluded and fully agreed, for lear left any Exceptions or Diffe¬ rences fhould happ’n between ’em, which though but upon flight and impertinent DunSilios, might break or put a flop to the Negotiation, and hinder its good fucceis. To which Pa- naioti added, as it were in Confirmation of the Viziers judg¬ ment, That Affairs in Turkey were never well manag’d, un- lefs it were by a Third Perfon, in regard the Vizier and the Ambaflador being equally concern’d to preferve the Honour and Intcrefts of two great Empires, neither of the two would be the firft that fhould forego the fmalieft Tittle of their Pre- tenfions 5 but that a Treaty carry’d on by their Interpreters could not eafily produce thofe unlucky Accidents either in the One or the Other. In fhort therefore, the VhJer defir’d that favour of him, that he might not give him Audience, but only to deliver into his Hands the new Articles of Peace and Agree¬ ment. M. de Kointel could have wifh’d with all his Heart, it might have been otherwife : but there was a Nceeflity of con- defcending to the Grand Viziers Pleafure, which was to Treat by the Intercourfe of Interpreters. Thereupon Tanatoli took the Letter which M. de Lyonne had written to the Vizier, and the Memorial of the Conditions upon which his Majefty was refolv’d to renew the Alliance, and no otherwife, as the Am¬ baflador alledg’d} and fo took his Leave, after he had made a Thoufand Vows and Proteftations to the Ambaflador of the Services he would do in that Negotiation. Particularly he told him, That he took it for fo great an Honour to have the Management of this New League between the Grand Signior and the Emperor of trance, that there was no way or means which he would leave unftudy’d that he might bring it to a Conclufion, to the Satisfa&ion of his moft Chriftian Majefty. But Time difeover’d, that his Proteftations were altogether deceitful and fallacious, and that Panaioti had not the fame In¬ clinations for the Intcrefts of France as for thofe of the Grand Firft then, the Vizier read over the Ambaflador’s Memo¬ rial, and then gave it to be examin’d in the Divan. It was not’fo long by half as that which he had prefented the time before, as^ot containing above Eleven Heads. Neverthelefs he found it to be very Extravagant. So theit when the moft Confiderable Articles were read, he would ftill cry. The Port will never grant ’em. Upon others he would pals Sentence^ i % in & through the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchis* faying, This may be granted ; and we fliall endeavour to pafs over fuch an Obftacle and to remove fuch and fuch Difficul¬ ties. So that he abfolutely refus’d one part of the Demands, and gave his Opinion of the reft but very doubtfully. Which was a piece of Policy in the Grand Vizier, to dilcover by the Ambalfador’s Anfwers, whether it were true that his Inftru- tftions were not to recede in the lead from his Memoires. And it fell out according to his defire, for by that means he found that the Ambaffador had private Orders. At the end of April , the two Fryers, Commiffaries for the Holy Land , were very much troubl’d at a Report that ran among our felves, That they needed not to tarry, as they did, in expectation of being reftord to the Sacred Places, from which the Greeks had expell’d ’em, for that the Vizier having declar’d, That he would agree to the Abatement of the Cu- ftoms, and the %ed-Sea-Trade, on Condition the Ambaffador would not infill; upon the Holy-Land, he had anfwer’d, That that was a Point to be referv d till the lap. Which becaule it is an Affair of much Curiofity, I fhall here fet down the principal Palfages relating to it ; withal in lome meafure to divert the Reader, weary'd perhaps with a long Story of the French Negotiations at the Ottoman Port, for the Renewing of an Al¬ liance. The Kingdom of Jerufalem was Conquer’d by the Chriftians in the Year iopp. and loft in the Year 1177. At what time a certain King of Syria whofe Name was Ne^er-Salah-el-din- Jofeph reconquer’d it, and expell'd all the Weftern Chriftians* efpecially the Knights -, leaving only behind the Oriental Chri- ftians, Syrians , Armenians, Georgians and Greeks. In a fhort time after one of the Kings of Naples, of the Houfe of Anjou, purchas’d of the King of Syria the Sacred Places of Palefiine . However the Bargain was kept fecret, the King of Syria being afraid left the Mahumetan Princes his Neighbours, fhould re¬ proach him for what he had done, and quarrel with him about the Sale. Thereupon the Francifcan Monks were fent to take poffeffion of the Sacred Places according to theCompaCf, who continu’d there, and were confirm’d by the Soldans of Egypt, and the Turkifh Emperors who afterwards Conquer’d Pale- fine. All this while the Fryers had the Keys and Pofleffion of whatever Chriftian Devotion had Conlecrated at Jernfalem , tBethlehem , Nazareth, and in all other Sacred Places of the Holy Land . Moreover, the Eaftern Chriftians, who were very numerous* 40 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, numerous, had alfo their Chappels in feveral of thofe Holy Places, as well in the Church built upon the Sepulchre of Chrift, as in thofe that were rear’d in the Places where he was Born and Crucifi’d. The Popes like wife who make it their Bufinefs to bring over to their Communion all the Greeks, commanded the Francifcans that they fhould have all manner of Liberty in the Holy Places, and withal to permit’em to build Chappels, to keep Lamps and Tapers burning, and to ere6t Images and Altars. This Allurement of fo much Freedom, which the Greeks en¬ joy’d in their Churches, fay the Francifcans , was that which entic’d ’em into a defign to make themfelves the foie Mafters of thofe Places; though the Greeks mod ftiffly deny any fuch thing. However it were, in the Year 1 6 34. the Greeks repair’d to the Forty and there produc’d feveral Ancient Records, fetting forth their Title to the pofieffion of Mount Calvary , the Grotto of Bethlehem, and other Places. Thereupon the Francifcans were cited to the Divan ; who appear’d with the Ambafiadors of the Chriftian Princes that were then refident at the Tort: and the Caufe was feveral times argu’d before the Trime Vizier. All the Chriftians alio who were in Alliance with the Tort , as well Proteftants as Roman Catholicks, interefted themfelves in the Suit ; and both (ides were at extraordinary Expences. But at length the Greeks gain’d the Caufe, and were put into pof- feffton of the Holy Places, according to their own defires. The Grand Vi%ier , who gave Judgment in favour of the Greel^s y being dead at the end of two Years, the Europeans demanded a Rehearing of the Caufe. Which was granted, and it went clearly for the Francifcans, who were thereupon reftor’d to the poffeflion of what the Greeks got from ’em, but they did not keep it above two Years more. For after that, another Grand Vizier , more favourable to the Greeks , refetl’d ’em again in all the Places which had been recover’d by the Francifcans four Years before. After that, the Latins us’d great Endeavours to regain the Pofieffion, but all to no pur- pofe, the Divan being dill deaf to all their Sollicitations, Pro- mifes and Offers; and confiantly alledging, That it was not juft, that the Greeks , who were the Grand SignioFs Subje&s, and who paid him the yearly Tribute of Eight Hunderd Thou- fand Crowns, fhould be depriv’d their fhare of the Cuftody of the Sacred Places in Palefline, which was part of theDemeafns oi the Ottoman Empire. Yet for all that, the Francifcans have f not through the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchis. ai not forborn to renew their Importunities* their Petitions, and their Offers of Money, as often as they found any feafonable Opportunities to do it. In the Year 1665. Count Lefley in the Name of the Emperor took all the care and pains imaginable for the Reftoration of the Francifcans to their Rights, pray’d, pay’d and promis’d Mountains, but all was labour loft. Four Years after, the Procurator Molino in the Name of the Republic of Venice undertook their Caufe with the fame Vigour; fo that the Francifcans had now no other hopes but in the King of France. To which purpofe they deputed two of their Order to his Majefty, who prefented him with Letters of Recom¬ mendation from Rome, Spain ,, and the mo ft part of the Ro¬ man Catholick Princes, to makeufe of his Credit and Reputa¬ tion in the Ottoman Court* for the Reftoration of the Latins into the Sacred Places, from whence they had been expel I'd by the Greeky. But there was no need of a Recommendation to excite the King in the profecution of fiich a Pious Act, to which his own Zeal was a lufficient Incentive. Immediately therefore he wrote to M de la Haye to infert the Demands of thofe Religious Perfons among the Conditions for the renew¬ ing the Alliance. And after that, both M de la Haye , and M de Nointel protefted to ’em feveral times. That they had ex- prels Orders not to Treat with the Port , nor to renew the Ar¬ ticles of Alliance , unlefs they would reftore the Francifcans to the Places they had loft. Nevertheleis it appear’d at the end of April, that an Affair of that Nature might be difpenc’d with¬ al, rather then to put a ftop fo Inch an Important Treaty for theCuftody of three or four iilly Chappels. Thefe two Fryers told me, how that upon their Arrival at Conjlantinople , M de la Haye bid ’em reft fatisfi’d *, for that he underftood fo well the Refolutions of the Prime Minifters of the Port , that they would never renew the Treaty* upon the Conditions which the King demanded, in regard the Reftora¬ tion of the Sacred Places , upon which the King fo firmly in¬ filled, was an Article the Port would never grant. To which, as they inform’d me, they return’d this Anfwer, which inclu¬ ded good Advice indeed for the fuccefs of their own Intereft. If your FxceUency , laid they, have poftive InfiruSlions in Re¬ ference to the Reftoration , and that you know the Port will never confent to itynafe no other Demand to the Grand Vizier till that be concerted * and declare withal to the Prime Mihijler , That you will not Treat , till he has promts d to reftore us what the Greeks have tab^n from m. If your Excellency obferve this Method , either M the ,:i2 The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, the Vizier will grant or deny. If be grant , the greateft Impe¬ diment to the renewing of the Treaty will he remov'd ; If he re - f'fe.- the Rupture will redound to the King of France\f Honour. He mil appear not to have fought his own Interefl : All Europe will admire his Majeflies Piety and 'Leal ; and there is no perfon hut mufl be forc'd to acknowledge that his High Pgfp e & t0 Tg" ligion was the only caufe that incited him to break, with the Turks. The well-meaning Fathers told me this Story with an extra¬ ordinary Vehemence, which is ufual among Spaniflj Monks. For they believ’d it to be one of the moft Noble A6Hons in the World to enter into a War with the Ottoman Empire, to force the Great Turf to take from the Chriftians of Jerufalem , his own proper Subjects, the Cuftody of five or fix petty Chur¬ ches, and beftow it upon Foreign Monks, who not content to make ufe of ’em when they pleas’d, would have the Keys hung at their Girdles. About 'Mid-May M.deTlointel finding that the Grand Signior and Vizier were ready to depart for Poland, and that there was but little Progrefs made in his Negotiation, went to vific the r l\eifquitab, or Lord Chancellor : With whom he had three Conferences, before they could conclude the Treaty. But at the third Conference, which was upon the 26th of May , all things were agreed and fetl’d, and the Alliance was renew’d upon the following Conditions. That the French for the future fbould pay no more then Three per Cent. Cufloms. That they fbould have the Red-Sea open for a Trade into the Indies, paying Give per Cent. Cufloms, which fljould he paid at their Entrance into the Grand SigniorV Dominions , without any farther payments either for their Paffage, or at their Departure. That the French Capuchins fljoulcl rebuild their Church of St. George at Galata, burnt down by Eire: And that the fame Church , together with the Jefuits in the fame Place , and all other Appurtenances belonging to the French within the Ottoman Em¬ pire, fbould be under the Protection of the King. That the Ambaffador fljould be acknowledg'd ProteSior of the Hofpital of the European Chriflians in Galata , and that they fljoulcl have l iberty to fay Mafs in the faid Hofpital. That through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. "Chat all the French Captives that were in Turkey, or ftjonld happen to be taken for the future , fbonld be fet at Liberty , pro¬ vided they were not taken in any Fleets or Armies , or before any Flaces in Jrlofihty with the Port. And this was all that was to be chang’d or added in the New Capitulations *, lor the Article concerning Foreign Nati¬ ons was to continue as it was before in the former Treaty. When all things were accepted and mutually agreed, the Ambaffador of Frances eldefi: Interpreter (poke to %fonjieur de Nointel , that he fliould not ftir till the Chancellor had made out a Draught of the New Capitulations. Which advice was well giv’n, but the Ambaffador gave more Credit to Panaioti the Grand Vizier’s Interpreter, who told him, it would be an Affront to the Chancellor, to diftruft what he deliver’d by word of Mouth, by asking him for a Draught in Writing; and that he would engage his Word, and be Security for the performance of what the Chancellor had declar’d. Upon which the Ambaffador fulfer’d hirnfelf to be over-mi d ; and return’d to his Lodging extreamly joyful and well fatisfi’d, and with all the Chearfulnefs and Gaiety in his Countenance which generally dilplays it felf upon the good fuccefs of Bufinels. Infomuch that fitting down at Table, Come , Gentlemen , fa id he, the Capitulations are renew'd j let m now be merry , and drinks to this Renovation of the League. Now the Chancellor had promis’d to fend a Copy of the Draught in the Evening, to the end it might be examin’d, and afterward writt’n out fair: but he fail’d in his promife, nor was the Ambaffador troubi d in the leaf!. The next Morn¬ ing however he lent for it : but he was ftrangely furpriz’d, to find that the Article about Foreign Nations did not oblige, as it fhould have done, all thofe that were under no fettlement already at the Tort, to put themfelves under the Banners and Colours of France. Then Monfieur de Nointel began to mi- ftruft that he had been deluded. At laft he fell into a Paflion, and prefently call d for his fecond Interpreter, to go and tell the Chancellor, That if that Article were not put down as he underflood it, he would not accept the New Capitulations. Which his chief Interpreter obferving, ffepp’d in, and adviz’d him to be wary how he enhanc’d the price as he was going to do} that it was not fafe to put the Market into th eTurky Hands, as 43 44 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia* as he did ; and therefore defir’d him to take care how he en& gag’d himfelf in a heat to break with the Tort, for a fingle Ar¬ ticle of little Importance. But fuch was M de Nointels Impa¬ tience, that he bid the Meflenger go forthwith, and carry his Melfage to the Chancellor } who anfwer’d, That he would - report it to the Vi%ier. The 'lyih the AmbafTador went to the Chancellor’s Houfe 5 who told him, 4 That it became .not France to demand of the c Ton a thing which was not in their Power to gLant: For that 4 the Grand Signior had engag’d to the EngiiJJj , the Venetians , 4 the Hollanders and Genoefes , That all Strangers that fhould ‘come into Turkey , under their Colours, fhould be welcom, 4 whoever they were } fhould enjoy the fame Priviledges, and 4 in a word be entertain’d as their Friends were. That having 4 alfo granted the fame Priviledges to the Emperor,particularly 4 for the Imperial Hans-Torvns , for the Subje&s of the Houfe of ' Anftria and the Italians , his Highnefs could not without vio- 4 lating his Faith, grant to the French what they demanded} 4 that is to fay, That he fhould admit no Foreigners but what 4 Carrie under the French Colours, unlefs they were fuch as had 1 their Eftablifhments already confirm’d at the Tort. To which 4 the Chancellor added, That what he had reprefented to his 4 Excellency was notorioufly publick, and a moft convincing c Argument^ and therefore befought him not to infifF any fur- 4 ther upon that Article. To which M. de Nointel reply’d with a Proreft not to renew, unlefs that Article were granted in the fame form as he demanded. The Chancellor return’d, That he would report his Protefi: to the Vizier, and then he fhould know his Anfwer. The AmbafTador told him, He fhould think himfelf highly oblig’d, fo that his Conveniency would permit him, if he would be pleas’d but to go immediately and fpeak to the Vizier, while he /laid for his coming back* The Chancellor consented ; went, (poke to the Vizier, and re¬ turn'd with this Anlwer. 4 T he Grand Vizier has order’d me to tell your Excellency, € That you made him promife ye about a Month fince, That c provided the Tort fhould grant the Emperor of France an 4 Abatement of the Cuftoms, and a Free Trade through the c T{ed-Sea, he would be contented, as to what remain’d, with c what was reafonable and juft. That upon that word he had 4 granted in the Grand Signior s Name thofe two Articles, and 4 other Favours which you know ; but now feeing you have 4 not through the Black-Sea^ and the Country of Colchis; 1 not kept your word with him, he declares exprefly, That fe he recalls his own, and will grant you nothing at all. This Anfwer was like a Thunderclap. M. de Nointel and thole that were with him flood like Men in a Trance. They begg’d to refume, and ratifie the Treaty, but it was impofii- ble, though they proffer’d Upon the place to quit and re¬ nounce the Article contefted. To which the Chancellor an- fwer’d, That he had no other Orders from the Vizier , then to deliver his Meflage, and that he had no Power to Treat any fjrther. The Ambaffador reply’d, That he had a Letter from the Trime Minifler of France, which he defir’d only to deliver into his Hands, and fo to take his leave. The Chan¬ cellor made Anfwer, That for his Audience it might be eafily obtain’d, but as for the Letter from the Prime Minifler of France, the Grand Vizier car’d not a Straw to look upon it. * Monfleur de Nointel returning to his Lodging with that vexa- >, tion and perplexity of Mind which may be conceiv’d with¬ out any great difficulty, propounded to his Council, which were the Abbot his Brother, the Director of the Levant Com¬ pany, and his two chief Interpreters, That fince the E’glifJj and [Hollanders had lately given Ten Thoufand Pounds Ster¬ ling apiece, for renewing their lafl Capitulations, it would be convenient for the French to give the fame Money for the renewing of 1 heirs. Upon which the two Interpreters had order to propofe the Sum to the Chief Miniffers: but it no¬ thing avail’d. For there are fome Favours obtain’d at the Tort by the Force of Money , others which no Money will pro¬ cure. And fuch for Example was the Buflnefs follicited by the two Commiflflaries of the Holy Land , who offer’d an Hun- derd Thoufand Crowns to the Grand Vizier to put ’em in p f- fefllon of the Sacred Tlaces , and to expend as much in Prefents to the Grand Signior , and Miniffers of the Port. But their Money was Drois, the Divan not being to be brib’d in that cafe. By the way, I fliall fay this farther, in reference to thofe Religions Fathers , that their making fuch large Offers was not a thing to be wonder'd at. For they have aflur’d me, that the Devotion which Spaniards have toward thole SanSlifl'd Tlaces is fo great, that they themfelves would expend whole Treafures for Liberty to enjoy ’em again. They affirm’d to me moreover, That the Money expended in the Holy Land amounts to Eight Thouiand Pounds Sterling a Year, of which a third part goes in Prefents to the Tm\s \ and that the Guar-* N. dian a6 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia ? dian who is Triennial,expends in Prefents at his Arrival no left then Two Thoufand Five Hunderd Pounds^ The Third of June , which was the Day appointed for the Grand Signiors departure lor Poland , the Ambalfador went be¬ times in the Morning to the Camp, to the Quarters of the Graud Vizier, with a defign to oblige the Haughty Minifter to grant him that Audience which he had refus’d him ever fince his Arrival, and to receive the Letter from Monfieur de Lyonne. He carry’d with him alfo M. d'Hervieu, to the end that as he was the Perlbn that brought it, he fhould deliver it into his Hands. But the Vizier was not then in the Camp , being gone to Convoy the Sultanefs , Mother to the Grand Signior , to her firft Lodging. Which conftrain’d the Ambalfador to go to the Chancellor s Quarters, where he waited feven compleat Hours, fometimes in one Tent, fometimes in another, becaufe the Camp was then juft upon Dillodging. At length a little after High Noon, the News came that the Grand Vizier was come to the City. Whither the Chancellor went to him, and told him, That the Ambalfador of France (laid in the Camp to Kils his Hands, and to know his laft Commands. The kz- zier order’d him to tell his Excellency, That he needed not to give himfelf the trouble of waiting, for that he was then ta¬ king leave of his Wife, his Mother, and his Family, and Ihould not return to the Camp till Night: and therefore that it would be fufficient for him to leave only one of his Interpreters, to whom he would give his AnLver. Which was, That he would impart the Amhaffador s Demands to the Grand Signior and the Divan j hut that he could not do it fo foon as he might expeSl, by reafon that the Army was upon its March. That in the niean time , his Excellency might return to Conftantinople, and there await the Grand Signior efolution . That he would in the mean time write to the Caimacan to grant a Fafs for the Kings Ship in the Harbour j and for what remain d, had it not been but that he confided in the Faith and Honour of the Ambaffador , he would have flopp’d him at Adrianople, to have prevented his departure without leave. At the fame time the Interpreter had alfo Orders to know the Grand Viziers Commands touching certain particular Af¬ fairs relating to Trade in feveral places of the Levant . Which he order’d to be difpatch’d the next Morning in manner and form, as the Interpreter defil’d. through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. And this was the Succefs of M de NointeVs fecond Journey to the 'Tort ; upon which both Parties made different Reflecti¬ ons. For the Turfy with great affurance lay the blame of this Rupture upon the French : Affirming that the Abatement of the Cuftoms was not a thing to which the French could juftly pretend. For that if other Nations paid not lo much, as the Enghjh , Hollanders , and Genoefes y yet there were fome Nati¬ ons that paid more, as the Germans and Venetians : Or if the firfi: who paid but Three per Cent, had formerly paid Five, then the French had had fome realon to have demanded an Abate¬ ment. Neverthelels, that the Tort , who is Free to bellow his Favours where he pleas’d, having Treated upon their Arrival with the laft Comets Upon Terms more advantageous then thofe which he granted to his firifl Allies; he was not oblig’d to alter the Conditions of Commerce that had been for fo iong time concluded. Then for the reft of the Kings Demands, they faid, That they were Favours which could not be in Con¬ fidence demanded ; as being fuch which the French were lb Far from having deferv’d from the Port, that they had always oppos’d him in all his Enterpriles. To which they added. That the French had made their Demands, as if they had hda the Market in their own Hands, threatning, arid aCting like Lords and Mailers, while the French that were in the Levant , did nothing but talk of Burning ConJiantinople y making War upon the Grand Signior y and Sacking his ljlands y and his Sea- Torts. That the Men of War that brought M. de Hointel to Conjlanttnople y openly prote&ed the elcape of a great number of Slaves of feveral forts of Nations, that put themfelves aboard. And that the French Ambafladors in all the Vifits Which they made to the Great Perlonages, difcours’d of no¬ thing but his Majefties Conquefts, and the Puiffance of his Arms. This Defence the Turfy made for themfelves. With whom other Nations alio fided, alledging, That the Turfy Were not too blame, as having fliew’d themfelves upon this Occafion lefs Barbarous then they were faid to be : not having jtiianifefted any thing of violent Refentment either againft the French in the Levant , or his Majefties Ambaftador, of the nu¬ merous and powerful Succours which they had many times giv n their Enemies; of the War which they carry’d on, even in Countries under the Turfy Protection } or of their Affronts and Menaces not forborn ev’n in the Court it (elf. Nor could Ihele things be btherwile fpok’n then out of an Ardent Defire fo fee fdifte Unlucky Accident happen, which might engage The T^rayels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, France to imploy againtt the Turk? thofc mighty Preparations of War which the greateft part of her Neighbors dreaded. And now having thus giv’n an Accoinpt of the whole Pro~ grefs of M. Nointel's Negotiation at the Fort , I [hall add ibmething in fhort in reference to the Negotiations of M. Wit- 'Zsoskj , the Pohfh Agent , and Signor Quirini , Procurator cf Venice , of which two the one happen’d to depart as foon as I arriv’d there j but the other remain’d at the Court all the while I {laid. The Grand Vizier order’d 1700 Crowns to be giv’n to the Polif> Agent at his departure, for the difcharge of his Debts, and his Expences upon the Way } allowing himbefides feven Wagons and a Chians. The Fafha of Siliflria alfo had Or¬ ders to caufe him to be Conducted through the Frontiers of Tartary } and to Command the Tartars to detain him, till they under Hood that the Turkjfb Envoy who was in Poland, had pafs’d the Frontierr , and was enter’d into Turkey. The Divan did all they could to compofe all Differences with this Agent, and to prevent a War with his Matter. For the Fort had l'ome Defigns upon Perfia and the Fed-Sea , fo that it was only by conftraint if they turn’d their Arms againft Poland. On the other fide the Folander could not brook the Protection which the Grand Signior had given to the Coffackj. For which rea- fon the King demanded that his Highnefs would publickly re¬ nounce the Protection which he had publickly allow’d. To the end that the Coffachy being terrifi’d by fuch a Defertion, might be compelfd to. fubmit the fooner to the Polifh Prince without Fighting, and he by that means regain the Poflefiion of the Ukraine , which is his particular Demealns, and the Pa¬ trimony of his Anceftors. During the Raign of King Cafimir , M. Pat^ieushje was fent to demand the Ratification of the Treaty of CoSlchin , which was obferv’d between Poland and Turkey j and iome other Things. To which the Fort made anfwer, That they would Ratifie the T reaty purely and barely without mentioning the CoJfacl{S. But M. pat^ienskie dy’d at Adrianople before he could conclude his Negotiation. Whofe Imployment of Agent his Secretary, M. Wit%osky by the Order of the King that luc- needed Cafimir , was appointed to fiipply, and receiv’d Inftru- <5lions to reprefent to the Fort , That feeing the Ukraine was the particular Eftate of the Prince who then Raign cl, he had a double Reafon to claim the R.epofTe(Iion of it. To which the Fort return’d for anfwer, That they would not hinder his Ma jetty through the Black-Sea, and the Country (^Colchis, Majefty of Poland from regaining the Pofleffion, and that he might do what he pleas’d with the Cojfacks ; but in regard the Grand Signiors Honour was concern’d, he could not op’nly difavow the Protection which he had openly granted. But M. WitKoshj, being a Perfon ot a violent hafty Humour, would not accept of that Expedient, nor of any other which the Turks propos’d. But loudly protefted in a full Divat /, fe That c though the King, the Senat and the Republick fhould agree c to accept a fingle Ratification, he would prevent ’em from 4 doing it, by the Power which he had, as a Gentleman of < Poland. But when the King and the Senat underlfood that the Grand Signior was turning his Preparations againft them -, and that mod affuredly the next Spring they fhould have 'him at their Gates, they were both furpriz’d and confounded. Nor did the Agent himfelf know what to do, being deceiv’d bv the Rumours that were fpread abroad of the Revolt of the Ara¬ bians , and Sacking of Mecca ; as alfo for that through the Aflurances which M. de Tlointel had giv’n him that his Moft Chriftian Majefty would fend a Fleet of Fifty Ships into the Archipelago , he had always writt’n to the Republick to hold faff their own, and not to relinquifh the leaf!; Tittle of their Demands, in regard that infallibly the Grand Signior would luddainly have his Hands full on every fide. And indeed Poland was very defirous at that time not to have diverted his Highnefs from his Afiatich^ Defigns. For which reafon, they fent an Interpreter to the Tort. Who arriv’d the 25 of May with a Train of eight Men, fix weeks after the departure of the Agent } and had a L odging aflign’d him, and Twenty Shillings a day for his Expences. The Letters which he brought were from the Great Chancellor, fuperferib’d to the Grand Vi^ier^ purporting , c That Poland i was very much furpriz’d to underftand, that the Grand Sig~ c nior was preparing for a War againft them ; that they c knew not the Reafon, nor had they giv’n him any Occafion. c That if the Port would Rati fie the Treaty of CoSrcbtn , the 1 King was ready to do it, and would fend an Ambaftador Ex- c traordinary for that purpofe. But that if the Grand Signior £ perfifted in his Defign of making War, his Majefty w'as rea- c dy to defend himfelf} protefting withal that the Colanders c were not the Violators of the Peace. The Interpreter was difpatch’d and fent back again in eight days, with Letters to this effed, That Poland might fend an Ambaftador Extraor- O dinary* o c Tbc i ravels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, clitlary^ and chat he fhould be weleom. But in the mean time the Grand Signior s Army and the Grand Vizier at the Head of it, continu’d their March toward Silijlria* In the Negotiation of the Signor Qttirini there was no s O ^ o — thing particularly obfervable. Only lie had peculiar Inftrubti- ons to prefs the releafe of fuch Pris’ners as had been tak’n in the War o£ Candy : but after great Pains and vaft Expences he could obtain no more then an Exchange of Eight and Twenty of the Principal for as many of the 'lurks. Which Exchange was made at CaJieUo Tornefe in the Morea. As for the reft of the Pris’ners to the Number of a Thoufand or thereabouts, the Grand Vizier told the Procurator of Venice , That the Otto¬ man Galleys were deftitute of Slaves, and therefore to releafe a Thoufand at one Clap, would weak’n J em too much } efpe- cially at a time when they had fo much need of Rowers to carry Men and Ammunition through the Plach^Sea for fupply of their Army in Poland. However he promis’d that when the Campaigne was at an end, he would order Two Hunderd and Fifty to be releas’d; and fo the like Number every year till they were all at Liberty. The Venetians are at that vaft Expence at the Port, that it may be truly faid they buy whatever they obtain, and that at a dear rate too There is no Perfon oi Credit either in the Court or the Divan, to whom they do not make confide” rable Prelents every year. For the < 2 ^, epnblicl that has no Neighbor to be afraid of, but the Turk,, fpares for no Coft to be at peace with him. They pay him Tribute, out of fe- veral Iflands in the Archipelago, as Zant , and Cerigo. They connive at his Humours,,his Affronts, his Tyranny ; and all to prevent Quarrels and Wars that arile every day between Po¬ tent Neighbors, as much as may be done by the Prudence of their Conduft : and the lame %epublicb^ lends for her Am- baftadors to Conjlantinople , the Ancienteft, and moft Experi¬ enc'd of her Senators. The Procurators alfo of Venice are ulu- ally fuch as have been Ambaftadors in all the Courts of Chri - Ctendoni, and which have been employ’d in Treaties of Peace and War, and all other Negotiations. Perfons in a word that underftand all the Politicks of all the Princes of the World, and the Slights of the moft Crafty Minifters of State, in the Art of concealing their own, and difeovering the I houghts of others. Thefe Procurators are fully Commiftion’d to expend and give whatever they deem requifire. Generally they re¬ ft de three years at Conftantinople, during which time they pick up through the Black-Sea* and the Country of O r \ i; S' : \ 1 ^ i i -i ji.O h, 5 i up above an Hunderd Thouiand Crowns; or at lead it is in their, power lo to do ; tor the Republic k never calls ’em to Accompt. And this they do for two Reafons; the firft is, to balance by their Gains the 1 rouble and Hard dip of an F tu¬ ba die to Conflantinople, which arile from the Danger and Toil of Travailing ; and from the ill Humour and Contempt of the Turfy. And fecondly, to recompence thofe Procurators , who have waded their Eftates in European Ambaffies I have heard M. Quirini affirm, at feveral times that I have had the Honour to vifit him That the Turfyjh Policy did ve¬ ry much furpafs that of the Europeans : That it was not con¬ fin’d within Maxims and Rules ; but confided altogether in Senfe and Judgment, as being grounded altogether upon Rea- fon, and never afting but according to Reafon. Which fort of Policy, having neither Art nor Principles, was as it were unapproachable; infbmuch that he ferioufly acknowledg’d, That the Conduct of a Viz,ier t was to him an Abyfs, of which he could not Fadom the Judgment, the Forefight, the Per- fpicacy, the Secrecy, the Cunning, with all its Windings and Labyrinths, He a (Turd me, That if had a Son, he would fend him to no other School then to the Ottoman Court; where he could not too highly admire the Vizier, who without fpeak- ing, writing, or io much as moving himfelf, Govern’d one of the moft Potent Empires of the World, and had extended the Limits of it in feveral places. During my day at Adrianople , I had the Honour feveral times to converfe with this Venetian Ambadador; and becaule that then our moft general difeourfe was concerning the War of Candy , I learnt from him and feveral other Eminent Per- ionages of the Court, divers Particulars worthy Obferva- tion; of which I fhall here fet down the mod Memo¬ rable. One of the Principal Performances which the Law of Ma¬ homet enjoyns, is the Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. There is nothing that can legally difpence with it but an extream Po¬ verty: and it further lays a drift Injunftion upon thofe whom either Sicknefs, or Imployment, or other Occafions will not permit to go in Perfon, to make their Pilgrimage by Proxy ; that is, to (end to thole Places of Devotion, a Perfon on pur- poie, ro perform all thofe Duties which he himfelf ought to have done, could he have gone thither himfelf The 52 The Trave Is of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, The Ottoman Emperors are very pun&ual in the Difcharge of this Duty, as well for themfelves, as for their whole Fa¬ milies. They fend every year Confiderable Prefents to thofe Cities, of which they efleem it a High Honour to call them- felves the Lords and ProteBors: and thefe Prefents are fent fometimes by Land, and fometimes by Sea. In the year i 6 44. they were put aboard a great Galiion, which was to carry ! em to Cairo. Several Eunuchs and Women of the Serraglio were embark’d in the fame Veflel, together with the Grand Signior s Delegates, and a great Number of PafTengers and Souldiers. This Veflel putting to Sea from Conjlantincple, with ieveral other VefTcls under her Convoy , was let upon not far from Rhodes by the Galleys of Malta , and after a fierce Engagement taken. Neverthelefs the Galleys could not carry her off to Malta , by reafon that fhe leak’d in feveral places, as having receiv’d feveral Shot in the Fight} fo that they were forc'd to carry her into a Port of the Ifiand of Candy . Where they flopp’d her Leaks the bell they could, and took all the care imaginable to have carry’d her Home, but all to no pur- pofc; for Hie funk by the way. However the Cargo which they unladed into their Galleys was valu’d at a Million of Money. The News of the taking this Galiion put the Grand Signior into a Rage : infomuch that he threaten’d to exterminate all the Chriflians that were in Confljntinople, as well Ambaffa- dors and Foreign Minifiers, as others. And he thus menac’d all forts of Nations, becaufe, Paid he, the Galleys of Malta were Mann’d with Chriflians and Souldiers from all parts of Chriftendom. M. Soran^o, the Venetian Ambaffador at the Ottoman Court, prefently addrefs’d himfelfto the Minifiers of the Divan. For lie was in great hopes to divert the Storm from falling upon his Head, and to appeafe the Grand Signior by giving him to un- derfland, that there was not anyone Subjeft of the Republicf who was a Knight of Malta. The Ambaffadors of England and Holland made the fame Remonflrances. So that in all probability the Tempcft was like to fall upon M. de la Haye the Father, then Ambafiador of France. And queflionlefs he had feverely felt the Barbaroufnefs of the Turfs, and the Fury of the Grand Signior , if Givan Capigi Bacbi the Grand Vizier had not Warded off the Blow. Who being a Pei ion of great Wit, of firgular Worth, and Illtiflrious for his Defcent in Tnrfey. } as being dcfccndcd from a Family famous for Six Grand f Viziers, through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 5 / Viziers, took upon him to fecure the Ambaffador of France , the French and all the Chriftians that were at Constantinople , except the Venetians. He gave his Highnefs to underhand that the Venetians were the moft guilty, for having permitted the Galleys of Malta to bring in the Gallion into their Har¬ bours, and not fecuring it. By which means he turn'd all the Grand Signiois Wrath upon Candy , who thereupon determin’d to make that the Seat of his War. But this Refolution of his was privately carry’d, and the better to conceal his Defign, he difplay’d his intended Revenge only againfl: Malta . To which purpofe he proclaim’d open War againfl: that little Ifland, and order’d all his Forces to be in a readinefs hv the end of March 1 The Ambaffador o: l T nice lpar’d neither Induftry nor Pre¬ fen ts to penetrate the Truth of this Defign, whether it were real, or only a Trick to cover fome Enterprize again!! the ( \epublicl On the other fide, the AmbafTador of France af- lur’d him, that it was only a diflembl’d Pretence, and that the true Defign was upon Candy. But he gave no heed to his Intelligence, fufferifig himfelf to be deluded by the Affu- rances which the Grand Vizier gave him from time to time to the contrary. But toward the end of April the Ottoman Fleet confiding of Fourfcore Ships and as many Galleys, under the Command of Iffouf Captain Faff a, putting to Sea from Conflantinople , Landed in Candy , and in Ten F)ays took Canea. They who were acquainted with that fame General, affirm’d him to be a great Commander, and that he would have Conquer’d the Ifland in a fmall time, had he not been depriv’d of his Life and the Conduct of the War. For the Grand Signior being put i’th’ Head that Iffouf had Vaft Treafures, and that he could Conquer the reft of Candy without his Affiftance, caus’d him to be ftrangl’d at Conftantinople fome few days after his return. However his Highnefs had not only a great lofs by his Death, but mifs’d of the Treafures which he expended. In the following Years he fent other Armies into Candy under different Generals : and for the Succefs which they had, it is too well known, to fpeak more of it in this place. For it was neither to the Strength of the Ifland, nor the Weaknefs of the Turhy y that we are to aferibe the length of that War, which lafted Four and Twenty Years ; but to the ftrange Revolutions that happen’d in the Ottoman Court almoft the beginning of that Enterprize , and to the Wars of P Tran- The Tray els of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Tranfylvania and Hungary that laded till the Year 1 66^. But the Prince who undertook the Conqueft of Candy was Ibrahim, then about Two and Thirty Years of Age, who was advanc’d to the Empire Four Years before, contrary to his own and the Expedition of all the World. For he had been kept in a clofe Imprilonment during the Raign of Ofman, and Murat his Brothers ; the latter of which, alter he had caus’d his two younger Brothers to be ftrangl’d, when he faw himfelf near his End, commanded alfo that Ibrahim fliould be ftrangPd, who was the only Brother that remain’d. However this Ri¬ gorous Command was not put in Execution, for that Amurclh not having any Children, Ibrahim that was the only Remainder of the Ottoman Family, was alio Heir of the Empire. By the way we are to obferve, that the reafon which induc’d Amu- rat to let Ibrahim alone, and put his two other Brothers to death, though much younger, was his want of Wit, which rendring him unfit for Government, fecur’d him from any fear ol a Rebellion for his fake. So foon as he came to the Throne, he plung’d himfelf into all manner of Vice and Wick- ednefi. His Debaucheries, his Extortions, and his Cruelties renderd him Odious and infupportable to all his Subjefts. He feiz’d upon the Revenues of the Mofquees, and private Mens Eilates, without any difiin&ion of Sacred or Prophane, and frequently put to death fuch as he thought to be Rich, to the end he might with more eafe make himlelf Mafier of their Eflates, and all this to fupply the inordinate Expences of his Pleafures, and the excefilve Luxury of his Court. The Soul- cliers were ill paid; which caus’d ’em to mutiny, with a Re- folution to depofe Ibrahim in the Month of Augujl 1648. and to fet upon the 1 hrone Mahamcd his Elded Son, about leven Years of Age; fo that twelve Days after they ftrangl’d Ibra¬ him. I have already related, how that in the Minority of Ma - Lamed,, the Empire was Govern’d by Women and Eunuchs, who fill’d all the chief Places ofTruft, as they thought good themfelves, and particularly that of the Prime Minifter, till they gave it to Cnperly Mahomet who undertook the War of Tranfylvania. His Succefibr, who was his Son, began that of Hungary , which being ended by the Peace in the Year 1 66 as already has been laid, for the next two Years he clofely pur fil’d the War of Candy , where he found a longer and more vigorous Refiftance then he exposed. Had through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 5 5 Had Candy held out another Winter againft the Turks ^ ’tis not to be queftion’d, but that the Grand Vizier mu ft have been , forc’d to raife his Siege, and then ft range Commotions would have happen’d in the Empire. The Veterane janizaries were all either (lain or dead in the Siege: The reft would not budge a foot. The Turks murmur’d at the War ; and cry’d out that the Ottoman Forces were commanded to dadi out their Brains againft a Rock : The People of ConfiantinopJe were for advancing the Grand Signior s Brother to the Throne. His Highnefs was follicited to put the Grand Vizier to death, by means of fuch a Sacrifice to appeale the Fury of the People and Souldiery. Both the one and the other of thefe Changes had been fufficient to have rais’d the Siege. The Grand Vizier knew all this. So that he defpair’d of putting an end to the War : difmally afraid at once to lofe both his Honour and his Life. It is reported that he tore his very Hair from his Chin. However it is moft certain that it brought upon him a moft Incurable Diftemper, difficult to be nam d. It was an odd kind of feizure of the Heart, or faint¬ ing of the Spirits, caus’d by Fear, Affliction and Pannick Ter- rour. For which the Phylitians prefcrib’d him ro drink pure Wine without any Mixture ; which he did every day ; nor could any thing but that do him any good. When the News of the Surrender of Candy was brought to the Grand Signior , his Highnefs could not believe it j but when the Tydings were confirm’d, it tranfported him to fuch an Excefs of Joy, that rather feem’d ro be a fort of Frenzy for the time. And both Fie and the whole Court frequently re¬ peated thefe words, The Franks have had pity upon ZJs. The Tnrhy boafted upon the taking of Candy , That they had Conquer’d all Chrijlendom. Becaufe the Town had been defended by Soldiers and Volunteers from ali parts of Chrijien - dom j and they laid moreover, That the Siege had lafted three Years, for that all Chnflendom had been there, and done the utmoft of their Endeavours The moft ufeful and provident Preparation which the Grand VizAer made for the Siege, was to make his i\iaia , or Steward of his Hcufhold, High Trealurer of the Empire. For he knew the Love and Friendihip which that Lord had for him, and that for a need he would not fpare his Life to do him Service. And this fame Foreli^ht of his was the aaininn of the Place, La La c 7 _ ' and the fafeguard of his own Life. For the High Treaflirer would not fufifer any want to be in the Camp. Sheep were The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, there in great plenty at a Crown apiece. The Markets were ftor d with all Things neceftary for Food and Raiment. And Men car’d not what they gave, or what Fdlco’s they ventur’d, to carry Ammunition to a Place where Money abounded. By the Accompts which the Trcahirer brought into the Di¬ van of the Extraordinary Expences at Candy the three lad Years of the Siege, it appear’d that Seven Hunderd Thoufand Crowns had been fpent in Gifts to ffenegado's that turn’d Turks, or left the Rland, to recompence fuch Souldiers as had behav’d themfelves more bravely then others *, and to pay the Prizes fet upon the Chriftians Heads; which was half a Guinea for every Head. By that Accompt it appear’d that the Turks had made an Hunderd Thoufand Shot with their great Guns againft the Place ; and that there had been (lain before the Place Se¬ ven Bafba s, Fourfcore Captains and Colonels, 10400 Jani- faries, beiides other Souldiers and Troops of the Provinces, whofe Pay is not charg’d to the State. The Day that the Grand Vizier enter’d Candy , Signor Moline , who was fent by the (Republic^ to make a Peace with the Fort , Riding a’ one fide of him, the Grand Vi¬ zier told him, That the Grand Signior had paid dear for the Ijland of Candy. To whom Molino reply’d, That it had coft the Fepublick as much no lefs then the Lives of a Hunderd Thoufand Men, without reck’ning the French. The Grand Viruer ask’d him, Why the Place w T as not furrender’d fooner, in regard they had been but in a bad Condition a long time to hold it out. To whom the Ambaffador made anfwer, That the King of France had hinder’d the Surrender, by his Pro- mifes of Powerful Affiftance, and to declare a VVar againft the Turky. The Procurator Molino arriv’d in Candy in the Spring of the Year 1669. and lay at a place call’d Go%>t, not far from the Ifland. From whence he fent to offer the Grabufi y Spina Longa , Suda, and Tine Tflands of the Archipelago } Cliff a and other Places upon the Continent, the whole Expences of the War, and an Annual Tribute of Fifty Thoufand Crowns a Year for the City of Candy , lo that the %epublic\ might keep the pofteffion of it. To which th zGratid Tidier return’d for anfwer, That the Grand Vizier valu’d his Honour at a Higher Rate, then all the World be fide ; and therefore he would only have that Bit of a Rock, which his Highnefs had been la* bouring for above thefe Four and Twenty Years. Bui ihromh the Black-Sea^ and the Country of Colchis. 5 &_ 1 ____— k :___ But: it was Captain General Morofini who made the Truce With the Vizier } which he did without Molinos knowledge, or imparting to him the leaft Tittle concerning it Which Tranladtion of his had like to have coft Morofini his Life at Venice , but the large Sums of Money which he paid in one Night, deliver’d him from his Fears: For this General minded no other Intereft in Treating but the Publick Welfare. He nei¬ ther troubl’d himfelf about Religion or Trade: But wholly apply’d himfelf to what concern’d the Ifland of Candy , and the War, and agreed with the Vi%ier } that all other Things fhould remain in the fame Condition as before the Rupture. Which was the reafon that Signor Molino found it fo difficult to rebuild at Galata , part of the Suburbs of Conftantinople , the Venetian Church , that had been burnt down \ and labour’d io feduloufly to remove the Obftacles which he met with on every fide, that he dy’d in the midft of all his Toyl : but by Good-Luck the Work was afmoft finifh’d. He requir’d feve- ral other Things of the Grand Signior } as the Abatement of the Cuftoms, which the Venetians paid ; but could not obtain it. For, faid the Grand Vizier, Signor Molino , 4 The Alliance be- 4 tween the Tort and the Tyepublich^ is an Ancient Alliance, 4 and the Tort values it for its Antiquity. If you change fome 4 of the Articles, the Alliance will be a new one, for which 4 the Turks will never have that high efteem. Befides, if you 4 require Favours of the Grand Signior, he will demand fome- 4 thing more of you. Signor Molino underftood well enough what he meant, which was the Reafon he fpake not a word more of the Abatement of the Cuftoms, nor of changing the Ancient Capitulations. And thus I have giv’n a fair Idea of the Grand Viz.ier s Con¬ duct, not to fay any more in particular concerning his Perfon. But in regard it was to his Father, who was alio Grand Vizier 5 that he was beholding to for his Fortune and his Honour, I fhall in the firft place, and in few words, give an Accompc of the moft Remarkable Atchievements of that Renowned Vizier. He was call’d Cuperly Maba/ued Tafia, rais’d to that High Dignity by the Fantaftick Humour of the Women and Eu¬ nuchs who Govern’d during the Minority of Mahanied the Fourth. Before his Advancement, it was that which he leaft dreamt of; but when he was Invefted in his Imployment, CL he ‘The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, he began to confider the frequent Changes of the Grand Vi* %iers his Predeceflbrs almoft every three Months, and there¬ fore for the Prefervation of his Life and Dignity, he thought it his bed way to put to Death his Envyers and Competitors, and to let new Wars afoot, on purpoie to remove the Grand Signior from Constantinople , and to keep himfelf flill at the Head of an Army He began with the Serraglio , where he caus’d feveral Eu¬ nuchs to be ftrangfd ; and having in a little time made him¬ felf Matter of the Credulity and Attentions of the Young Prince, he perfwaded him, that to make himfelf Abfelute Soveraign of the Empire, to tree himlelf from the Fears of Tumult and Sedition, and prevent the Souldiery from making the fame Attempts upon him as they had done upon his Fa¬ ther, the bett way would be for his Highnefs to remove from the Capital City, where the People were Mutinous, and the Janizaries were Matters, and that he Ihould rid himfelf of all thofe Perfons that had depos’d his Father, and dipp’d their Parricide Hands in his Blood. In purfuance of this Projeft, Cuperly caus'd Vely Mffein Pafba to be ftrangfd, who had been General at Candy , and was accompted the moft Famous and Valiant Captain of the Empire. Then he remov’d the Court to Adrianople , and began the Tranfylvanian War, in re¬ gard the War in Candy would have call’d him too far from the Grand Signior s Perfon, not being as yet of Age to March at the Head of his own Armies. This Tratifylvanian War was fhort, and honourable for the Grand Vizier by the defeat of Prince Ragotsh^y^ and by the taking of Waradin , though it coft him the Blood of the chciceft Ottoman Troops, and the braveft of their Officers* He return’d ViS’ea, and the Country ^Colchis. Mourh of the Channel j who before made frequent Inro ids into it with their Barks, almoft within fight of Conjlanti - ncple. The i 7th by break of day I embark’d, our Veffel being then under Sail. Above Fourfcore Veffels of different Bur¬ thens put to Sea at the fame time. In ours there were about Two Hunderd Men •, the Commander of A*z>ac with his Train, to the Number of Twenty 5 a Hunderd Janifaries, Thirty Ma¬ riners, and Fifty Paffengers. I had three Cabbins, two for my Comrade and my l'elf, and the third for oiir Goods. Our Servants lay upon the Deck. Their Cabbins are very narrow and incommodious; ours being at the Prow. There were in all Thirty two in the Saic y with a great Cabbin for the Cap¬ tain very fpacious and handfomely fiirniftfd ; wherein Ten Perfons might lodge very conveniently. But that which is very inconvenient in the Turkifh Veffels is this, That they make no Provifion of any thing for Subfiftance, not fo much as of Wood and Water j for the reft might well be endur’d. Every one has his Liberty to drefs his Vittles three or four times a day. The Fire Place is upon the Deck near the Poop: where they who have any thing to drefs carry their Kettle, their Wood and their Water. So that I have feen about Eigh¬ teen Pots together upon the Fire. Their Places of Eafement are with outfide of the Ship near the Poop, like Cages, which they take off and hang on as they pleafe themfelves. The Saks have no more then one Deck. Nor but two Mafts with a Boltfprit; that is, a Main Maft and Mizen. Thefe Mafts carry but two Sails, and for the moft part but one. They have no Shrouds but one that is very ftnall, which is fix’d to the Main Maft, and hangs down upon the DecL They have no Skuttles at the top of their Mafts. So that the Turkifh Seamen never run up to the Yards Arms to furl or loofen their Sails, which is needlefs, becaufe the Yards Arm is always below upon the Deck j fo that when they would take the Wind, they only draw up the Yards Arm to which the Sail is fix'd. The Top-Sail is ty'd to the Yards Arm, and when they would make ufeof ir, they pull up the Yards Arm with a Pully faften’d to the Top-Maft-Head. Thus it may be eafilv feen that they neither underftand the life of the Yard- J Arms nor Mafts of a Ship Neither have they in thefe Veffels either Pumps to pump out the Water, nor Capftalls to weigh their Anchors ; but they empty out their Water with Pales: and then when they weigh S An- 66 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a 3 Anchor, there are Twenty or Thirty Men that take hold of the Anchor-Cables that run through twofmall Pulleys faden’d to the Prow of the Ship, and draw up the Anchor with all their Might, till it be high enough. When a Vefiel enters la¬ den into any Port, they fix four Anchors, two to her Poop, and two to her Prow, and fo let her lie. And this is all I have obferv’d in reference to the Building and Rigging of thefe fort of Veflels among the Turks. As lor their Navigation there is nothing of Art, nor Security in it: The bed of the Ttirkijk or Greeks Pilots depend only upon a bare Experience, without any Foundation of Rules. They never make any ufe of Sea-Carts, nor ever make thofe exa6i Obfervations, like our Seamen, of the Ships way every day let down in journals, by which Obfervations they know how far they are from the place whither they intend. < They underdand very little of the Compafs } only they know that the Flowre de Luce always tends toward the North. When they are to make any Voyage they flay for a good Wind and fair Weather. Nor do they, when that is come, prefently put to Sea till they have (laid eight or ten Hours to fee whether the Weather will hold or no : and generally they Sail along i by the Shore, having the Land always in fight. But when they are forc’d to take the Main Sea, then they make ufe of the Compafs: To which purpofe they know either by report or experience upon which hand they ought to have the North, that they may gain fuch a Harbour; which is all they have to guide ’em 5 for more then this they know not. Were they to make long Voyages in the open Sea, hardly one Ship would efcape a Tempeft, which they happily avoid, keeping as much as they can within fight of Land, or near fome Harbour. When the Wind is very high, they furl their Sails, and let the Veflel drive with the Waves. If the Wind be contrary, they never drive againd it, but vere about, and rather return from whence they came, then endure the Violence of a contrary Sea. That which ruines ’em, is when the Wind blows ’em upon the Shore ; for then they are fo out of heart, that they iplit immediately not knowing what it is to lie by. I have heard feveral old Tnrkiflj Captains affirm, That there are Fifteen Hunder’d Veflels upon the tBlack^Sea , of which they lofe a Hunderd every Year. The mod dangerous place where Shipwracks are mod to be fear’d being at the En* trance of Bofphorm. through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. The Entrance into it is very Narrow, where generally the VVines encounter one another; of which there is one that dill keeps back the Veffels, which if it be violent dings ’em upon theCoaft which is full of fliarp Rocks; to the lofs of fo many Galleys and Ships that their Number is hardly to be numberd. *Tis but a little while fince that no lefs then feventeen Galleys were call away in one day. And there is no queftion but that the frequent Storms that arife at all feafons in the Blacky- Sea , the Surges fhort, and cutting one upon another, its (freight and narrow Channel, and the dangerous Coafts that in part furround if, are the chief caufe of the feveral Ship- wracks that happ’n there. On the other lide there is no doubt alfo but that skilful Pilots and good Seamen would fave above hall the Veftels which are there loft. The Third of Juguft in the Morning we arriv’d at Cajja, after a Voyage of eight days, all which time we had very fair Weather and little Wind. Upon the Fifth we fpy’d the Point of the Tauric Cherfonnefe . For the Greeks call that a Cberfonnefe , which the Latins call a Beninfula, and they gave that Name to this almoft Taurzc ftland, becaufe it was firft inhabited by the Scythians of Mount Taurus. It lies toward the Eaft and Well,being about 250 Leagues in Circuit ; that is, 35 Leagues in length, which I take from the North to the South , and Leagues in the broadeft part. But the iflhmus that joyns it to the Continent is not above a League in breadth. The Mo¬ dern Geographers call it Grim Tartary and Precopenfzan Tar¬ tary. As much as to fay Tartary full of Towns to diftinguifh the Tartars of this Beninfula that live for the moft part in Cities, efpecially all the Winter long, from thofe other Euro¬ pean Tartars , which inhabit without the Teninfula , call’d No- gays, as alfo Hordes or Hordou , a word which fignibes an Affembly, and of which the Turks and Berjians generally make ufe to fignifie the Camp of an Army, or the Numerous Train of a Court. The Country belonging to thefe two forts of Tartars , Brecops and Nogays , is that which we call the Leffer Tartary to diftinguifh it from the Afiatick^ Tartars that inhabit beyond the Lahg Mreotis , to the Eaft of the Cafpiah Sea , and thence as far as China. The Sea-Coaft of this Precopens Peninfula , to fpeak of that part which (hoots fartheft into the Sea as far as Caff a, confifts of very high Shears, and Mountains cover’d with Woods and Villages. And by the Aecotnpt of the Seamen, it is from Con - flantinople to Caffa through the BlacJ^Sea^ 750 Miles. Tho I 7 he Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, know nor how they reck’n, nor how it can agree, with what frequently happens, for the Sates to make the Voyage in two Days and two Nights juft. And therefore by my Accompt it is no more then Two Hunderd Leagues. Upon our coming to an Anchor, our Vefiel fir’d two Guns, and the Commander ddign’d for J%ac made all his Musketeers give the Caftle a Volley. Which done, he went afhoar with the Officers that were come to receive him in the Bajba? s Name. Both the Ci¬ ty and Port are very free ; for you have Liberty to go in and out, never asking any leave : Nor do they come aboard to fearch the VefTels. But when a Ship drops her Anchor, feve- ral Boats make from the Haven to carry thofe afhoar that are defirous to go. Gaff'd is a great Town built at the bottom of a little Hill upon the Sea-fhoar. It extends it felf more in length then breadth, lying in length very diretftly from the South to the North, encompafs d with very ftrong Walls,that advance a little into the Sea, which is the reafon that when we take a Prolpeft of the City from the upper part of the Deck, it feems to be built like a Half-Moon. The Caftle upon the South fide ftands upon a Rifing Ground that commands all the parts thereabout, being very large, and the Refidence of the Bafba . The other is not fo big, but well ftor’d and defended with great Guns ; the Sea wafhing that fide which is next to it. They reck’n about 4000 Houfes to be in Caff a } of which 3200 are inha¬ bited by Mahumetans, Turks and Tartars , and 800 by Christi¬ ans, Greeks and Armenians j though the Armenians are more numerous then the Greeks . The Houfes are but final!, and all built of Earth, as are alfo their Bazars or Market-places, their Publick Stru&ures, Mofquees, and Baths. There is not one Building of Stone in all the City, except eight Churches fome- what gone to decay, formerly built by the Genoefes . This Caff a was once call’d Theodofia , which the Greeks built in the fifth Age. Afterwards it fell under the Dominion of the Ge- noefes , with feveral other Sea-Port Towns in feveral parts of that Sea, in the Thirteenth Age, in the time of the Holy War, and during the weak and low Condition of the Eaftern Emperors. But Mahomet the Second won all thofe Places from the Genoefes toward the end of the Sixteenth Age; Caffa being taken in the Year 1 ^74. The Soyl about Caffa is Dry and Sandy 5 nor is the Water good ; but the Air is very pure and wholfom. There are very few Gardens about it, nor is there but little Fruit. How¬ ever through the Black-Sea, and the Country ^Colchis* 69 ever they bring" great Quantities from the Neighbouring Vil¬ lages, though it cannot be faid to be very delicious. How¬ ever I do not know whether there be any other City in the World where other Provifions are cheaper and better. Their Mutton is exceeding well-tafted, and not above one Farthing a Pound. Their other Provifions of Bread, Fruit, Wild Fowl, and Butter, is fold proportionably at a cheaper Rate. Salt is as good as giv’n ye \ and in a word, whatever is necefiary for Human Suftenance cofts little or nothing. Neverthelefs by the way take notice, that Frefii Fifii is a very great Rarity, and very fmall whatever that they catch in the parts round about the Harbour, and that only at certain times, as in Autumn and the Spring. Almofi: all the Turks and Tartars that live in the Town wear little Bonnets of Cloath fac’d with Sheepskins. But in regard that over all Afia Bonnets are moft ufually worn among the Chriflians , thofe of Caffa are oblig’d to fallen to theirs a little piece of Cloath, fuch as the Jews in Germany wear upon their Cloaks, to diftinguifii ’em from the Maho¬ metans. The Road of Cajfa is flielter’d from the Winds, except it be to the North and South-Eafl: and the Ships lie at Anchor neat the Shoar in Ten and Twelve Fathom Water, Ouzie at the bottom and very fafe. There is alfo a great Trade driven there, more then in any other Port belonging to the Blacky Sea. During the Forty Days that I Raid there, I faw come in and go out above Four Hunderd Sail of Ships, not count¬ ing little Velfels that keep clofe to the Shoar. The moll ufual and moll confiderable Trade which they drive confifis in Salt Filh, and Caveare, which comes from the Lake Maeotis , and is thence tranfported into Europe , and as far as the Indies. ’Tis incredible what a World of Fifii is caught in that Lake, confi- dering its extent. And the reafon which the Country People give lor the Infinite Multitude of Fifii there bred and taken, is this, For that the Water of that Lake being muddy, thick, and not very fait, becaufe of the Tanais that empties it felf in¬ to it, it invites not only the Fifii out of Tanais and the Blacky Sea , but alfo out of the Hellefpont ana the Archipelago *, where they breed and grow fat in a fmall time. Several Perfons have allur’d me, That they ufually catch Fifii in that Lake, which weigh every one Eight and Nine Hunderd Pounds, and of which they make between three and four Hunderd weight of Caveare. ’Tis true, I never faw any fuch large Fifii alive at Caff a ; however I am apt to believe it, by the pieces of T Fifii 7 ° The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perils, Fifh which I have feen, and the vaft Quantities which they export into a Thoufand Places. Their Fifhing lafts from Octo¬ ber till April. And perhaps it is the Mudd of that Water of Meeotis which makes ’em call it a Merfh ; for otftejr wife it would be more properly call’d a Lake, in regard it bears VefFels of Burden, nor do the Waters rife or fall, and beftdes that it continually partakes of a great River and the Sea. Next the Exportation of Gaveare and Fifh, the mo ft con- fiderabie Trade is driv’n in Corn, Butter and Salt, with which this City furnifhes Conflantinople , and feveral other places. The Caff a Butter is the beft in all Turkey. The Venetians have feveral times defir’d leave to Trade to this Town ; but it would never be granted. In the Year 1672. Signor Quirini was at great Expences to obtain it, and he had obtain'd it indeed, but the Guftomer of Conflantinople caus’d the Licence to be revok’d upon this Occafion. All the Europeans have it agreed in their Capitulations, That they fhall pay no Cuftoms, but in fuch places where they un¬ lade their Goods. By Virtue of which Article the Venetians would pay no Cuftoms at Conflantinople for Goods that came in a Imall Veftel bound for Caff a , which the Farmer of the Cuftoms claim’d. And Signor Quirini obtain’d an Or¬ der from the Defterdar to the Farmer , not to take any Cog¬ nizance of what was in the faid Venetian Veftel : ('Which Defterdar is the High Treafurer of the Empire 5 and has all the Cuftoms under his Infpe&ion.) But the Cuftomer feeing this Order, wrote to the Vizier , That the Trade of the Venetians into the Tlacb^Sea, would be very prejudicial to the Grand Signior and the Tort , and that the particular Damage to his Highnels was moft vifible, in regard the Merchandize which is proper for the Blacl^Sea and brought from Venice pays Cuftoms twice, at their coming into the Tort of Conflantinople , and going out. That it was the fame thing as to the Com¬ modities that were brought out of that Sea, and which the Ve¬ netians Export, all which the Grand Signior would lofe if the Venetians had Liberty to Trade thither, in regard that by Vir¬ tue of their Capitulations, they ought to pay no Cuftoms but where they difeharge their Merchandifes. Beftdes , that to permit the Venetians an Entrance into the Tlach^Sea, was to open a new way for the Chnflian Princes to Correfpond and Confederate with the Princes whofe Dominions border upon thofe Seas who arc all Enemies to the Tort. And laftly, ‘f* That through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchu 7 That it behov’d him to confider that fuch a Permiffion \muld ruine a great Number of Seamen, of the Grand Signiors Sub* je£ta, as well Tnrkj as Chriflians , for that in regard there is niote Security in the European Navigation then in the Tnrtyjb , the Venetians would have all the Carriage of Goods through the Blacky Sea, and every one would Ship his Goods in their Veflels. The Grand Vizier was fenfible of this; and there¬ fore gave Orders to the Governor of Confiantinopfe not to let any Venetian Ship pafs into the Blach^Sea. The 30th my Grecian Guide unladed my Goods, Baggage, and whatever belong’d to me out of the Ship that brought me to Caff a-, and Ship’d it aboard another Veffel bound for Colchis Which done, he went to the Cnflomer of Caffa , and told him, That there were two French Papa's aboard the Veflel of A c z*ac i who were defirous to Embark themfelves in another Veflel, being bound for Mingrelia. Thatthofe Papa's carry’d feveral Trifles along with ’em, as Books, and other Things of no va¬ lue, for the life of a Monaftery 5 and that if the Cnflom- Houfe thought fit, that he ffiould fend fome of their Offi¬ cers to fearch the Ship. For the Oriental Christians as well as the Turkg, call Tapa's all manner of Ecclefiaftical Perlons that Officiate in Holy Orders, whether Single or Married ; and therefore my Guide thought fit that my Companion and my felf fhould both take upon us the Title of Papa's. / m To that purpofe our Gree\ made ’em believe, that we were going to the Italian Mijflonaries in Colchis , and that we were of their Fraternity. However the Cnflomer fent his Officers aboard to fearch our Packs } and our Greeks came along with him. Prefently I open’d two Chefts before the Searcher ; who put his Hand into one that was full of only Books, Pa¬ pers , and Mathematical Inftruments, and finding nothing more at the Bottom, then what he faw at the Top, fell a laughing, and ask’d the Man that brought him, If fuch Rub- biffi as that were worth carrying out of Europe into Mingrelia ? With that I fumbl’d out one of thole Pieces that are worth Three Shillings, like a Man that had not much to fpare, but look’d upon five or fix of thofe Pieces to be a great Treafiire, and prelented the Searcher with it; who refus’d it at firlt, but took it at laft, when I told him ’twas only to pay for his Boat, which he could not denyj and fo went away without more ado* My Guide went along with him, and heard the Re¬ port which he made to the Cuftomer, That we had nothing but 7 2 The T^aveis of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, but a few Books and Papers* with fome few Toys of Brafs and Wood that were of little or no Value, At the end of two Hotirs my faithful Guide return’d,and told me, That to protedl usabfolutely from any further danger of the Cujiomers , it behov’d us to give the Clerk of the Vefiel as much as we had giv’n the Searcher } in regard the Clerk took an exaft Note of all that was embark’d, and gives it every Even* ing to the Cuftomer , who keeps it for a Control : to which I anfwer’d, That he might do what he thought fit. Thereup¬ on prefently calling to the Clerk, Thou feeft, faid he, that the Searcher has found nothing in the Franks Tapas Chefts. They have one more full of Papers, and five or fix Boxes of Pictures for their Church. That they did not op n ’em be- caufe the Air fpoils the Colour of the Painting, and becaufe the Pictures were carefully ty’d up in Bundles j and therefore I defire thee to accept of this Three Shillings which they give thee, and to put down in thy Note no more then the two Chefts which the Searcher has feen, without taking Cogni¬ zance of the reft, llpon which he let us carry away all that \Vt had, and bid us, Farewel in the Name of God . So that we carry’d oft*all our Goods in two Boats, and put ’em aboard the Ship that Was bound for Mingrelia . Nor did any Body demand any thing of us. For the Cuftomers, and the Seamen of the Ship which We left as well as of the other Vefiel where¬ in we embark’d again, really believ’d us to be ( Papds y and that all we carry’d With us was of little worth : that the Sacks wherein I told ’em were our Provisions were full of no¬ thing elfe befide. For there are certain Slights and Shifts which we cannot fo well fet down , that are abfolutelv neceflary for thofe that travel Turkey , that they who can make a right ufe of may pafs lecurely and without trouble. For thereby we avoid Forfeitures and ill ufage, and we free our felves dex- troufly from the Cuftom-Houfes, which take ’em all together, are none of the levereft But after all, it requires Good Luck, that is to fay, a prudent Conduft and a Contrivance proper to the Genius of the Turks ; and a Man mu ft alio be fare to watch his Opportunities. The 2^th of Angujl, the Vefiel that brought us to Cajja , fet Sail for the Fortrefs of dx,ac, with three Saics of the fame Burden in her Company* The New Commander would not have had her fet Sail till the return of the Conrrier which he had lent to the Fortrefs, to know whether they were at Peace with the Mnfcovitef y and whether there were any Pirates or not — through the Blade--Sea, and the Country of Colchis* 73 not Cruifing upon the Lake Mccotis. The People of Cajfa reck’n it 450 Miles from thence to A%ac e though it be not fo much by Land, in regard they travel it eafily in TwelvU or Thirteen Days As for the Streight of the Lake Maotis, or rather the Channel between the Lake and the BlacfySea, it is about five Leagues in length. Which Channel was by the Ancients calf d the Cimmerian Bofphorus ; but now the Moderns call it the Steight of Caffa, and alfo the Mouth of St. John. The great Veflels that go to Azac put in at Talejba, which is For¬ ty Miles from the Fortrefs^ and Twenty from the River Ta¬ nais ; for that there is not Water deep enough for ’em to Sail any farther. The Fortrefs of A%ac is Fifteen Miles from the River: And it is very dangerous and hazardous to fend either Men or Money to that Place 5 for they are attack’d by ftrong Parties of the Mufcovites as well by Sea as by Lana. The Commanders of this Fortrefs make always Leagues with the Neighborhood, though they feldom laft long : for that either of one fide or t’other there arife every day new Occafions to break ’em. The Turfy have two little Fortreffes where they keep Garifon at the Mouth of the Tanais upon the Banks of that great River which the Ancients call’d Otxentes , and which the People of the Cohntry call Von, being about Fourfcore Leagues in length. They Fortifie the Mouth of this River with a vail Chain, to prevent the Mufcovites and Circajpans front Roving with their great Barks upon the Lake and the Vlacfy Sea. For before thole two Fortrefles were built, and this Chain fatten'd athwart the River, thofe People came down with their Boats and Cruis’d about all over thofe Seas. But there is a ftop now put to their great Velfelsi However in the Night-time, and by the power of Number, they fome- times force their fmaller Barks over the Chain i but ’tis very rarely that they will venture, for fear of being funk by the Shot from the two Forts. There was alfo formerly another Fort three Leagues off* from the Merfb call’d Tana , belonging to the River Tanais ; but it is now ruin’d } nor is it A^ac, as fome would have it to be, which is fifteen Leagues diftant from it. The 30th our Veflel put to Sea, and Sail’d to a place call’d Vonjlow , or the Salt-Pits} which are great Merjhes of Sait up¬ on the Shoar fifty Miles from Caffa. We arriv’d there the 31 tt in the Morning : Immediately all the People went to Lade Salt} for there was no Guard kept upon it} and they allur’d us that Two Hunderd Vefifels were Laden there every Year tt with The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia* with Salt, and that there was enough for twice as many if there were occafion. Thefe Salt-Pus are fupply’d without any Charges : For they only let ; n the Water into the Merfb 5 which-is a fat and hard Eart at the bottom. There it con¬ geals antFbecomes a white Salt, which has all the good Qua¬ lities of Salt, and among he reft that it preferves the Moi- fture of Salted Meats. They only pay Three Shillings a Day to thofe that they employ to lade the Salt, without any fur¬ ther Examination how much they carry away. About a Mile from the Shear there is a Habitation of the Tartars ; whither I went with fome of my Servants to buy Provifions, but I did not fee in all that place above Ten or Twelve Houfes with a little Mofquee. Only round about it there was a great Number of Tents, Round and Square very well clos’d, together with feveral Wagons dole and cover’d, which ferve ’em in ftead of Houles, The faireft of their Tents were very handfome, being made of Round Poles lay’d a crofs one upon another, and cover’d without with large Furs very light and well ftretch d. The Door is made after the lame Manner, with an opening at the Top, for the Light to come in, and the Smoak to go out. The Door is fhut with a piece of Felt. The inlide is Hung with Tapeftry, and the Floor cover’d alfo with the lame. Every Family has one Tent of the fame Falhion and two others. The other is cover’d with a great Sarpler of Wooll, for their Cattel and Horfes. The o.her cover’d with the fame, but not fo handfome, and much larger ; in the midft of which is a round Pit five Foot deep and two Foot wide, and there it is that they drefs their Vitrles. Here their Slaves lie, and here they keep their Pro- vifions for the Family. The Tartars llore up their Corn and their Forrage, as do all the Country People in the Eaft, in deep Pits under Ground which they call Amber , or Maga¬ zines. Which they cover fo exa&ly, that you cannot difeern where they have remov’d the Earth, fo that only they that made the Pits can tell where to find ’em, The Tartars dig thefe Pits either in their Tents or in the Field ; and as I have laid they cover thefe Pits lo like the reft of the furface of the Earth round about it, that you cannot perceive where they broak the Ground. When they remove their Quarters, they do it prelently and without any Trouble ; their Tents being pull’d down and lad’n in lefs then Half an Hour. Their moll ulual Carriage is by Oxen and Horles of which they breed a Great Number. The People profefs the Mahmmtan Religion -f but through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 75 bat intermix’d with ftrange Superftitions and Ridiculous Opi¬ nions of Fortune Telling and Divination. The 2d of September the Wind blew hard and contrary, fo that we were conftrain’d to return for Caffa, in regard the Coaft where we lay was very dangerous. The Seventh at Midnight we put again to Sea with fair Weather,which did not long continue For in the Morning rofe a moft furious Tempeft, infomuch that we were afraid of be¬ ing call away; and that which encreas’d our fears was this, that our Vefiel was very deep Loaden, not only the Hold be¬ ing lull, but Twelve Foot High above Deck. But the Storm, thanks be to God, was loon over, and that which fav’d us was this, that the Wind was with us. Our Ships Lading confifted in Salt, Fifti, Caveare , Oyl, Bifcuite, Wooll, Iron, Tin, Copper, Copper and Earthen Ware, in all forts of Harnefs, Arms, lltenftls of Husbandry, Cloth, Linnen of all Colours Habits for Men and Women, Coverlets, Carpets, Leather, Boots and Shooes, and in a word in all things mod: neceffary for Mans Life. There were all forts of Grocery and Pothecary’s Ware, Spices, Perfumes, Drugs and all manner of Oyntments. So that the VefTel feem’dto be a little Town, where every thing was to be had ; befides the People that were aboard, to the Number of a Hunderd, The 8th in the Morning we dilcover’d the Coafts that bound the Lake Meeotis , which were very High Lands about 30 Miles diftant from us. In the Evening we found our felves near Cape Cuodos which Ptolomy calls Cirocondoma , lliouting out far into the Sea; the flioar being all very High Land, and feen a great way off. From Caff a to this Point, we fail’d all along in the Channel, from whence to Mingy elia we always kept along by the fhoar. It is Six and Twenty Mile from Caffa to the Channel of the Lake MSea* and the Country of Colchis, jq ther City which they call Fajfo , in the place where Colchis flood j but this I know my felf to be a grand Milfake. All the Oriental People call Colchis Odifche , and the Colchi- ans Mingrelians \ though I could never underftand the Ety^- mology of either of thofe Words. The Country it felF is unequal) full of Hills and Mountains, Valleys and Plains, which caufes great variety of Profpedt, and it fifes infenfibly from the Sea-flioar. It is almod all over cover’d with Woods, except the Fields that are Manur’d, which are not very many : and befides, the Woods are fo thick and tall, and the Trees grow lb fall, that if they did not grub up the Roots that fpread themfelves into the Till’d Land, and the High-ways, the whole Country in a fliort time would be nothing but a Thick Foreft altogether Impaflable. The Air is temperate as well in re- fpe& of the Heat as Cold, but very moift and very unwhol- fom in regard of the extream wet Weather \ for it rains there almod perpetually. In Summer the Moidure of the Earth, being heated by the Sun, infers the Air, and caufes not only frequent Pedilences, but feveral other Didempers and Did eafes. Therefore infupportable to Strangers. For it reduces ’em to a Ghadly Leannefs, and renders ’em in a Years time yellow, juiedefs and faint. The Natives of the Country,more us’d to the Climate, are not fo much incommoded by it, lor the time that they live, which is feldom above Threefcorc Years. Cokhis abounds with Water-Streams, which fall from the Mountains of Cancafus, and dilcharge themfelves into the Blacky Sea. The Principal Rivers are Codours , which is that Corax J have already mention’d m , the Soco ///, which I take to be the Terfcen of Arrian , and the Thajferis of Ttolomy j the Langur , call’d by the Ancients Aflolphus j the Cohi , by Arrian call’d Cobo , which before it enters into the Sea, meets with another River call’d Cianifcari , which was the Ancient Cianem. The 'Tachenr which Arrian calls Sigamm j The Schenifcari , that is to lay, The LLiver Horfe , fo call’d from the Rapidnels of its courfe, and which the Greeks for the fame Realon call Hipputy and the Abafcia to which Strabo gives the Name of GLinens , Arrian that of Caries , and Ltolomy that of Caritrn. Thefe two Rivers intermix with Shafts, about Twenty Miles from the place where it dilcharges it felf into the Sea. I have fet down as well the Ancient as Modern Names of the Mingrelian Rivers, in regard that all the Hidorical Geographers, efpccially Arrian , and feveral of the Moderns place ’em ill. But befides thefe Rivers there are are fome others of Idler note ; of which J 80 The Tray els of Sir John Chardin into Perfia* I fay no more, for that before they fall into the Sea, they lofe themlelves in thofe larger Torrents already mention’d. The Soyl of Colchis is very bad, and produces little Com or Pulfe. The Fruits are almoft all wild, without any tafte, and very unwholfom ; and yet there grow in Colchis almoft as many forts as we have in France. T hey have alio very large Melons, but they are worth very little or nothing. The only Fruit that thrives belt in this Country are their Grapes; of which there is great Plenty. The Vines grow about the Trees, and run up to the very Top of the Boughs. I have feen fome Stocks of thefe Vines that have been fo large, that I could hardly compals ’em with both my Arms. They prune their Vines every four Years, and as for the Wine of Mingrelia I mull needs fay it is mod excellent. It is ftrong, and has a very good Body ; pleafing to the Tafte, and comfortable to the Stomach. Nor do I know where there is better in any part of Afia. So that if the Country People knew how to make Wine fo well as we do, theirs would be the beft in the World. But they never take any pains at all with it. They only hollow the larger Trunks of great Trees, which £hey make ufe of in ftead of Tubs. In thofe they bruife and fqueeze the Grapes, and then poiir out the Juyce into great Earthen jarrs, which they bury in their Houfes, or elfe hard by. Thefe Veffels contain about two or three Hunderd Quarters. And when the Veflel is full, they clofe it up with a Woodden Co¬ ver, and then lay the Earth upon it. For indeed they cover thefe Urns juft after the fame manner as I have told ye that the Eaftern People cover the Pits where they ftore up their Corn. The Earth is fo moift in Mingrelia in Seed-time, that for fear of foftning too much the Land where they fow their Wheat and Barley, they never Plough it at all. They only call; their Grain upon the Top of the Earth, and that is fuffi- cient: for it comes up without any farther trouble, taking root a foot deep in the Mould. The Mingreltans moreover affirm, That fhould they Plough their Ground where they fow their Barley and Wheat, it would be fo foft that the leaf!: Wind would lodge the Stalks, fo that they would never be able 'to rife again. Their other Lands they plough, and fow their other Grain with Ploughs and PloughOiares of Wood, which make however as deep Furrows as if they were of Iron, by reafon of the foftnefs and moifture of the Earth, as [ have already faid. Their through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 8 Their ufual Grain is O&m : which is a fort of Grain as final! as Coriander Seed, and very much relembles Millet. Which they fow in the Spring-time alter the fame manner as they do Rice : for they make a Hole in the Ground with their Finger, then put in the Grain and cover it. This Grain produces a Stalk about the bignefs of a Mans Thumb, and grows up as high as mod Men are tall ; at the end of which there is an Ear that contains above Three Hunderd Grains : And indeed the Gm-Stalk is very like to the Sugar-Cane. They gather this Grain in O&ober , and prefently lay it upon high Hurdles expos’d to the Sun *, which they do to dry it. After it has been Twenty Days upon the Hurdles, they bind it up in Sheaves; but they thrafh it only as they have occafion to boy! it, and they never boyl it, but juft before they go to eat it. It is infipid and heavy. Yet is it prefently bayl’d, and in lefs then half an hour after it is put into the Water, they ft it it foftly with a Stick ; and after it has ftood never fo little upon the Fire, it turns into Paft. When the Grain is all diffolv/d, and the Paft well wrought together, they leffen the Fire, let the Water boyl away, and the Paft harden and dry in the Skellet where it was boyl’d. This Paft is very white *, and feme there is, which they make as white as Snow. They ferve it upon little Woodden Peels made on purpofe. And this lort of Bread the Turks call Pajia, the A dingreliatiS) Gom , being eafily brok’n between the Fingers t but it is of a very cold and laxative Quality ; nor is it worth any thing, after it is once cold, or when it is heated a fecond time. However the Circajpans , Mingrelians , and Georgian who are Tributary to the Turfy-, the Abcas , the Mountaineers of Caucaftts, and all that inhabit the Coafts of the BlacfySea from the Lake Moeotis to Trebifond , live all upon this Paft. ’Tis all the Bread they have, nor have they any other ; and indeed they are fo accuftorrfd to it, that they prefer it be- fore Bread made of Wheat, as I have obferv’d in moft parts of thofe Countries which I have feen. Nor do I wonder at k ; for when Neceffity conftrain’d me to make it my Food, I found it fo acceptable to my Palate, that I could hardly leave it, when I came where I met with our ufual Bread. Befides, I found my felf very well, and my Body in a better Condition of Health then before. In Armenia and Georgia I faw a great many of the Turfyfb and Georgian Lords, and among the reft the Prince of Tiftles and the Bajha of Afyl%ify, who fent for this Grain and eat it for a Delicacy : but it requires good ftore Y of The 'Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, of Wine to wafh it down, to correct and temper its cold and laxative Quality. Befides this Gom y they have in Mingrelia great plenty of Millet, fome Rice, with Wheat and Barley, but very fcarce. The People of Quality many times eat Wheaten Bread for a Dainty 5 but the meaner fort never fo much as tafle of it. The ordinary Food of the Country is Beef and Pig ; of which latter they have an extraordinary plenty, and thatfo good, that the World does not afford better. There is alfo Goats Flefh, but very lean, neither is it well tailed. Their Wild-Fowl is very good, but very fcarce. While I was there, there was hardly any to be got, by reafon that the Wars had harals’d all the Country. For Fifh, there is none but Salt-Fifh, which is brought from Turkey } Tunny Fifh, and fome few fmall Quantities of other Fifh at certain feafons of the Year. Their Venizon in Mingrelia is the Wild Boar, the Hart, the Stag, the Fallow Deer and Hare : which is fo excellent that there can¬ not be better Food. Partridge they have alfo, Pheafants and Quails in abundance, fome River-Fowl, and Wild Pigeons, which are very good Meat, and as big as ourCramm d Chicken. The Mingrelians catch thefe Pigeons with Nets, and take great Numbers of ’em in Autumn , for in the Winter they return to the Mountains of Caucafus. The Nobility of Mingrelia fpend their whole time in the Field : and their chiefefl delight is in Birds of Prey, which they tame and afterwards make ufe of for their fport. And indeed it may be truly faid that thefe Birds of Prey are no where in the World in greater Numbers then in Mingrelia , as Lanner-Hawks, Gos-Hawks, Hobbies and others, which build and breed in Mount Caucafus. The young Ones, as foon as they are fledge, refort to the Forefls round about, where they take great Numbers, and reclaim ’em in five or fix days. But of all their Flights, that which yields the rnofl delight¬ ful Paflime, is that of the Faulcon at the Heron. For River- Fowl and Pheafants they only make ufe of their Sparrow-Hawks. To which purpofc, as they do in Ferfia an dTurkey, they carry a little Drum at the Pummel of their Saddles to put up the Wild-Fowl with the Noiie, and then let fly their Hawks at the Game. When they take any Herons, they only cut off the Feathers upon their Heads to make Heron Tufts for Bonnets, and then let 'em go again : for the People of the Country af¬ firm, that the Feathers grow again.as fair and as beautiful as they were at firil. Befides the Fowl already nam'd, and which are through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. are ro be found in Mingrelia , there are other drange Fowl as well for their Shape as Feathers, altogether unknown in our parts} and not only thofe, but a great Number of Eagles and Pelicans. All which Caucafm produces, beddes a great Num¬ ber of Wild Beads, as Tigres, Leopards, Lyons, Wolves, and Chacallfj which are Creatures much refembling Foxes, only that they are, much bigger, and their Hair is much more thick and (baggy: and fome will have this Chacal to be the Hy^na of the Ancients. For it digs up dead Bodies, and devours both living Creatures and Carrion. They bury their Dead in the Eadern Country without Coffins, only in their Winding- Sheets. And therefore I have feen ’em in fome parts rowl great Stones over the Graves of the Deceas’d, only for fear of thefe Beads to prevent ’em from digging up the Graves, and devouring the dead Bodies. For Mingrelia is full of thefe Cha - calls and Wolves ; infomuch that they befet the very Houfes themfelves, where they make a mod dreadful howling Noife. The word is, they make mod terrible Havock among their Cattel and Horfes. The Superiour of the Tbeatins affur’d me, that in one Week the Wolves eat him up three Horfes and a Colt, ciofe by the Houfe. There are a great Number of Horfes, and very good ones too, in Mingrelia , of which every Man has a great many, in regard they cod ’em little or nothing to keep. For as foon as they alight, they take off their Bridles and Saddles, and turn ’em a Field : Nor do they ever Shooe ’em, or give ’em any other Food or Provender, then what they graze of them¬ felves. In Mingrelia are neither Cities nor Towns, only two Vil¬ lages by the Sea-fide: But all the Houfes are fcatter’d fo thick up and down in the Country ; that you (hall hardly travel a Mile, but you (hall meet with Three or Four together. There are alio Nine or Ten Cadies, of which the chiefed is call’d tifyics, where the Prince of Mingrelia keeps his Court. This Cadle is furrounded with a Stone-Wall, but fo ill built, and fo thin, that the lead Field-Piece will make its way through it: however there are feme few Cannon within it ; but the red of the Cadies have none at all : being all built after this manner. In fome level and open place in a Wood, they ere their Super- ftitions and Sundry Cuftomes, which are a Medley of Judaifm, and Paganifm. All which I left behind me, not finding therein the leaft Grain of Wit or common Sence. But quite the Contra¬ ry, nothing but Extravagance. I (hall only add, that all that I obferv’d in the Religious Ceremonies and Belief or Faith of the Mingrelians , is no other then what I have truly re¬ ported. I fhall only fpeak a word concerning their Mourning, which is the Mourning of people in defpair. When a Woman lofes her Husband, or a near Relation, fhe rends her Cloaths, ftrips her felf naked to the Wafte, tears her Hair, and with her Nails daws off the Flefh and Skin from her Body and Face, fhe beats hcrBreaft, fhe crys, yells, gnafhes her Teeth, foams at Mouth, like a Woman mad or poftefs’d, and a< 5 ts her paflion to that degree, that it feems terrible to the fight. The Men alfo ex- prefs their Grief after a manner altogether as Barbarous: They tear their Cloaths, thump their Breafts, and fhave their Heads and their Beards. This Mourning continues 40 Days, with the fame Fury as I have deferib’d for the firft; Ten Days, but afterwards relaxing by degrees. During the firft Ten Days, the Relations of the deceas’d, and a great Number of Men and Women come to bewail the Dead, which they do in this manner. The people range themfelves in order about the dead Corps, and in their torn Habits, thump their Breafts with both Hands j crying out Vah, Vah 5 and fo keeping time with their Thumps and their Cries, they make a difmal Node j which altogether yields a frightful Spe&acle of de¬ fpair, not to be beheld without a kind of Horrour. Of a hidden you hear nothing, all’s quiet, the Mourning flops, and all obferve a profound Silence j By and by they all begin again with a loud Cry, and fail into their firft: Tranfportments. The through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, i a The laft Day, which is the Fortieth, they Bury the Dead. Then they make a Feaft for all their Kelations, all their Friends, all their Neighbours, and all thofe that came to bewail the Party deceas’d ; the Women eating by themfelves, apart from the Men. The Bifhop fays Mafs, and then feizes as his Pvight, upon all that the Deceas'd Perfon made ufe of in his Life, his Horfe, hisCloaths, his Weapons, his Plate if he have any, and all the reft of that fort. So that thefe Mournings mine whole Families in Mivgrelia . Neverthelefs they are ob¬ lig’d to this Solemn Performance. The Bifhop fays a Mafs for the Dead, for the great profit he receives; and the Mourners come to waile the Deceas'd, as fure to live Forty Days upon what he has left behind. When a Bilhop dies the Prince him- felf caufes Mafs to be faid upon the Forti’th Day, and feizes upon all his Goods that are Moveable. This is all that I could learn in Colchis , concerning the Na¬ ture of the Country, and the Cuftoms and Religion of the In¬ habitants. Their Neighbours Live and aadian , that is to fay, the firft Juftice. To denote, that they were the firft Men, whom the People of that vaft Country, eftablifh’d over ’em for the Adminiftration of Juftice among ’em; and to maintain every one in the enjoyment of his own Property. The King of Imiretta gives himfelf the Title of Meppe , which fignifiesa King in the Georgian L anguage. Both which Meppe and Dadian boaft them¬ felves 8 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, felves to be defcended from the King and Prophet David, The Ancient Kings of Georgia alfo a (Turn’d the fame defcent; and the Jfan of Georgia , among the red: of his Titles, calls himfelf, the Iffue of that Great King by Solomon his Son. The King ol Jmiretta , alio in his Letters a (fumes a more Haugh¬ ty and Pompous Title then the other, calling himfelf Kjng of Now fo foon as our Veffel was come to an Anchor, in the Road of Ifgaour , as 1 have already faid, I went a Shoar with the Greeks Merchant, who was my Guide. For I expected to have met with Houfes, where I might have found Provifions and Tome other Relief. Nor were thefe hopes without any Ground, to one that faw no lefsthen Seven Veflels together at an Anchor in the Road: butt was utterly deceiv’d ; for 1 found nothing at all. The Coaft of Ifgaour , is all cover’d with Wood. Only they have levell’d and lay’d open, about a Hun- derd Paces from the Sea fide, a certain ipot of Ground, about Two Hunderd and Fifty Paces long, and Fifty broad i which is the Grand Market of Mingrelia. In this there is one Street, containing on both fides of the Way, about a Hunderd fmall Hutts, made up of the Boughs of Trees, faften’d one to ano¬ ther : of which every Merchant takes one. There he lies, and keeps Shop, tho with fuch Wares only as he thinks he (hall fell in Two or Three Days. But as for thofe which he has bought, and fuch for which he does not (ee any Probabili¬ ty of a quick Vent, he keeps ’em in the Veffel, there being no kind of Security a Shoar, There was nothing elfe to be had at this Market, nor a Country-Man’s Houfe to be heard of in all the parts there about. Thereupon my Guide fpoke to fome of thofe that came to the Market, to bring us fome Gom , which is that fort of Grain, by them made ufe of in (lead of Bread, iome Wine and other Provifions \ which the Coun¬ try-Men promis’d to do, but fail’d jn their Words. So that I was furpriz’d, and very much troubl’d to meet with nothing, for our own Provifions began to grow fhort, nor to fee any thing at fuch a Market, but a Company of Slaves Chain’d together, and about a Dozen of Tatter’d Fellows, with Bows and Arrows i their Hands, who it feerns were the Officers of the Cuftoms, and look'd more ready to Rob, then relieve us. But I was much more furpriz’d and perplex’d, when I heard, that the Turks , and the Prince of Gttriel , were coming into Mingrelia , that the People took Arms, and had begun the War, Pillaging and Ranfacking their Neighbours, and clear- through the Black-Sea, and the Country' of Colchis* i o c ing the Country both of Cartel and Inhabitants. I mull con- fefs S depended very much upon the Theatin Mrffionaries in Mingreha , when I fir ft refolv’d to make choice of that way. I was affur’d they had a Houle where I might be fectire, and that they could much facilitate my pafiage into Ferfia. But their Houfe was Forty Miles from ifagour by Land, and Fifty Five by Sea. However I fent an Exprefs to the Superior of the Miffionarics , with a Letter wherein I gave him an account, That I was come into Mingrelia , and that I was gointr into {Verfia about bufinefs of great Importance. That I had Let- ters of Recommendation to him from the Ambailador or France^ the Refident of Genoa y the Warden of the Capuchins of Greece , and the SoIJicitor for the T heatins at Confiantinople , and there¬ fore I earneflly defir’d him to fend me lome Ferfon that might give me neceffary Informations how to proceed in my Voy¬ age I would have made my Bargain with the Exprefs for Ready Money, but he rather chofe to have Cloth. There¬ upon my Guide agreed with him for two pieces of blew Lin- nen, upon Condition that he return’d in two days and a half Which two pieces coft Six Shillings at Caff a. This done, I return’d to the VefTel, very penfive, and lorely troubl’d to find my felf in a Country where there was no Provifion to be bought, where Money would not go, nor any Lodging was to be had. And befides the light of fo many Slaves of all Ages and both Sexes, fome in Chains, feme ty’d two and two, and of the Officers of the Cuflomers that look’d like meer Rob¬ bers and Ruffians, had fill’d my Head with a Thoufand Fears. However I kept a good Heart ftill, and did my utmofi: endea¬ vour to diffipate thofe Diflurbances of my Mind. All this while I faid nothing to my Comrade or to my Ser¬ vants, only that I had been promis’d Provifions ; neverthe- lefs ’twas but prudence to be as good Husbands as we could of that little we had. Nor did the Rumours of the War hin¬ der the Merchants in our Veffel from going a Shoar ; where they took every one a Hutt, and carry’d their Commodities along with ’em. The 18th at Noon, my Guide came aboard , and brought me an Anfwcr from the Superiour of the Theatins. It was very fhort: For he only lent me word, That within two or three Days he would come to the Veffel with a Bark, and would ferve Hie to the utmofi: of his Power. b The Travels of Sir John. Chardin into Perfia, The r^th coward the Evening, a great Number of Country People that had made their efcapes, pafs’d by Ifgaour , and gave tis a hot Alarum^ That the Abcas whom the Prince of Mingrelia had call’d in to aflift him againft the Turk?* pillag’d and burnt all before ’em, carrying away the Inhabitants, and driving away the Cattel, where-ever they came. Thereupon the Merchants endeavour’d to carry off* what they could in theit Long-Boats. But it was late, and the Veffels rid about a Mile from the Shoar 5 nor could they make above two Re¬ turns. Thereupon every Captain caus’d two great Guns to be carry’d aflioar, which they planted at the Avenues of the Market, and flood to their Arms all Night. For my own part I cannot exprefs the forrow I was in at fuch an unfortu¬ nate and unexpected Accident. I had hardly Conflancy enough to hold out. And that which drove me almofl to defpair was this, That the Captain difeours’d of going to Trade among the Abed's and Cherkg, and then to return back to Caffa. Which was to be three Months at Sea, and not to be laid up till the end of the Year. The Recoyl of my Fortune, which fuch a Refolution fet before my Eyes, the danger of pe- rifhing at Sea, want of Vittles, the impoflibility to get any; all thefe things which I forefaw diftinCHy, were not the great- eft Vrouble that perplex’d me. My greateft Vexation was to fee my Friends Concerns, which I thought had efcap’d the Dangers of the Blach^S e a and Turkey, expos’d to new Hazards, and my felf likely to Undergo the Reproaches and Scorn of People, that would be apt to lay to my Charge unexpected Accidents for Mifcarriages, and attribute unfortunate Con¬ junctures to my Imprudence. To this I may add the Grum¬ bling and Imprecations of my Servants, that continually rang i’ my Ears: Some curling Deftiny, others the Country, others the People that had adviz’d me to the Blach^Sea. In a word, I was in fuch a profound Agony, as I thought would have ut¬ terly fwallow’d me up. But GOD in his Mercy deliver’d me ; He ftrengthen’d me with Courage, and I hearten’d up my People; but their patience was loon tyr’d, ready to break forth every foot with the fame extravagance; for the Hunger which we endur’d heighten’d their Tranfports even to Brutifh Outrage. The 20th all the People that belong’d to our Veflel, and the reft that lay in the Road, return’d aboard. Chuftng ra¬ ther to leave their Wool!, their Salt*, their Earthen Ware, and fuch like Commodities, then to hazard their being tak’n by through the Black-Sea;, and the 'Country Colchis. by the AbcaSy who as they Were afford were very near at hand. And indeed their Intelligence was too true. For about Ten a Clock at Night we faw all the Market-place a Fire * and the next Morning fuch as vetVttir’d to fee what was the matter, found nothing but the Afhes, and Remainders of the Conflagration. So (bon as our People Were all come aboard, I endeavour’d to buy of them Bisket, Rice, Butter, Onions, and dry’d Herbs: but no Body would part with their Goods, fearing left they fliould not return to Caff a ; till at length by the povVet of Money I got of feveral Merchants Sixty Pounds of Bisket, a few Herbs, Eight Pounds of Butter, and Twelve Pounds of Rice. This was but a fmall $tock for fix People. But good Husbandry made it laft longer then I expected. For there was in our Vefiel dry’d Fifh in abundance, and we fcarcely fed upon any thing elfe. But I was wonderfully pleas’d when I had prevail'd with my Men to make a Meal without Bread, and Iookt upon that Abftinence of theirs as the Lucky Chance of a Fortunate Day. The 27th, feeing the Superiour of the Tinatins did hot come, and not knowing what I might hope fdr from him, I propos’d to my People the Necefllty there was that one of them fhould go and find him out 5 in regard there was none but he that could preferve us from the Miferies that threaten’d usj and which came thick upon us every day more then other; But ’twas the want of Vittles and their own defpair that pre¬ vail’d beyond all my Arguments. So that one among the reft proffer’d me to go feek out the Tbeatins. And it fo happen’d that there was a Bark of Anarguie that lay by our Veflel. Which Anargnie is a Village upon the Sea-Shoar, not above TWeiity Miles from Sippias , where thofe Fryers have their Refidence. This Bark being come to take in a Lading of Salt, my Servant went aboard, after I had given him four Duckets in Gold, Money, Mercery Ware, and all the Letters I had for the Su¬ periour of the Tbeatins . Which I did> to the eiid that the Recommendation of fo many Perform, forne of Quality, the reft his Friends, might haft’n him to affift us in our fextremi- ty: befides that I had written to him my {elf at large, de* firing him to aid us if it were in his Power, I wrote to hirri alio, That the Meflenger whorii I had fent, had Money, which I defir’d him to make ufe of, for that I begg’d tio more of him then his Trouble j for which I fliculd not alfo fail td be farther Grateful. The I 12 97 ie travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, The Fourth of OStober in the Morning my Servant return’d, bringing along with him the Superiour of the Theatins , whole Name, as I have already faid, was Don Maria Jofeph Zampi , of Mantua : to whom I prefentiy ran and embrac’d him. But obferve how he accofted me : «S/r, faid he, God forgive thofe People that advis'd ye to come this way y the Mifchief they have done ye. Ton are come into the mofl Wicked and Barbarous Country i the World } and the bejl Courfe you can take is to return bac\ to Conftantinople with the firfl Opportunity. At which Words the Joy which I felt for the Arrival of the good Fryer, was foon at an end. However, I carry’d him into my Cabin^ and there, together with my Comrade, we debated what was beft to be done. We return’d him Thanks in the fir/l place for the pains he had taken in coming fo far. To which he anfwer’d, That he had come according to his promife, but that the War and the Incurfibn of the Jbca\ had made the Roads fo dangerous/ that he darffc not venture himfelf. Af¬ ter char, I told him, That his firfl Complement to me at our firfl Greeting, put me at my Wits end : and therefore I be- fought him to tell me, Whether he were not come to take us along with him, and carry us to his own Residence ? Who anfwer’d, That he was come to ferve me to the utmofl of his Power, and that he would carry us Home to his own Houfe if we defil’d : however he would gladly let us know the Na¬ ture of the Country through which we were to pals. That it was a Place where there was no Bread to be had and hard¬ ly any other Food to be got at that prelent time: That the Air was 1 very unwholfom, and the People fo wicked that it was fcarce to be imagin’d. I told him, That we had a Letter of Recommendation to the Prince of Mingrelia. To which he anfwer’d, That this Prince was as great a Cut-throat, and as profeis’d a Robber as any of his Subje&s. He told us more¬ over, That about three Years before, returning from Italy , he brought along with him feveral Prefents for the Prince, for the Princefs his Wife, for the Vifier, and the Principal Lords of the Court, which he diflributcd among ’em till he had almofl left himfelf nothing j with which the Prince was fo far from being fatisfi’d, that he fent and took away that little that he had referv’d} and although he were at that time Phyfitian to the Prince and all the Grandees, the Vifier clapt him up foon after in a Dungeon, with a Chain about his Neck, and Fetters upon his Feet, to get more Money from him, and that he could not be releas’d out of the Clutches of that Tygre^ till j ' he through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. lie had paid him Forty Crowns. Not that I tell ye this, Gen¬ tlemen, laid he, to fend ye back again, but only to inform ye of the danger ye have thrown your felves into, by letting foot in Mingrelia. Yet after all this, if you will needs go for¬ ward, I will do my beft to preferve your Perfons and your Goods, and to pals ye fecurely into Terfia, Upon this, I confider’d what the Father had reprefented to us: and I came to this relult with my felf, That the Mif- chiefs that threaten’d tiie in Mingrelia were Mifchiefs to come, and which I was in hopes, though I knew not which way, to efcape. Thofe which I endur’d were prefent, and my Head and mv Heart were both full of ’em I reprefented therefore to Father Zamffi, That whatever Misfortunes fhould happen to us in Mingrelia , would be lefs then thofe would befal us in returning to Caffa , which would infallibly be our ruinc. I defir’d him to confider, that We had neither Provision nor Vit- tles, that the VefTel where we were Was old, and daily took aboard great Numbers of Slaves of all Ages and Sexes, lo that we could hardly flit one by another in the Ship. That a 'great Number of Abcas and Mingy elians went and came from Morning till Night, that fill’d it with Vermin that would endanger a general Infe&ion, and end in a Peftilence. That the Veffel vvould be two Months before fhe return’d for Caffa, at what time the Weather would begin to be unfeafonable and tempeftuous \ as being that part of the Year when the Blacky Sea , fo dreadful ftormy, was moll furioufly exafperated by the Violence of continual Tempefls fo that fuppofe they fhould get fafe to Caffa, and thence to Confiantinople, ’twould be four Months at lead before they could perform their Voyage, and then we fhould be forc’d to begin again, and put to find out a new Proved which way to pafs through Turkey . Befides running the Rifco of extravagant Impofitions, or exorbitant Cuftoms; and yet after all thele Adventures we fhould be ftill expos’d to ruine, which was the fame thing or worfe then to run the hazard in Mingrelia , where the Danger could not be greater, but where the Feril could never laft fo long, fince it was but four Days Journey before we fhould be in a Country where we fhould be fecure. Father Zampi could not gainfay any of ray Reafons: Be¬ fides that our paffage could not but be advantageous to him- felf in particular, or to his Million. So that he talk’d of no¬ thing elfe but of taking iis along with him, and of our leaving O g tfe '1 ke Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perils the Ship for rood and all. Now the Bark wherein I had lent 1 O my Servant was a long Vefiel like a fmall Lighter, and was hir’d to go and come with Goods: and into this Vefiel it therefore was that we put our Baggage aboard, and about a hu nderd Crowns worth of Goods which we bought cut of the Vefiel. Which Purchafe was made army Intreaty by Father Zampy, becaule he knew what would beft go off in Mingrelia, for that Money, as I have Laid already-, was no otherwife Current or Valuable there then as it was a fort of Merchandize. Our Baggage being Embark’d before Noon, we fet fail at the lame time. And then it was that I was over-joy d to find my fell quit of the Ship 3 lor I could not endure the Stench of it. Befides that the Naftinefs and Infamous Behaviour of the Peo¬ ple aboard made me loath the very fight of ’em The Vefiel was a meer Sink and Dungeon of Slaves, who as foon as Night came, were Chain’d two and two, as well the Boys as the Men. In the Morning they took off their Chains agen, fo that I could hardly reft for the ratling of the Irons, and then the very Obje£L it felf griev’d me to the very Heart. Every Morning we were fare to fee a Fire afhoar,which was a fignal that there were people come to fell either Slaves or other Mer¬ chandize. Upon which they fent away their Long-Boat, in¬ to which they who had a defire to come to the Vefiel put themfelves and their Wares, and being brought aboard, diove the Bargains as they could agree. And indeed the War in Mingrelia w 7 as very favourable to our Merchants 3 for the Abe a' s brought ’em all their Plunder and Booty to fell : Among the reft there came one day to our Vefiel an Abe a of Quality, having a Train of feven or eight Men at his Heels, who feem’d to be the arranteft Rakehels in the World. He brought three Slaves, and his Men were loaden with Booty 3 and among other Things they had got a Frame of an Idol all of Silver 3 I caus’d ’em to be ask’d, Where the Idol it felf was ? To which they anfwer’d, That they had left it in the Church, not daring to carry it away, for fear it fiiould have kill’d ’em. Our Vefiel had Forty Slaves when I left it, which the Tur- kifh and Chriftian Merchants had bought for Arms, Houfhold- fluff, and other Commodities. They gave ’em what they pleas’d themfelves, and reck’nd twice as much as the Goods coft ’em. They gave no more then Fifteen Crowns for Men from Twenty Five to Forty Years of Age 3 and Eight or Ten, for thole that were older, Handlom Maids from Thirteen to Eighteen through the Black-Sea^ and the Country of Colchis, 1 Eighteen were fold for Twenty Crowns, others for left. Wo¬ men lor Twelve, and Childern for Three or Four. A Greet \ Merchant that lay in a Cabin next to mine, bought a Woman and a Child at her Bread. She had incomparable Features in her Face, and a truly Lilly-white Complexion , and indeed I never favv more lovely Nipples, and a rounder Neck, nor a Imoother Skin ; which created at the fame time both Envy and Compafllon. So that I could not chufe but call a mournful Look upon her, laying this to my tell, Unfortunate Beauty / neither Would I envy or compaflionate thee, were I in ano'- ther Condition, and that I did not find my ielf juft upon the Brink of Danger, threaten’d with the greateft: Miferies imagi¬ nable, if there can be a greater Mifery then that or Slavery. But that which lurpriz d me was this, That thefe inferable Creatures were noway cad doWn, nor did they feem fenfibie of the mifery of their Condition. At length when they had bought ’em, their Mafters took from them the Rags that co¬ ver’d ’em, clad ’em with Linnen and new Habits, and fet ’em to work ; the Men and the Boys tomoyl in the Ship, and the Women to fow. Nor did they lean to be much diflatisffd With their Habit, or the Food which was giv’n, only they did not like Working, lo that the Cudgel was forc’d to walk now and then to quick’n their Lazinels. We had a good Wind, and we made ole of Oars as well as Sails in our Bark. And for my own part, all my dilcourfe was with Father Xampi^ what courle l fhould take to prevent my falling into the Enemies Hand, and my being plunder’d and aflaffinated by the Mingrehans. Which difeourfe at length brought us to talk of thole Perfons, whofe Letters I had fenc him. He told me th q French Ambaffador’s Letter was a Du¬ plicate of one which lie had fent the lad Year for Atreflations of the Religion of Colchis : but when he gave it into my Hands, and that I had read it, I was lurpriz’d to find, that having been giv‘n me for a Letter of Recommendation, there lliould not be the leaf: mention of my Name. Which made me afraid left: Father Zawpi fhould think, that the Ambaft fador had not that Value and Kindnefs for me, vhich I pre¬ tended to make him believe. And therefore I thought my (elf oblig’d to fhew him the Letter which the Ambaflador had done me the Honour to write to the Prince of Mingrelia , of which this was a Copy, Thrke 6 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, Thrice Illuftrious Prince, T HE Emperor of France my Mafier , having Commanded me to makg ufe of his Protection to fupport your Interejis in the Ottoman Court upon all Occafions that fljould offer : 1 am glad of this Opportunity not only to Confirm it by this Letter , but for that thefe two Gentlemen alfo , the Sieur Chardin, and the Sieur Raiftn will give you farther Ajfurances of the fame Thing in my behalf You will oblige me to believe *enty and in Confideration of that Value which I have for their FerfonSy to fupport and defend ’em with all your Authority fo long as they fball fojourn in your Court j and when they depart from your Court in order to their going forward into Perfia, 1 hope you will freely grant "'em that Favour , and add to the reji that one more of be~ lieving me to be y Thrice Illuftrious Prince, Your moft Humble and Obedient Servant, De yfOiy^TEL, Ambaflador for his Moll Chriftian Majefty, the Em¬ peror oi France at the Ottoman Port. About Midnight We arriv’d at the Mouth of the River AflolphuSy call’d by the MingrelianSy Langur ; and which is one ofthebiggeft Rivers in Mingrelia . There we flopp’d and lent to Anargbie two of our Seamen, to know what News of the Enemy, and to lee whether the People were not fled, and in what condition they flood. This Anarghia is a Village two Miles from the Sea, the moft confiderable in all Mingreliay confifting of a Hunderd Houles, but fo far diftant one from the other, that it is two Miles from the flrft to the laft. There are always Turks in this Village that come to buy Slaves, and have Barks ready to carry ’em away. And it is laid, that this Villag eis built in the lame place where formerly P jod a fair and large City, call’d by the Name of Heraclea * t The through the Black'Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 117 The fifth before day, the two Seamen return’d, and brought us word that the Abcas had made no Inroads within Fifteen Miles of Anarghia , but that things were quiet without any Difturbance or Alteration. Thereupon Father Zawpi defir’d 'em to Row hard, to the ertd we might come early to the Vil¬ lage, and Land our Goods befdre we fhould come to be feen by any Perfon All things fell out to our Wilh, and we took a Lodging at a Country-Mans Houfe, which was one of the bed Accommodations in the Town. For we had a great many Chefts, the biggeft of which was full of Books. Thereupon Father Zartpi advis’d me to open it, and take out the Goods in the fight of the People of the Houle, to the end they might have no fufpicion that we tarry’d any Treafure in our Chefts but might be ready to give it out that we were only Pcrfons in Holy Orders, for which reafon we loaded our felves with a great Number of Books for our particular ufe. I follow’d his Advice, and found it to be very good. For the People of the Houle Were amaz’d to fee nothing in fuch a large Cheft but only Books \ and I am apt to believe they conceited there was nothing elfe in all the reft. The ninth a Lay -Theatin came to fee Us : He was the Phy- fitian and Surgeon that ferv’d all Mingrelia. And the Accefs which his Art had procur’d him to the Prince and all the Gran* dees, had puft him up to that degree of Pride, that he valu’d neither Fathers nor Superiour, and in all his Actions and Dif- courfe manifefted a moft infupportable Superbity. However, I receiv'd and entertain’d him as his Vain-glory feem’d to re* quire. Who thereupon gave me a Thoufand Afturances of Prote&ion and Alfiftance, and promis’d to bring us Tidings of the Retreat of the Abcas , fo loon as he found his Information to be fuch as he could confide in. Nor did he fail in his Un¬ dertaking ; lo that he return’d to us the 13th, and brought us the Good News we expe&ed. He told us that he had been with the Prince the Day before, at what time the Intelligence came to him. He recounted alfo to Us, that the Abcas had carry’d away with ’em Twelve Hunderd Perlons, and a great Number of Cattel, with other Booty } that they had plunder’d the Houfe of a Tenant to the Ibeatins, and taken away three of their Slaves : That the Prince had fent three Gentlemen to the Prince of the Abcas to make his Complaints, and to threaten ’em for their Perfidioufnels; for that having enterd Mitigre- lia ) under an Engagement and upon Oath to defend itagainft the they had made ufe of their Forces to Sack and Pillage H h the 118 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia^ the Country, and was return’d, and had retreated without doing him the leafl; Kindnels. And thus after he had given us a full Accompt of the News that was ftirring, he told Fa¬ ther Zampi farther, That we might all go together to their Refidence at Sippias, and that the Prince and the Catholicos had order’d him to affure me and my Comrade, That we were Welcom, and that he would provide us Men and Horfes to Convoy us into Georgia. Upon which we refolv’d to depart the* next day. While we {laid at Anarghid we fuffer’d for no want of any thing 5 we had Fowl, Wild Pigeons, Porkers, and Goats in abundance. All which my People had in exchange lor Lin- nen, Needles, Incenfe,Combs and Knives : and they had their Provifions very Cheap too: Wine was alfo very plentiful, for it was then the very time of their Vintage. There was alio at Anar- ghia a Lady of Quality, who had made choice of that Place to retire to for fecurity but a little before. She was a Widow, and her Husband had been Chief Minifter or Vizier to the Prince. Father Zampi carry’d me to her Houfe, where 1 pre- fen ted her with fome inconfiderable Trifles, and Ike in Ac¬ knowledgment of what fhe had receiv’d, and in hopes of more, lent me every Day a Loaf of half a Pound, with lome other of her choiceft Viands. One Day fhe fent me a piece of Wild Boars Flefh, another Day a Ball of Wax, another Day a fmall Quantity of Honey, another time a Pheafant, and by the Mefc fenger ftill fhe requefted fome Trifle or other, as Knives, Scif- fars, Ribband, Paper, or the like, and fo fhe paid her felf double for her Prefents. One Day fhe came to give me a Vi- fit, and Ihew’d her felf very Complaifant, and fignifi’d her Fancy for feveral other things. But though I did not like this Trade, I kept fair with her however, becaufe I would not want Bread, which was not otherwhere to be had. Father Zampi advis’d me to pretend my felf a Capuchin ; and gave out himfelf that I was going to the Capuchins in Georgia; That I had disguis’d my felf becaufe I would not be known in Turkey , and to the end I might travel with more freedom. And the better to counterfeit my Difguife, he per- fwaded me to go very meanly, and to pretend Poverty upon all Occafions. And for my own part, I acted my part very well, but the ill Management of my Servants prevented my Plot from taking Effect. They brake my Meafures by the Good Houfe which they kept. For they bought the belt Vittles they could And, let it cofl what it would. In a f word,* through the Black-Sea, and the Country oj Colchis. 119 Word, they repaid themfeJves for the Icarcity which they had endur'd. Which Expences of theirs caus’d People to think 1 vvas not fo poor as I pretended to be. The 14th, two Hours before Day, vve departed from Anar- gbia , and Row’d up the River Aftolpbirs two Leagues, after which we landed our Baggage, and loaded our Goods into fix little Carts: and fill’d two more with the Provifions which Father A am pi had bought. Thele Eight little Wagons made a great Noiie j for it was an unufual fight in Mingrelia to fee fo many togeti^r. So that in lefs then two days the News Hew about the Country of the Arrival of certain Europeans, With Eight Wagons loaden with Baggage. Which News vvas fpread with fo many Circumftances, as were the occa- fion of feveral Misfortunes that befcl us, as I fhall relate in the purfuit of my Story. Thus vve traveli’d four Leagues and a half by Land, and by Sun-fet arriv’d at Sapias. Sapias is the Name of two little Churches, of which the one is a Parifii-Church of Mingrelia , the other belongs to the The at ins. It vvasbeftow’d upon ’em,together with the Church¬ yard wherein the two Churches are enclos’d. Which En- clofure is very large : and where they have alfo built feveral Apartiments and Lodgings after the Fafhion of the Country : every one of the Fryers having his Apartiment to himfelf, according as they are one feparated from another. The lefier Lodgings are for their Slaves, and two Families of Country- People who are their Tenants. The Theatins came fir ft into Mingrelia in the Year 1627* where they were admitted as Phyfitians. The Prince who then Raign’d vvas very Potent, and it vvas reprefented to him as a Thing greatly to th.? Advantage and Benefit of his Coun¬ try, that Perfons who underftood an Art lb profitable for the Advantage of his Health, fhould be fufter’d to fettle in his Country. Thereupon he made ’em Welcom, gave ’em the Refidence which they enjoy, with Lands, and a certain Number of Country-People to Manure the Ground, and fur- mfh their Society with Corn and Wine. One and Twenty Years before, the Jefuites of Conjlantinople fent Two of their Fraternity into this Country, but they dy’d there fo foon, that the reft were afraid to venture any more. The Tbeatins however for fome Years laft paft, had Houles in Tartary , Geor~ gia , Circajpa and Imiretta. Which are all forfak’n and de- ftroy’d, feeing the People no way enclin’d to embrace the Roman Religion j and befides they, were Over-imploy’d in their Prattled i 20 * The ^Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, PradBce of Phyfick, Moreover, they aflur’d me that they had long fince abandon’d Colchis likewife upon the fame Con- iiderations , only that they ftaid there tor the Honour of the Roman Church, which glory’d to have her Mifllonaries in all parrs of the Earth j but more particularly for the Honour of their own Order, outol which there being no other Million into any part of the World, it would turn to their difcredit fhould they not be able to uphold it. There were only four Theatins at Sapias when I arriv’d there, three Priefts and one Laic. The Priefe pra&is’d only Phyfick, the Lay-Brother both Phyfick and Surgery. For he had been up and down in the World, a Chirurgeon by Profef- lion. The Theatins affirm, That all the Spiritual Benefit which the Country reaps from their being among ’em, is only Bapti¬ sing of Infants, there being none which are there Baptiz’d, or but after a very odd Faffiion. llnlefs it be in that, they con¬ fers, they make no other progrefs among the Mingrelians , who are lo far, fay they, from embracing the Roman Ceremonies* that they do not believe the Europeans to be Chri(lians, be- caufe they do not fee ’em obferve fo many Fafts, nbr with; to firict and fevere an Abftinence, befides that they do not Wor- fhip Images. The Theatins very immediate Slaves, will not Communicate with their Matters in their Pxeligious Exercifes j and they have afford me, they could never Educate any one to ferve at the Mafs. I have feen thele Fryers fometimes Bap¬ tize Childern j for they Baptize all that they meet with, in Houfes where they have not either been of a long time, or where they do not remember that ever they Adminifterd that Sacrament before. I have tarry’d feveral Days in feveral Places of Mingrelia with the Superiour of the Theatins , and have frequently feen his way of Baptizing. For when they brought him any one that was ill, he call’d for a Bafon of Water, pretending to wafh his Hands, and when he had wattl’d ’em, before he dry’d ’em again, with the end of his Finger he touch’d the Forehead of the Child, making the Parents believe, it was only to underftand the Diftemper. He Baptiz’d Childern that were in Health by flirting a lit¬ tle Water in their Faces, while he was vvafhing his Hands, as if he had done it in fport. I ask’d him, What it was he did ? I have Baptiz’d thefe Childern, laid he ; happy is it for them that vve came into, the Houfe. I ask*d him a fecond time, What Name he had giv’n ’em ? I give ’em no Name, anfwer’d he j for oft-times I know not whether I Baptize a Male through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, i z i Male or a Female ; there is no Necedity for the Name, it be¬ ing fufficient to cad a drop of Water upon the Infant, and mentally to recite the Form of Baptifm. In a word, the Theatins are very miferable in Mingrelia , they pillage ’em, they abufe ’em *, nor have they any value or refpedl for’em, unlefs it be when any Sicknefs or Wound condrains ’em to require their Aflldance. The 18th the Princefs of Mingrelia came to vifit the Thea- fins j and prefently the Superiour of the Theatins made hade to attend her. Thefe Princeffes of Mingrelia and thole of the Neighbouring Countries they call Dedopale , which in the Geor¬ gian Language fignifies Queen. She was a Horfeback, attend¬ ed by about Eight Women and Ten Men, and fome Lacqueys that ran by her Horfe. But this Train of hers Was very ill clad, and very badly mounted. She told the Prefect or Superiour, That fhe ufrderdood thit the Provision which was ufually fent ’em from Conflantinople was come, and that there were Euro¬ peans in the Houfe, who had brought a long with ’em a con- fiderable Quantity of Goods : that fhe was very glad of it, and defird to fee ’em that fhe might bid ’em W el com. Pre¬ fently t was call’d for to pay my Refpe&s to her : at what time Father Xampi told me that I mud make her a Prefent, the way according to the Cuftotxl of that Country, to ac¬ knowledge the favourable Vifits of the Prince and Princefs. Upon that I befought her to tarry till I could bring her one to her Palace; to which (lie readily confented. Now fhe had been told, that I fpake Turkifh and Terfian } upon which fhe fent for a Slave that underdood Tnirfyfh, whom fhe order’d to ask me a Thoufand Quedions concerning my Quality, and the defign of my Travels. I made him anfwer, That I was a Capuchin , and fpoke and a&ed always as a Religious Per- ton: but it was plain her Majedy did not believe me; for all her Difcourfe was about Love : and fhe caus’d the Quedion to be put, Whether I were fenfible of that Paffion, and whe¬ ther I had ever been in Love ? How it could be that a Man could never be in Love, or live without a Woman ? And with this Difcourfe (lie went on lo pleafingly, that all her Train were drangely delighted to hear her. Though for my part I could have wifH’d the Princefs and her Train farther off from me : For I was afraid fhe would have caus’d the Houfe to be plunder’d, having three times demanded to fee what I had brought, together with the Theatins Provifion. Which Provifion is yearly fent ’em from Conflantinople , as I have al~ I i ready 12 2 The 'Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, ready faid, and confifts of Goods and Commodities of feyeral forts } of which they are oblig'd to fend a good fhare to the Prince, the Princefs, to the Vizier, and the Principal Gentle¬ men of the Country. Father Zampi therefore promis’d to bring her the accuftom’d Prefent the next day, and that I my felf fhould bring her one likewile; and fo fatisfi’d, God be thanked, (he went away. The 19th in the Morning fhe fent to invite me to Dinner, whither I went with Father Zampi and another Theatin. She was then at a Houfe about two Miles from ours. For (he did not live with the Prince, who could not endure her, but hated her to death, in regard he had been forc’d to marry hen I found her in a Drefs fomewhat richer then the day before 5 fhe was likewife painted *, and had us’d all her Skill to fet her felf out to the belt Advantage. Her Habit was of Cloth of Gold, the Attire of her Head Glifter’d with Precious Stones: but for her Vail it was altogether Curious and Gay, and of a particular Falhion. She fate upon a Carpet, having on each fide Nine or Ten Women that belong’d to her Chamberj for her Maids of Honour were, as they faid, retir’d for fafety to a Fortrefs by realbn of the Wars. The Hall was full of Rahg- fbantes half Naked, which compos’d her Court. Before I was admitted, I was ask’d for the Prefent I had brought. Which was carry’d by a Lacquey, who gave it to fome of her Ser¬ vants , confifting of Paftes of Genoa , Ribbands, Paper, Needles, Twizers, Knives and Sciflars, ail Neat and Curious. The whole cofi: about Forty Shillings , but worth above a Five Pounds in Mingrelia. The Princefs wasextreamly pleas’d ; and when (he had feen ’em, fent for me into her Prefence. Where the Slave that fpake Turhjfh order’d me to fit down upon a Bench that was clofe by. Prefently the firft thing (he faid to me was, That (lie would marry me to one of her Friends, and that fhe would not have me to leave the Country, for that fhe would give me Houfcs, Lands, Slaves and Tenants. After that fhe fell into the fame Difcourie as the Day before 5 but it lafted not long, becaufe the People gave her Notice that Dinner was ready. The Houfe where (he liv’d was in the midil of five or fix others, every one a hunderd Paces diftant from it, without any Fence cither of Hedge or Wall. Before it flood a large Ejlrade or Afcent of about eighteen Inches high , cover'd with a kind of a Dnomo . This they fpread with Carpets} where alfo fate the Princefs, and her Women about four Paces from through the Black-Sea^ and the Country efCblchiSt 12 1 from her upon other Carpets i The Bjkgj'fb antes that compos’d her Court fate in a Circle upon the Grafs, to the Number b£ Fifty. As for the 7 heatins and my felf there were two Ben¬ ches placed near the Afcent, the one to fit upon, the other to ferve us in (lead of a Table. So foon as the Princefs was fate down, her Butler fpread before her a long painted Linnen Cloth, at the end of which he dreft up his Court-Cupboard, which confifted of two great Flagons and two final! one£, four Plates and eight Cups, fome bigger feme lefier, a Bafon and Eure, and a Skimmer, all of Silvery and at the faille time other Servants fet before all thofe that were feated in the fame place, Wooden Planks to ferve in dead of Tables 5' and one alio was plac’d before the Women. And thus when every thing was order’d in this manner, they brought into the Mid* die of the place two Kettles, one very large, carry’d by four Men, which was full of Common Gom ; and the t’other much lefs, which was carry’d by two Men, full of white Gom. And I have already obferv’d, that this Gom is a Pafte of which the Mingrelians make the fame ufe in their Dyet, as We do of our Bread. Two other Men brought in upon a kind of 'Bier a whole Porker boyl’d, and four other Men, every one a large Pitcher of Wine. Of all which they carv’d fird to the Prin¬ cefs, then to the Women, next t o us, and lad of all to the Train. After this they ferv’d in to the Princefs a Woodden Platter with Bread and drong Herbs to create an Appetite, to¬ gether with a large Silver Plate containing two Fowls, the one Boyl*d, the other Roaded; both ill dred, and with fuch Sawce that my Stomach would not bear. The Princefs fent me a part of her Bread and Herbs, and bid the Mefienger tell me withal that I fhould day and Sup with her, and that file would caufe an Ox to be kill’d 5 but that was only a Com¬ plement. A fhort while after, file fent me two Pieces of her Fowl, and bid the Mefienger ask me, Wherefore none of the EuropeanWorkmen^being fuch Excellent Goldfmirhs,and Wea¬ vers both of Silk and Woollen came into lAingrelia , but only Monks, of which they had no need, and whofe Company they fo little defir’d ? Which was a Quedion that did not a little dartle me •, for the Princefs fpake aloud in Mingrelian , and her Slave return’d the Interpretation of his Anfwer asloud. So that I leave the Reader to judge whether or no the poor Theatins were not drangely abafil’d to hear the Princefs pro¬ pound fuch a Quedion. To fay truth, I took the feoff to be pretty well aim’d at my felf, and therefore I anfwer’d as well IZ4* 27 ;e Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, for them, fince fhe had addrefs’d her felf alike to all, That the European Artifts work for Money, and that they had Imployment enough at Home to keep ’em from any thoughts of Gadding abroad, but that they who were in Orders iought only the Glory of God, and the Sal¬ vation of Souls, and that only thofe two predominant Motives could over-rule th e Europeans to quit their Country to travel fo far. The Feaft lafted two Hours * and when it was half over, the Princefs fent me a Cup of Wine,and bid the Meffenger tell me it was Wine which (he preferv’d for her own Drinking, and the Cup out of which fhe drank her felt : and this Honour fhe did me three times. But fhe wonder’d very much when (lie faW me mix Water with my Wine, laying withal that fhe had never feen the like done: For fhe and her Women drank it Neat, and that to a good pitch. When Dinner was ended, Ihe fent to know whether or no I had brought along with me any Spices or Porcelane Difhes , and fix or feven of thefe Mef- fag es I had from her all to the fame purpofe, by which I gueft that the beggerly Princefs did not Carefs me with fo much Ci¬ vility but only for her own Intereft. But all my Anlwers were politive Denials j which put her at length into fuch an ill hu¬ mour, that (he told me Ihe would fend to fearch my Chefts * to which I only reply’d, That Ihe might do it when Ihe pleas’d: which I did, as well fearing left a refufal and unwillingnefs might incenfe her Covetous Humour, as to conceal the dread into which her threatning Language had put me. She an- fwer’d me, That (he had only Ipoke it in Drollery ; and I made as if I had really believ’d what (he faid: but fo foon as we were rifenfrom the Table, I defir’d one of the Theatins to make hafte home, and give my Comrade Notice of the Prin- ceftes words, to the end he might be prepar’d, whatever fhould happen. After Dinner fhe fell again into her Difcourle of Mar¬ riage, and told me that within a few days fhe would fhew me the Lady fhe had a mind to beftow upon me. To which f anfwer’d as before, That Performs in Orders were never al¬ low’d to Marry. And having fo faid, fhe was about to have difmifs’d me. But as ill Luck would have it, as I was making my Obeifance, the Princefs efpy’d under my poor and mean Habit, that I wore Linnen much whiter and finer then any was made in Mingrelia. Thereupon fhe came clofe up to me, took me by the Hand, thrift up my Sleeve to my Elbow, and hold¬ ing me by the Arm, talk’d to one of her Women with a low j: Vdice through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. Voice. I was then, I muft needs confels, at a cruel Nonplus; for the Ladies Carefling- Anions no way pleas’d me ; . and though fhe fmil’d very pleafandy in my Face, yet my Fears were ne’er the lefs. And that which troubl’d me moil was, that I could not underftand what fhe faid, and yet by her Gefture I could perceive (lie fpoke of me with a more then ordinary Earneftnefs and Affedtion. Nor did I know how to behave my felf before fo many People toward a Woman, in whom I confider’d at the fame time the Quality of a Sove- raign Princefs, and the Impudence of a Curtezan. However, till then I felt no more then only a little Diflurbance in my Mind. But that which put me into a very great Confterna- tion was this, that the Princefs, addrefling her felf to Father Zampi y gave him this Rebuke : Ion have both deceiv’d me y Laid fhe, but ’th my Fleafure that yon both come hither to me again upon Sunday-Morning and that the New comer fay Mafs before me. The Father would have made her an Anfwer, but the Princefs turning her back, bid us depart. Upon this I return’d to my Lodging very penfive and fad i for her Difcourfe had fill’d me with a Thoufand Fears, appre- henfive left her Avarice and fome other Motives might fpur her on to do me a Mifchief. And Father Zampi admonifh’d me to take it for good warning, and to expert it as a thing that would infallibly happen ; which made me refolve to pre¬ pare for it, infomuch that the Night following we buried all our Goods that were of greatefl Value. To which purpofe I caus’d a Pit to be made in the Chamber of the Tbeatin Fryers five Foot deep, where I hid a Cheft of Clock-work, and ano¬ ther of Coral: which were fo well cover’d, that there was not the leaft Appearance that the Earth had been ftirr’d. Afi terwards I went into the Church with the fame defign. Where Father Zampi advis’d me to open the Grave of a Theatin y who had been buried fix Years before, and to commit the Care of a little Caskanet to his Afhes. But GOD, who knew what would loon after happen to that Grave y prevented me from following that Advice *, fo that I rather chofe to dig a Hole in a corner of the Church behind the Door, where I caus’d as deep a Pit to be made as in the Chamber, and there buried a little Box that contained Twelve Thoufand Duckets in Gold. Afterwards I hid in the Roof of the Chamber where I lodg’d a Scimiter and a Dagger fet with Precious Stones, and fome other Jewels; which Roof was cover’d with Straw. And as for fuch ether Things as were of great Value, and light, my K k Com- 1 26 i The \ Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Comrade and I carry’d thofe about Us; and as for filch Things as were of lefs Worth, we recommended them to the care of the Tbeatins. The 23d I Underftood the Kindnels which the Princefs had done me, when fhe threaten’d to Vifit my Baggage; It was upon a Sunday , part of which I had (pent in Prayer, and in bewailing my (elf, out of a deep fenfe of the Misfortunes that overwhelm’d me, and the Dangers that environ’d me* not finding any Door open for me to make my efcape; I ex¬ pected fo certainly to be made a Slave, that I durft not pray to G 0 D for my Liberty. Only I thought it all I could do to beg that I might fall into the Hands of a kind Ma¬ iler ; for that if I might have my choice, I fhould ra- then chufe the Chains of a Turk,^ then the Fetters of a Colchian Lady. When we had Din’d, word Was brought to the Superiour, That two Gentlemen defied to fpeak with him at the Door ; which two Gentlemen were their Neighbours, both a Horfe- back, in Coats of Mail, and very well arm’d: Nor did the Superiour wonder to fee ’em in that Equipage with fuch a Train, in regard it was in time of War. When he came to ’em, the two Gentlemen told the Superiour, That they came to difeourfe with him, and the Europeans that were newly ar¬ riv’d. And fo faying, they alighted. Thereupon the Supe¬ riour call’d both me and my Comrade forth, who as readily went to wait upon ’em, never (lopping to consider whether they had any ill defign or no. But they quickly let me under- dan d their Errand; for fo foon as we accoiled ’em,they caus’d us to be laid hold on by their Followers i and at the fame time they commanded the Superiour and the other Theatins who were come to falute ’em, that they (hould retire ; telling ’em withal, that if they flirr’d, they would cut their Throats. Upon which the Superiour in a Panick fear ran away; but the red would not forfake ns, and the Lay-Brother dood briskly to us. He facrific’d himfelf in our behalf; Nor could the Naked Sword which they let to his Throat affright him from Our fides. Prefently our Servants Were (eiz’d ; and one of them who was refolv’d to have made fome refiflance, and to that end drew his Cutlace that hung at his Girdle, was knbekt down with a Lance, and then Bound and Ty’d to a Tree. f After- through the Black'Sea, akd the Country'of Colchis; 127 Afterwards tnefe Affafllnates declar’d they would fee what we had; to whom I anfwer’d,That they were our Mailers, and we only poor Capuchins, all whofe Riches confided in Books, Papers, and fuch pitiful Lumber, that they needed not have Us’d fo much Violence to conftrain us to fhew it. For I had no other Game to play, being feiz’d and bound, and thefe Cut-throats become Mafters both ol the Houle, and all the People that were in it. And indeed through GOD s Mercy it took effeft ; for immediately they unbound me, and bid me open our Chamber-Door ; which was in the fi:ft Story; and where there was nothing but what we did not much value whether it were feen or no. For as I have laid already we carry'd our moft Coftly Jewels about us; and my Comrade had fow’d his (hare in the Collar of a large Furr’d Juft-au- Corps which he wore. And for my oWn fiiare I had made ’em up in two little Bundles, and hid ’em in the Cheft where my Books were. For I curd not carry ’em about me for fear of being Murder’d or Robb’d, or fold for a Slave. I was there¬ fore fain to defire the Lay-Brother and my Comrade to take the Gentlemen afide, and hold ’em in a Difcourfe of Com- pofition, and to offer ’em a little Money, thereby to gain time £0 take thofe two Coftly Bundles out of my Cheft, to the end I might hide ’em the beft I could. Which they did, and I went into the Chamber, and Lockt the Door Up¬ on me. The Souldiers apprehenfive of my Defign, gave the Gentlemen Notice, who prefently came to the Door, which was ftrongly Lockt within-fide. At what time my Comrade cry’d out from below, and bid me have a care, for that the Enemy peep d and watch’d me through the Chinks. Which made me prefently take away my two little Bundles from the Roof where I had thruft ’em, for fear they had feen where I laid ’em, and put ’em in my Pocket: but then perceiving they were about to break open the Door, I flung my felf out at the Window into the Garden, taking fuch a Leap, that had not Neceffity conftrain’d me, I fiiould not have taken at ano= ther time for never fo much : for it had been enough to have broke a Mans Neck ; but a Man that is feiz’d with a Panick Dread fears nothing but the Obje izp me. Upon that I made a Noife, and us’d all the Screhgth I had, and made figns that they fhould carry me to their Ma¬ tters } and then I told the Chief of thefe Cut-throats, that there was no Neceffiey to bind or kill me, for that I was rea- dy to fuffer whatever they were difpos’d to do to me. Who anfwer’d, That they would carry us to the Prince fince we were Ambafladors. To which 1 reply’d, That we were rea- dy to go without binding, and that we hop’d he would do us Juftice : for that we had Letters for him, for which no doubt but he would have a very great refpe<5t. By this time it grew late, and Night drew on ; befides, it was hbove fif¬ teen Miles to the Princes Cattle: fo that they releas’d us, and carry’d ho Body along with ’em but only the Servant, who offer d to make Refittance at firft, whom I redeem’d fifteen Days after for Ten Crowns. When I was rid of thefe Freebooters, I went to the Gar¬ den, for the Fryer that follow'd me before, when I went to look for the two Bundles I had hid in the Bufhes, had been telling the Misfortune which he believ’d had befall n me, and no Body queftion’d but that theSouldiers had obferv’d and fol¬ low’d me, and found the Treafure I had lo endeavour’d to con¬ ceal. Now I had an Armenian Servant at that time, w 7 hofe Name was Allaverdy ; (and I therefore name him,bccaufe feveral of my Friends have feen him at (P^ra after my return from my firft Travels, and for that his Fidelity to me at that time was fo remarkable that I cannot forbear to mention it.) This poor honeft Man follow’d me into the Garden ; but I could not but wonder to fee him throw his Arms about my Neck, with Tears in his Eyes : Sir, faid he, we are mind : Fear and our common Misfortune made us forget what we were. I was a little fear’d at firft, for I took him for fome ^ahghel A fcngre- lian that would have cut my Throat: but knowing him, I was mightily taken with the Mans Aff*eLaws Defign, and one Day gave her apparent Teftimonies of his Difguft. Upon which Varejan , to iatisfie Bacrat , afi- fur’d him that file would forbear to take any Authority upon her. Who being a good-natur’d well-meaning Prince, eafily believ’d Varejan , and refior’d her to his former Confidence, not dreaming of the Treafon that file was meditating again ft him. To that purpole file feign'd her felf fick, and fent for the King to come to her ; who Went accordingly with a great deal of Franknefs and VVillingnefs ; at what time certain People that file had polled in her Chamber, feiz’d and bound him. Prefently file order’d him to be conveigh’d totheFor- trefs of Cotatis , the Principal City of the Country, the Gover- nour of which place was her own Creature. Soon after (he came thither her felf j lent for all the Grandees whom file had gain’d to her Party, and of whom fhe was allur’d, and with them conlulted for five Days together what to do with the King. Some advis’d her to put him to Death ; others to pull out his Eyes i which latter advice (he follow’d, and fo the Prince was depriv’d of his fight. Which happen’d Tight Months after the Marriage of that poor Prince, which they faid moreover he had not fully then confummated. Among the reft of the Lords that were of Varejan s Party, there was one with whom file was pafiionately in love, whofe Name was VaStangle : Him file Marry’d, and caus’d him to be Crown’d King in the Fortrtfs. Which highly incens’d the reft of the Lords, who thought themfelves all affronted by his Advancement. Thereupon they fell oft’ from fiding with Varejan , joyn’d themfelves with the contrary Party, took Arms, and call’d to their Afiifhnce the Princes of Guriel and . Mingrdia ) offering the Kingdom to which of the two Ihould N n firft 15 8 The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, firft come to their Aid. Vomehj Dadian was the firft that ap¬ pear’d in the Field with all the Forces of his Country 5 and foon reduc’d under his Subje&ion all that part which held for Darejan, except the Fort of Cotatis. However, he laid Siege to that alfo, but for want of Artillery, he could do little good againft the Befieged, only that he kept 'em from ftirring forth out of their Walls; and it would have coft him a long time before he could have brought ’em to a furrender, had it not been for the Politick Contrivance of a Lord of the Country, whole Name was Ottia Chekai^e, who brought that to pals by his Wit, which they could not do with all their Force. He went to the Fortrefs full of a feign’d Defpair, occafion’d by the Prince of Mingrelia } he made Darejan believe that he was reduc’d to that extremity, that he' knew not where to find a more fecure Sanctuary : that he came to throw himfelf at her Feet, to beg her Pardon, and delire her Protection againft that Prince. Darejan fell into the Snare. She believ’d what¬ ever Ottia faid, and that his extraordinary Zeal for her I11- terefts was true. She admitted him into her Council, foon after encreas’d by the Bifhop of Tifflis and the Catholicos of Georgia, whom the Viceroy of that Country had fent her, fearing left they in whom Ihe moll confided fhould betray her. But this fame Runagate deceiv’d ’em both, as quick-lighted as they were. He told Darejan in their hearing, That confi- dering the Condition of her Affairs, there was no other way to expel the Prince of Mingrelia , to regain what he had won, and to Reign fecurely, but to have recourfe to the Turl That her beft way was to fend her Husband to Conftantinople for Aft liftance, and the Confirmation of his Coronation : That the Kingdom of Imiretta was Tributary to the Port, and that the Grand Siguier had both Right and Power fufficient to reftore the Country to Peace, and fix him in the 1 hrone. Darejan was Charm’d by this Advice, and while he that gave it, offer’d to afllft in the Management of it, and to Conduft Va&angle to Con/iantinople , fhe threw her lelf at his Feet, not having Words enough to exprefs that Acknowledgment which Ihe had in her Heart. VaSlangle took only two Men along with him, to the end he might Travel with the more Security and Privacy. Thus being foon ready, the cunning Ottia Chih^ai%e his Guide, caus’d him to fet forth out of the Fortrefs about Twilight, and carrying him through By-ways to bring him the more infen- fibly to the Befiegers, brought him in lefs then an Hour into their Camp. The Prince of Mingrelia caus’d his Eyes forth- t with ■ V through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. with to be pull’d out, and lent that Night to Darejan to let her know that he had her Husband Pris’ner, and that he had put out his Eyes. This News furpriz’d her To, that her Cou¬ rage and Refolution quite fail’d her, and in a fhort time after fhe furrender’d the Fortrefs, which was plunder’d from Top to Bottom. Infomuch that it was certainly reported that the Prince of Mingrelia carry’d thence a very rich Booty, and among the reft Twelve Wagons of Silver, Plate and Move¬ ables. For, as it was faid, the Kings of Imiretta had heap’d together fuch a vaft Quantity of Plate, that every thing with¬ in the Palace was of Maflle Silver, even to the Steps and Foot- (fools. Which is no difficult thing to believe in a plentiful Country, and where there is a good Trade, and adjoyning to Countries which were .formerly very Wealthy, and where it appears that Money was not then in ule, there being very little that is ftirring at prefent. The Prince of Mingrelia alio carry’d away along with him the King and Queen of Imiretta , the wicked Darejan , and the unfortunate VaSlangle her Hus-* band *, but to the Viceroy of Georgia he generoufly return’d the two Prelates which he had fent to the Princefs to be her Privy Counfellors. The Viceroy of Georgia is call’d Sbanavas Can j being des¬ cended alfo from the laft Soveraign Princefs of that Country : but he turn’d Mabumetan to make himfelf capable of enjoying the Viceroyfhip under the Perfian. He has only two Lawful Wives, who are both Chriftians, of which the one is call’d Mary the Sifter of Levan Prince of Mingrelia , who gave the firft occafion to this Relation : This Lady when fhe underftood how the deteftable Sbilakjte had excluded the lawful Heir in favour of a Son which fhe had before fhe was Marry’d to Levan , daily importun’d the Prince her Husband to undertake her Ne¬ phews Caufe, and to fettle him in the poffeffion of his Principa¬ lity, to which he was the true and lawful Heir. But the Viceroy would not a£f Hand over Head by force in this Affair. For Min - grelia being Tributary to the Turk^ he durft not declare open Hoftility againft that Country, without the knowledge and con- fent of the King of Derfia. But at length a favourable opportunity offer’d it felf. For fo loon as the Prince of Mingrelia was en¬ ter’d into the Kingdom of Jmiretta , as has been already faid, Darejan who was near Kinf-woman to the Georgian Viceroy 5 and had been bred up in his Houle, and Va&angle her Husband, fent and offer’d the Kingdom to Jrchylas his Eldeft Son, if he would come and drive out the Mingrelian . The Viceroy made this The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia > this offer known to the King of Perfia , and afford him withal that he would add that Kingdom and Mingrelia to his Empire, if he would but give him leave to Conquer ’em. To whieli when his Majefty had Tent him his conlent, he mufter’d all his Forces and march’d toward Imiretta . But he was no fooner enter’d tile Kingdom, when news was brought him that a great 'Georgian Ldrd, taking the advantage of his abfence, was up in Arms, and preparing fo ranfack all the Country, Upon which he march’d back again with all his Forces againft the Rebel, defeated and put him to Death, and then return’d to¬ ward Imiretta. The Grandees of the Kingdom that invited him in, had rais’d Four Thoufand Men, which was a great Army for a Country fo bounded as that, and this number too Augmented every Day, fome flocking out of fear of His Power, others allur’d by the charming Fame of his Valour. So that he found little or no Refiftance either in Imiretta or Mingrelia . Prince Vemety retir’d amongft the Souanes into the Fortreffesof Mount Cancafus , inacceflible to the Cavalry. So that the Georgian Prince had nothing to do but to Ranfack ; and he carry’d away a very Rich Booty out of both Countries. They report that jt was there that he plunder’d the greateft part of the Gold and Silver Plate, of which his Houle is full. He fettl’d in Mingrelia his Nephew, Levans Grand-Child, to whom the Principality belong’d of Right, and affianc’d him to one of his Nieces whom he promis’d to fend him. Which done, he caus’d his Son Archylm to be Crown’d King of Imiretta j but he kne w not how to be rid of Vomehj- For he was unwilling to leave him a Fugitive in the Mountains where he was retir’d, fearing left when he was gone, he fhould come down from the Mountains, and difturb the unfettled affairs of Princes hardly warm in their Thrones. But a Grandee of Imiretta whole Name was Ifyfoia, put him out of that pain. For he wrore to the Souanes , that the Viceroy of Georgia defir’d to rid himfelf abfolutely of Vomeki: that he would give ’em great Rewards and Immunities if they brought him his Head : but if they deny’d to gratifie him in fo fmall a Matter, he threaten’d their Country with Fire and Sword. The Souanes therefore readily condefcended, and having flam Vomeki., font his Hea 1 to the Georgian Prince. Which done he retreated, and carry’d along with him the two Blind Princes Bacrat , and Va Si angle , to the end no Friend of theirs in his abfence might be embolden’d to undertake any new difturbances in their Favour 5 and left the Princeffes through the Bkck>Sea ? and the Country of Coiwii.o 141 Princeffes their Wives at Cotatis. Which Inhuman feparatlons he made for the fake of his Son the King of infirm a ; who became fo defperateiy in Love with Bacrats Wife, that he refolv’d to take h'er from her Husband and Marry her. After the departure of the Viceroy of Georgia, feveral Grandee^ of Imiretta confpircl againfl their new Soveraign For lome had been ill us’d *, others could not brook the Power and high advancement of b\ot%ia , whom Archylus s Father had appoin¬ ted to be his Sons Prime Minifter, nor his Domineering Haugh- tinefs and feverity towards ’em. Thereupon they wrote to the Bafba of Akgl^iJ^-, that they wonderd to fee him (it hill with fo much indifferency, while the Viceroy of Georgia ravag’d a Kingdom and Principality Tributary to the Turks ; nay, re¬ duc’d ’em under his Subje&ion, and carry’d away their Lawful Princes Pris’ners, and fee up in their Places his own Friends - and Kindred. That therefore they befought him to let ’em know, whether it were the Tort that abandon’d ’em to the Capricious Humours of the Terfzans j or whether it were the Dread of their Forces, that ty’d his Hands at a time when the Honour and Interefl of the Grand Signior lay at Stake* To which the Bafba return’d for anfwer, That he had fent Intel¬ ligence to the Tort of the Invafion made by the Georgian Vice¬ roy , and expedtedOrders every Hour: which when he fhould receive, he would let ’em know what was neceffary to be done. Soon after he wrote word that his Orders were come ; and that as foon as the Forces which the Bafba s of Er^erom and Carrs (both Trovinces of Armenia) had Inflru£lions to fend him 5 fhould be joyn’d with his, he would deliver ’em from the Georgian Yoke. That in the mean time they fhould get ready to joyn with him with all the Forces they could raife, and that they fhould caufe Kot^ia to be murder’d, for fear his Forces, his Prudence and his Reputation fhould put a flop to the Enterprize, and that by his Death the new King of Imiretta might be without any Counfellor to afllft him. The Chief Confpirators were the Grand Steward of the Houfhold, and Bifhop Janatelle *, who alfo admitted into their Plot one of Jfot^ia s Gentlemen : promifing him withal the Grand Mailers Daughter in Marriage, and to prevail with the Tiirktf? Bafba , that he fhould have all his Mailer Jfot'&ia’s Land, if he would but undertake to kill him, and perform it effe&ually : Which Conditions the perfidious Villain accepted, and one Night AfTaflinated his Mailer, at what time a certain O J Purge that he had tak’n wrought upon his Body. O o This ifyi The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, This bold Stroak difcover’d the Confpiracy, caus’d all the Grandees of Imiretta to ftand to their Arms, haften’d the Ba - fba of Afyl^ifys March, and put the King into an extraordi* nary Trouble and Confirmation. Prefently he gave advice of what had happen’d to his Father the Viceroy of Georgia * Who fent him Inftru&ions and Councilors, and allur’d him, he would come in a little time with an Army to his AfHftance. But the Bajha of Afyl^ify would not flay for his coming ; for he fell into Imiretta with that fwiftnefs, that the young Prince had much ado to efcape his Avant-Couriers, and to fave him- felf. He went to his Father, where in a few days Intelligence was brought him, that the Bafba of Afyhify had put a Gari- fon into the Fortrefs of Cotatis , the Capital City of Imiretta , and that he was Mafter of the whole Country. Upon which the Viceroy of Georgia turn’d back, not daring to adl any thing againft the Turfy without the King of Ferfia s Orders. As for the Orders which the Bafba had receiv’d from the Grand Signior , the purport of ’em was, 1 hat fince the Peo¬ ple of Imiretta and Mingrelia made ufe of their Liberty only to deilroy one another, he fhould take from ’em all the Strong Places he could. The Bafba had kept his Inftrudtions very fecret; and having by a Stratagem got admittance into the Ca* file of Cot at is j he made himfelf Mafter of it, and furnifh’d it with a good Garifon. Afterwards he fent for all the Nobility and Gentry of the Country, and made ’em fwear Fealty to the new King which he gave ’em, who was the Son of the Prince of Guriely at that time a Berre , or Monk of the Order of St. Bafilj but he quitted his Monaftical Habit, and was Crown’d King. While the Bafba was thus difpofing of the Petty Kingdom of Imiretta , the Prince of Mingrelia came to waite upon him, with the offer of his Head, and Tender of his Subjection to the Grand Signior $ Commands. That he was and would ftill continue a Tributary to the Court, and that the Prince of Georgia in eftablifhing him, had done no more then reftor’d him the Patrimony of his Anceffors, which appertain’d to him of Right. The Bafba was appeas’d by his Submifiion, and by the great Prefents which he brought along with him. So that he confirm’d him in his Principality, and then return'd to Afylwfy-, carrying along with him the Wretched Varejan , and the Queen of Imiretta , whom the Unfortunate Archill had not time to get into his pofTeffion. t This through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. This happen’d in the Year 1659. at what time the TurkiOi [Bajha had no fooner turned his Back, but the Grandees of/wi- retta , out of their natural Treachery and Inconftancy, refus’d to obey their new King. Thereupon they lent Commiffioners to the Viceroy of Georgia , with their Complaints againfl him and conjur’d him, to fend ’em back Bacrat, as Blind as he was. The Georgian Prince was afraid that this demand was no more then only an Artifice of their Treachery, and therefore to af- certain himfelf of the Truth, he made Anfwer, That if the Grandees of Imiretta were really, as they faid they were, in¬ cens’d againfl their new Mailer , and refolv’d to dethrone him, that they fhould pull out his Eyes, and that then when he was aftur’d they had done it, he would fend away Baer at ; Which Conditions were accepted and pun&ually perform’d both on one fide and t’ other. The Grandees of Imiretta pull’d out their Kings Eyes, and lent him back to the Prince of Gu- riel his Brother ; and the Viceroy of Georgia lent ’em Ba~ crat , after he had affianc’d him to one of his Nieces, Sifter to her, whom he had given to the Prince of Mingrelia . This latter was very Young, and Bacrat Was Blind : fo that their principal Officers Govern’d 5 and thence it came to pafs that the Prime Minifters of Mingrelia and Imiretta had continual Quarrels one with another, wherein they engag’d their Ma¬ ilers, and oblig’d ’em to make War one upon another. In which Conteft the Mingrelian was Vanquifh’d and taken Prifo- ner with his Wife, whom the Viceroy ol Georgia had lent him not above two Months before, and a report was afterwards fpread abroad, that he had not conffimmated the Marriage. She is very fair and very well ffiap’d, and tho I have feen many handfome Women in her Country, I never beheld a more charming Creature. She is moil Purely guilty of all the Pafi fions that a Lovers Bread can feel. For fuch are the Glances of her paffionately Tender and Languifhing Eyes, that die never looks but to command Love, and infpire hope. In a word, the Air of her Countenance and all her difeourfes are ir- refiftable Allurements. So that Bifhop Janatelle , who is one of the greatefi: Lords ill all Imiretta , was taken with her at firft fight. Who being very Rich, ply’d her with Prefents, and gain’d her io entirely, that now fhe flicks clofe to him, and that fo publickly, as if they were Man and Wife. And indeed the cunning which this Pried made ufe of to retain this lovely Pris’ner ftill in Imiretta, was more then ufual, and a very pleafant Contrivance. For he made the King his Mailer, the poor 4. The Trait eU of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, poor Blind Bacrat, in Love with her, by means of the dayly Encomiums of her Beauty which he continually peal'd in his Ears, and when he had kindl’d his Flame, he lay’d before him a kind of neceffity of Marrying her. Jour Majefly, Laid he, has loft your Wife, as being carry d away by the Bafha of AkaL zike, fo that GOD fnows what is become of her. The Viceroy of Georgi as Niece, to whom you are affianc'd, is an Infant, fo that it will be a long time before you can be Marry cl to her. And therefore your Majefly will do well to efpoufe the Brincefs of Min- grelia, nor can yon any where Marry another , that has more Beauty, or more Wit . And thus the King being over-rul’d, follow’d his Counfel, never confidering that he a and I was afraid left: in one of his mad or drunk’n Fits (to which he was fubje&) he fliould difcover us in Mingrelia. Fryer Zampi, the Superiour of the Theatins , bore me Company as he had done all along. And the Lay-Brother undertook to Conduft me to Anarghia. The Superiour and I went afoot, becaufe we could not meet with more then one Horie to be hir’d for Money, upon which I loaded my Goods, and let my Servant ride to look after ’em. The Lay-Brother was alfo a Horfeback, and it rain’d as hard as it could pour after two days} infomuch that the Fryer had like to have been drown’d about a League from the Caftle in a deep Ditch that overflow’d its Banks,into which his Horfe fell, and out of which with much ado we recover’d him half dead. I fhall not relate the Hardfhips I endur’d both that and the fol¬ lowing days: as being conftrain’d to march afoot in a rainy fealon through the Woods, full of Water and Mud, where I went for the mofl: part up to the Knees: only in a word, that ’twas impofllble for any Perfon to endure more then we did. For my own part I was quite fpent: All that I had left was a remainder of Courage and Refolution to do and ftiffer what¬ ever befel me, to fave thofe Goods that were entrnfted to my Care. In the Evening we arriv’d at Anarghia wet to the j very through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 153 very Skin ; Anarghia being fix Leagues from the Caftle of Sa - hatar. The 12 th I was to have Embark’d, but was prevented by the News that was fpread about of feveral Barks of the Mingre - bans and Abcas that were Cruifing upon the Coafts of M;/- grelia. Which was very true} for they had taken feveral Barks of the Country, and one among the reft wherein I was concern’d. Yet the unfpeakable trouble which this delay gave me, did not proceed fo much from its keeping me in conti- nual Fears and Dangers, as that it feem’d to threaten me thaG I fliould never get rid of ’em. - The ipth Father Zampt had Intelligence that the Day be¬ fore, they had forc’d open the Church-Doors, taken away all that was in the Church, had open’d the Sepulcher, and carry’d all that one of the Theatins , who was left to look af¬ ter the Houfe, had hid in the Tomb, and that there was no¬ thing left (landing but the Wall. This News put me into a terrible fright, confidering I had left above Seven 7 houfand fPiflols buri’d in the Church. Upon which I difpatch’d away a Meflenger to my Comrade, thinking to have found him at the Caftle * but he was already gone to the Theatins Refi- dence, to know what courfe we fhould take to repair fo great a Misfortune, of which he had Notice as foon as my felf. But he wrote me word, That Thanks be to GOD they had not fo much as touch’d our Money, having found it in the fame place where we had buri’d it. Which good News wonderfully re¬ viv’d my Spirits, looking upon lb great a Favour of the Al¬ mighty as a fign of his Attonement} fo that I went to encou¬ rage the Turkf, whofe Feluke I had hir’d to fet Sail with all fpeed. The 27th I departed from Anarghia , my Feluke being a Veffel of good Burthen, wherein there were near Twenty Perfons, the one half Slaves, the reft Tj/r^r, which I the ra¬ ther permitted the Mafter to take in, that we might be the bet¬ ter able to defend our felves againft the Rovers that infefted the Coafts. After an Hours Sailing, we got into the Main Sea : For the Langur which we left is very rapid, and runs with a furious Stream; and befides, he muft be a skilful Pilot that carries a laden Veffel down that River, by reafon of the many Flats, where they flick upon the Sands. I ftaid all Day* long near the Shoar at the requeft of the Mafter ol the Shal¬ lop, who expe&ed two Slaves to be brought him that Even¬ ing. R r While i Jf "I"- ' ■’■J ' r ' -- -—------- "- -------' i 54, The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfk, While I tarry’d at Anarghia , I was invited to two Chrift- nings j whither I W'ent to obferve the manner of the Mingrer- Man Baptifm *, and found that Father Zamfi had been very exa< 5 t in his Relation. For the Ceremony was no otherwise then thus, perform’d in a Neighbours Houle adjoyning to the Lodging where I lay. He fent for the Prieft about Ten a Clock in the Morning ; who was no fooner come, but he went into the Buttry where they kept the Wine, and fate him- felf down upon a Bench without any other then his ordinary Habit, and then fell a reading in a Book that was half torn, about the bignefs of a New Teftament in O&avo. Not that the Child was brought to him when he began to read, for the Father and Godfather did not bring him till a quarter of an Hour after 5 and then appear’d a little Boy of about five Years of Age, at what time the Godfather brought alfo a little Sear¬ ring Candle, and three Grains of Incenfe. The Candle the Godfather likewife lighted, and fix’d it to the Door of the Cellar, where though it was burnt out before the Child was Baptiz’d, they did not light up another ; and as for the three Grains of Incenle, they were ftrew’d upon a few Embers, and fmoak’d away. All this while the Prieft read on, very faft, and with a low Voice, and in fuch a carelefs manner as if he never minded what he did. The Father and Godfather went to and agen all the time, and lo did the Child, that did nothing but eat. At length after an Hours reading, there was a Bucket of warm Water got ready 5 into which after the Prieft had pour’d about a Spoonful of Oyl of Walnuts, he bid the Godfather undrefs the Child : which was done, and the Child put naked into the Bucket} where, as he ftood up¬ on his Feet, the Godfather wafh’d his Body all over, and when he had well walh’d him, the Prieft took out of a Lea¬ ther Pouch that hung at his Girdle as much Myrone , or Oyl of tln&ion, as came to the weight of a Pea, and gave it to the Godfather, who Anointed with it almoft all the parts of the Childs Body ; as the top of the Head, the Ears, Forehead, Nole, Cheeks, Chin, Shoulders, Elbows, Back, Belly, Knees and Feet: All which time the Prieft read on ftill $ nor did he give over till the Godfather had again dreft the Child. Which being done, the Father brought in Wine, Bread, and a piece of boyPd Pork, and firft gave the Child to eat, then prefented the Prieft, the Godfather i the Guefts, and all the Houfe : and then they all fate down to the Table ; nor was there hardly one that was not drunk before he went. 1 | I through the Black-Se^ and the Country of Colchis. 15 y I have aIfo leen Mafs perform’d in the fame place : which is done with the fame C arele'flhefs and IrreVcrence, and alto¬ gether: as has been related in a Treatife of the Mingrelian Reli¬ gion. And once it was my hap to fee one very pleafantly in¬ terrupted. For as I Was flying with one of the Theatins , we pafs’d along before a Church where they were laying Mafs. At what time the Prieft that faid it, underftanding that we enquir’d the way of the People that ftbod at the Door, Stay a little , cty’d he from the Altar, I'll come and tell ye. Imme¬ diately after he came to the Door, muttering his Mafs between his Teeth, and after he had ask'd us whence we came and whi¬ ther we went, he fliew’d us the way, and lb return’d td the Altar again. The 2pth betimes i’ the Morning we pin to Sea, the wea¬ ther being clear and fair: and then we could dilcover the high Lands of Trebifond, on the one fide, and of the Abe as on the other, and that very ealily becaufe the Blayk^Sea beginning to wind toward the Abcas Coafts, Atiarghia Hands far out in the circular circumference of thofe Coafts anfwering to Trebifond . the Blacl^S ea is 200 Leagues in length wanting Twelve or Fifteen , lying juft Eaft and Weft. The broadeft part, North and South, from the Bofphorus with Borifthenes , is three degrees; which part is the Weftern end of the Sea ; the Oppo- fite part not being above half fo broad. The Water of this Sea feem’d to me lefs Clear, lefs Green, arid lefs Salt, then the Water of the Ocean. Which proceeds as I am apt to be¬ lieve from the great Rivers that einpty themfelves into it; and for that it is (hut up in its felf as it were in the bottom of a Sack, lb that it ought to be niore properly called a Lake then a Sea, like the Cafpian Sea $ With which it agrees in this, that is common to both, that in neither of the two Seas there are any Illands. And therefore *tis in vain to feek for the reafon of its Denomination from the colour of the Water. The Creeks gave it its Name from the Dangerous Navigation dayly experienc’d by thofe that ventur’d into it; by realon of the Tempefts there more frequent and boiftrous then in other Seas: Axenos fignifying inhofpitable, and that will not fuffer any Perfon to come near it. The Turks therefore for the fame rea¬ fon call it Cara Denguis, or the Furious Sea. Cara which in the Turkilh Language properly fignifies 'Blacky denoting alfo furi¬ ous, dangerous, terrible, and ferving ufually in that Idiom, for an Epithite given td thick Forrefts, rapid Rivers, and fteep and fugged Mountains. Ndw the reafon why the Storms are more Violent ic t d C Ihe travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Violent and Dangerous in that, then in other Seas, is firft be- caule the Waters are contra&ed within a narrow Channel and have no Outlet: the Bofpborus not being to be accompted an Outlet by reafon it is fo very (freight. And therefore the Waters being Violently agitated by a Storm, and not know¬ ing where to have Room, and being ftrongly repelPd by the (hoar, they Mount and rowle aloft, and beat againft the Ship on every fide with an Invincible fwiftnefs and force. Second¬ ly, becaufe there are few or no Roads in that Sea which are (helter’d from the Wind, but where there is more danger then in the open Sea. All the Black-Sea is under the Dominion of the Grand Sig- nior \ there is no Sailing there without his leave j lo that there is no great fear cf Py rates, which in my Opinion are a greater danger then the Sea it felf. All that Day we fayl’d with a Contrary Wind, which was the reafon we did not make above Six Leagues, however in the Evening we bore into a River call’d ^elmbely deeper and almoft as broad as the Langur , but not fo rapid. The 30th Two Hours before Day we fet fail by the light of the Moon, and by Noon we made the River Pbafts , and bore up into it about a Mile to certain Houfes, where the Mailer of the Felake was defirous to unlade fome of his Goods. The River Tbafis takes its rife out of Mount Caucafus , call’d by the Turks Fachs ; though as I obierv’d, the People of the Country call it Ifjone. I faw it firft at Cotatn , where it runs in a narrow Channel very fwiftly, yet iometimes io low, that it is eafily fordable. But where it difcharges it felf into the Sea, which is about Fourfcore and Ten Miles from Cotatis , there the Channel is about a Mile and Half Broad and Sixty Fadome deep: being fwell’d before that, by feveral Idler Breams that pour themfelves into it. The Water is very good to Drink, though fomewhat Muddy, thick, and of a Leaden colour } of which Arrian afierts the caufe to be the Earth that is intermix’d with it He farther adds, and other Authors al- fo affirm the fame, that all the Ships took in Water at (P hafir , out of an Opinion that the River was facred, or believing it to be the bell Water in the World. There are feveral final! Ifiands at the Month of the River, which appear very delight¬ ful, as being (haded with thick Woods. Upon the biggeftof which to the Weft, are to be feen the Ruins of a Fortress which Sultan Murat caus’d to be built in the Year 1578. For he through the Black-Sea* am the Country of Colchis* 157 he had made an Attempt to Conquer all the Northern and £a« ftern Coafts of the Blach^Sea. But this Enterprise did not fucceed according to his Defign. For to that purpofe he fent his Galleys up the River Bbafis\ but the King of Imiretfa ha¬ ving laid coniiderable Embufcado\ where the River was nar- roweft, Murat s Galleys were defeated, one funk, and the reft forc’d to fly. The Fortrefs of Shafts was tak’n by the Army of the King of lmiretta, reinforc’d by the Prince’s of Mingrelid and Guriel. The Caftle was prefently demolifh’d, wherein there were 2 5 Pieces of Cannon, which the King caus’d to be carry’d to his Caftle of Cotatis , where they are now again in the Hands of the Turfy by the late furrender of the Caftle be¬ longing to that place* I fetch’d a Compafs about the Eland of Pbafis , to try whe¬ ther l could dilcover any Remainders of the Temple of ^ pea t which Arrian lays Was to be leen in his time : but I could not find the leaft Footftep of any fuch thing. Yet Hiftorians affirm, that it was ftanding entire in the time of the Grecian Empire i and that it was Conlecrated to the Worfiiip of Chrift in the Reign of the Emperour Zeno . 1 fought likewife for the great City call’d Sebajla , which Geographers have plac’d at the Mouth of Thafis ; but not a Brick to be leen, no more then of the Ruines o £ Colchis. All that I obferv’d conformable to what the Ancients have wrote concerning that part of the Blacfy Sea , is only this, That it abounds in Pheafants. Of which there are fome Authors, and among the reft Martial , who fay, That the Argonauts firft brought thofe Birds into Greece , where they had never been leen before, and that they gave ’em the Name of Pheafants, or Bhafiani , as being taken upon the Banks of tPbafis. This River leparates Mingrelia from the Principality of Guriel , and the petty Kingdom of lmiretta . Anargbia is diftant from it 3d Miles. All the Coafi is a low Sandy Soyl, cover’d with Woods fo thick, that a Man can hardly fee fix Paces among the Trees. In the Evening I caus’d the Mafter to put to Sea, with a fair Gale ; and at Midnight we Sail’d before a Haven call’d Copoletta , belonging to the Prince of Guriel. The 30th after Noon, we arriv’d at Gonie , diftant front Shafts about 40 Miles 5 the Sea-Coaft being all exceeding High-land, and Rocks, lome cover’d with Wood, and others naked. It belongs to the Prince of Guriel , whofe Territories extend to a River about half a Mile from GoniL S f Gonie 'V 158 The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Gome is a large Caftle, four-fquare, built of hard and rough Scones of an extraordinary bulk : fcated upon the Sea-fide up¬ on a Sandy Foundation* It has neither Trenches nor Fortifi¬ cations } but only four Walls and two Gates, one that opens Eaftward upon the Sea, and another to the North : Nor did I fee any more then only two great Guns for its defence, With¬ in there are about Thirty pitiful, low, fmall, inconvenient Houfes, built only of Boards : And without, dole 1 by it, (lands a Village confifting of as many more Habitations. Alnxoft all the Inhabitants Marriners : which is the reafon that the Coun¬ try is call’d La%i } La'z, in the Turkifh Language properly fig- nifying a Seaman: and Figuratively, a Clownilli, Boarilh, Sa¬ vage Fellow: Thefe La^i are all Mahumetam . There is a Cuftom-Houfe at Gome ,which has the Reputation of being very Rude and Imperious; yet was not quite fo cruel: as they made me believe it was: and yet as it is fevere enough to the People of the Country, fo is it really a place that cuts the very Throats of the Europeans. They have no regard to the Quality of the Perfons, nor the Palfports of the Grand Sig- nior y nor for any Recommendations from the Tort. ’Tis in vain therefore to exped any Relief from thence ; They who Command in thofe extream parts of the Empire believing them- felves at a diftance remote enough from the reach of the Grand Signior. So foon as the Felouke came to be Moor’d to the Key, my Servant leaped afhoar with a moft extravagant Tranfport of Joy : he call up his Eyes to Heav’n, kifs’d the Earth j he be¬ llow’d a Thouland Curies upon Mingrdia ; but to the Country of the Turk/ he wifh’d all the Happinefs imaginable. Pre- fently after, leaving me, he went into the Caftle, at a time that I had more need of him then ever. And indeed I had a great Jealoufie that he was gone to difeover as much as he thought he knew concerning me. For when the Officer of the Cuftom-Houfe and the Deputy-Governor came to take No¬ tice what was unladed out of the Felouke, and to demand the Cuftoms, they prefently gave me to underftand, that thev knew 3 was an European , told me the Misfortunes which had befall’n me in Mingrelia , and the Defign which I had to go to Ak^l^ihg. Which furpriz’d me extreamly, perceiving lo well that I was betray’d. Neverthelefs I was not at all troubl’d at it , for GOD through his Mercy ftill infpir’d me with Relblution. Belides, I was lure of one thing, that my Servant did not know particularly who I was. I had entertain’d him into my lervice through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 159 fervice ’cis true, at Constantinople , and he had (een me frequent- ly Vifit the European Ambaftaddrs and Mtnifters, and that I was honourably receiv’d, and that all the reft of my time I fpent in Writing and Reading; lb that all he could guefs from thence, was only that I might be fome Perfon that Traveled out of Curiofity. I had given him Inftru&ions alio to tell the Turks if they enquir’d, that I was a Merchant, and that be¬ ing come into Mingrelia to buy Hawks, to carry into Europe , the People of the Country had Robb’d me of all I had, and that I was going to demand Juftice from the Bajba of AkaU •Like. And I kept conftant to this Story, not knowing any better way to conceal my felf ; befides that I would not by any alteration of my Inftru&ions, feem to take any notice to my Servant, that I was Jealous of his Infidelity. The Officer of the CuftormHoufe ask’d me feveral Queftions; to which I gave him fatisfa&ory Anfwers : however he fent to feareh my Packs, but met with nothing: my Saddle indeed weigh’d fome- what heavy, which caus’d it to be fufpefred ; in regard that the Turkifh Saddles are very light. Whereupon the Officers Poys’d it and felt every where ^ but not feeling any thing but Flocks and Hair, they fufter’d it to pafs. As for my Eight Hunderd Pijioh, I carry d the one half about me, the other was in a Portmantle lockt with a Padlock with fome other Trifles that were of no Value.; but which I knew well enough, the Turks would be fingring, had they once but fix’d their Eyes upon ’em. True it is, that when I parted from Mingrelia , I had relolv’d to have given that Cloak Bag to one of the Seamen, fo foon as we fhould land at Copaletta y a Neighbouring Port of which I have already fpoken. For they never meddle with the Seamen’s" Packs, and very rarely feareh the Felouhgs themfelves. But the Wind being fair, we never put in to that Port; which was the reafon I did not do as I intended : for it would have been a piece of Imprudence to have done it publickly in the Felou\ where there were fo many Paflengers. The Officers of the Cuftom-Houle therefore being inform’d of what I had, went into the Feloul ^ and there finding the Cloak Bag, demanded whofe it was, to which I prefently an- fwer’d, that twas mine, but that there was nothing in it that pay’d Cuftom. However, the Cuftomer commanded me to open it: to.which 1 reply’d, That I would willingly do it ac his Houfe, but not a fhoar before fo many People. There¬ upon the Officers carry'd me home, and the Deputy Gover¬ nor 160 STbe travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, nor went along with him: where the Deputy took one per Cent. and the Officers of the Cuftoms Five i’ the Hunderd So that they took from me Twenty Two Piftols in Gold, and what they thought fit befides of the Trifles that were in the Cloak Bag, and among the reft a fmall pair of Piftols, which were all the Arms I had : for which he pay’d me, ’tis true } but not above half the Value. Afterwards he invited me to lye at his Houfe, to which I anfwer’d, That fure he did but laugh at me to offer me his Houfe, after he had unjuftly made me pay Cu¬ ftoms for the Gold and Silver which I had, that never pay’d any Duty’s. To which he reply *d, That I was mi f-in form’d, and that he had done me no unjuftice, for that at Gonie there was nothing exempted from paying the Cuftom; and therefore as for offering me his Houfe it was out of kindnefs and favour that he did it. I return’d him Thanks, and told him, That fince he was fo forward as to offer me a kindnefs, there was one for which I fhould for ever be oblig’d to thank him; that he would fo far affift me with a Convenience, that I might get fafe to Jkahike *, for it being known over all Gonie that I had a Bag of Gold, I had reafon to fear being Murder’d in the Moun¬ tains, over which my Road lay, for the remainder of what I carry d about me. That I was a Stranger, and without Wea¬ pons to defend my felf, he himfelf having tak’n from me all the Arms I had left me j and therefore that he would be pleas’d to lend me feme Affiftance. To which he anfwer’d. That I needed not to be in fuch a Panick Fear, for that, Thanks be to GOD, 1 was now in the Country of the Faithful (the Epi¬ thet which the Turks affume to themfelves) where I had no reafon to be afraid either of being Robb’d or Murder’d. That he would Warrant me my Life and my Goods; that I might carry my Bag of Gold upon my Head, and Travel without any danger. But as to what remain’d, becaufe the way to Akafotbp was very bad, the two firft Days Journey being to be Travel I’d a Foot, through the narrow and Craggy Paffages of the Mountains, where no Horie was able to pals, he would appoint me the next Morning, fuch as fhould carry my Bag¬ gage, and conduit me for the firft Days Journey ; where like- wife the firft Guides fhould be reliev’d by others, till I came to Aktl^ike- Having fo faid, He offer’d me a Third time to come and fpend the Night at his Houfe, and was very importunate with meand I found afterwards that he did it fincerely and for my Good* I wifh to GOD I had perceiv’d his kindnefs, but through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, i '6 1 I forefaw not the Danger that my Ill Fortune was preparing for me. I was fearful that the Cuftomers Defign in inviting me to his Houfe, was only that he might have an Opportunity tofeargh my Packs the moreexa&Iy j befides, that I was de- fperately afraid, left it ftiould come into his Head to fearch my felf, having a large Bag of Gold and Pearls in feveral parts of my Cloaths. It was almoft Night when I took my leave of theCuftom- Houfe-Officer at his own Houfe ; and my Servant had carry’d all my Baggage to the place where the People were gone to lodge that came along with me in the Veffel; which was a pi¬ tiful Straw-loft, full of Holes in the Walls on every fide, and no lefs nafty and ftinking withal. There I receiv’d their Com¬ plements of Condolement, if I may fo call ’em ; and to fay truth, unlefs it were my Servant, who had his fhare of the Twenty Two Tiflolsj all the reft were forry for my lofs; and every one blam’d me for not giving my Bag to fome-body that might have fecur’d it for me. So that I was forc’d to a£t the part of one that was troubl'd and griev’d for what had hap¬ pen’d, though in my Heart I was not a little glad I had fcap’d fo, and all I defir’d was only to fee the return of Day-light, that I might get rid of that Cut-throat place. But while I was eating a Morfel of Bisket, in came a Jani- fary to tell my Servant, that the Deputy-Governor would fpeak with him : for the Commander of the Caftle being ab- fent, the Deputy fupply’d his place. Away went my Servant, and about an Hour after, the fame Janifary came for me like- wife. I found the Deputy-Governor fitting at the Table with my Servant, both very Drunk : and firft of all he forc’d me to Eat and Drink whether I would or no: then he told me, That all the Chriftians that belong’d to the Church who pafs’d through Gome , were oblig’d to give his Mafter T wo Hunderd Ducats , which makes about a Hunderd Pound; that I was one of thofe Ecclefiafticks, and therefore muft pay fo much Money. To which I anfwer’d, That I was a Merchant, and that he was mifiinform’d, and that feeing the Officer of the Cuftom-Houfe had let me go, he had nothing to do to take Cognizance who I was. However, if there w r ere any thing due to the Governor, that I would pay it the next Morning : and that the Night was no time to difcourfe the Bufinefs: and having fo faid, I was about to rife and be gone. But I was flopp’d by two Januaries', at what time the Deputy-Governor caus’d me to fit down again, and forc’d me to Drink very T t hard } 1 61 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, hard , temng me for two Hours together with a Thoufand Impertinencies : and among other things telling me, That all the Goods of the Chriftians belong’d of Right to the Turks, that the Maltefe s had tak’n two of his Brothers, and that for a Perfon of my Circumftances Twenty Tiftols was fufficient. I confels I found my felf but in a feurvy Condition, having to do with People that were Fuddl’d, and my Servant in Read of affifting me, fitting at the Table with my Judge, a Thou¬ fand times more my Mafter, then I was his, as of right I ought to have been : yet though 1 perceiv’d his Treachery, 1 durft not fpeak a word, for fear of worfe that might befal me. I took him therefore afide, and advis’d him not to loie the Op¬ portunity of making me more fenfible then ever of that Fide* lity wherewith he had ferv’d me : that only he could recon¬ cile the Bufinefi, and that therefore I gave him Power to of¬ fer Twenty Ducats for an Accommodation. My defign by that counterfeit Confidence, which could do me no harm, was to bridle the Villany of theTraytor, and to prevent him from ufing Extremity. After that, I addrefs’d my felf to the De¬ puty-Governor with Intreaties, menacing Hints, and Remon¬ fir an ces that no body for the future would come near Gome , when they fiiould underftand that Paflengers were us’d with fo much Violence and Injuftice. To which the Deputy-Go¬ vernor aniwer’d laughing, That Gome was none of his Lively- bood, that he had but a Year to tarry there, that he car'd not whether any body came thither or no after he was gone *, then, let the Caftle fink if it would ; and that he was all for the pre- fent Opportunities, without any regard of the future \ and at length it came to that heighth,that the Deputy-Governor find¬ ing he could not oblige me to fatisfie his Demands, fent for my Baggage j which the Tray tor of a Servant, my Man, was very officious to fetch. Prefently the Governor commanded me to take out the Gold ; but 1 refus’d to obey him, and told him withal, That I would not give him a Farthing, let him do his worfi; for that I ow’d him nothing: that I could not with- ftand his Violence, fothat he might take what he pleas’d, but that 1 knew the way to have Satisfa&ion. Thereupon the Robber fent for Chains and an Iron Collar, which did not a little daunt me, confidering I had to do with Souldiers, whom the fight of Gold and the Wine which they had drank to ex- cefs, render’d unlimited in their A&ions. At the fame time alfo, one of the Souldiers came to me, and whifpefid me in the Ear, T he more ye peel Garlicthe jlronger it fwells. As through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 163 much as to fay, The longer you delay to accommodate a wrangling Bufinefs, the more you intreague it. My Servant likewife pronounc’d Sentence again!! me for a Hunderd Ducats. To be ftiort, I gave ’em the Summ, and four more to the Ja- Hilaries, who had perform'd the Office of Bay lifts. The Goods that I had about me, and at my Lodging, the place where I was, and a Hunderd other good Confiderations made me then give way: whereas in another Condition, I fhould never have fubmitted to their Threats, nor fear’d their Chains, but have wrefted my felf out of their Clutches Scotfree, or elfe with very little lols. For to ffiew that it was more then they could anfwer, the Deputy Governor, as I was about to tell out the Money, conftrain’d me to fwear upon the Gofpel, that I gave it him freely, and that I would not fpeak a word of it to any perfon. Whereupon arofe a freffi difpute, and as hot as the former: for I was unwilling to fwear, as being re- lolv’d to have made a loud complaint, and defirous withal to lecure my felf for the future by the obftinacy of my prefenc Refiftance. But this fame Highway-Man of a Governor ab- folutely refus’d to take the Hunderd Ducats , but upon that Condition. And therefore there was no other way, but I mull fwear what he would have me in his prefence, and defire him to accept the Money. The next Day, betimes i’ the Morning the under Officers of the Cuftom-Houfe came to my miferable Lodging, and watch’d me all along till I was ready to depart. They had order, it feems, to make a new Inquifition into my Saddle, and to fearch my Clothes. To that pnrpole they call d my Man, and told him their Errand in the mod Civil and Courteous Terms they could: and fo they fell to fearching the Saddle a fecond time, I my felf trembling for Fear, all the while it was in their Hands. However they felt nothing that augmen¬ ted their miftruft, only the weight amus’d ’em. Which when I perceiv’d to be the only thing that gravell’d ’em, I told ’em, I had made it fo heavy, that it might ferve me for a Pack Sad¬ dle upon occafion; which was the reafon it was fo unweildy : and that evafion it was that fav’d me, and fatisfi’d their Curio- fity. After that, I found they had a mind to be fearching my Cloathes} for they took me afide one after another, and told me if I had any thing about me, which the Cuftomer had not feen, that I fhould make ’em a prefent, and they for their parts would never difcover me. Friends, anfwer’d I, never feek for a far-fetch’d excufe to fearch me, but if you have a mind, do 164 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, do it without any more ado. And with that f open’d my breaft* and ffiew’d ’em my Pockets : by which Bravado I efcap’d f for the Officers thought I would never have been fo bold, had I been afraid of their grouping. Thereupon they forbore to fearch me j but carry’d me to the Cuftomer, to whom with feigned Tears in my Eyes, and Counterfeiting a profound trouble of mind, I acknowledg’d how that becaufel did not lodge at his Houfe, I had been defpoifd of part of my Gold. I gave ye good advice, anfwer’d he, for I was afraid what would hap¬ pen j and then he importun’d me to tell him how much they had tak’n, and who had done it, alluring me that 1 ffiould have Juftice certainly done me : to which I reply’d, that they had threaten’d to kill me if I told. Which was very true, befides that I had fuch an Impatient defire to be out of Gonie , that I had no mind to be commencing of Suits. Only I de- fir'd the Cuftomer to be as good as his word. Which he was, and appointed me two Men to carry my Baggage, and a Titrl ^ to accompany me to Akal^ihg. He alfo order’d the two Men to bring a note back under my hand to allure him that I was fafely arriv’d at my firft Journeys end} and gave the 7 ur\ a Paftport, in the form of an order, to make ufe of upon the Road. Which I thus Translated from the Original. Guards of the Highway , (provojls , Judges , Bayliffs , con- duB from Journeys end to Journeys end , to the Happy Gate of Aflan-Pafha, John his Banker. Allow hint for his Money Horfes and Men as many as he fhall defire. His Terfon and his Goods are a Trufl , which is given in Charge to the Inhabitants of all the places through which he jhali pafs } for which they are to be anfwerable upon their Lives. The Cuftomer, w T hen he gave the Note to the Tur\ thatl was to be my Guide, told me, that he had made me to pafs for the Bajhas Banker, and that / ffiould get a white Turbant for my fell and my Servant, that I might be the more refpeded. Which Idid, and fet forward about eight of the Clock in the Morning, tranfported with Joy to fee my felf at Liberty out of filch a wicked and Dangerous Place in a Country of Free¬ dom, where/had little or nothing to fear. 1 began then to breath a little, and to recoiled: and recompofe my Spirits, ha¬ ving been for five Months in continual Tribulations, Anxieties and Agitations of Mind. Taxations, Shipwrack, Slavery, Wedlock, lofs of Goods, of Liberty and Life, where the ^ ’ frightful through the Black -Sea* and the Country of Colchis; 165 frightful Ideas that daily hover’d before my Eyes, beiides a thou- fand other real Calamities that kept.me ill that time continually deprds’d under the weight of my Misfortunes. But that Day [ recover'd my felf, and with a pleafure Unexpreffible, I felt my Heart to expatiate it felf, and reaffumC its peaceable Motions. I afcended Mount Caucajus with fuch a nimblenefs of Heels, that my Porters flood in Admiration .* fo nimble is the Man that has no burthen upon his Heart. And I may truly fay without any Hyperbole’s or Metaphors, that I was like one, from whofe Shoulders they had remov’d a Mountain, fo that me thought I could have flown i’ the Air. We Traveil’d four Leagues among Rocks ; after which I ferry’d over, in a Boat, the River already mention’d that parts the Country of Guriel from the Turks, The 3d I Travell’d five Leagues a Foot, three Men carrying my Luggage : and frequently we pafs’d by the Brinks of fUcK dreadful Precipices, that fear’d me to look down. We did nothing but Afcend; fo that in Five Leagues we made no more then two Miles of Level way. The 4th I tarry’d in a Village inhabited by Turks and Chri- flians * where I arriv’d the Day before,in regard the Rain,Snow and Wind would not permit us to fet forward any further. I Travell’d the Fifth and Sixth, Eleven Leagues. ’Tis true, I had Horfes, but I dare be bold to fay, I did not ride above Three Leagues of all that way; fori was forc’d to alight every foot: the way being fo rugged and deep, that the Horfes could hard¬ ly keep their Feet. The Seventh and Eighth, I travell’d 16 Leagues ; up Hill and down Hill for the Four firfl I eagues ; the next Eight were all a Smooth Road, but full of Turnings and Windings : and then we got to the Top of Mount Caucafu* : after which we Travell’d Four Leagues continually upon the Defcent. Half way down the Hill were to be feen the Spires and Tops of the Ruins of fcveral Caflles and Churches; of which as the People faid, there had been a confiderable number, till deflroy’d by the Turks. The bottom of the Hill leads ye into a fair Valley Three Miles broad, Rich and Fertile, and full of Villages: being water’d by the River Kur , that runs through the middle of if. ’Tis known that Aft a is divided by a Chain of Mountains that run along from one end to the other, of which the highell parts were call’d Taurus , Imaus and Caucafus. The firfl is that part which advances it felf to the farthefl part of Afia ; and this Chain, or Ridg is generally call’d Taurus. I fay generally, becaufe that every part derives a particular Name from the Nation, to U u which 166 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, which it adjoyns. The laft part, which is the neareft to Europe, lies between the BlacJ^Sea, and the CafpianSea , between Muf- covy and Turkey. But thefe three Names are confufedly made ufe of by many Authors, among the reft, Tliny andO^Curtim, who place Caucafns in India. However Strabo , who repprts this in his Geography, affirms that 0 . Curtins did it to magnifie the wonders of Alexanders Hiftory,in regard that Caucafus being the higheft part of all Mouftt 'Taurus , and that which the Fables of the Poets have render’d moft Famous, the Renown of his Hero became the greater,whom he makes to force his way over it with his Victorious Sword. And indeed I fliould have thought it had been a fault in Geography, which Qj_ Curtins committed igno¬ rantly, as when he brings Ganges from the South, and takes Jaxartes fofthe River Tanais. I fay I fhould take it for an Error, if I did not find him in his Sixth Book, putting the Mountain Caucasus between Hircania and the River Shafts. Bur to return to the Defcription of Mount Caucafns, it is the higheft Mountain, and moft difficult to pafs over that ever I be¬ held. For it is full of Rocks and difmal Precipices, through which there have been great endeavours us’d to make a hollow way. At the time when I pafs’d it,it was all cover’d with Snow,in many places above Ten Foot deep : fo that my Guides oft-times were forc’d to make way with their fhovels: for they had upon their Feet a fort of Sandals proper to walk upon the Snow, which I never law but in that Country, the bottom of it being made in the fhape, and about the length of a Racket without a handle, but not fo broad, the Network is alfo not fo tight, and the Wood is altogether circular. Which prevents their finking in¬ to the Snow, for that it bears up the weight of the body, and keeps the Foot from finking above a Fingers Depth. They will alfo run with thefe fort of Sandals very faft, hardly leaving any print of their Feet, or any fign which way they have gone, for that the Sandal has neither Toes nor Heels. The Top of Mount Caucafus is perpetually cover’d with Snow,and for eightLeagues in the Road we travell’d in croffing it, altogether uninhabi¬ ted. So that I was fore d to fpend the whole Night in the Snow. Only I caus’d the Fellows to cut me down fome Firr-Trees upon which/lay, after I had order’d’em to make a good Fire. When I came to the Top of the Mountain, the People that were my Guides, made long Prayers to their Images, for their favor to keep the Wind from Rifing. For had the Wind been high, we had without doubt been all Buried in the Snow $ for being loofe and fmall as duft, the Wind eafily carries it away, and through the Black-Sea* and the Country of 'C oleins* r fills the Air with it ; but GOD be thanked there was no Wind However, the Horfes would fink fo deep in many places, that I thought they would never get out: for my part 1 travelfd for thd moft part afoot, and fecure enough: nor do I believe 1 rode above eight Leagues in eroding over this hideous Mountain, which is fix: and thirty Leagues. I thought for the two lad days,that 1 had been in the Clouds,not being able to lee twenty Paces before me: befides that the Firr-Trees that grow very thick all over the Mountain prevent any profped: at a diltance : only as / went down Hill, the Clouds roll’d under my Feet, as far as I could fee, fo that I could not but think my felf i’the Air, though I felt at the fame time that T trod upon the Ground. Mount Caucafiis till ye come to the very top is extreamly fertil in Honey,Wheat,and Gom, (of which I have fpokn in the Defcri^ ption of Mingrelia) in Wine, in Fruits, in Pigs, and large CatteL The Vines grow there about the Trees, and run tip lb high, that many times they are not able to climb up to gather the Grapes. Befides, it was Vintage-time when I crofs’d the Mountain ; and I found the Grape, the new and the old Wine, to be extreamly good, and fo cheap withal in fome parts,that you might buy 300 weight for a Crown : for the Country People not having Vent for it, left the Grapes to hang Sc rot upon the Branches,as not worth the gathering. The Country People dwell in Wooden Huts: of which every Family has four or five ; in the biggelt of which they make a Fire, and fit round about it. The Women grind the Corn, as they have occafion for Bread; which they bake in round Stones a Foot or there¬ abouts in Diameter,and fome two or three Fingers in depth. Thefe Stones they make very hot, put in the Dough, and then cover it with hot Afhes, and live Coals over that: and in fome places they bake it in the Embers only.To which purpofe they fweep the Hearth very clean,lay the Dough upon it,and then cover it with Allies and live Coals as before. Neverthelefs the Cruft is very white, and the Bread very good. They keep their Wine as they do in Mingrelia. I lodg’d every Night at fome Countryman’s Houfe or other,of whom I hir’d either Horfes or Porters.The Turk,1 alfb,who was recommend* ed to me, ferv’d me very dextroufly, and as well as the place would afford. They gave us Hens,Eggs,Pulfe,Wine, Bread, and overcloy’d us with Fruit. For every Neighbouring Houfe brought us a great Pitcher of Wine,a Pannier of Fruit,and a Basket of Bread for their (hare of what we wanted.For which we never ask’d them what was to pay, nor would my Guide permit me to give ’em any Gratuity* I fell on like a Wolf,not being able to fatisfie my Hunger in lefs then two or three hours. For it is not to be imagin’d what an empty Stomach i 6 S The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Stomach / had all the while that 1 was mMingrelia for three months together, during all which time I could get no Bread, befides that I was all the while under the fcourge of Hunger, and in continual dread of fome Mifchief or other. But now, thanks be to GOD, 1 liv’d in fecurity and plenty* and from a deteftable Country where I could not get Vittles for Money, 1 was got into another Region where they gave me Meat and Drink for nothing: Nor is it pof fible for any Man, that has not undergone thofe Extremities, to conceive the pleafure of fo happy a Change. The Inhabitants of thefe Mountains are for the moft part Chri- ftians after the Georgian Ceremonies. They are very frelh Com- plexion’d, and I have feen very handfom Women among ’em. Be¬ fides, they are infinitely better difpofition’d then the Mingrelians , and the other People of Mount Caueafws > that are not under the' Dominion of the Turkg. The ninth 1 traveled five Leagues through a Plain, of which 1 have already fpok’n ; the Soyl of which is very proper for Tillage: and upon the Hills that furround it great Numbers of Cattel graze. In the Evening I arriv’d at Akgkikg. Ahghike is a Fortrefs built upon Mount Caucafus , feated in a hollow place, among twenty Hillocks or thereabouts,from whence the Caftle might be eafily batter’d on every fide, rhough fortifi’d with double Walls, and flanqu’d with Towers, both built with Battlements after the Ancient Manner. Adjoyning to this Fortrels, which is defended with only a few great Guns, Band upon the Neighbouring Hillocks aforemention’d a large Town, con filling of about 400 Houfes all new,and which feem to have been but lately built: fo that there is nothing of Antiquity to be feen, but two Armenian Churches. The Town is Peopl’d with Turks-, Armenians , Georgians , Greeks and Jews *, the Cbrijiians having their Churches, and the Jews a Synagogue. There is alfo in it an Inn newly built of Wood, as are all the reft of the Houfes in that place. The Ri¬ ver t\ur runs along by it, which derives it Head from the Moun¬ tain Caucafu< r, and was call’d anciently Cyrus , and by fome Corns . Strabo places the Head of it in Armenia , Ptolomy in Colchis ; Pliny will have it fpring from the Mountains of Tartary , which are be¬ yond Colchis , which he calls Coraxicie y becauleof the River Corax that fprings from thence, and difeharges it felf into the Blacl^Sea. Which Opinions feeming fo various may neverthelefs be true, and come all to one and the fame thing. For that Armenia has formerly included Colchis } and becaufe Colchis formerly was a great King¬ dom, as I have already obferv’d. The Bajba of Alyfoike lodges in the Fortrefs, and the Principal Officers and Souldiers quarter in the adjacent Villages. This through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. i This Fortrefs was built by the Georgians , from whom the Turly took it toward the end of the lab Age. 1 he i 3th about Two a Clock in the Morning f parted from Ah^l^ike , travailing dire&ly Eaflward. At the end of three Leagues the Plain of Ahyl^ily. breightens, to the breadth of hah a League, having the Mountains on both bdes. In that part bands a Cable built by the Turly upon a Rock, on the right fide of the River I and gave me thofe Teilimonies of his Difcontent, that were enough to forewarn me of fome fatal Confequence of his Revenge. So that I could have found i’ my Heart to have laid him in Irons: and had I faid the leaft word, the Capuchins would have done it in the Twinkling of an Eye, as being in great Credit at Teffl is. But I forbore, prevented by that Fate which Governs all Things. I was wholly inclin’d to pity} for I expected and defir’d it too much my felf,not to fhew it to another : and it was no more then what ieem’d acceptable to GOD. And we (hall fee hereafter how he fhew’d himfelf pleas’d with what I had done ; by delivering me from a Dangerous Snare which the Traytor had laid for me. I return’d to Gory the 21ft. The 22d we parted thence, and lay fix Leagues from Gory y at a Village upon the Road to Akal^ihg^ which I had Rid in my firft Travels in thofe parts. The 23d we departed by break of Day, and prefently left the R oad of Ah^l : z,ihg upon the Left-hand. At Noon we ar¬ riv’d at a fmall Village call’d Aly 5 lying nine Leagues from Gory, and feated among the Mountains. Two Leagues be¬ yond that, we pafs’d a Streight which is fenc’d with a great Gate of Carpenters Work, and feparates Georgia from the Kingdom of lmiretta } from whence we rode one League far¬ ther, and flopp’d at a little Village. The 24th we travell’d feven Leagues in the Mountains; which were full of Snow that fell in great Flakes: the Moun¬ tains themfelves, which are a part of Mount Caucafus, being cover’d with very high Trees. There we thought we fhould have loft our lelves : for the Snow being very deep, cover’d all the Paths and Tracks, that we could not fee our way : but at length we came to a Village calld Colbaure , where we lay. This Village confifts of about TwoHunderd Houfes, all in a direct line, and io far diflant one from another, that it is above three Miles from the firft to the laft. The 25 th we traveil’d not above nine Miles, the bad Wea¬ ther, the Snow, Cold, and Obicurity of the Air in thofe high 1 Mourn through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 175 Mountains hindring us from going any farther : however, at laft we lodg’d at a Village containing about thirty Houles. The 26th, the Air clear’d up, it had done Snowing, nor was it fo bitter Cold : fo that we travelPd Eighteen Miles among the Mountains cover’d with thick Woods. Yet the Road was indifferent, in regard the Alcents and Defcents were not very fteep. And We lay at a fmall Village by the iide of a great River. The 27th we Ferry’d over the River, and travell'd Three Leagues in a Country like that which we had pafs’d the Days before. And aefeending the Mountain we came into a large and fair plain extending as far as we could lee; and lodg’d at a Village call’d Sefano. This Valley is almoft a League broad from one end to the other; and it is very fertile and very plea- fant, as being water’d with leveral Streams; extending it felf as far as Mingrelia ; and being the moll pleafant part of all lmi~ retta. The Mountains with which it is furrounded are cover’d with Wood and Villages: for the grea fell part of the Moun¬ tains are till’d; and full of Vineyards. In this Valley we found the Air to be as warm as if it had been Spring, and very little Snow. Sefano lay near to a Cattle belonging to an Ancient Lady, who was Aunt to the King of Imiretta , w 7 ho lay lick at the time that we arriv’d there. Who hearing that there was a Capuchin come to the Village, fent for him, to difeourfe with him. For in that Country, they look upon all the MiOiona» ries to be Phylicians. Nor was the Fryer unwilling to vilit her, hoping to procure fome afilllance from her in our delign. But two Hours after he had left me, I was furpriz’d to be overtaken by another Capuchin with a Horle and a Guide. The caufe of whofe following me fo dole was to give me Intelligence, that the Lacquey which I had difmifs’d was come from Tejflis to Gory, where he had difeover’d all that he knew of my bulk nefs^ fwearing to ruin me, and that he was gone, no body knew which way. Which furpriz’d me very much. For I millrulled fome fuch thing. I delir’d the Capuchin therefore to tarry with me, gave him a Thoufand Thanks, and highly ap¬ plauded the great Zeal and Affe&ion of the Society toward me, which they had teftifi’d by fuch an evident and Gene¬ rous Demonllration : and indeed they could not have given me more apparent tok’nsof their kindnefs. The 2 5th we travell’d Five Leagues in the Plain already mention’d ; which is very full of Villages and Woods, and yo The Tray els of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, the ioyl io extreamly fat, that our Horfes had much a do to poach along. After we had travell’d Six Miles, we left the Fortrefs oi Sounder upon the right Hand. The People of the Country call it Scandu , and affirm that Alexander the Great built it. For the Eaftern People call that Vidtorious Prince by the Name of Sounder. They tell ye farther that he built Se¬ venteen Places more which he call’d by the fame Name. And perhaps this might be one of the Seventeen, and the fame which is mention’d by Q^Cnrtm in his Seventh Book. Which I am inclin’d to believe by its Situation, for it is feated at the foot of a Mountain. It is now of no force; confiding only of two fquare Towers, without any Wall, with fome Lodgings round about ; nor does it’s Antiquity feem to exceed about 300 Years. About a League from Sounder we pafs’d through Chicaris, a Village confiding of about Fifty Houfes. It goes for a City in Imiretta , though it have neither Walls, nor any thing more remarkable then any other Villages : we put in, and lay at a place, a League from thence. The 29th and 30th we day’d there. For our Guides would go no farther. The news of the Wars of which all the Tra¬ vellers upon the Road gave us Intelligence, melted their Hearts i’ their Bellies. They cry’d out we fhould carry ’em to certain Death or Slavery, and indeed they gave us a great deal of trouble. Which I endur’d with as much Patience, and exhorted my two Capuchins to the fame. I lay’d before ’em, that I had let ’em underdand at my departure from Tefflis , that it was impoffible to accomplifh what I had undertaken without a great deal of Courage and Patience, to vanquiffi all the obdacles which we fhould infallibly meet with. That we were to manage our People gently and mildly, and to win ’em by fair means and large promifes. That when we had once got ’em into Mntgrelia and that they could not go back, the care of their own fafety would make ’em do what we pleas’d. Thereupon we call’d the two Guides, and the Georgian which the Superiour had recommended to me, and told ’em that there was no danger, that we had good Intelligence and Inftnnffcions, that we had Lives and Goods to preferve as well as they ; and that we had given ’em fecurity as well for their Lives as their Peifoas. To which one in behalf of the reft made anfwer, that we fhould give ’em a Writing, wherein we fhould en¬ gage to redeem ’em, if they were tak’n Slaves in that Journy, or clfe to give Sixfcore Crowns to their Wives, if they fhould through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, x die. To which I willingly agreed, and made ’em large promifes befides. Which put ’em into a good humour to go on. 1 he 31 ft we fret Forward ; though it were bad Weather, and very bad Way. Neverthelefs wecrofs’d three very broad and rapid Rivers, and at length arriv’d at Cotatis. Where we lay at the Houfe of Bifhop Janarell ; who was not at home, however we were well entertain’d. For his Officers were ac¬ quainted with Fryer Angelo , and knew that their Maffer had a great kindnefs for him. Cot at is is a Town built at the Foot of a Hill, by the fide of the River Phafis , confifling of about 2co FToufes. Thofe of the Grandees, and the King’s Palace ffand at a diffance round about. The Town has neither Fortifications nor Walls, faving where it is enclos’d by the River and the Mountain. On the other fide of the River over againff the Town , upon the top of a Hill higher then that under which the Town is built, ffands the Fortrefs of Cot at is, of which 1 have fpok’n in my Relations of the laft Revolutions in Imiretta. I did not go into it, but I faw it plainly from the oppofite Hill. It has feveral Towers, a Dungeon, and a double Wall that appears very high and ffrong. When I came to Cotatis , I enquir’d what News, And the trueffc that I met with, and which every one afiurd us, was, That the new Prince of Mingrelia , and the Prince of Guriel were retir’d, finding that the Turfs would keep the Field no longer ; that the greateff part of the Gentry, who had giv’n their Oaths, had forfak'n ’em, and that the Vi%ier of Daclian Was preparing to fall down from the Mountains with an Army. That as loon as the Vizier had intelligence of the Retreat of the two Princes and the Turfs, he had fent 8oo Men to Da - dian, had writ to him to quit the Fortrefs, and to raile what Men he could, that he had proclaim’d a free Pardon to all thofe that would come and joyn with him 5 laftly, that he was come to Cotatis , where the King of Imiretta had joyn’d him, with the Nobility of his Country 5 and that they were march’d to¬ gether in a Body, with a refolution to fall into the Territories of the Prince of Guriel. Which was that, they all moft ear- neftly defir’d, for that he had been the Occafion of the Incur- fion of the Turfs, and ot all the fpoil that had been commit- ! ted during the War. For this reafon the Armies had crofs’d the Phafis Three Days before, fo that the opportunity fa- Z z vour’d 17 3 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, vour’d me, in regard there was no fear of meeting with any Soldiers. The id of 7 an. 1673. ^ ftay’d at Cotatis to perform the Duties of Devotion. But as we were at dinner, my two Ca¬ puchins and 1 , with my two Guides and my Armenian , at the fame table, according to the cuftom of the Country, where Matters and Servants eat all together, 1 law that Ratcal oF a I acquey, of whom I have already made mention, enter the Room, together with an Armenian of Akahihg and a Pntft of Cotatis, who came along to (hew ’em theHoufe However [ was not very much furpriz’d to iee him. For it was a thing which I daily had in my thoughts, confidering the reafon I had to be jealous of the Rogue ; nevertheiefs I made no fheW of my fears : yet I could not but believe he was turn’d [url feeing a white Turbant upon his Head. The Rogue enter’d the Room with a wild and furious Afpedt, and fate him down among my Servants, without fo much as faying, *By your leave. Which affront provok’d me to that degree, that I ask’d him, If here fore he came in fetch a fury r He anfwer'd, That he came from Akalzike, and that he had perform'd the Journey in two Days. ’Tis the word way in the World, faid I; bettdes that the Mountains are all cover’d with Snow, like thofe that we patt, when we came from Gonia. You’ll find it true, reply’d the Fellow, for you mutt go along with me to Akalzike: I have Orders to carry you thither. That may be, reply’d I, if thou haft a greater Power to force me, then I have to hinder thee. For I have nothing to do at Akal'&ikg, neither will I go thither. Boy, faid I, thou art ill advis’d', forbear to give thy felf the trouble to do me a Mifchief; for GOD will ne¬ ver fuffer thy Defigns to proiper to my harm. I paid thee at Tefflis all thou couldft demand : if thou art not fatisfi’d, fay what ’tis thou requir’d: more. I thus difeours’d him, to try whether I could reduce him to Reafon. To which he' anfwer’d, That Tefflis was a Place where there is no juftice to be had, but that at Ahyl^ily he fhould have Plight done him. I reply’d. That without going fo far, for fo flight a Matter, he might find People enough at Cotatis able to decide the difference. All which I fpoke in the mildeft Terms imaginable: which nothing mov’d this Vaga¬ bond, who turning to his Companion, bid him go and fetch the Turly. The Fellow ran out prefently, but this was only a Trick to fcare me; for I found afterwards, there were no Turly that tarry’d till they were fent for. However, I was cxtreamlv V through the Black-'Sea, and the Country Colchis* i ;;o extreamly terrifi d, and gave my felf over for lofh All this while the Pried of Cotatis was ignorant of what pad, for 1 fpake Turkifh, which he did not underftand ; and therefore he ask’d Fryer Angelo what was the Occafion of the Conted 5 who as foon as he knew’, which was foon after, inform’d the pried. I order’d Fryer Angelo to tell him what I had offer’d the Scoundrel to releafe me of his Pretenfions, that Perlons of Quality might judge of it, and of the Malice of the Rogue that Would force me to Akal^ihg., The Pried and feveval Georgians running in upon the noife that we made, took my part as to the Offer I had made, and defir’d the miferable fellow to take it; but the more they prefs’d him, the more Infolenc he grew, and the more audacious in 4 iis Threats. Which inflam’d me to that degree, chat I was almod befides my felf. Traytor , faid I, Then tis only thy own Wichgdnefs puts thee upon this: J tell thee again , that by the help of God , no Man fhall carry me to Akalzike, and lo laying, I flew lipon him with my Sword in my Hand j but my Arms were held, while the Perfidious Rogue, to whom I intended the milchief, betook himfelf to flight, trembling and in great Diforder. After which I did not think my felf fafe, but was willing to have made my efcape. But Janarelfs Steward flay’d me, giving me full affurance, that I fhould receive no Injury in his Mailers Houfe, and that no Turks would come to meddle with me. Thereupon I advis’d with my two Capu¬ chins what courfe to take, the Rcfult of which was, that Fryer Angelo the next Morning fhould continue his Journey for Mingrelia , and that Father Jujlin of Legorn , for that was the Name of the Capuchin who was lent after me, as I have faid, and I, fhould tarry together. But the Principal Reafon was, becaufe we could neither buy nor hire Horfes: and we knew we fhould meet with none in Mingrelia j which oblig’d us to tarry and fend away the Horfes empty, for my Compa¬ nion to make ufe of. The 2d. Fryer Angelo fet forward with the Horfes and the Men which we had hir’d at Tefflis. And l return’d to Chicaris , Eight Leagues diflant from Cotatis , together with Father Jn « flin. We made choice of this place to flay and expert the fuc* cefs of Fryer Angelos Journey, becaufe it was juft oppofite to Janarelh s Country-Houfe, where he was with the Qu€en i from whom we might have afliftance if occafion requir’d. The i8q The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, ■ —— “ “ ( ‘ The Sea> and the Country of Colchis, 181 and well Ihajp’d 5 and he always wears a Handkercher over the upper part of his Pace, to wipe up the Rhume that diftils from the holes of his Eyes, and to hide fuch a hideous fight from thofe that come to vifit him. He is of a mild Difpofiti- on, and a great Lover of jells and Drollery. He told Father Jufiin^ He ill Quid do well to Marry in his Country. To which Father Juflin made anfwer, That he Could not Marry, as being under the fame Vow wit h the Biiiops and Monks of Imiretta. How ! faid he, interrupting Father Juflin^ and buril¬ ing out into a great laughter, our 2 .'The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia* Ragamuffin, he would have Murder’d me, but I’ll do his Bu* finefs for him now. ' And fo faying, helooktabout the Room for yee, and not finding yee there, he went into your Chamber, thinking you had hid up your felf. I follow'd him, and throw¬ ing my felf at his Feet, What have I done to yee, that you fliouldgo about to ruineme ? If my Comrade have mif-us’d yee, or not pay’d yee to your content, that’s no fault of mine make your demands, and you fhall have it without more ado, only fend away thefe Turks that you have brought along with yee. It (hall be done, reply’d the Young Trayto-r, I’ll go and difmifs the Turks, and come again prelently. And lo laying, he went back into the Hall, pointing to Fryer Angelo , There, faid he to the Janifaries, take that Man, and carry him to the Commander of the Fortrefs $ and fo at the fame time the poor Fryer was feiz’d and carry’d away. The Janifaries look’d up and down to fee what Booty they could find *, and prelently they (hatch’d up our Felts that lerv’d us for Cloaks: they did not fo much as meet with any of my Arms, and which was a more fignal mark of GOD'S Providence, they mill the Bags which I brought along with me, where were above Fifty Thoufand Crowns in Gold and Jewels. As foon as the Janifaries had left the Houle, I fent a Man after Fryer Angelo , and conjur’d the Carriers to let us make our eleape with all fpeed. So that we Saddl’d and Loaded our Horles forthwith, and be¬ took our felves to flight with all the hafte we could. Thus GOD afllfted me, and by his Grace and Favour I am at length got hither, with all that 1 was entrufted with in Mingrelia. For what the Janifaries took was hardly worth two Pijlols. 1 might here endeavour to exprefs the Joy and Satisfa&ion which / receiv’d upon the rehearfal of thefe happy Tydings, but they are only to be imagin’d, nor is it that which the Rea¬ der defires to know. Father Jnflin went prefently to the Queen an djatiatelle, to make his complaints of what the 7 urkg had done in his Houfe, and to defire him to labour for the Li¬ berty of Fryer Angelo: and about Noon the Father return’d and allur’d us, that they had fent two Gentlemen to that purpofe, to the Commander of the Fortrefs. For my part 1 would have been gone prelently, fuch w’as my dread of the Twr^r, though without any ground : but there was a neceflity for us to let our Horfes reft. In the mean time, in the Afternoon my Comrade hir’d other Horfes to return into Mingrelia, and fetch what was left behind ; while I prepar’d to fet forward for Tefflis , with that which he had already brought. The through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 18 The 17th my Comrade and I parted, taking each our feveral Hoads : he for Mingrelia , with Five Men and Four Horfes ; I for Tefflii, with Father Jnftin , Three Men and Three Horfes. ' The 22th at Night, I arriv’d at Gori\ where I flay’d two Days to change Gold, as well to aflift Father ‘juflin to make preparations for his return to Cotatis , whither he was to carry my Comrade Money, and to accompany him from thence to T#*, as to get Fryer Angelo fet at Liberty, if he fhould be detain’d a Prifoner. To which purpofe, Father Juftin departed the 25th in the Morning for Cotatis , and I at the fame time fet forward for Tefflis. Where I arriv’d thanks be to GOD the 2 5 th in the Afternoon, with the Capuchin Fryer which the Superiour of Gori had lent me, as not being willing to leave me without Company. The 5 th of February in the Evening, my Comrade arriv’d at Tejflis, with the Servants which 1 had left in Colchis , a Tbe- atin Fryer and Father Angelo. After I had embrac’d ’erri all, Fryer Angelo took me a(ide, to give me an accompt of the Se¬ ries of the whole Adventure. You know, faid he, after what manner your perfidious Lacquey caus’d me to be apprehended by the Janifaries, who were lent by the Commander of the Fortrefs to feize me. For the Rafcal had told the Commander how that you ow’d him Three Hunderd Crowns; that you were an Ambafiador; that you had been in Mingrelia to fetch away a vaft Treafure, which you had left there; and that by the feizure of your Perfon, he would meet with a pur- chafe that would enrich him for ever. This Traytor prefi’d the Janifaries, who carry’d me to the Fortrels to bind me, and ufe me feverely ; but they had a greater refpe£l and veneration for my habit: and befide there was among ’em an Italian Re- negado who caus’d ’em to be very civil. I march’d along as (lowly as pofflbly I could, and kept theRafcalsin difcourfe, to the end I might give your Comrade the more leifure to make his efcape; for I made no queftion but he would cake that courfe. When they brought me before the Commander, he ask’d the Varlet who had caus’d me to be apprehended, whe¬ ther I was his Mafler, who anfwer’d, No; for that he could not find his Mailer; but that afiuredly I knew where he was. I reply’d, I knew not where you were, only that when I left yee, you had a defign to go for Tefflu. The Commander ask’d me afterwards, feveral Queftions concerning your Quali¬ fy *> 184 The ‘Travels ef Sir John Chardin into Perfia, ty ; and told me that I muft pay the Three Hunderd Crowns^ which it was (aid you ow’d the fellow. To which I anfwer’d, That you were no more then a poor Perfon in Holy Orders,who had undertaken to give me Intelligence of the Miferable Con¬ dition of thole in Mingrelia. Which when I underflood, I went to give ’em a Vilit} that I was no farther acquainted with your concerns j and that as for Money I had none. A nd that the People in Cotatis, from the Prince to the meanefl of his Subje&s, well knew, that I was a Perfon that made a profefi fion of Poverty. Upon this, the Commander order’d me to be fearch’d, and they found the Girdle which you had fent me to wear, where there was no more then only Six Pound, for by a wonderful Providence of God, your Comrade had not given me any Je¬ wels to quilt into it, according to your appointment. There¬ upon the Commander finding no more then that inconfiderable Sum, faid he to the Lacquey, Where is all the Treafure, ye Rogue, with which thou half fill’d my Head ? bring’fl thou me hither this poor Fellow to jeer me ? Thou art a cheating Rafcal, and I’ll have thee Drubb d to Death. Sir, anfwer’d the Varlet, trembling for fear. The Wealth is in the Cuftody of my Mailer’s Comrade, that lies at Janatelles. Dog, as thou art, reply’d the Commander, Why didft not bring him hither ? And fo faying, He fent him back with the fame Januaries that had guarded metotheFortrefs, and commanded’em exprefly to bring away your Comrade : and indeed I was afraid they would have met with him; but I was overjoy’d, when the Janifaries return’d and told the Commander, that the Perfon had made his efcape. Which made him vent his Rage upon the L acquey, who was in a ftrange Agony, between Fear and Madnefs: at what time he began to open his Eyes, and to perceive that GOD had confounded his Malice, by his miffing your Comrade with all that he carry’d under his care. There¬ upon I gave an accompt to the Commander of all the Villa- nies, and wicked Tricks which the Rafcal had committed in your Service, and how liberal and kind you had been to him neverthelefs, in paying him his Wages. That Evening the Commander invited me to fup with him at his own Table: for he underflood I was a Phyfitian, and prefently fanci’d himfelf to be ill. So that I made him up fome Medecins, as well for himfelf, as for fome of the Souldiers that were in the Fortrefs. He order’d an Italian Kenegado to be my Guards,at what time your Lacquey would have had him through the Black-Sea, and the Country o/'Colchis. laid me in Irons for fear I fhould make my efcape. For the Rafcal lludy’d a Thoufand Tricks to do me a Milchief. But the next Day the Queen and Janaielh fent two Gentlemen to the Commander to demand my Freedom, as being their Phy- fitian, and the King’s alio : and about Noon there came two Gentlemen more from a great Lord of the Country, whole Wife lay fick ; and he had been inform’d, that I was a Pris’- ner in the Fortrels for Debt. Thereupon he fent to the Com¬ mander of the Fortrefs, to releale me, and he would pay my Debt: but alas, there was nothing more clear then that I ow’d nothing. However, 1 mull give Twenty Five Crowns to the Commander ; which being paid, I was fet at Liberty, notwithftanding the Noile and Clamour of the Lacquey, who prefs’d that I might not be releas’d and told the Commander, That there would be a Thoufand Crowns giv’n to purchafe my Liberty, rather then let me lie. So foon as I was free, they carry’d me to the fords Houfe, to whom I was beholding for my Liberty; from whence I lent to Chicaris to know what News: by the return of which Melfage, I under flood that you were gone to Tefflis , and your Comrade was return’d to Mingrelia. Some few Days after Father JuJlin arriv’d at Chi - caris y and undemanding there where I was, he came to me; and then having repaid the Twenty Five Crowns which the Lord had disburs’d for my Deliverance out of Prifon, we re¬ turn’d to Chtcaris. Where in two Days your Comrade arriv’d with all that was left behind of yours irt Mingrelia : who told us what Road he had tak’n to mifs Cotatis. To which pur- pofe he had Ferry’d over the Shafts fix Leagues from that City ■> at wh)t time the Ferryman told him, That the Rogue who had laid lo many Snares for us, had giv’n two Crowns to give him Intelligence of your Comrade’s Paflage : and that the Villain was under the Guard of four Janifaries, who had order not to let him efcape : for that the Commander was refolv d to make him perform what he had promis’d him. And thus you fee, faid he r that hitherto all things have luckily fucceeded, and that GOD has confounded that Villain in his Wickednefs, whofe Juftice queftionlefs will not permit him to efcape the Clutches of the Turkifh Commander, without receiving fome Punilhment. It was now late ; neverthelefs my Comrade and I could not go ro Supper, till we had difcours’d of the happy Ilfue of our Labour, and of all our Misfortunes, of which, what I have recounted, is but a part of the Truth *, nor till we had breath’d B b b out 18 6 The Travels vf Sir John Chardih into Perfia, dlit to GOD dur Ardent Thankfgivings for his Infinite Good- nefs, his Omnipotent, and his Miraculous Deliverance i For we expe&ed no fuch thing, when we were in Tribulation. And indeed, who could have hop’d to have fav’d all, when we were in fuch imminent danger of lofing all ? The next Day following we caft up the Accompts of our Loftes in this Difc aftrous Journey, and found that it did not amount to more then above one per Cent, of all that we had fav’d, and fortu¬ nately brought to TeffliSj without any thing being either bro¬ ken or fpoil’d. GEORGIA, I mean all the Country fo call’d which is under the Perfian Jurifdkftion, borders at this day to the Eaft upon Circajpa and Mofcovy j to the Weft upon Armenia the Lefs j to the South upon Armenia the Greater, to the North upon the Blacl^Sea^nd that part of Colchis which is call’d Imiretta } which in my Opinion is all that Country which the Ancients nam’d Iberia. Georgia extended formerly from kauris and Erzerum to the River Tanak , and was call’d Albania , being bounded, as I have delcrib'd it. It is a Country very full of Wood, and ve¬ ry Mountainous, that enclofe a greater Number of pleafant Plains that run out in length, but are not proportionable in breadth: only the middle of Georgia is more even and level then the reft: And the River Knr , which moft Geographers call Cyrus, runs through the midft of it. It takes its rife in the Mountain Caucafus , a Day and a half s Journey from Akal- %ik£, as has been faid; and empties it felf into the Cafpian Sea. I have feen fome old Perfian Geographies, that place Georgia in the Greater Armenia. The Moderns make a particular Pro¬ vince of it, which they call Gorgijian , and divide into four parts; Imiretta , of which we have fpoken } the Country of Gttrielj wherein is comprehended all that is under the Govern¬ ment of Akpl^ibg ? the Kingdom of Cafyt y which extends it felf very far into Mount Caucafus , and is properly the Ancient Iberia , and Cartlmel , which is the Eaftern Georgia , and which the Ancient Geographers call the Afiaticl^ Albania. The King¬ doms of Caket and Carthuel are under the Perfian Dominion; and this is that which the Terfians call Gnrgiftan : but the Geor¬ gians give it no other Name then that of Carthneli. Which is no new Name,, as being to be found in the Writings of feve- ral Ancient Authors, although fomewhac corrupted; efpecially St Epiphanias , who fpeaking of thefe People, calls ’em Carcti- ans. It’s reported that the Grecians were the firft who gave -V,/ through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, 18f ’em tlie Name of Georgians front the word Georgoi , which fig- nifies Husbandmen. Though others will have this Name to derive it felf from that of St. George , the Patron Saint of all the Chriflians of the Greek Church., There are very few Cities in all Georgia, as has been ob¬ serv’d : though there has been niany more formerly in the Kingdom of Cahgt. But now they lie all in Ruines unlefs one which is alfo call d Kjkgt. And I heard fay, while I ftay’d at Tefflis, that thefe Cities were very large and fumptuoufly 6uilt; as may be well enough conje&ur’d, as well by that which is not as yet altogether deftroy’d, as by the rdines them- felves. Now thefe Northern Inhabitants of Mount Caucafus^ thofe Alans , Suans, Huns and other Nations fo greatly fam’d for their ftrength and Cbuirage, and by the Report of many People, another Nation of the Amazons, were they that con® tinually harrafs’d and ranfackc this little Kingdom of Kakgt. The Amazons lay bordering upon it above, to the North. Wherein as well the Ancient as Modern Geographers agree. Ttolonty fixes theit Country in the Ajiatic Sarmatia , which is now call’d Tartary, to the Weft of Volga y between tlie River and the Hippie Mountains: and there it is that the Northern part of the Kingdom of Kakgt exa&ly lies. Quintus Curtins lays alfo to the fame effect, that the Kingdom of Tbalefiris was near to the River Thafts. And Strabo is of the fame opi- nion^ fpeaking of the Expeditidns of Pompey and Canidius . I confeft, I never faw any Perfon in Georgia who had been in the Country of the Amazons y but I have heard many of ’em tell Stories of thofe People. And they fhew’d me in the Prince’s Palace^a large Female habit of a courfe Woollen Stuff, and peculiar for its Faihion and Shape, which they laid was the Garment of an Amazon, that was (lain near Cakgt in the laft Wars. Shortly we may hear farther news of thefe Famous Warriours *, for the Capuchins of TefJUs told me, they would fend two Millenaries into their Country : the Congregation having Order’d that they fliould be difpatch’d thither. I Had once a long difcourle with the Prince df Georgia's Sop upon this Sub¬ ject *, at what time, among other things he told me, that Five Days Journey beyond Cal^et toward the North, there liv’d a Numerous People, of whom they had no knowledge at all} who were continually at War with the Tartars , which they call Calmac , and the fame with thofe which we call Cdlmou - ■quss that the feveral People that inhabit Mount C.aucafus are fontinually at Wars one with another 3 and that it fignifies no- ST he \Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, thing to nuke any Peace or Truce with ’em, as being a fort of Savages, that have neither Religion, Government nor Laws. Therefore they that lie next to Lakgt make frequent Inroads into the Country : which obliges the Viceroy , who is the Elded Son of the Prince of Georgia, to be always ready in Arms to repel thole Barbarians, Upon the Information which I gave the Young Prince, of what the Greeks and (Rgwan Hidorians related concerning the Amnions, after I had difeours’d lor lbme time upon that occa- lion, his opinion was, that they were fome particular People among the wandring Scythians , as the Turcomans , and Arabs , who fubmitted themlelves to the Soveraignty of Women, like the Achinefes: that thole Queens made ule of Perfons of their own Sex to lerve ’em, and to follow ’em where-ever they went. And as for their riding a Horfeback like Men, it is ea- fily apprehended and as eafie to be credited, and that they alfo were Arm’d. For in the Eadern Countries, all Women be- ftride their Horles like Men : and fome of ’em mount their Horfes and ride ’em as well,befides that the Princefles alfo wear Daggers at their fides. But as for the Mutilation of their Breads, and other particulars reported of the Amazons , we re¬ ject ’em, and rank’em among the Fables 3 with which the lea¬ fing Greeks had the Impudence to fill their Hidories, according to the Sarcafm of the Latin Poet. The Province of Carthnel contains no more then Four Ci¬ ties, Gory , Snram , Aly and Tefflis. Gory is a fmall City, feated in a Plain between two Mountains upon the Bank of the River Curr , at the Foot of a Hillock, upon which there is a Fortrefs Built which is Garifon’d by Native Terfians. It was Built in the lad Gnrgiftan Wars, about Forty Years fince by nftan Can , General of the Terftan Army: and an Auflin Monkj who was then at Gory drew the draught of it. How¬ ever the Fortrefs is a place that is not able to make any great defence; its principal drength confiding in its Situation, ha¬ ving a Hunderd Men within it: Nor is the City that lies under it but very fmall, the Houles and Market Places being all Built of Earth. The Inhabitants however, are all very Rich and Wealthy. And it is very well dor’d with all things necefiary for Human fupport at a cheap rate. Snram is indeed no more then a Town not above half as big as the City of Gory ; but the Fortrefs adjoyning is large and well Built, having within it a Hunderd Men in Garifon* Near to Snram is the Country call d Semajhi. Which in the Georgian through the Black-Sea } And the Country of Cblchiss i $9 Georgian Language fignifieS Three Cajile J. The People Of this Country boaft. That Noah dwelt in this Country after he came out of the Ar\j and that his three Sons built ’em every otie a Caftle. I fay nothing here bf Aly, becaufe I have fpok’n bf it in another place. The Temper of the Air is very kindly in Georgia \ being ve- ry dry, cold in the Winter, and hot in the Summer. Their fair Weather does not begin till May, but it lafts till the end of November. The Soyl muft be well water’d, or elfe it proves very barren \ but that care tak’n, it produces all forts of Grainy Herbs and Fruits in abundance. Georgia is therefore as fertile a Country as any can be imagin’d, where a Man may live both delicioufly and very cheap. Their Bread is as good as any in the World: their Fruit is delicious and of all forts. Neither is there any part of Europe that produces fairer Pears and Ap¬ ples, or better tailed, nor does any part of Afia bring forth more delicious Pomegranates. Cattel are very plentiful and ve^ ry good, as well the larger fort as the lefler. Their Fowl of all forts is incomparable, efpecially their Wild-Fowl: Their Boars-Fleih is as plentiful and as good as any in Colchis. The Common People live upon nothing eife but young Porkers; of which there are abundance in all parts of the Country: and indeed there is no better Food in the World, then this Meat: beiide that the People of the Country allure us, that it never offends the Stomach, let ’em eat never fo much. Which I believe to be true ; for though I eat bf it almoft every Meal, yet it never did me harm. The Cafpian Sea, which is next td Georgia , and the Kurr , that runs quite through it, fupplies it with all forts of fait and frefh Fifh} fo that we may truly fay That there is no Country where a Man may have an Oppor¬ tunity to fare better then in this; And with the fame boldnefs we may aflert, That there is nd Country where they drink more or better Wine, The Vines grow about the Trees as in Colchis: and they daily tranfport great Quantities of Wine into Media , Armenia , and to Ifpahati for the Kings Table. As nluch as a Horfo can carry, which is 300 weight, colls no more then Twelve Shillings: I fpeak of their bell Wine 5 for the Common fort is cheaper by half: and all other Provifions are at a proportionable rate. The Coun¬ try of Georgia alfo produces a gt^at Quantity of Silk ; tho not fo much by half as mod Travellers report i But the People of the Country know not how to weave it, and therefore they • •> C c c carry 190 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, carry it into Turkey , to and the parts adjoyning, where they drive a great Trade. The Complexion of the Georgians is the moil beautiful in all the Eafl; and I can lafely fay, That I never faw an ill-fa- vour’d Countenance in all that Country, either of the one or other Sex : but I have feen thofe that have had Angels Faces; Nature having beftow’d upon the Women of that Country Graces and Features, which are not other where to be feen : So that ’tis impoffible to behold ’em without falling in Love. More Charming Countenances, nor more Lovely Statures and Proportions cannot be Penciled forth by all the Art of Man, then thofe of the Georgian Women. They are Tall, clear Limb’d, Plump and Full, but not over Fat, and extreamly Slender in the Wafte: Let 'em have never fo few Cloaths on, you fhall not fee their Hips. That which fpoils all is this, that they all Paint, as well the Lovely as lefs Beautiful. For they make ule of Paint in ftead of other Ornaments : Never- thelefs when they Drels themfelves, they Deck themfelves in Sumptuous Habits and Jewels as our Women do. The Georgians alfo are Naturally very Witty. Nor would there be more Learned Men, or more Ingenious Mafters in the World, were they but improv’d by the Knowledge of Arts and Sciences: but their Education is fo mean and paltry, that ha¬ ving nothing but bad Examples before their Eyes, thofe Parts of theirs are altogether drown’d in Vice and Ignorance. Which is the reafon that they are generally Cheats and Knaves, per¬ fidious, treacherous, ingrateful and proud. Impudent beyond Imagination to deny their own Words, and their very Deeds; to fet afoot and maintain Falfiiood j to demand more then is their Due ; to counterfeit Deeds and forge Lyes. They are irreconcileable in their Enmities, and never forgive. True it is, they are not eafily provok’d; nor do they readily admit thofe Hatreds which they preferve inviolably when once con¬ ceiv’d. And befides thefe Vices of the Mind, no Men are more addi&ed to their fenfual Pleafures and Beftial Voluptu- oufnefs; that is to fay, to Drunkennefs and Luxury. In which filthy Divertilements, they plunge themfelves with fo much the more freedom, becaufe they are (o common, and not lookt upon as (candalous in Georgia. The Church-men will be as drunk as others, and keep Female Slaves in their Houles, to make ule of in ftead of Concubines : at which no body is of¬ fended, as being no more then what is generally practis’d, and as it were authoriz’d by Cuftom. In fo much that the Superiour + of s through the Black-Sea, and the Country of C'olchis. 19 of the Capuchins aflur’d me, That he had heard the Catholicos , or Patriarch of Georgia fay, That he who was not ablolutely drunk at great Feftivals, fuch as Eafier and Chriflmas , could not be a good Chriftian, and defervd to be Excommuni¬ cated. Befides this, the Georgians are likewife very great Ufurers: They never lend any Money without a Pawn, and the loweft Intereft which they take is TWo in the Hunderd for a Month Neither are the WcJmen lefs Vicious and Wicked then the Men. They have an Extraordinary Addiction to the Male Sex; and certainly contribute more then they, to that Torrent of Uncleannefs which overflows all the Country. On the other fide, the Georgians are Civil and Courteous, and more then that, they are Grave and Moderate. Their Manners and Cu- floms are a Mixture of the feveral Cuftoms of. the Nations that lie round about ’em, Which proceeds, as I believe from their Commerce and Dealings with Variety of People, and the Liberty allow’d in Georgia ,* toobferve their own Religion andCuftoms, and to defend 'em in their difcourfe. You fhall meet here in this Country with Armenians , Greeks , Jews, Turkey (perfianSy Indians Tartars , Mufcovites and Europeans ; and the Armenians are fo numerous, that they exceed the Geor¬ gians . They are alfo more Wealthy, and for the moll part fupply all the fmall Offices and mean Employments. But the Georgians are ftouter, more Haughty, more Vain, and more Pompous. Which difference between their Inclinations, their Manners and their Belief, has caus’d a very great Enmity be¬ tween ’em. They mutually hate erne another, and never Marry into one anothers Families. Particularly the Georgians contemn the Armenians with a more then ordinary Scorn ; and look up¬ on ’em much about the fame Rate as we do the Jews in Europe . The Georgian Habit refembles very much the Polonian Garb, their Bonnets being like to theirs. Their Vefts are open be¬ fore all down the Rreaft, and faflen’d with Buttons and Loops. Their Hole and Shooes are like thofe of the Terftans. And for the Womens habit it is altogether Terfian. The Houles of the Grandees, and all their Public Edifices, are Built according to the Perfian Models: nor is Building at all expenfive, as having Wood, Stone, Lime and Plaifter in great Abundance ; they alfo imitate the Perfians in fitting at their Tables, in their Beds, and manner of Dyet. The Nobility exerdfe a more then Tyrannical Power over their Subjedfs; far worfe then in Colchis. They will make their Peafants 192 The ’Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Pcafants labour whole Months together, and as much as they pleale without allowing ’em either Food or Wages. They chal- lenge a Right over the Eftates Liberty and Lives of their Vai- fals: they take their Childern and fell ’em, or elfe make Slaves of 'em themfelves. * But they very feldom fell any of the Rabble above Twenty Years of Age, efpecially Women. The Belief of the Georgians is like that of the Mingrelians 5 as having been converted to the Faith both at the fame time, in the Fourth Age, and by the lame means of an Iberian Woman, who was converted her felf to Chriftianity at Conflantinople. But fince that, both the one and the other have loft all fence of Chriftianity } fo that as I have faid of the Mingrelians ; they have nothing remaining of Chriftianity but the Name. So is it as true that the Georgians neither obferve or know the leaft precept of the Law of Jefus Chrift. Neverthelels the Geor¬ gians more ftri&ly obferve their Fafts , and make longer Prayers. While I was at Tefflis , the Mifiionaries fent to %ome a Relation of the State of their Million, which they fhew d me •, wherein I found one very pleafant paflage, which I lhall let down among the reft as not being either un- feafonable or impertinent. There was a Woman at Gory> who having led a very ill Life, at length fell dangeroufly ill, infomuch that Ihe thought Ihe fhould die. Whereupon (he fent for a Prieft, and made her Confeliion, difcover’d to him all her Leud Pranks, and made him great Proteftations, that if Ihe recover’d, Ihe would never admit of any other Man but her Husband. To whom, the Prieft, Madam> faid he, I hyiow yee too well , to believe yee: it will be impoffible for yee to leave off the Company of your Gallants. My requejl therefore />, that you will entertain no more then Two or Three , which 1 will allow yee to do upon that Condition , which / (hall intpofe upon yee* But the Woman difdaining the Propofal of her Confeflor, put him out of her Houfe and fending for a Capuchin, told him the whole Story, and afterwards made her Confelfion to him. The fame Relation adds, that the Priefts enjoyn their Peni¬ tents that confefs the taking of another Bodies Goods, to bring the Goods to Them, and not to reftore ’em to the Right Ow¬ ners j fo that Reftitution is never made. There are leveral Bilhops in Georgia , an Archbifhop and a Patriarch , whom they call Catholicos. Whofe preferments when Vacant arc fupply’d by the Prince though a Mahometan^ who generally prefers his kindred and Relations: fo that the Prefent Patriarch is his Brother. As for the Churches iit • x Georgia* through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 19 x Georgia, they are Ibmethirtg more cleanly kept then thofe in Mingrelia. And in the Cities you fliall fee Tome that are very decent, though they are altogether as nafty in the Country. The Georgians, as all the other Chriftians that furround ’em to the North and Weft, have a ftrange humour to build all their Churches upon high Mountains, in remote and ahnoft in- acceflible Places. Where they view ’em, and bow to ’em at the diftance of three or four Leagues : but feldom or never go into’em ; and we may boldly affert, that the molt part of ’em are hardly open’d once in Ten Years. They ere< 5 t ’em, and then leave ’em to the Injuries of the Weather, and for the Birds and Fowls of the Air to build their Nefts in. I could never find out the Reafon of this Extravagance, the Anfwers of all Perfons ot whom I enquir’d, being altogether as extravagant: ’Tts the Cuflom. The Georgians however are fully perfwaded, that whatever Sins-they have committed, they {hall obtain Pardon by building a little Church. Though for my paft I am apt to believe they build 'em in fuch remote and inacceB fible Places, to avoid the Charges of Adorning and Repairing of ’em. And now I come to the Relations and Hiftories of the Con- queft of Georgia by the Terjians , which are fo numerous, that I fiiould have been filent in this particular, if thofe Authors had agreed among themlelves, or if I had found they had been rightly inform’d. Briefly therefore, here is that which I have met with in the Stories of Terfia themfelves. Iflmael the Great, (whom our Hiftorians have Sirnam’d the Sophy ) after he had fubdu’d the Countries that lie to the Weft of the Cafpian Sea, of Media and part of Armenia, and that he had expell’d the Tnrhy out of all thefe Places, made War alfo upon the Georgians ,though they had fent him numerous Succors at the beginning of his Reign. The event of which War was fuccefsful to him, as having reduc’d ’em to pay him Tri¬ bute, and give him Hoftages. Now Georgia, as well as the Kingdoms of I\ahgt and Carthnel, had feveral Petty Kings, call’d Erifiares , Feudataries, and always at Wars one with another. Which was the Realon, or at leaft the Means that moft contributed to the Ruine of the Georgians. They pay’d their Tribute during all the Reign of Ijhmael, and his Succelfor 'Tahmas, who was a Prince of great Courage, and fortunate in War. During his Reign Luar^ab rul’d in that part of Ge~ orgia which is call’d Carthnel, and is as I have faid the Eaftern Georgia , and borders upon Terfia Raftward, This D d d Kind 194 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, King left twp Sons behind him, between whom he divided his Kingdom ; Simon the Eldeft, and David the Younger. But being both ill fatisfi’d with their Divifion, they made War one upon another, and in thole Wars both delir’d Tahmas to aflift ’em. The Younger Brother was beforehand with Simon* To whom Tahmas return'd for anfwer, T hat he would put him in poflefllon of all his Fathers Dominions, if he would turn Mahometan. David accepted the Condition, embrac’d the Mahometan Religion, and went and furrender’d himfelf to the Derfian Army, which was already enter’d his Dominions, to the Number of Thirty Thoufand Horfe; upon which he was prefently fent to Tahmas , who lay then at Cashin. So loon as he had got the Georgian Prince in his Clutches, he wrote to Simon to the fame effedl as he had written to his Bro¬ ther, that is to fay, That he fhould quit his Religion, and come to him, if he intended to enjoy the Kingdom of his An- ceftors. Simon , finding the Terfian Army prdfing too feverely upon him, furrender’d his Perfoo, but would not abjure his Religi¬ on. But Tahmas , being now Matter of both the Princes, and of the Country of Georgia , fent the Eldeft Brother Pris- ner to the Cattle of Genghe near the Cafpian Sea y and made the other Governour of Georgia , changing his Name from Da¬ vid to Daoud-Can , which denoted him to be of the Mahometan Profeflion. Which done, he took an Oath of Fidelity from all the chief Georgian Lords, and carry’d away their Childern and David's alfo as Hoftages into Terfia . After the Death of Tahmas , the Georgians (hook off the Terfian Yoak,as did alfo the moft part of the Provinces of Perfia , and they were at Liberty during the Reign of Ifhmael the Se¬ cond, which did not laft above two Years; and during the firft. four Years of Mahomet Kodahende y that is, The Servant of GOD : who fent an Army into Georgia to reduce ’em to Obe¬ dience. Daond Can. Bed upon the Approach of the Army. At what time his Brother Simony a Piis'ner. as I have already de¬ clar’d, near die Cafpian Sea, laying hold of the Opportunity to re-enter into his Dominions, became a Mahmnetan y and: was made Can of Teffik % under the Name of Sinmi~Can. During the Reign of Mahomet. Jfodahendt }, dy'd Alexander King of Ifaket, leaving Three Sons and Two Daughters. Qf which David was; the Eldeft ^ a, Prince whole Courage 1 an 4 Misfortunes have render’d him renown’d over all die World, Under the Name of Taimnras Can x which the Per fans gave hitia At through the Black'Sea, and the Country of Colchis, 195 At the time of his Fathers Death he remain’d in Hofiage at the Court of 1 Ter fa , whither he was carry’d by King Tab mas as has been faid. He was bred up with Abas the Great, being almoft of the fame Age, with great Magnificence and exaCt Care, where he had inbib’d the Cuftoms and Manners of the Ter fans, certainly much better then thofe of the Georgians . So foon as his Father was Dead, his Mother, a Beautiful and Prudent Princefs, by the Georgians call’d Ketavana , but Ma¬ riana in the Hiftories of Terfia , wrote a Letter to Jfodabends to this efteft, Sir, My Husband is Dead , 1 befeecb yee to fend me my Son Taimuras to Tetgn in his flead ; and withal I fend yon his [Brother for Hojiage in his Room. Thereupon Taimurrt was fent back, after he had tak’n the Oath of a Tributary and a Vaflal. At the beginning of the Reign of Abas the Great, Simon, King of Carthuel already mention’d ended this Life} leaving the Kingdom to Luarr^ab his Son, then a Child, tinder the Tuition of his Prime Minifter, a Perfon of great parts, but of a mean Extraction, call’d by the Georgians Mehrou, and by the Terfans, Morad, who was alfo Governor of Tefflis, and Go¬ vern’d the Kingdom almoft with an abfolute Authority. This Mehrou had a handfome Daughter, with whom Luamab was pafllonately in Love, and by whom he was as paffionately be- lov’d. Nor could the Father, by any means that he could ufe, prevent the two Lovers from feeing one another. But one Day having furpriz’d the Prince and her lock’d up in a Room toge¬ ther, Sir, (aid he, 1 befeech yee , do not Difbonour neither my Daughter , nor my Houfe. If your Majefy pleafes to Marry her , fbe is at your fervice: but if not , forbear Privacy with her. Upon which Luar^ab (wore he would have no other Wife } which Oath when the Prince had fworn, he fufFer’d her to Live with him as with her Husband. However the Marriage was not celebrated, through the oppofition of the Queen and the Ladies of the Country, who protefted they would never fub- mit tbemfelves as Subje&s to a Perfon of her mean Birth. Lu- arn,ab, no Ids glad of this oppofition, told Mehrou, that he could not Marry bis Daughter. Now the Georgians are very Prone to Revenge } as [ have already obferv'd. Thereupon the King was adviz’d to be before hand with Mehrou, and to pu£ him to Death to prevent his Revenge. Tc> which the King Gonfented} and to that purpofe had contriv’d it fo as to make Mehrou Drunk, and to kill him at the fir ft Banquet the King ftoisUi make. Of which contrivance Mehrou was advertiz'd, at The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia* at the very Moment it Ihould have been put in Execution. For he Was already half Tipfy, when one of the Kings Pages, who was one of his Creatures, as he prefenced him the Cup, and Teem’d to Bow to him out of refpeft, whifper’d to him : Sir, Yon will be Murder'd . At which he made no femblance of being daunted ; but rifing up, as foon as he had giv’n back the Glafs, and pretending to go out to make Water (which is no Indecorum in that Country, where the Feafts laft for half a Day together) he ran dire&ly to his Stable, takes a Bonnet and a Coat from one of his Grooms that he firft met ; Bridles one of the belt Horles in the Stable, Mounts him and away he Rides. And he lo order’d his Flight, that not being dilcoverd it prov’d fuccelsful to his Wifli. Prefently he got to Ifpahan , where he threw himfelf at the Feet of Abas the Great, v\ho was newly return’d a Vi&or, from Shir van and Sbamahj , Countries Bordering upon Georgia and the Cafpian Sea. He declar’d to the King how he had lerv’d Luar^ab, and the De¬ ceas’d King his Father, and what a recompence he had prepar’d him for his Service; by Peeking to deprive him of his Life, after he had deflowr’d his Daughter under the pretence of Mar¬ riage, And concluding, he told the King, that he was the true Monarch of Georgia , and therefore he demanded of his Majefty Juftice, and the Reftitution of his Eftate. But Mehrou had contriv’d a fecurer way then this, to revenge himfelf upon Lnar^ab, which was to kindle in the Heart of Abas an AfFe&ion for Luar%ab 's Sifter; one of the moft lovely Perfons in all Georgia ; whofe Beauty has been celebrated by all the Terjian Poets. Inlomuch that in Terfia they ling to this Day the Songs that render’d her Beauty renown’d above all the Charming Beauties of her time, containing a pleafant Ro¬ mance of the Amours between Her and Abas. Her Name of Baptifm was Darejan. But the Terfean Fiftions give her the Name of Pebry. Mehrou therefore took all opportunities to talk of her to Abas with all the Artificial Language he could in¬ vent, to inflame his defires. Thereupon Abas lent to demand her of Luar%ab firft by one Ambaflador, and then by another. The firft was fent back with fair promifes; the fecond receiv’d for Anfwer, that the Princefshad affianc’d her felf to Taimnras King of Kafyt, who was then a Widower. But Abas the more enflam’d by thele refulals, lent a third Ambaflador to Lnar^ab, charging him to demand his Sifter with all manner of fair promiles and foulThreats: and he wrote at the fame time toTaimuras , not to Marry Lnar%ab's Sifter, but to come * and through the Black-Sea, and the Country ofC olchis. 15? 7 and meet him. Luarz.ab on the other fide incens’d at thefe repeated and Haughty Importunities, inftead ol returning an anfwer to the Ambaffador, affionted and abus’d him, to the ei d no more Ambaftadors might be Tent to trouble him any more upon that Errand. Abas however was not then in a con¬ dition to execute his intended defigns upon Georgia , as being at War with the Turly. Hs difiembi d therefore his Indigna¬ tion, and order’d a Carmelite Miflionary, whom he fent into Europe to animate the Chriftian Princes to a War againft the Twr^, to take Georgia in his way, and to admonilh Taimuras by no, means to joyn with the Turly, nor to give ’em any man¬ ner of alfiftance againft the Terfians. To which Taimuras either out of too much Fear or too much Credulity readily condefcended: but he foon repented his forbearance : for in the Year 1 6 13 Abas fet forward from Ifpaban with a defign to make War upon Georgia. However as he was a Prince, who among his other Extraordinary Endowments was ex- treamly cunning and referv’d, he manag’d that War like an Amorous Intreague. He gave out that Luar^aT s Sifter lov’d him and defied the Match : that fhe had fent him Letters by a confident of her own} moreover that ihe had been pro¬ mis’d him, and therefore that Luar^ab was both Perfidious and Unjuft. In the mean time he made his preparations for fomc- thing elfethen to fight a Rival : for all Men plainly perceiv’d that he was refolv’d to reduce Georgia under his Subjection. He had a great number of Georgians in his Army. He gave Penfions to feveral great Georgian Lords} and Mebron corrup¬ ted the Loyalty of feveral others every day, who engag’d to take his part : He had two of Taimuras s Sons in Hoftage, and a Brother and Sifter of L uar%abs. In a word he wrought with fome of the Princes of the Blood Royal of Georgia to turn Mahometans , for the poftefilon of great Employments and Governments. For he thought he fhould eafily compafs his defigns againft the Georgians , by lowing Divifions among ’em *, an eafie thing to do , efpecially among People that are given to revenge* He wrote to Taimuras that Luar'z.ab was ungraceful, a Rebel, a Mad-Man, not fit to Reign, and that he was refolv’d to deprive him of his Crown. To Lnar^ab he wrote the fame thing concerning Taimuras } and at the fame time order’d Lolla 'Beg , General of his Army, w ho lay toward Media , to enter Georgia with Thirty Thcmfand Horfe, and to put all to Fire and Sword. E e e Upon i^8 The T*rayels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia^ Upon this, Lnar^ab and 1 aimnras were counfell’d to unite* They met, and communicated to each other Abas s Letters i wherein finding the ruin of both refolv’d upon, they fwore one to another either to Perifh, or refcue each other from the danger; and the more to confirm and ftrengthen their Union* Lnar^ab gave his Sifter, the Incomparable Darejan to Tai - muras. Abas was like to run Mad when they brought him the News; he was ready to have Cut the Throats of Tamn- ras's Two Sons with his own Hands, and of the other Geor- gian Hoftages: nothing would ferve him but he fwore the Death of all together. But at length he kept himfelf within bounds, and minded only to haften his march rather to punifil the Kings that had offended him. Taiffinrafy fenfible pf the approach of the Terfian Army* would have prepar’d for his defence. But he difcover’d that a part of the Grandees of his Kingdom were inclin’d to Sur¬ render, Thereupon he fent his Mother to Abas. She was a Princefs that had betak’n her (elf to a Religious Life, fo foon as her Misfortune had made her a Widow. Not that they make any Vows, or quit their ufual Habitations* but only put on the Religious Habit, who in thofe Countries makeprofefc fton of a Religious Life, as I have already obferv d in my Re¬ lation of the Mingrelian Religion, which is the fame with that of the Georgians. Mariana or Kgtavana therefore (for fhe was call’d by both thefe Names) wore the Habit of a Religious Perfon, to the end fhe might have an excufe to Live more re¬ tir’d, and uninterrupted in her Devotions. She fet forward with a Numerous Train and Magnificent Prefents$ and made fo much haft that fhe found Abas ftill at Ifpahan. Where be¬ ing arriv’d fhe threw her felf at the Kings Feet, and be- fought Pardon for her Son, which fhe did with all the Sub- tnifllon that fhe thought might avail to appeafe the King9 wrath. This Princefs was at that time well advanc’d in Years, yet was fhe ftill a Lovely Lady, fo that Abas became enamour’d of her, or at leaft feign’d to be fo, the firft day he faw her 2 thereupon he courted her to turn Mahumetan , that he might be in a Condition to Marry her. But the Princefs more Wed¬ ded to her Chaftity and Religion, and perhaps not enduring the ftriays. And he Was as good as his Word. For he open’d a Crofs-way through the Wood by means of his Infantry, and leaving the Camp which was block’d up by the Georgians , took only the Cavalry along With him; NeVertheleG Abas would lead ’em himfelf, ? GO The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, and having pafs’d the Wood, fell into the Kingdom of Kaket y committing great Cruelty and Spoil j inlomuch that he com¬ manded all the Trees that breed the Silkworms to be de¬ ft roy’d i on purpofe to mine pa ft recovery a Country that chiefly fubfifts by making of bilk. When thele Mournful Tidings were brought to Luar^abj he gave himfelf over for loft, and fled into Mingrelia. On the other fide, Abas who knew his Conquefts were not fecure, fo long as the Georgian Kings were at Liberty, wrote to Luar%ab in thefe Terms: What Reafon urges you to flie ? Tts Taimuras that 1 feeh,that In - grateful and Perfidious Pybel. Come and Surrender your felf to me , and I mill confirm you in the Foffeffton of the Georgian Kingdom y but if you fail to yield your felf I mill entirely mine it , and lay it defert. Thereupon Luar^ab in tender pity of his People, furren- der’d himfelf to Abas. The King receiv'd him in moft friendly manner, and with a Thoufand Carelfes, replac’d him upon the Throne with all the Pomp and Solemnity imaginable ; which was done the better to deceive the Georgians , and to make himfelf Mafter of the Country without ftriking a Stroak. He alfo made him feveral coftly Frefents, and among the reft, he gave him a Heron-Tuft of Precious Stones, which he com¬ manded him always to wear, efpecially when he came into his Prefence. I his is an Enfign of Royalty raid he, and it is my pleafure you ftoould aim ays mear it upon your Head , that People may ftnom yee to be Kjng. Now the fame Day that Abas was to fet forward for TeftTis, faid he to Luar^ab y Ifhall make a halt fix Leagues from this place , and fend am ay the reft of the Army ; mill not you bear me Company thither P This was a Snare with fair words to draw the poor Georgian King from his Capital City : and he was as eafily deluded to go along with him, in regard he miftrufted not the leaft fowl play. In the mean while Abas commanded one of his Guards, a noted Pick- Pocket, and one of the moft dextrous i’ the World at his Pro- feflion, to fteal Luar&ab' s Heron-Tuft from him. Which was done '■) and then Luar^ab coming into the King’s Prefence, Luay&aby faid the King, mhats become of your Heron-Tuft ? Did not I recommend it to yee to mear alivays as an Enfign of Royalty P Sir , laid Luarzab, I am robb’d of it , mhiih has al- tnoft put me beftdes my ll its y 1 have caus’d it to be hunted for every where that J could imagine , but can hear no 1 idings of it. Horn! faid the King in a great Fury, the I\ing of Georgia robb'd in my Camp ! Did 'em bid the Provoft*Marfhaf the Captain through the Black-Sea, and the Country of- Colchis. 2 o 1 Captain of the Watch ^ and the Vrefident of the Council of Juft ice, come to me. And this was the fecond Artifice made uie of to feize the Unfortunate Luar%ab without ftriking a Stroak. Pre- fently therefore he was laid hold on \ but Abas durft not put him to death for fear of a Revolt in Georgia. He fent him therefore into Mafanderan, or Hyrcania, hoping that the bad Air of the Country would kill him : but feeing that would not do, he remov’d him to Shir as ; and at length took the following occafion to put him to death. The Grand Duke of Mofcovy had been a long time follici- ted by the Georgian Princes to intercede in his behalf to Abas. Who was therefore at the Charge of a Coftly Embaflie meer- ly for that purpofe. Thereupon Abas, who was a Perfon of a quick Wit, and never idle, gave order to the Governour of Shamakj , a City upon the Cafpian Sea, where the AmbafTa- dors of Mofcovy firft enter into Derfta, to try what he could do to difcover whether the AmbafTador came only upon Luar^ab' s account or no : and whether the Mofcovite did take his part to that degree that there was any likelyhood of a Rupture. To which the Governour fent Word, That the AmbafTador came only to lerve Luar^ab ; that he was a very great Lord, and that his Inftrudtions were very pofitive for a pun&ual An- fwer. Upon which Abas r who was refolv’d not to releafe the Georgian Prince, nor yet could refufe him his Liberty at the requelf of the Duke of Muftovy , wrote to the Governour of Shiras to rid Litar%ab out of the World, fo that his Death might feem only to have happen’d by accident Which was accompliflfd to his defire, and the News was brought to Abas i two Days before the Arrival of the Mofcovite AmbafTador. Abas made the Courier tell his Tale in publick, at what time he feem’d to be ftrangely troubl’d and furpriz’d : Good GOD, Lid he, this is 'Unfortunate News indeed j How came he by his Death ? Sir , anfwer’d the Courier, he went a Fifhing, and as he was cajiing his Net , fell into the Fond , and there (lift d himfetf. I ll make an Example of his Guards, reply’d the King, for taking no more care of him. Soon after the Fytfpan AmbafTador had his Audience 5 at what time, after the Banquet was over, and that they had drank pretty hard, the King fending for him near to his own Perfon Well, faid he, Mr. Ambaftfador, and what is't the King of the Ruffes my Dr other defires of me ? Thereupon the Am- baffador began to unfold his CommifTion , and declare the Purport of his Embaflie j but when he had once let flip Luar~ F f f 'z.ab's c 2 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Peril.a, s Name, l believe , replyd the King, you have heard of the Misfortune that has befallen that Young Prince: I am ex- treamly griev’d for him: I wijb to GOD he had not been dead $ for / flbonld have done with all my Irkart whatever your Majler jcoidd defire in his behalf Thereupon the Brother of Luar^ab was made Governour of Georgia in his Room, being turn’d Mahumetan before that: and call’d by a Perfian Title joyn’d to his Georgian , Pacrat-Mir%ah y or the Yfoyal Prince. Abas alfo left an Army in Georgia to op* pofe Taimuras . Who at firft continu’d the War with fuch Succours as he obtain’d from the Turks and Chriftian Princes joyning upon the Cafpian Sea, into whole Territories he was retir’d, for San fluary: But feeing thole Petty Afllftances did him no good, he went to the Turl ^ and implor’d Aid of the Turk,. Which he obtain’d : and a great Army of Turks was lent into Georgia , who defeated the Perfian Forces, and re* eftablifhed Taimuras in the Kingdom of Cahgt. But he en¬ joy’d it not long j for fo loon as the Turks were retreated. Abas return’d into Georgia , and chang’d the whole Face of Af¬ fairs. He built FortrefTes which he fill’d with Natural Perjians 5 He carry’d away above Four and Twenty Thoufand Families, of which he plac’d the greatell part in Mafander , or Hyrcania , Media , Armenia , and the Province of Perfta , removing into their Rooms both Perjians and Armenians . He alio intermix’d Mildnels with his Severities, J:o try how far that would avail to keep the People in order. He likewife made an Agreement with the Georgians , which he confirm’d by Oath for himfelf and his Succeflors, 4 That their Country Ihould be free from 4 Taxes, that there Ihould be no Alteration of their Religion. 4 That he would not pull down their Churches, neither would c he ere< 5 ! any Mofchees: That their Viceroy fhould be al- 4 ways a Georgian , of the Race of their Kings, but a Mahorn > 4 tan: Of whofe Sons he that would change his Religion, Ihould 4 be Governour and great Provolf of Ifpahan , till hp lucceeded 4 his Father. Abas dy’d in the Year 1628. And fo foon as Taimuras had Intelligence of his Death, he re-enter’d Georgia , and caus’d the Georgians to Rebel, who Hew their Viceroy and all the Perjians that oppos’d ’em \ he made himlelf Mailer of all the llrong Forts except TeJJUs ; but could not keep ’em. For Sefy y fucceeding his Grand-Father Abas, fent in the Year 1631. a powerful Army again!! him, under the Command of piiftan Can , a Georgian , the Son of Simon Can , that fame Viceroy whom through the Black-S^a, and the Country o/~Colchis 0 203 whom the Georgians had Haiti. He was Grand Provoft of If pahati , at Abas' s deceafe* and call’d Cofron Mir%a. King Sefy 1 therefore, who knew him to be a Perfon of great Va¬ lour, and deerrfd him highly provok’d, made him General of his Army and Viceroy of Georgia in his Fathers Room He de¬ feated the Georgians iri feveral Encounters, won back Car - thuel^ and part of the Kingdom of Cakgt, audpurfu’d Tainzuras who was forc’d to betake himfelf into two ftrong places in Mount Cancafus. In which inacceffible Faftneftes, this Prince no lefs Valiant then Unfortunate, held out for foiiie Years 5 though rather like a Fugitive that fought for his Life* than a Prince that defended his Crown* Rut receiving no afliftance neither from the Tur\s nor Cbriflians^ he went to follicit the Mofcovite^ but failing there likewife, he retir’d into Imiretta , of which his Sifter was Queen, with a Refolution there to end his Life, not finding any hopes of recovering the Inheritance of his Anceftors. There Shanavas-Can took him Prifoner, when he Conquer’d that Petty Kingdom of Imiretta , and det- le’d his Son therein. For Tainzuras had always fuch a paflion to Dye in his own Country, that he would not make his efcape into Turkey, which he might eafily have done : and befides he confider’d that being Old, the Tnrby would not have that ref- pe£f for him, as he might expert from the Ter fans. Shanavas- Can carry’d him to Tejjlis , and wrote Word to the King that the Famous Taimuras-Can was in his Hands. The King lent for him to his Court. Where being very aged, his Travels and Troubles ol mind, threw him into a defperate ficknels, The King lodg’d him in one of his Palaces with a great deal of mag¬ nificence, and order’d his Phyfitians to look to him with great care. Notwithftanding all which he dy’d in the Year 1 His Body was carry’d into Georgia , and Rury’d with all the Pomp and State which is ufual in that Country. Tyiftan-Can having reconquer’d Georgia , built the Fortrefs of Gery as is reported. He reftor’d Peace and good order to the Country, and Govern’d with an exemplary mildnefs and Juftice. He Marry’d the Sifter of Levan Dadian Prince of Mingrelia , though (he were a Cbriftian and Marry’d already. Her Husband being Prince of Guriel \ whom Levan had de¬ priv’d both of his Principality and his Eyes, for being in a Confpiracy againft him, and taking his Wife away from him, Marry’d her to Tyiflan-Can neither the Ecelefiafticks of Mingre¬ lia nor Georgia oppofing that Monjlrom Conjnnttiojz , if I may prefume to call it fo. The Name of this Princefs was Mary i of 20 z}. The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, of whom we have already fpoken in our Recital of the laft Revolutions of hnirelta. She is now the Wife of Sbanavas- Can , Governor of Georgia. ( fyi(lan-Can Dy’d in the Year 1640.' and his Body was car¬ ry d to Cow, where it was entered. At what tiiiie Sbanavas- Can , Taimuraz s Kinfman, was Governor and Grand Trovojl of Ifpaban. Him uftan-Can , having no Childern, adopted, and fent him to the Court, befeechipg the King to look upon him as his Son, and to ratifie the Adoption. His Majefty ap¬ prov’d his Choice, caus’d the Young Prince to be Circumciz’d, and beftow’d upon him the Government of the City , and this, is he who is at Prefent Viceroy of Georgia, , being Fourfcore Years of Age, yet very Strong and Luff y. So foon as uftan-Can was Dead, the Princefs Mary his Wife, had private Intelligence, that upon the advantageous reports of her Beauty, that had been made to the King of Perfidy he had commanded her to be fent to Cofirt. Thereupon Hie was adviz’d to By into Mingreha^ or to hide her felf. But (he took a quite contrary courfe ; for being well affiir’d that there' was no place within the Empire of Perfia , where the King, would not difeover her, (lie went and loekt her (elf up for Three Days together in the Fortrefs of Tefflis , which was in¬ deed to deliver her felf up to the Mercy of him that fought hei*. All which time (lie fhew’d her fell: every Day to the Comman¬ der’s Wives} and then fending for him to her Apartiment, (he told him that upon the credit of- his Wives, that had feen her, he might write to the King, that flic was no fuch Amia¬ ble Beauty to be fo ardently deffr’d, that fhe was far gone in . Years, and belides that fine was a little misshapen; and there¬ fore that die conjur’d his Majefty to let her end her Days in her own Country. At the fame time (he fent the King a Magni¬ ficent Prefent of Gofd and Silver, and Four Young Damfels of an Extraordinary Beauty. And fo loon as (lie had fent her prefent, (lie retir’d from the World, not differing her felf to be feen by any Body, fhe betook her felf wholly to her Devoti¬ ons, giving great Alms to the Poor, to the end they might Pray to GOD for her Souls Health. But at the end of Three Months there came an order from the King, for §banavas-Can to Marry her. Who was over joy’d at the receipt of the Or* der, for Mary was Rich, fo that he Marry’d her, though he had then another Wife of his own ; and he has a very great Value tor her by reafon of her great Eftate. Her firft Husband the Prince of Gnriel is (fill alive, redding in Georgia , but very Old 2 . through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. i Old, and very Deerepir. Nevertheless the Princefs was To kind to fend him one of her Damfels, to comfort him for his lofs of her*, and die allows him wherewithal to maintain himtelf, but at a very forry rate : However fhe feems {fill to have fome kind of Affection lor him ; inlomuch that being upon the Frontiers of Imiretta , fome Years fince fhe fent for him, and kept him with her eight Days. At which when Shanavas-Can Teem’d to be Jealous, the Princefs fell a laughing at him ; and ask’d Whether he were not afhanfd to be Jealous of a poor, old, blind, miferable Creature, and altogether as impotent as him- lelf. The greatefi: part of the Georgian Lords are outwardly Ma¬ hometans , fome profeffing that Religion to obtain Preferment at Court, and Penfions of State. Others, that they may have the Honour to Marry their Daughters to the King, and fome- times meerly to get ’em in to wait upon the Kings Wives. For which the ufual Recompence is a Penfion, or an Imployment. As a forerunner to which the Mahometan Religion is always firft of all embrac’d. The Penfion is according to the Quality of the Perfbns j but moft commonly not above Two Thoufand Crowns Upon which account there fell out a very lament¬ able Accident while I fiaid at Tefflis. A Georgian Lord had giv’n the King to iinderfiand, that he had a Niece of an extraordinary Beauty. His Majefty com¬ manded her to be brought to his Palace : And who fhould be fo wicked and bafe as to carry the Order and ferve it, but the Lord himfelf ! Thereupon he came to his Sifter, who was a Widow, and told her, That the King of Terfia had a defire to Marry her Daughter, and that therefore (he muft per- fwade her to give her confent. Thereupon the Mother ha¬ ving made known to the Young Virgin, the force that was upon her, fhe was almoft at her Wits end. For fhe had ra¬ ther have had a Young Lord that was her Neighbor, by a Per- fon whom fhe was extreamly belov’d. Thereupon they took a Refolution to make him a Sharer in their Misfortune, and to that purpofe fent him the News by one of their Domeftick Ser¬ vants. Away comes the Lord Poll, and arriving at Midnight, found the Mother and the Daughter with mutual Tears and a condolling Grief bewailing their hard Fortune. Prefently the Lord threw himfelf at their Feet, and told ’em, That for his part he fear’d nothing fo much as the lofs of his Miftrefs, and that all the Anger of the King of Sea, and the Country of Colchis. the Hebrews. And without doubt Omar had that fame Exo¬ dus in his Mind, when he fetl’d the Mahometan EpaSt , from the time of Mahomet's departure from Mecca , which was the place in Arabia where Idols and Idolatry were mod in Efteem. 17. In the Original it is Hamhager , that is, Flying together • 18. As the Arabians , as we have faid, gave Epithets to the Months, the Terfians alfo have given Epithets to the Principal Cities of their Empire I/pahan and Casbin are call’d The Seat of Monarchy. Canhadar , A Secure Retreat. Afherif was call’d The Ennobl'd , becaufe Abas the Great built a Spacious and Sumptuous Palace, and ufually kept his Court there when he was in the Province of Mazenderan. Which Province is call’d Tabar Eftaan in all the Publick A< 5 ts ? in the Exchequer , and Chan * eery ; but in common Difcourfe they call it Ma%,anderoon. Tabar EJiaan fignifies a place of Wedges, to denote that theCoun- try is full of Wood ; for that where there is great plenty of Wood, great {lore of Wedges are requir’d to cleave it. 19. The Impreffion of the Seal, which is at the bottom of the Date in the Tran(lation,is not only upon the back of the Pa¬ tent, but at the bottom Iikewife. This is the Seal of the Prime Minifter, who is call’d Mahomet Mehdy. The Terfians never put their Qualities in their Seals, nor any Title by which they may be known. There is only their own Name ; their Fa¬ thers Name, which ferves in {lead of a Sirname, according to the fafhion of the Hebrews and the Name of their Family when it has the Honour to be defended from Mahomet by his Daughter Fatima . For the Mahometans acknowledge no other Nobility then to be the Original Branches of that Progeny. I had alfo joyn’d to the King of Ferfias Patent a Note of Recommendation from the High Steward of his Houfhold ; which I was defirous the Viceroy fhould fee, as being allur’d that it would work more effe&ually then the Patent it fel£ Which prov’d to be true ; inlomnch that I underflood after¬ wards, that it was to that Note, to which I was beholding for all the good Offices and Honours which I receiv’d at Tefflis t which was as follows. L 1 1 The 122 The ‘Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, T He Commiffioners of ( governments, the Farmers Rpyal, Officers of Cities, Receivers of Toll, and ProVofs of the High-Way, mil have the (i) Honour to kpow, That M. Chardin and M. Raifin, French Merchants, the Flowre of Merchants, having brought to the mofl High and Sublime Court Rarities and Cu- riofties Jet with Precious Stones, worthy the (2) Ward¬ robe of the (3) Slaves of the (4,) Dijlnbuter of Temporal (foods, they are Commanded to fetch others ; and have exprefs Order to caufe to be made in their Country feveral Pieces of Worfmanfhip for the Service ofh is Slaves ; to that purpoje they are Honour'd with a Patent under the ( 5 ) Sacred Seal ; and that is the \Reafon they are forc'd to Travel. Where-ever - they come therefore, it is abfolutely requiftc that they have Ref pell fhewn ’em, and that all Re a [on able Affifiance that Jhall be neccjfary, be afforded 'em. Care alfo muft he tal^en that they be not mole fed or put to Trouble, nor mufl any Per Jons whatever fgnife in any manner whatfo- ever, that they expelt or defire any Duties from ’em* For if it comes to the Ears of the Slaves of the Lord of Human Rind, that they have claim d any thing of 'em, bad will be the Fruit offuch an Information . Written in the Month of Shaval the Ennobl’d ; 107 6 . of the Holy Flight j To which be Honour and (glory. In the Margent there was, The Intention of this is to give all thofe whom it may concern to under ft and. That the Rearers hereof are to be Treated and Refpcited according to the Tenour of the Patent, to which all the Wor Id pays Homage. The words of the Seal fignifie TALaxud the Son of Caleb, the Delight of the Creatures. through the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchis. i. It is in the Per fun , They are Honour'd by that which they give'em to underhand. For fo the Grandees of Terfia write to the Inferiour Officers: elpecially when thole Officers have their dependance upon ’em. This they do to maintain the difference which their Authority and Imployment,puts between ’em : and that there may not be any confufion by their manner of Communication one with another* 2 The Word which I have Tranflated Wardrobe is Sercar , Which figniffes properly Chief of the W orhjiianfbtp, and alio a Magazine. For the King and the Grandees of Terfea keep in their Houfes Manufactures of all lorts of Trades and Arts. They call thole places Carcone, or Worl^Honfes. They are like the Gallery of the Grand Duke of Florence , or the Gal¬ leries in the Louvre in France. They maintain therein a great number of excellent Mailers, who have there a Penffon and their Dyet as long as they Live: and they find ’em Materials for their Work. And they make ’em Prefents, or advance their pay upon every Curious Piece which they finilh. 3. ’Tis out of Pride and Vainglory that they exprefs them- felves in thele Terms. Worthy the Wardrobe of the Slaves of the Kjng. As much as to fay, that the Kings Wardrobe is lo full of rare and pretious Jewels, that no body can bring any thing that is fit to be put therein. And therefore Terfean Elo¬ quence makes very much ufe of this Circumlocution of Lan¬ guage upon all occafions. So fpeaking of an Ambafiador that has pay’d his Obeyfance to the King, they fay, That he has kifs'd the Feet of the Slaves of the Jfjng. In like manner, when they would fay, that the King has perform’d any great AClion, they fay. The Slaves of the Prince have perform'd fuch a great ASlion. Forms of Speech that fufficiently dilcover the Vanity of theEaflern People. I take’em to be drawn from the Alcoran , which the Mahometans affirm to be the fource of true Eloquence. There you ffiall meet with many fuch like Expreffions. As for Example, fpeaking of the Works of GOD, they call ’em, The Works of the Angels. The Angels Created the Heavens and the Earth. Which, fay the Mahome¬ tans, more clearly exprefies the Pow T er of GOD. For if the Angels have fo much Power as to Create Worlds, how great mull be his Power whofe only Servants and Minillers they are ? In fhort, all the Orientals are perfect Slaves; their Soveraigns having 224 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, having a right to command their Lives, and Fortunes, their Wives and Childern. But they are fo far from being terrifi’d with their condition, that they Glory in it. The Grandees themfelves count it an Honour to be call’d Slaves: and Sha - Conli , or Coolom-Sha , which fignifies the Kings Slaves, is as Honourable a Title in Berfia, as that of Marquefs in France. 4. Valine amet, which I have Tranflated Distributer of 'Tem¬ poral Goods , is a compound Word. Vali fignifies a Soveraign , and abfolute Lieutenant , who has the lame Power in the place where he is fettl’d as he that Rules the Empire. The Terfians alfo frequently call their King Vali-Iron , to let yee understand that he is in Perfia , which they call Iron , the true SuccelTor, Vicar, and Lieutenant of Ali, to whom GOD gave the Do¬ minion of the World, after the Death of Mahomet. Neamet is deriv’d from Inara , which fignifies a Prefent , Favour , Tem¬ poral Grace y or 'Bountiful conferring of a Benefit. So that by the Word Vali-Neametj which is the moft ufual Title which the Berfians give their King, fpeaking to his Majefty, they mean, That he is GODS L ieutenant in the World , to diftribute in his be¬ half all the Benefits and Blefpngs of Fortune to Men , and as it were the Conduit-Pipe , through which Heaven Conveys if s Blefpngs to the Earth. 5. It is in the Berfian Moubarec-Tlifban. It has been laid that the Subfcription , wherein are Written the Twelve Names of the Succelfors of Mahomet , is call’d Nijhan, though Moubarec fignifies Bleffed. I faid nothing to the Viceroy when I pay’d my Obeyfance, nor did he ipeak a word to me, or make the leafl lign. VVith- in a Moment after Dinner was ferv’d in, he fent me upon a Plate of Gold the half of a large Loaf that was before him, and order’d his Carver that brought it me, to tell me, that I was welcome. A little after that, he fent to ask me how the War went forward between the Turkj and the Polanders. During the Second courfe he caus’d us to be ferv’d with his own Wine in the Cup that he Drank out of himfelf. The Wine Hood in a great Flagon of Gold Enamell’d; and the Cup was fet in the lower part with Rubies and Turquoifes, The Gentleman that fill’d us out the Wine, bid us in the Prince’s Name, Be Merry , and Eat Heartily. When the Third Courfe was upon the Table, the Prince did us yet farther Ho¬ nour, and fent us part of the Roaftmeat which was fet before ^ his through the BlacloSea, imd the Country of Colchis; 225 his own Perfon; that is to fay, a Bheafant, two Partridges, and a Quarter of a Hind } and order’d our Attendant to teli us, 'Tloat the Wine would make the Wild -1 owl go down the better ; though he had commanded that we fbouid not be prefs’d to Drink* All which Honours I receiv’d with low bows, but without making any Anfwer. And the Capuchins did the fame. For it is the Cuftom among the Berfians never to return any other, kind of Anfwer to thole kind of Favours. I (hall fay nothing of the Order and Magnificence of the Feaft, but only this, That there was hard Drinking, that there was a moll prodigious Quantity of Meat, and that they brought it up lome Filh, and fbme Flefh, in refpedt to the Patriarch and the Bilhop who were there, and profefs Abfti- nence front Flefh all their Life-time. Wc role irom the Ta¬ ble after we had late three Hours 5 at what time others of the Guefts were already withdrawn : though as yet they had not tak’n away the Road-Meat. Retiring, we made a low Re¬ verence to the Prince, who then lent me word once more, That I was Welcom \ and caus’d us to be conduced Home to our Lodging. The 14th* the Prince lent me two large Flagons of Wine, two Pheafants, and two Brace of Partridges. The Gentle¬ man that brought the Prelent told me, That the Prince had given him Order to enquire. Whether I wanted any thing • and whether the Capuchins tool ^ care to let me not want Company ; and to tell me moreover, That if I likd the U ine , I might fend emery day to his 'Buttery . In anfwer to which, I delir’d the Gentleman to alfure the Prince, That my Landlords did not let me want any thing and that we would all together drinlghis Health in the Wine which he had fent. Nor indeed could better Wine be faded : So that we were very Merry with a Bolifh c urgeon, and two Syrians , that ferv’d the Prince, whom we fent for to Sup with us. The 16th, the Prince fent to invite me to his Niece’s Wed¬ ding, who was Marry’d in his (palace. I went about Five a Clock with the Superiour and Father (Raphael ; but the Cere¬ mony of the Marriage was almoft over, before we came. It was perform’d in the Great Room of St.-te, where we had Din’d the Sunday before. I had a great defire to have feeri her, but becaufe the Room was full of Ladies, there was no Admittance for any but the Prince and his near Relations, the Catholicos and the Bifhops. Tnis M m m 22 o The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, This fame Cuftom of forbidding Women the Company of Men, has been only in Georgia , fince the Country became fubjeft to the Perfians ; nor is this Prohibition but only in the Cities. For in the Country, and in fuch places where there are no Mahometans , they go without Vails, and make no fcru- ple both to come into Company, and difcourfe with Men at their pleafure. But in regard the Cuftoms of the Mahometans prevail more and more in Georgia with their Religion, we find the Women to be more and more reftrain’d of their Liberty : and that lovely Sex are forc’d out of Confor¬ mity to good Manners to keep apart by themfelves. The Nuptial Feaft was kept upon a Terrafs of the (palace, fur- rounded with Beds of State, or Eflrades rais’d about two Foot, and fix Foot in depth. The Terrafs was cover d with a large Pavillio.n fix’d upon five Pillars, two and twenty Foot high, and about five Inches in Diameter. The Lining was of Cloth of Gold and Silver, Velvet and painted Cioatb fo neatly and artificially intermix’d, that by the Light of the Tapers it look’d like a Wainfcot of Flowers and Morefco Work. In the midft of this fort of Room of State, if I may fo call it, ftood a large Fountain fpouting out Water. However, we did not feel the Coldnefs of the Weather : For the Crowd of People, and the large moving Hearths that were in the Room, almoft ftew’d us before we got out. The Floor was cover’d with fair Carpets, and about Forty Branches gave Light to the whole Room. Of which the Four that hung next the Prince were of Gold, the reft of Silver ; which Branches ufually weigh Forty Pounds apiece, the Foot being a matter of Fifteen Inches in Diame¬ ter. The Branch about a Foot and a half high, carries a Bowl full of pure Tallow, which feeds two lighted Matches. And thefe fort of Lamps give a very great Light. The Figure, or rather Pi&ure inferred, gives yee a diftin£t Idea of the Order of this Feftival. The Guefts were rank’d upon Beds of State, or Eflrades. The Prince had his Place upon an Efirade fomewhat higher rais’d then the reft, cover’d with a Canopy in the likenefs of a Duomo. His Sons and his Brothers were upon his Right Hand } the Bifhops upon his I eft: The Bridegroom’s Place was betwixt both. As for my fed F and the Capuchins, the Prince order’d us to fit immedi¬ ately next below the Biftiops. For you .muft underftand there were at this Feaft above a Hunder’d Perfons. The Mufick flood at the lower end. And now in a fiiort time after we were all plac’d, the Bridegroom enter’d lead by the Catholicos. Who through the Black-Sea> and the Country of Colchis, z 27 Who having taken his place, the Princes Relations, went every one to Complement and Prefent him. Which was alio done by the greaceft part of the Guefts, infomuch that it lookt like a kind of Procefilon, which was the reafon it lafted above half an Hour. The Prelents confifted in Money, lome Gold, fome Silver, as alfo in little Silver Cups. I confefs I was deft- rous to know how much the Prefents amounted to j but as far as I could find, Was nofuc-h great Sum, as not exceeding above Two Hunderd Crowns. However, let it be what it will, in the height of this Cere¬ mony, Supper was ferv'd up in this manner. In the fid! place Table Cloaths were fpread before all theGuefts, and in three parts of the Court before the Tent. Which Table Cloaths were as large as the Eftrades* After which done, the Bread wasferv’din. Of which there were three forts, the one as thin as Paper, the next about a Finger thick, and the third fweeten’d with Sugar. The Meat was brought in cover’d in large Silver Difiies, but far larger then are made in Europe. The Plate and the Cover ufually Weighing about Four Hundred and Five Hundred Ounces. They that brought up the Difiies firft into the Room, fet ’em down in order upon a Table Cloath at the Entrance; from whence other Officers carry hi ’em before the Squire-Carvers, who cut off feve'ral hollow Plates full, and order’d ’em to be lent to the Guefts: the Prin¬ ces being firft ferv’d, and afterwards the reft according to their Degrees: and the cuftom is to Carve one Difh to all the Com¬ pany ; then of another, and fo of all the reft The whole Feaft confifted of three Courles every one containing Sixty of tbofe large flat Difiies a piece. The Firft was of all forts of Pi/o, or Rice boyl’d with Meat, of which they make fe- veral forts of diftinft Colours and Tafts. The Yellow is boyl’d with Sugar, Cinamon and Saffron. The Red, with Juice of Pomegranates, but the White is moft natural and the beft. This Eilo is a very good fort of Diet, pleafing to the Taft and very wholefome The Second Courfe was of Meats Bak’d, Stew’d, and Fri- eaffy’d •, and other Ragoo’sof the fame Nature. The Third of Roafted. Not but that in all the three Comics there was an Intermixture of Fifh, Eggs, and Salades for xhe lake of the Ecclefiafticks. For our parts they ierv’d us both the Flefh and Fifh. In a Word, every thing was fet upon the Table, and taken away with that order and filence that was to be admir’d. Every one did his Duty without fpeaking a word. So that you fhall 2 2 8 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, \ {hall hear three French-Men at one Table make more noife then a Hunderd and Fifty Perfons, that were in the Room at that Feaft. But that which was moft to be wonder’d at after all this ex¬ cellent order, was the Court Cupboard which contain’d about a Hunderd and Twenty Veffels, that appertain’d to Drinking ; Bowls, Cups, Horns, Sixty Flagons and Twelve Jugs. The Jugs were for the moft part vSilver. The Bowls and Cups were lome of Polifh’d Gold, others Gold Enamell’d, fome fet with pretious Stones, others only Silver ; the Horns were Etn- bellifh’d after the fame manner as the Richer fort of Cups; and of feveral proportions. The ordinary ones were about Eight Inches High, Broad at the Top about Two, very black and Polifh’d. Some were of Rhinoceros s Snouts, others of Dears Horns, whereas the Common fort were made of the Horns of Oxen and Sheep. However the Cuftom of making ufe of’em for Drinking Cups, and Embellifhing em has been all along obferv’d among the Eaftern People. I cannot tell how long the Feaft lafted .* for I did not ftay it out. Only this I know, that though it was Midnight before we went away,\ the Roaft- meat was not then taken off the Table. Nor did they begin to Drink at firft, till the Third Courfe came, that they began to be Warm, and then they Drank their Healths after this man* ner. They fent to Eight Perfons, who were the Prince’s nea¬ red Relations, four upon the Right, and four upon the Left, Eight Bowls of the fame Bignefs and Equally full of Wine. At what time they rofe and flood up till they had Drank} they that were upon the Right Hand Drinking firft: they on the left hand Pledg’d ’em } and then the fame Eight Bowls were fill’d again, and carry’d to the next in the fame order till the Health was gone Round. Which done, they began again Eight Bigger Bowls. For the Cuftom of the Country is to Drink the Grandees Health laft in the biggeft Cups. Which is done on nurpofe to Fuddle their Guefts the more Effectu¬ ally ; by that means engaging’em out of RefpecSt and Efteem for the Perfons to Drink the more Liberally till they are quite Drunk. In this manner they Drank all the two laft Hours that I flay’d at the Feaft, and as afterwards I underflood, from that time till next Morning. The firft Bowls held no more then an Ordinary Glafs: and for the laft which I faw Drank off they held about a Pint and a half. Neverthelefs they were only thofe that were accounted Moderate Draughts. The Capuchins and my (elf were exempted from Drinking, and in truth through the Black-Sea- and the Country of ColchiSo £29 truth, had I Drank as milch as my Neighbours, 1 had dy’d upon the Spot i but the Prince had lo much kindnefs for us as to give order not to carry ils any Healths ", neverthelefs we had both Wine and Water, and a Gold Tumbler ftahding before us all the while. But they never fill’d us, but when we call’d for it. When the Healths were began, the Mufick began to Play: being a confus’d mixture of Vocal and Inftrumental, which fo pleas’d the Company, that they feem’d Ravifii’d with it. But for my part I could hear nothing that was Mufical, but rather only what was harfli and full of dilcord. The Prince alfo being in a pleafant Humour,as Upon whom theLiquor began to work, fent to the Superiour to bid him fend for his Spinette . Who with his Comrade were no lefs triad at the Extravagant Fancy of the Prince, though the Chief caufe of their dilguft was my being there, fearing I fhould make fome Relation of the Paf- fage to their Difadvantage, and aggravate their fawning Compli¬ ance upon fuch an occafion * that a Superioilr of a Million, fliould condefcend to proftitute himfelf like a Fidler before a Mahometan Prince, in and Aflembly of Infidels and Hereticks, Clergy and Laity, that in the Condition they were in, might well be term’d an Aflembly of Drunkards. However when the Spinette came they fet it upon the Table in themidll of the Room, and the Superiour was orderd to Play ; at what time the Prince having order’d him to Sing and Play together, he firfi: Sung the Magnificat , the Te Veknt , and Tantttm Ergo , and after that feveral Court-Aires in Italian and Spanifh , for the Church Mufick was then too Grave for the Prince Befides the Spinette was out of Tune, and the Superiour play’d out a Tune a purpofe, and being very Old befide, and brok’n with Age and Labour, you may well Judge what fort of Divertifement hi? Confort could be. However it was Paftime for the Prince for Two Hours together. During which time, the Steward nf the Houlhould came to me, and ask’d me whither the ufc of Inflruments were permitted in ourReligion ? To which when I anfwer’d . It was \ he reply’d that th ^Mahometan Religion forbid it exprefsly; and though it were generally us’d in Terfia , yet yet that cuftom did not make it Lawful. He told me moreover that Inftruments were particularly forbid in thfe exercifeof Re¬ ligion, in regard that GOD requir’d only the Praifes of Hu¬ man Voice. During which difpute, a Georgian Bifhop fell in¬ to difeourfe with Father (Raphael upon the fame Subject. I cannot tell all that Was then (aid, in regard J did not well un- deiftand the Language, nor would the Father be my Inter- N n n preter 23° The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia ? prefer* Only he told me thus much, that he was offended to fee the Superiour Divertife the Company at a Feffival with the fame Hymns, which he pretended were appointed for the Ser¬ vice of GOD in the Church. Father Raphael al(o added, That he took it very ill, that the Viceroy had us’d his Autho¬ rity fo far, to oblige the Superiour to play upon the Lute, and fing at every turn to pleafe his Humour; only that their Se¬ curity depended fo much upon his Favour, that they durfl not deny him any thing. About Midnight therefore, as I told yee, we left ’em ; after we had tak’n leave of the Prince with all due Reverence. Neverthelefs before he would let mego, he ask’d me how his Kinfman the King of Spain did, and drank his Health in a Bowl fet with Pretious Stones: and would need have both the Capuchins and my felf pledge the Health in the fame Cup. Though I know not whether he did it out of Vain-glory, or to honour the Superiour, whom he knew to be a Subje< 5 l of his mod Catholick Majefty. The 1 7th, reflecting upon the Title of King of Spain, which the Prince had affum’d to himfelf, and finding that it was not incoherent with what feveral Authors alledge, that the Spa¬ niard Originally came out of Iberia , I ask’d the Capuchins , How the ^Prince claim’d Affinity with the King of Spain P They anfwer’d, That Clement the VIII. having written to Taymuras , and in his Letters call’d him Kinfman to Philip the Second, and the Iberians and Spaniards Brothers, his Succeffors ever finee retain’d that Imaginary Kindred. And upon that occafion they told me feveral Stories of the Pride and Vain-glory of the Georgians , and of the Viceroy in particular, and fhew’d me the Copy of a Letter which he wrote about two Years fince to the King of (Roland . Of which I have inferted the Tranfla- tion in this Journal, as being an Authentick Piece, and proper to (hew that the pride of the Georgians is not a little Extrava¬ gant, and becaufe the Crowd of Vain-glorious Titles with which it is fluff’d, difeovers plainly, that the Faftern Nati¬ ons beyond all compare furpafs all others in the World in Va¬ nity. P paife, Glory and Adoration are to be given to GOD mojl Omnipotent , ivho has Created and Preserves all Things \ who was fieither Produc'd nor Engender'd } Exempt from all Evils ]j ineffable , Merciful to all , as well the Dead as the Living , who Commands with abfolute Power both Great and Mean , and Governs 'em with Clemency . The mojl High , the mojl Puijfant I Prince. through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 2 31 [Prince, the King of the Georgians, Lidtimenians, Litians, Me- <7ul<5tians ? Shevians, Sheviultians, Suans, Ofil, Bualtians, Or¬ cadians Tufcians, Pilanetians, Tichiiceans, Jalibufians, the (people both on this, fcle, and beyond the High Mountains, and of all the places there inhabited Lord of the three Grand Tribes ('the Georgian term is Eriftava, Eris ftgnifting People, and Ta- -va Chieftain, or prince) and of the Holy Seat of Schette, Capital City of all the Provinces which God through his favour has given ns in Heritage : King of Iberia and Mucrania, Sabatian, Tria- let, Talchire, Sometra, Chianchia, and Schianvanda, and of feveral other Kingdoms which he poffeffes with fettl'd and abfo- lute Authority, and over which he has full Power ; who is defen¬ ded from Jede, David, Solomon, and who by the Grace and Power of GOD is loaden with Profperity j the Vanqitifber of Vanquifbers , the Invincible Kjng of Kings, the mo ft High Lord, Shanavas-Can To you John Cafimir, who are laden with Honour, and can replenifb Men with it ; who are Famous in Peace, and well edif'd in Virtue "■> who by the Mercy and Power of GOD are Augufl, Happy, Dorn under a favourable Conftellation, moft great in Magnificence, who are always a doer of Good. Who for your rare merit are moft worthy of a Throne and a Crown, moft Potent Soveraign, PiSlor over ViSlorr, ViSlorious over Enemies, Celebra¬ ted Exterminator of (Rebels, Prince born a Chriftian and bred up in the Chriftian Religion ’, Renown d for feats of Arms \ Here - ditary King of Poland, Gothia, Vandalia, Lithuania, Rudla, Pruffia, Livonia, Ma^ovia, Samotia, Chiovia, Ciarnacovia and feveral other Kingdoms and Provinces , moft Serene Lord whofe renown is expanded over all, and Reaches to the Sun * To yon, I fay. Great King of Poland, without Compare, profound in PVifdom and all manner of Knowledge, and Moft Illuftrious through all thofe juft Elogies which are given you, for having un¬ der flood all the moft noble Languages. IVe falute yee withal our AffeElion, and with as mnch ardour as the Obligation of our Hear¬ ty good will defires it , we wifb yon per fed Content, long Peace, and multiplid Profperities. IPe render infinite Thanks to God for having learnt the Eftate of your Health, by Letters brought us from the moft Illuftrious and moft Excellent Lord John Lelezun- fhi, Count of Lerfno, Great Chancellor in your Kingdom, and Lieutenant General in upper Poland. We humbly befeech his Di¬ vine Goodnefs that we may underftand from time to time the con¬ tinuance of your Health in its perfeSlion , that you taft without Moleftation the Fruits of a Happy Peace, and that you enjoy a perfeCl Felicity. Pour good Servant Burgibug-Danbec, Officer of 3 2 The c rra^els of Sir John Chardin into Perfia^ of your Kingdom, a Gentleman no lefs Illuftrious for bil Fidelity then Nobility, is come hither in Quality of an Envoy front youtr Efyal Majefty to renew the Teace, and Rat if e the Friendjbip and good Correfpondence between the happy R^ing Sultan Soliman, whofe Grandeur is advanc'd to the Heavens , and EftablifFd over all the Earth , a Prince moft High, Supream, Incomparable, Infinite in {Tower, accufom'd to make himfelfby force ador d by his moft for¬ midable Enemies, who enriches the liniverfe no lefs then the Sea , and rfrho is worthy more Praifes then it is pofftblefor Men to give him . Monarch of Perfia, Media, Parthia, Hircania, the Per- fian Golph, and the Iflands therein contain'd, Caramania, Ara- cofia , Margiana and other Innumerable Principalities and Lord [hips, "lour Agent has pafs'd through our Territories , with¬ out having fuffer'd the leaft Inconvenience , or receiv'd the lea ft Mole- flat ion. He has now taken his leave to depart by the Ajjiftance of God toward your Ifoyal Majefty. 1 befeech you through the hearty good will and Friendjbip which we mutually bear one to the other , that this good SubjeSl and my Dorn eft ich^ may be ds welcom to your felf \ as he has been to your Predeceffor. At the Royal Palace of Tefflis, March 26. 1 6 y i . of the Birth of jefus Meffta. The Twentieth, I defir’d the Prefect or Superiour of the Theatins, and Father 'Raphael to return Thanks to the Prince for the Favours and Honours he had done me, and to pray him that I might have an Officer to conduct me to Irivan the chief City of Armenia the Greater. To which the Prince Pa¬ rish d with the Complement, and no lefs ready to grant me my requeft, Commanded the Capuchins to tell me, That he had a great Kindnefs for the Europeans, and would have wijb'd 1 could have flay d longer at Tefflis, to the end he might have made it more clear to me what he profefs'd ; but that he would not prefume, nei¬ ther had he any deftre to flop me, becaufe I was going upon the Rings bnftnefs, and therefore that I was at Liberty to go when I pleas'd ; that there was all manner of fecurity within his Territo¬ ries, and that therefore I needed no Convoy neverthelefs that he would fend one of his Officers along with me if I deftrd it. The Fathers told me afterwards that he had held ’em in a long difcourfc concerning his earneft defire that the Europeans would come and fettle in Georgia, to which purpofe they had orders co tell me, that if they would come thither for Trade, lie would Grant ’em all the Priviledges and Advantages they could thrmgh the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchis. could defire. That his Territories extended to the T>lach^Sea^ and that bearing a great fway in .Perfia, and being highly efteem’d in Turkey, fuch Europeans as defign’d to the Judies^ could not ehufe a better Road then through his Territories \ and that he was affur’d that when they had once traveled it, they would always make choice of it for the future. I defied the Fathers to return my mofi: humble Thanks to the Prince, for the Kindnels which he had for our Nation ; and to let him know, That I would not fail to give to the French Eafl-lndia Company Notice of his good Intentions, which if he would be pleas’d to fignifie in a Letter, I would certainly take care to have it lent. Laftly, That he would do me a great Honour to grant me one of his Domeftick Servants, to Conduct me to the next Government, of which I fhould not fail to give an Account to the King and his Minifters, when I fhould be arriv’d at Ifpahan . The 24 th, the Tibilelle (for fo is the Bifhop of Tefflis call’d, as I have faid already) came to fee me. Re told me, That the Prince had commanded him to acquaint me, That having con- fider’d upon what I had lent to him about Writing to the French Company for fetling a Trade, and a Pafiage through Georgia , He was about to have done it, to inform ’em of the Advantage they might make of a Trade into that Country : but in regard he was no more then a Vaffai to the King of Ter- fia , he was afraid his Majefty would look upon it as a Crime to have Written [without his Order to Strangers about Bu» finefs. However, I might affure ’em this, That if they would fend Factors into his Country, they fhould find many forts of Merchandizes that were properfor Europe very cheap ; befides that they fhould be receiv’d with all the Civility ima¬ ginable. In anfwer to which I defir’d the Tibilelle to affure the Prince that I would faithfully difeharge my Trufh The Prelate Raid with me about a quarter of an Hour in my Cham¬ ber } and at his departure I prefented him a very fair Rofary of Coral : according to the Cuftom of Repaying the Vifits of a Perfon of Quality. Nor were the Capuchins lefs glad of the Vifit I had receiv’d, then of the manner of my Acknowledg¬ ment, in regard the Bifhop of Tefjlis had never been at their Houle before. The a t>th, the Prince fent me a Prefent of Wine, and order’d • the Meffenger to tell me, That he had appointed a Perfian of his own Family for my Guide , that he had commanded a Let¬ ter of Orders to bed ifpatch’d that! might fet forward asfoon as I pleas’d.. O o q ^ The 2 54 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, The 26th, Father Raphael made tile fpend two Hours with an old Woman that practis’d Phyfick by the help of an infi¬ nite Number of Receipts i Of which he caus’d me to write down fome that he had heard People make the greateft Brags of, in my Table-Book. For the Dropfie, R: half a Dram of the Juice of the Roots of Garden-Chiches, and repeat the Remedy every other Day. To flop a Flux of Urine, Eat for three days together the inner Skins of the Gy fern of a Capon rolled, five every day. Againfl the Biting of a Scorpion, Take a Live-Hen, pull the Feathers off the Rump, and lay it upon the Wound* For then the Hen fucks the Poyfon into her Body, and dies* When the Convulfion begins to feize the Hen, take another, and apply her in the fame manner, and fo another till all the Poyfon be fuck’d out. For the Yellow Jaundife, Make a Bed of Boyl’d Rice, and lay the Patient well cover’d upon it j or elfe put him into a Bath of Milk, and it works the fame effedl. For External Pains of the Joynts, Take either the Deco¬ ction or the Perfume of three Drams of Hellebore. For Inward Pains of what fort foever, Take Potions of Mummy. For all forts of Falls, Bruifes and Hurts, Take Mummy in Drink, wrap up the Patient in a Cows Hide, and let him Blood. The Wound mull be heal’d with the Powder of the Herb Mullein. For Deflexions and Rheufnes to the Head and Throat, Take Perfume of Yellow Amber. For the Dyfentery, Give the Infufion of the Leaves ancf Berries of Myrtle ; or elfe the Blood of a Rolled Hare infus’d in Wine. For the Hemorrhoids , Powder the Leaves of ( Vlantain , and flrew upon the part affected. For through the Black^Sea* and the Country of Co lchis, 235 For Pairis in the Reins* take the Deception of the Leaves and Seed of Marfh-Mallows. For Ulcers in the Reins, life Milk. , • " * ' . , A Againft a Pleurefy, take two little thin Cakes of ordinary Meal, and boil ’em in Water with Roch-Alium and Madder , and apply ’em as hot as may be endur’d Upon the fide, the one behind and the other before: this Remedy mull be dayly re¬ peated till the Cure be perfefted. i • w . ’ Againft a Cough, make ufeof the Root of the Herb call’d Flounds-Tongue or Dogs-Tongue. the moft ufual Cure for Agues in this Country, is to make Plaiftersof the Fat of a Sheeps Rump, Cinamon, Cloves and Cardamomes, and all the time of the cold fit to lay the be Plai- ftersupon the Forehead, Stomach and Feet. When the hot; fit is over, take off thofe Plaifters and lay on others, made of the Leaves of Cichory , Plantain, and the Herb call’d Solatium or Nightlhade, afterwards they take a Sucking-Pig, cut it in two and clap it to the Feet All which time the Patient is fed with Bread and Cream of Almonds, eating nothing that is boyl’d. Father Raphael afiiir’d me that he had feen ’em in that Coun¬ try cure Agues, by carrying the Patient in the height of his Cold fit and plunging him over Head and Ears in the Water. It is a thing hard to be beleiv’d * and in Truth, to me it appear’d a thing altogether Extravagant, in regard it feem’d to be lo Dangerous. However it is obferv’d that the difference of Climates and Temperaments of Countrys produces far diffe¬ rent effe&s in Remedies, fo that the Remedy, if 1 may lo fay, that Kills in one Country, does but only ftir a Man in another. In the Evening the Princes Chancellors Secretary, brought ine the Officer who was to conduct me to Erivati * and in my prefence gave him the Letter of Orders for his fo doing. Of tohieh the Tranflation follows. GOD. 6 The travels of Sir John Chardin into Ferfia, _ L - 1 -——— ^ - • • - - ■*— j*~ — - GOD. , r* ft * \ • * U Offer fevere Penalties the Ofohle Lord (i) Emin-Aga, is Commanded exactly to caufe to be Executed the Tenor of the Entente which the Deceas'd King, who was here below the LA/fafter of (2) For- tune, and is now in co Heaven, gaye to Mr. Chardin, and Mr. Raifin, (4.) French Europeans, by Vertue of which the (5) fudges of Places, Pro - vojls of Highways, Receivers of Tolls, and all forty of Officers of the Empire are oblig'd to Honour 'em, and to tal^e care that no Duty be exacted from 'em . The faid Emin-Aga fhall make it his Tdufinefs to conduit 'em fafe.to the Dleffed City of Erivan, without receiving any Damage or ZALdeflation by the way : that nothing may hinder 'em from arriyingwetl fatisfi'd at the Palace , of the ( 6 ) Support of Human kind. bilhop, who takes upon him the Title of Patriarch, refilling to acknowledge the Grand Patriarch. Our Maps take no Cog¬ nizance of this Lake; a wonderful thing to me, that among all our Travellers into Perfia , not one Ihould make any men¬ tion of ir. By which defedt it may be judg’d that thofe Au¬ thors were little curious after the Rarities of the Countries through which they pafs’d. The River Zengui takes its fource from this Lake, and eroding one part of Armenia , meets with the River Araxes near the Cafpian Sea, into which at length they both difeharge themfelves. Erivan, by the report of the Armenians , is the moll Anci¬ ent inhabited place in the World. For they affirm that Noah and all his Family dwelt there, both before the Deluge, and after he defeended from the Mountain where the Ark relied; and that here was alio the Terrellrial Paradile. But all this is a Story without Foundation, and reported by Perfons equally ignorant and vain-glorious. Some Authors there are who af¬ firm Erivan to be the City which Ptolomy calls Terva , and makes to be the Capital City of Armenia . Others hold it to be the Royal Artaxate. The Hillory of the Turks calls it Erit^e: but that of Armenia , which is to be feen in the famous Monaflery of the Three Churches, afferts, That this City was formerly call’d Vagar-Shapat , which fignifies (word for word) Vagar *s City. But that which renders thefe Pieces of Anti¬ quity very much fufpedted, is, That the fame Hillory, lpeak- ing of the Etymology of Erivan, derives it from an Armenian word which fignifies To fee ; and fays farther, that that fame Name was giv’n to this City, becaufe the Territory belonging to it was the firH Place that Noah difeover’d when he defend¬ ed from the Mountain of Ararat. And yet it is well known that the Armenian is a Modern Language, that has not been in ule above thefe Seven Hunderd Years. Nor do we find any thing in the Terjian Hillory concerning the Original of Erivan. Neither do I believe it to have been built before theConquells of the Arabs in Armenia ; and that which makes me believe it is this, for that neither in the City, nor in any parts adjoyning round about it, there are any Footlleps of great Antiquity to be feen. The Turks became Mailers of it in the Year 1582. and built the Fortrels Hill to be feen. The Per fans retook it in the Year 1 ^04. and fortify'’d it againll the Violence of Can¬ non-Shot, In the Year 1615. it held out a Siege of four Months; at what 1 time the Rampart withllood the Batteries of the-' Tm\' ■with "hat Impregnable Refillance, though but of %. ; •' through the Black^Sea* and the Country of Colchis. 249 Earth, that the Befiegers were forc’d to raife their Sieges Af¬ ter the Death of Abas the Great , they return’d and carry d the Place, but were not long Mafters of it. For Sophy retook it in the Year 1635 ; fince which time it has never been be¬ ll eg’d. Two Leagues from Erivan (lands that famous Monaftery of the Three Churches } the Sanduary of the Armenian Chriftiails, if I may prefume fo to call it, and the place to which they pay their greateft Devotion. I have caus’d a Draught to be made of it at large, and have added a Geometrical Ground- Plot , and a fmall Sketch of the outfide of the Principal Church, to give a more diftinft Defcription of the Monaftery* and more eafie for Apprehenlion. The Armenians call St Ecs- Miaiin, or the Defcent of the only begotten Son y or the Only be - gotten Son is defended. Which Name, fay they, was given to this Place, becaufe Jefus Chrifl fhew’d himlelf vifibly in this place to St Gregory , who was the firft Patriarch of it. The Mahometans call it c Vtjh-ClifJie^ or the Three Churches ; for that befides the Church belonging to the Convent, there are two others adjoyning to it. The firft and the principal, call’d Ecs-Mia^in, is a very fubftantial and dark Structure, all built of large Free-Stone. The Pilafters, which are Seventy two Foot high, are mifhapen Piles of Stone * as are alfo the Duomo i and the Roofs. On the inner fide are to be fe n no Ornaments either of Sculpture or Painting. The Chappels Hand upon the Eaft-fide , befides three at the lower end of the Church. Of which the middlemoft is very fpacious, with an Alcar of Stone after the manner of the Eaftern Chriftians very well adorn’d. But there is not any Altar in thofe upon the Sides, only one ferves for a Veftry, and the other for a Treafury. In the Ve* 1 ftry the Monks that belong to the Place (hew yee (everal Pieces of Church-Furniture, very beautiful and rich, as Croftes, Gold Chalices, Lamps and Candlefticks of Silver of an extras ordinary bignefs. The chiefeft part of which Wealth was the Munificence of Papal Liberality * and Teftimonies of feme s Credulity, as well as of Armenian Difiimulation. There are alfo to be feen in the Treafury, feveral Shrines of Silver and Vermillion Gilt. The principal Relicks belonging to the Place, by the report of the Monks that have ’em in keeping, are the upper part of the Body of St. fepfema , an Arm and a Thigh of St. Caiana * an Arm of St. Gr.gory , Sirnarcf d the Illuminator , bccaufe he Converted Armenia } a Rib of St. James Rifliop of Jerufahm ^ a Finger of St. Teter , and two Fingers of St. John S f f the 250 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, the Baptift. Whofe Body, as the Monies of this Monaftery affirm, lies in a Church belonging to a Convent of their Order near to Er^erttm t That Leontius , Bifhop of Ctcfarea , gave it to their firft Batriarchy and that after it had lain Three Hun- derd and Fifty Years at Ecbs-Mia^in y it was Tranflated to the place where they fay it now lies. But the Monks of Ecbs- Mia%in , who are the great Do&ors of the Armenians , are fo ignorant by their own Confeffion in my hearing , that they never heard of thofe Hittories which relate how that the Body of St.Jobn the. Baptijl was burnt to Afhes by the Command of Julian the Apoftate. I omit to fay any thing of thofe other Relicks which they pretend to have in their Treafury, as be¬ ing the Relicks of Saints very little known to this part of the World. I fhall only therefore add this farther, That the Monks belonging to the Convent affirm for a great Truth, That once they had the two Nails that fatten'd the Sacred Hands of JESUS CHBJST to the Crofs, which are ftill preferv’d, the one at Diar-Bekjre , the other in Georgia ; and that Abas the Great took out of their Treafury the true Lance, and the Seamlefs Garment, to enrich the Treafury of the Kings of Berfia at Ifpaban . ' In the middle of the Church ttands a large fquare Free- Stone, being three Foot in Diameter, and five Foot thick. The Armenians allure us, as an Article of their Faith, That this was the place where St Gregory their Apoftle faw JESUS CHBJST one Sunday in the Evening, while he was at his Prayers, and where he fpake to him. They farther afcertain us, That JE¬ SUS CHBJST drew round about this Saint with a Beam of Light the Defign of the Church of Echs-Mia%in , and order’d him to build it according to the Model which he had there drawn. They add, That at the fame time the Earth open’d in that part where the Stone lies, and that CHBJS 7 call down to Hell through that Hole, all the Devils that were in the Temples of Armenia , and titter d falfe Oracles, and that Saint Gregory caus’d the Hole to be cover’d with Marble. They add, That Abas the Great carry’d away the Marble, and put it into the Royal Treafury of Perjia , and caus’d this Stone to be fet up in the Room of it. Concerning which I made a dili¬ gent Inquiry at Ifpaban , nay I ask’d the Superintendents of the Treafury themfelves; but I could not find that They under- ftood any thing of it. Armenian Tradition tells yee alfo of another particular in reference to the Center of this Church, which I fhall fet down, though as fabulous as the reft, That + this through the B!ack->Se^ and the Country of Colchis. 2 5 I ■ , , ---■ , ... - ■ * 3SS_____' this was the true place, where Noah built that Altar, and of¬ fer’d that Sacrifice* which is mention’d in ..the Eighth Chapter of Gene [is. The Great Steeple has been newly rebuilt, containing Six Bells, the biggeft of which weighs 1200 Weight. One of the fmaller Bells fell down about Forty Years fince, and was never hung up again, for want of Money, as the Armenians fay: and indeed it is certain that they are very Poor. The firft Monaftery of this Church was built by Nicrfest he Twen¬ ty Ninth Patriarch of Armenia . This the Tartars ruin’d; and if we may believe the Chronology of the Place* it has beeil Five times levell d with the Ground. It is at prefent built of Brick ; the Patriarchs Aparciment lying to the Eaft* There are befides in the Convent L odgings for all Grangers that coffie to Vifit it, ‘and for 80 Monks belide* but ufually there ate not above Twelve or Fifteen. And here it is that the Patriarchs of Armenia are oblig’d to refide. But to fay Truth, the Ava* rice, Envy and Ambition with which they are pofTefsAl in this Age, finds ’em fo much bufinefs, that they fpend all their time in Rambling over (perfia and Turkey. This Patriarch has Twenty Bifhopricks under him. The two other Churches that (land near Echs-Mia^in^ are •call’d one St. Caiana , and the other St. pfima , from the Names of two Roman Virgins, who, as they fay, fifed into Ar~ menia , in the time of the Ninth Perfection, and fuffer’d Mar¬ tyrdom in the fame place where the Churches ffand. St. Cai* ana fiands upon the Right Hand, 700 Paces diftanr from the Monaflery. Sr. ^epfima upon the Left, about 5 odd Paces off! Thefe two Churches are half-ruin’d, there having been no Service perform’d in either for a long time* Within the Territory of Erivatt which extends above Twen* ty Leagues every way, there are Three and Twenty Con¬ vents for Men, and Five for Women : but all pitifully Poor and badly kept; the moft part not having above Five or Six Perfons a piece, whofe Penury continually employs ’em in getting a Lively hood, fb that they never perform Holy Duties but upon Holy-days.One of the moft confi Jerable \sCour-Virabi which in the Armenian Language figtiifies Literally the Church upon the Wells: and therefore this Name is given to this Convent, as being built over a Well, into which, as the Armenian Hi- ftory relates, St. Gregory was thrown, and yet preferv’d alive, being fed in the fame manner as Daniel was fed in the Lyons Dem This Monaftery ftands upon the Gonfines of the Tef* ritofy* %j 2 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfla, rkory of Erivan ro the South of Echs-Mia^in i where the People of the Country report, that the Ruines of Artaxarte are alio to be feen. Which City they call Ardajljat , from Ar -> taxerxes, whom the Eafterns call Ardejhir. Among the Ruines of which, as they fay, are alfo to be feen the Ruines of the Palace of Tyridates , built about 1300 Years ago. They fay moreover, that there is the Front of a Palace which is not above half Ruin’d, where there ftill remain four Rows of Columns of Black Marble, every one of Nine Columns, that thefe Columns encompafs a great Heap of wrought Pieces of Marble, and that the Columns are of thatbignels, that Three Men can hardly enfold ’em in their Arms. They call the whole place, where this heap of Ruines lies, TaSl-Terdat , or the ! hrone of Tyridates . I (hall forbear to fpeak of the other Monafteries, or of the particular Stories which the Armenians recount concerning ’em, or of the Relicks that are there pre- ferv’d; among which they number up the Veronique , or the Napkin which a Woman of that Name brought to wipe the Sweat from Chrift’s Face : the Bodies of St. Thomas , and St. Simon , which is all meer Idle and ridiculous Fable: for in truth the Armenian Tradition has nothing of common Sence. Nor (ball I fpeak any thing of the Armenian Belief or Worfhip ; for it is well known what they are, as having been for feveral Ages wrapt up in the Opinions of the Monophyptes , who in the Eaft are call’d Jacobites , of which at this day they underftand nothing at all, being altogether drown’d in Ig¬ norance. Twelve Leagues from Erivan to the Eaft, is to be feen the Famous Mountain, where almoft all Men agree that the Ark of Noah refted ; though no Body can bring any Solid Proof to make out what they affirm. When the Air is Serene, this Mountain is not to be feen at more then the diftance of two Leagues, as High and as Great as it is ; and therefore I am apt to believe I have feen far higher; and if I am not deceiv’d/ that part of Caucafus which I crofs’d over, as I Travell’d from the BlacI^Sea to Akql^ihg, is higher then this Mountain. The Titrhy call it Agridag, the High or Maffie Mountain ; but the Armenians and Ferftans call it both by the fame Name Maps. Which word the Armenians derive from Mas or Mefech the Son of Aram , who, as they fay, gave to their Nation both its Original and Denomination. The Berpans derive it from Axdsy a Word which in their Language fignffies Dear , or Dearly J Beloved ; and they will have this Mountain to be Co call’d, through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis, call’d, by reafon of the choice that GOD made of it to bear the happy Aik that inclos’d all Mankind. Thefe are forc’d Etymologies as much as any can be, and iucli as we may well compare to the meer Tinkling of Bells. This Mountain is call’d by two other Names in the Ferflan Books: that is to lay, Con-nongh , or the Mountain ol Noah , and Sahat-toppous , or the Happy Hillock. But the Holy Scripture gives it no particular Name, only it fays, That the Arf reflect upon the Mountain of Ararat, which is Armenia . Thele are thole Moun- tains fo famous in the Gree\ and Latin Authors, which they aflert to be part of Mount Taurus, and call by the Names of Gordian , Cordean , Corduenian , Cardian , Curdi , and Carduchi , every Author altering the word according to the Pronunciati¬ on of his own Language, The Armenians have a Tradition, That the Ark is Bill upon the Point, or higheft Top of this Mount Macis. They add moreover, That never any Body could afcend to the Place where it relied } and this they firmly believe upon the Faith of a Miracle, which they fay, happen’d to a certain Monk of Ecbs-Mia^in, whofe Name was James , afcerwards Bifhop of Nifibis. They report, That this Monk, polfels’d with the common Opinion that this was the Mountain where the Ark relied after the Deluge, refolv’d to afcend to the Top, or die in the Attempt; that he got up half way, but could never go any farther ; for that after he had clamber’d all the Day long, he was in his Sleep miraculoully carry d back to the place from whence he fet forward in the Morning. This continu’d a long time *, but that at length GOD giving Ear to the Monk’s Prayers, was willing to fatisfie his Delires in feme meafure: to which purpofe he fent an Angel to him with a piece of the Ark, with Orders to bid him not toyl himfelf any more in vain, for that he had debarr’d from Mortals accels to the Top of that Mountain. And this is the Tale which they tell \ up¬ on which I fhall oblerve two things. Firll, That it has no Coherence with the Relations of Ancient Authors, as Jofephus , tBerofus, or "Nicholas of Damafcus , who allure us that the Re¬ mainders of the Ark were to be feen, and that the People took the Pitch with which it was befmear'd as an Antidote againll feveral Dillempers. The fecond, 1 hat whereas it is tak’n for a Miracle, That no Body can get up to the Top, I Ihould rather take it for a greater Miracle, that any M m fhould climb up fo high. For the Mountain is altogether uninhabited, and from the Half-way to the Top of all, perpetually cover’d with T t t Snow Tfe Trawls of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Snow that never melts, fo that all the Seafons of the Year it appears like a Prodigious Heap of nothing but Snow. What I have reported concerning this Mountain, will doubtlefs caufe no fmall wonder in thofe who have read the Travels of Father (philips a Barefoot Carmelite , that he (hould undertake to lay that the Terreftrial Paradife lies there in fome Tlain which GOV preferves from Heat and Cold for thofe are the words of his Tranflator. The thought it felf leems to me to be ve¬ ry pleafant \ and I Ihould have thought he had fpoke it jocu¬ larly, did he not relate with an extraordinary ferioufnefs fe- veral things in the fame Book which are altogether as impro¬ bable. At the Foot of the Mountains, in a Village inhabited by Chriftians, ftands a Monaftery, call’d Arafil-Vanc, or the Monaftery of the dpojlles ; to which place the Armenians pay a very folemn Devotion. For they report that the Bodies of St. Andrew and St. Matthew were found there, and that the Scull of the Evangelift is ftill preferv’d in the Church belong¬ ing to the Monaftery. When I came to Erivan , I alighted at the Houfe of an Ar~ menian of my Acquaintance, whofe Name was A^arias. He was a Perlon extreamly perfecuted by thofe of his own Nati¬ on, becaufe he had been at %pme to turn Roman Catholick, and Difciple to the Colledge for th e Propagation of the Faith , and for endeavouring to fettle the Capuchins at Erivan. I found him indifpos’d and in Bed. However he rofe to give Notice of my Arrival; fearing to come into trouble if he de¬ fer rd it till the next Morning. To which purpofe he went to Court, but could not fee the Governor who was retir’d in¬ to the Apartment of the Princefs his Wife: Neverthelefs an Eunuch did his Meftage. The Eighth, the Governor fent a Perfon to give me a Vifit, and to tell me I was Welcom. Whereupon Mr .Auk? y the Slave of Sephi. He enjoy’d one of the moll Noble Governments of the Empire in the Reign of the Deceas'd King, but through fome Intreague among the Women, he fell into dilgrace, three Years before the Death of that Prince. The Wife which he has Marry’d is of the Blood Royal by the Mothers fide. And this Princels it was, who at the beginning of the prefent Kings Reign, reftor’d her Husband to his Majellies Favour, from whom in a little time he obtain’d the Government of Erivan , the moft confiderable in the Kingdom, and which yields him the faireft Revenue, no lefs then Two and Thirty Thoufand Tomans a Year, which are above a Hundred and Twelve Thoufand Pounds Sterling. The Fines, Prefents, and indirect ways to enrich himfelf, are worth him Fifty Thoufand Pounds more. And doubtlefs this Lord is the moft wealthy and moft Fortunate of all the King¬ dom. The King loves him, the Court has a Veneration for him, and his two Sons are the Kings only Favourites: the Peo¬ ple under his Government Love and refpeCt him, becaufe of his Popularity, his doing Juftice, and for that he is not fo op- prcftlve and given to extortion as others. So that he deferves the good Fortune he enjoys i for befides thefe good Qualities, he is Learned, and a great Lover of Arts and Sciences. The i ith, this Lord fent to invite me to the Nuptials of hi9 Stewards Brother where he was. I found him pleafant and in a very good Humour. For he had receiv d at the opening of the Gate, an order from the King by a Coolom-S ha , who came from Jfpahan in Thirteen Days. This Order related to an aftair of great Importance. For feveral Sultans who are Lords of Coun- trys and Governours of ftrong Holds, having refus’d to obey his Orders, and having made great complaints againft him to the King and his Minifters ; He on the other fide had juftifi’d his own Bights and Prerogatives; upon which his Majefty had given Sentence in his behalf, and had fent him an or¬ der to Command Obedience. Which Order the Coolom - Sha was to fee Executed, and to caufe Satisfaction to be giv’n to the Governour. Coolom - through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 257 Coolom-Sha fignifies rhe Things Slave. Not but that they who bear this Title ate as free, as other the Kings Natural Subjects ; but they take it as a Mark of their perfect Devo¬ tion to their Soveraign, as being that to which they were bred up altogether in their Infancy. For the Imployment of rhefe Kings Slaves in the Court of Terjza , is almoft the fame with that of Gentlemen-llihers ; who are Childern of good Quali¬ ty, employ’d very young in Duty, as well for the Profit which they get by it, as to give ’em a fair Opportunity to make their way to Preferment at Court. There are forne Perfons who fend their Sons to thefe Imployments at the Age of Five Years. To whom the King affigns Exhibitions according to the Quali¬ ty of their Family, or the Service which it does the King j for that ferves in (lead of other Recompence to the Parents. The ufual Exhibition is Twenty Tomans a Year, anJ their Diet ; which Twenty Tomans make about Seventy Pounds Sterling : And the Diet taken in Money amounts to about Forty Pounds. But thefe Exhibitions are frequently enlarg’d proportionably either to the Service which they do the King, or to the Kind- neis which the King has for their Perfons. For which reafon they are very diligent at Court, and are employ’d in the Exe¬ cution of all Orders of Importance. They are fent with the Kings Prefents to the Governors ; and out of their Number are taken feveral to fupply the Vacancies of Officers. Orders that require Expedition are carry cl Poll. Which Couriers are call’d TJhapars ; a word that comes from a TurksfJj word that fignifies Galloping , whence that other word Tfapgon , which fignifies a Courier. Thefe Tfbapars make great halfe, though they do not always meet with Horfes when they have occafion for ’em: For there are no fetl’d Stages in all the Eafi . In Perfia the Kings and Governors Couriers take Horfes where- ever they find ’em ; nay, they have Authority to difmount Travellers upon the High-way : befides, the Magiftrates of the Places through which they pafs, are oblig’d to furnifh ’em. However, this is a very mifehievous Cuftom ; for fuch as have neither the Strength nor the Courage to refill, are conllrain’d to give Money to thefe Couriers, or to alight and fuffer their Horfes to be rid away with, and then to run after ’em if they intend to have 'em again. Neverthelefs they dare not meddle with Perfons of Quality, nor the Kings Officers, nor Strangers that are going to the Court, for fear of being call’d to Que- flion. Ufually therefore they take up Horles in the Villa¬ ges through which they pafs; which they muft not make II u u ule The 2 ravels of Sir John Chardin into Peril a, me of however above one Days Journey ; for which reafori rhey generally fend a pinner along with ’em to bring the Horfes back. Thefe Couriers are eafily known by their Habit: For they wear a Cloak ty’d behind ’em \ and a little Cloak-bag, which runs through the Pommel, and is faftend to the Saddle-Bow. They carry a Poniard, a Sword, and a Quiver by their Sides, and a Cudgel in their Hands. Their Bows hang about their Shoulders \ befides all which they have a Scarf that comes twice about their Necks, which is brought down Crols-wife upon their Backs and Breads, and ty’d to their Girdle. When they are defery’d at a diflance, they who are afraid of being difmounted, flee out of the way and hide themfelves, or com¬ pound for Money, or elle offer ’em their Horfes. Thefe Cou¬ riers ride generally two and two, and if they be Perfons of Quality, ’tis the more difficult to get rid of ’em: for they will take no Compofition j and upon the leaft Refiftance, they ei¬ ther up with their Battoons, or out with their Swords, well knowing they fliall be upheld in what they do; which is a Vio¬ lence that other Couriers dare not offer. One of the Principal Extraordinary Expences which the Grandees are conftrained to be at, is when the King fends ’em his Orders or Prefents by a Codom-Sba , or by any othet Perfon of Quality; for he muff Cloath him upon his Arrival, and at his Departure he 11111(1 make him a Prelent anfwerable to his Imployment, and the Reputation that he bears} befides that he mufl be well Feafted and Entertained all the time of his flay. This Coolom-Sba that I fpeak of, coft the Governor of Hyman, as I was inform’d, Four Hunderd Tomans, which amount to Fourteen Hunderd Pounds befides Lodging and Diet. Many times the King himfelf Taxes the Prefent which is to be giv’n to the Perfon whom he fends, but then the Per- fon is oblig’d to pay it prefentiy down as a Debt, and to be- flow in Gifts and Largeffes many times double the Prefent : in fhort, they treat their Meffengers according to their Birth, their Merit, and their Credit at Court. This they diligently obferve, fo that when they underhand that a Meflenger or his Relations have free Accefs to the King, then they are more free in their Entertainment, to the end he may make an Ad¬ vantageous Report of his Ufage, and the Civility fhewn hinv I remember to this purpofe, in the Year 1 669 when the King conferred upon the Son of the Prime Minifler, the Com¬ mand of Colonel of the Musketeers, his Majefty fent the DiP patches through the Black-Sea, and the Country cf Colchis. 259 patches and Habit by his Goldfmiths, to reward ’em for fome jewels which they had made to his liking } and that he Tax’d the Prefenr which the Colonel was to give 'em at Three Hun- derd Tomans. Thereupon four of the chief Goldfmiths car¬ ry d the Difpatches and the Habit, whoinftead of Three Hun- derd, receiv'd 400 Tomans, which make Fourteen Hundred Pounds, and a Prefent befides in Stuffs. I (fay’d three Hours at the Wedding, and took my leave after Dinner. The Feaft was kept in a low Dining-Room, rais’d about two Foot, opening into a Court which was Rail’d about like a Tilt-Yard, where feveral Wreftlers and Gladiators divertis’d the Company, while the Governor fpent his time in looking on, and difeouriing fometimes with the Kings Meflen- gers, fometimes with the Company, and fometimes talking with my felf about the news of Europe. There were but nine Perfons at the Feaft,among whom the Bridegroom and his God¬ father were fumptuoufly habited,their Turbants being garnifh’d with Heron-Tuffs, fet with precious Stones. The Mailer of the Houfhold, his other Brothers and his Sons (landing upon their Feet at the lower end of the Room, with feveral of the Governours Officers. Every one of the Guefts were ferv’d at rheir firft coming, with a Voider of Sweat-Meats Dry and Wet, upon fmall Porceiaine Plates 5 the Voiders themfelves being of Wood Painted and Gilt; fo that nothing could be feen more Neat. Matrimony in Terfia is very expenfive, frequently to the Ruin of thofe that engage in it: So that only Perfons of Effaces will venture upon it J as for the meaner fort, they are conten¬ ted with a Concubine or a.Slave. The Mahometan? that follow the Tenents of Ali^ take their Wives after three manners, either by way of Purchafe, by way of Hire, or by Marriage. All which three ways they hold ro be Lawful. Their Religion allows and teaches ’em this Liber¬ ty ; and the Civil Law acknowledges the Childern Born in any of thefe three forts of Wedlock, to be equally Legitimate. So that if a Man have a Son by his Slave, before his Marry d Wife brines him one, the Son of the Slave is acknowledn’d < / 4 4.0 for the Eldeft, and enjoys all the Priviledgcs of Elderfhip to the Exclusion of the Son of the Lawful Wife, be fne a Prin- cefs and of the Blood Royal. And therefore in Terf/a Quality and Nobility defeends only from the Father, X The z 6 o c fhe L 1 ray els of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, 1 he Wives, who are Slaves, are call’d Canine: oF whom the Law allows a Man to have as many as he can maintain. Nor does the Government either Ecclefiaftical or Civil take any Cognizance how they are us’d. They that have put ’em to ail manner of Drudgery, as they pleafe themfelves, being not only Mafters of their Chaftity, but of their Lives. - Nor is it a difhonour in the Eaft for a Slave to ferve her Mailer as a Wife } but rather a great Honour and the bell Fortune fhecan arrive at: for when tkey are advanc’d to their Mafters Bed, they have an Apartiment feperate from the Reft of the Slaves. They are well Clad, allow’d Servants, and a’Penfion; and if they bring Childern, their Allowances are enlarg’d. For then they are no more lookt upon as Slaves, but as the Mothers of the Lawful Heir of the Family. The hir’d Wives are call’d Montaa , from Amovad, which fignifies a Concubine and alfo a Servant : of which they may take as many as they pleafe, and as long as they pleafe for the price they agree upon. At Ifipahan , which is the Metropolis of Perfza , thofe that are handfome and Young may be hir’d for Five and Thirty Pound a Year, bcfides Cloaths, Diet and I odging. Which fort of Marriage is a contradl purely Civil. At the end of the Term, if both parties are agreed they may renew the Bargain*, and they are at Liberty to break off be¬ fore the end of the Term, and to put away the hir’d Wife, but then they muft give the whole Sum contain’d in the Con- trad!. Yet cannot the Woman fo difmifsd let out her felf again, nor give her felf to another till Forty Days after her Diftniflon. Which interval is call’d the Pays oj (purification. They who nnderftand the Ceremonial Law of Mofies, may eafily perceive that the Mahometans borrow’d this cuftom from the Jews , though new modell’d and alter’d after their own humour. And indeed the Law both of the one and the other agrees in the point of Marriage, and the Behaviour of Men toward Women. The Ffpous’d Wives are call’d Neh^aa: of which the Maho¬ metan Religion allows a Man to Marry Four. Ncverthelefs they never Marry above one, to avoid the Expence \ and be¬ rm! ft • of the dilbrders that Multiplicity of Lawful Wives creates in a Houfe. For every one will Command, and their mutual Jealoufte keeps the Houfe in perpetual Confufton. Therefore People of Quality Marry generally into Families equal in De¬ gree , if they cannot content themfelves with one Woman, which is a Misfortune that never fails to befall ’em, they make + uie through the Black-Sea* and the Country of Colchiss 26 life of their Slaves. By that means the Peace of the Family is never difquieted j for the Marry’d Wife is always Lady and Midrefs. As to other things, whether contented or no, her Relations never fake any notice. As for hir’d Wives, feldonl any Body takes ’em, but People of mean Condition, or Stran- gers, which they do that they may be rid df ’em when they pleafei The lowed fort of all never make ule of that Cu- (torn, as not being able to pay ’em their Wages. Neither dd Perfons of Quality ; in regard they fcorn the Leavings of ano¬ ther, or that another fhould make ufe of a Woman who has belong’d to them. But if by chance a Perfon of Quality falls in love with a Woman either publick, or not fit to be his Wife, he hires her for Ninety-Nine Years j and by that means he is fure to enjoy her as long as he lives, without Marriage. And they take this courfe, elpecially if They are Marry’d to Women of Quality or Nobly defcended, becaufe their Relati¬ ons would take Themfelves to be highly affronted fhould They bring into their Houfes Women of mean Birth to be their Com¬ panions. In Perfta they ufually Marry by Proxy: becaufe the Women are never feen by the Men. Which Ceremony is perform’d after this manner.. The Kindred of both Parties meet at the Houfe of the Party intended to be the Husband or Bridegroom. Thither they fend for a Churchman to make the Contra#. Or if the Parties are Perfons of high Quality, then the Cectre , who is the chief Pontiff, or the Sheikgliflant , who is the chief Civil Judge, and is invited for that purpofe. If they are Per¬ fons of mean Degree, they endeavour to get the who is the Lieutenant Civil: and if they be very poor People, they fend for a MoIIa , or Pried of the Law. Prefently the Party Affianc’d in the Company of feveral Women repairs to a Cham¬ ber not far from the place where the People are met, where the Door (lands half open, but the Tapedry is let down that there is no Body to be feen. Then the Proxies of both Parties rife, and the Proxy for the Party Affianc’d fetting himfelf againd the Door of the Chamber, and dretching out his Hand, cries out aloud, I N. Authoris'd ' - The Wedding is kept at the Mans Houfe, and kits Ten Days: upon the Tenth Day, by broad Daylight, they fend him home that which is call’d the Bride's Bundle , which confifts in Furniture, Jewels, Moveables, Slaves and Eunuchs, accor¬ ding to the Quality of the Bride, and all this upon Camels or other Beafts of Carriage, the Mufick playing before 'em. The Slaves and Eunuchs ride either upon the Packs or elle on Horfe* back : and fometimes it happens that they borrow Houfhold- Scuff and a Train, and fend empty Chefls * and all to make a fhew and dazle the World. At Night the Bride is conduced home } and if (he be a Perfon of Quality fhe is carry’d in a Cagiavat , being a kind of Cradle of which a Camel will carry two. If fhe be a Perfon of mean Condition, fhe is let upon a Horle, or elfe goes a Foot: and then the Mufick marches firft; then the Servants with every one a Wax-Taper in their Hands, follow’d by the Women with lighted Candles in their Hands after the fame manner. The Bride her felf is veil’d from Head to Foot, with another Veil over that, plaited like a Caflock j made of Silk and Silver, or Cloth of Gold, or plain Silk, which reaches down to her wafte. So that a very Lynx could never be able to difcover her fiiape or Stature. If fhe be afoot, two Women lead her by each Arm j if on Horfeback 3 an Eunuch leads the Horle by the Bridle. About an Hour alter (lie has been at her Husbands Houfe, the Nuptial Feafl being ovdr, the Matrons carry her into the Bridal Chamber, uncloath her to a little Wafte-Coat, and a thin pair of Drawers next to it, and put her to Bed. Soon after the Bridegroom is conduced to the fame place either by Eunuchs or Old Women, the Lights being all taken away when he enters the Room. Thus the Man never fees his Wife till after he has Confunv mated the Marriage \ and many times he never does that, till feveral Days after his Wife has been at home, the nice Lady flying his Embraces and hiding her felf among the Women, or elfe unwilling to let her Husband meddle with her Which Coynefs frequently happens among Perfons of Quality, who look upon it as a piece of Immodefty to bellow their laft Fa¬ vours fo foon. The Virgins of the Blood Royal more parti¬ cularly put their Husbands to this trouble, fo that it requires whole Months to reclaim ’em, and to perfwade ’em that their Husbands are worthy their Embraces. To this purpofe they tell a Story of a Daughter of Abas the Great , who was Marry’d to one of his Great Generals, that fne was a long dmebefore (he would eondefeend fo much as to b&k 2 6 \. The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, - ■ ^ - • 7 -. ' • -■ --■■■■ — - - look upon her Husband. Thereupon the Lord complain’d to the King, That his Majejly had given him a Tygrefs injlead of d Wife ; that he durjl not come near her for that fie had Twice run at him with a Dagger in her Hand. At which Abas could not forbear Laughing, and ask’d him how many white Slaves he had in his Seraglio ? The General anfwer’d, about Five and Forty. Then faid the King, hie with 'em all one after another , I am fure that will be a means to reclaim your Wife. The Ge¬ neral took the Kings advice. The Princefs enrag’d at this his manner of proceeding, ask’d him, if that were his Conjugal Faith that he had plighted to her, and feeing he continu’d his Courfe, notwithftanding all her fury, made her complaints to the King, telling him, That fie came to demand Juflice of him againft her Husband , who %avifljd all his Maids and Slaves * To whom the King with an incens’d Countenance anfwer’d, That he had done it by his Order : and at the fame time fent her away, with an exprefs Command to invite her Husband to come and lie with her. Which the Princels did accordingly, and was well latisfi’d. To the fame purpofe they relate another very pleafant Story of one of the Concubines of Sephi , the laft King of that Name. She was a lovely Perfon, and for that reafon infinitely belov’d of the Prince, which had made her extreamly Proud, and to take upon her many times to talk over boldly to the King. One Day therefore Sephi, who was naturally Cruel, was fo incens’d againft her that he would have put her to Death; but his Anger not believing Death to be a fufficient Punilhment, he took from her all her Women, and her Eunuchs, caus’d all her Cloaths to be Burnt, and her Jewels to be Pounded in a Mortar, and the bitts of Stones to be flung into a Pond before her Face b and to add to her Ignominy, caus’d her to be Mar* ry’d to a Paltry Negro , that was one of his Cooks: and fo the Unfortunate Lady was fent home to the Cooks Houle with only one Chamber-Maid left her. But when her frightful Husband thought to have approach’d her, the Chamber-Maid as Lovely and M.sjeftick as her Miftrels, drawing a naked Dagger out of her Pocket, and throwing her felf before her Miftrefs, Dog of a Negro, faid Hie, Do but touch her fo much as with thy Finger , and I will make a Thoufand holes i thy Heart. Upon which the poor Cook flew for his Life; and the Story being told to the King, he was (o pleas’d with the adtion, that he recolle&ed himfelf, aflwag’d his Pafllon, Marry’d her to a Colonel, and fent her Cloaths and Furniture fuitable to her Condition. •f There through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 331 There happens in the Marriages of the meaner fort of Peo¬ ple, fomething that Teems to be quite the Contrary. For if the Man have oblig’d himfelf to make his Wife a Dowry, that exceeds his Eftate,to obtain the confent of his Wife's Parents ; he fhuts his Houle door when they bring her home, and cries that he will not give To great a Price for her. Then the Pa¬ rents of both Parties difpute the Matter between themfelves; and the Friends of the Bride are oblig’d to abate Tomething, for fear the Bridegroom fhould refufe her; for it would be the greateft Difhonour in the World, as well for them, as for the Maid, to be carried back again. Now one would think this way of Marrying, without e- ver feeing the Parties face, fhould produce very unfortunate Matches; but it does not. Nay we may fay in General, that the Matches are more happy in a Country, where the Men and Women never fee one another, then where the Women are fo frequently feen and courted. And the Reafon is plain: For they that fee not another Mans wife, lofe lefs fud- denlv the Affedion which they have, or ought to have, for their own. And yet we cannot fay the Ter fans marry with* out altogether knowing whom neither. * For the Mother or Kindred or other Perfons, upon whom they rely for the choice of a Wife, make fuch a frequent and lively Defcription of the Virgin, that they may fufficiently judge by their Re¬ port, whether the Original will pleafe, or whether fhe be a fit Match or no. Belides when they are Girls, tho the Greateft Lords Daughters, they are not fo clofe loekt up, till they come to be above Seven or Eight Years of Age. Till which time they appear up and* down the Houle, to the end they may be publickly feen and taken notice of; fo that fometimes it happens,that a Man may have feen the Maid,pro¬ pos’d him for a Wife, efpecially when fhe was little. The Mahometan Religion holds Divorce to be Lawful, however it be done, or whatever the Occalion may be. 'Tis fufticient that one of the Parties diflikes the other, and that they refolve to unmarry themfelves; for then, tho otherwile the moft prudent and civil People in the World, they prefent® ly divorce. Which Aan , which were fo full and fo importunate, that the Governor was forc’d to beftir him- felf. He fent for the Patriarch, and told him he muft pay the fix thoufand Guinneys. The Patriarch, who was really infolvent, demonftrated his Inability to the Governor as clear¬ ly as could be done i’ th’ world, and befought him very earneftly to obtain leave of him from the Court, that he might raife the Summ upon the Churches of Media and Geor¬ gia ; and to oblige the Governor to intercede for it, gave him leveral confiderable Prefents. So that the Governor at length B b b b confent- \ _ -- — - : ---- —— - The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, contenting, he not only petition d for Leave,buthad it granted; and when it came, James fent about his Deputies to put it in Execution. But both the Clergy and Seculars of thofe Provin* ces,who are really very Poor,and continually vex'd with Impo* fitions, Levies of Money,Taxes and Imports, refus’d to pay the Patriarch. Befides, when the Governors of Media and Georgia were inform’d of what the Patriarch had done, they forbid the Chriftians under their fubjeCtion to part with a Farthing; faying withal, that the if Governor of Armenia were fo liberal to the Patriarch, he might make his Levies upon the Churches that belong to his own Government. Thereupon there was aneceflicy for him, to write back to the Court. But the Governor of Armenia , fearing leaft the Patriarch fhould abfent himfelf, or that he would not go to the Court, order’d him to keep at Erivan , and not to ftir thence without leave. And this was that Prelate’s Condition, when I went to vifit him. At what time he leem’d po be very impatient in Expectation of the Refblutions of the Court. The 21, Forty (even Minutes after Sun-rife and the frrt day of the Month Zilbage , which is the Twelfth Month of the Year among the JMahumetans , the Great Guns of the Fortreis were thrice Difcharg’d, and the Garrifon gave three Vollies to give Notice that it was New*Years Day. And this they always do at the very Moment that the Sun enters in Aries, whether it be Day or Night. The Aftrologers, who make their Obfervations very exactly with their AHrolobes , give the Signal, and then it is that all the Guns go off, as I have already faid. This Feftival lafts three days; and is the mod Solemn one that is celebrated in Terfia : We fhall tell yee in a* nother place, after what manner it is Solemniz’d. The 2 i. in the Afternoon I went to the Governor to wifh him a happy New-Year ; and prefented him at the fame time with a Hafted Dagger, and a Sheath of Ivory inlay’d with Gold. Which the Governor very much admir’d,and was very well pleas’d. For it is the Cuftom in Verfta, now become a Law,never to come into the Prefence of a GreatPerfon empty* handed during this Feftival. The Governor on the other fide made me fit down by him, and gave me a Collation of dry’d and green Fruits, and Excellent Wines of Georgie and Shir as. The General of the Mint, and the King’s Envoy, of whom we have already fpoken, were both with him at the fame time. So that I ftaid two hours difeourfing of Sundry things. The 15, he fent for me, and after feveral Difcourfes at Rovers, through the Bkck-Sea, and the Country 0/Colchis. 337 Rovers, he cold me, He was very much troubl’d for me, that I was come in Terfia at fuch an unlucky Seafon, when there was fo little Trade for Jewels, for that the King had little or no efteem for 'em,and therefore bought very few. That I was not now to look upon my Condition, as if King Abas were alive, for thole days were gone; and that I fhould find it a hafd matter at Court to put off the worth of Three Thoufand Pound. Then going on, he told me farther, That he did not fpeak this to difcourage me, but that I might betimes confider what I had to do, and lofe no opportunity of felling what I had brought: That he had a defign to lay out to the value of Two Thoufand Five Hundred Pounds,if I would let him have good Bargains. Prefently I found what the Governor aim'd at by his Difcourfe, and that his Advice tho very good and true proceeded rather from Intereft,then that he was really con¬ cern’d for my Benefit. However I return’d him Thanks, and told him, I heard of the Great Change of Humor at Court, but yet for all that I did not queftion but to lell, expecting from his Majefty’s Juftice that he would confider, that I had not made fuch a tedious Voyage, nor brought fo many Jew¬ els, but by the Ordersof the Deceafed King his Father. Ne- verthelefs,that I was refolv’d to fell as much as I could without Lofs, and that I was fo much beholding to him for his Favors and his particular Care of me, that I would fell Cheaper to him then to another Perfon. Thereupon the Governor promis’d me, that I fhould have the favour of his Sons, and be aflifted by all the Credit which they had at Court; to which purpofe he would give me moll Effectual and Earned Recommendations, and at length or¬ der’d me to bring all that he had fet apart. He tola me he would make his firft Purchafes of little Jewels and of fmall value, to the end he might fee, whether I would be as good as my word. Which Method of his did no way pleafe me, and therefore I propounded to him to take all at a Lump, and ne¬ ver to make two Bargains, alluring him that he would find it his cheapeft way. After that I defir’d him to begin with the Great Pieces5 but he refus’d to accept either of my Propo- fals 5 he knew how to manage me fo dextroufly, that he per- fwaded me that his Intentions were real, and that he would try by thofe things wherein he had moft Judgment, whether I fold him dear or no. So then we agreed upon a Price for Forty Watches offeveral Fafhions: All which I fold him at a low rate,to purchafe his good Opinion,and to the end I might fell 938 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, fell him more of my Commodities. Prefently he lent me to his Cafhier to receive my Money ; which while we were telling, in he came with a great Chryftal Looking glafs fet in Gold, which he had fet afide from among thofe other that 1 had fhewn him, and telling me, the hour Tbas now lucky, ask’d me the Price of the Glafs; and 1 let him have it for Five Hundred Crowns, which he paid me with the reft of my Mo¬ ney. For the Terfians are ftrangly infatuated with Judicial Aftrology,and attribute to the Influences of the Stars all their good and bad Succefs. And when two Stars which they call (Benign , are in Conjunction, that they call the lucky hour. The 27. The Governor did me the Honour to give me a vifit. Tho I had rather he had let his vilit alone; for it coft me a Gold=Box of Eight Guineys. Which I prefented to him to gratifie the Cuftom of the Country ; which is, to re* pay the vifits of great Perfonages with a Prefent. The Go= vernor {laid a quarter of an hour in my Chamber 5 after which he went and made a flop where the People that be¬ long’d to the Cujlomer of Conjlantinople lay, which was very near to my Apartment. Then he went and vifited a Turkifb Merchant,and an Armenian Merchant, that lodg’d in the fame Inn, who made him every one a Prefent, but of things of little value. The People that belong’d to the Cuftomer of Conjlantinople gave him two Ducats, the Turkifr Merchant a little bag of Coffee, worth an Angel, and the Armenian pre- lented him with two Ells of Damask. For the Governor comes forth out of the Caftle into the City conftantly twice a Week, that is, Fry days and Saturdays 5 Fry day he goes publickly to the Mofquee to fay his Prayers ; Saturday he vifits every Quarter of the City, and gives fuch Orders as he finds to be requifite. So that there can be nothing better contriv’d then his Method of Government. If he flop before any Houfe they never make him any Prefent, unlefs they pleafe themfelves. But if he go into the Houfe, Cuftom obliges ’em to prefent him. And there is an Officer, call’d the F{e* cei)>er 0} Brefents , who keeps an account of all that is prefent* ed him, let it be of never fo mean a value. The 29. and 30. 1 din’d with the Governor, and fold him as many ordinary jewels as came to about Five Hundred Pounds. We drove our Bargains every price by it felf, and when we were come to a Price he paid me in ready Money. And moft afluredly he got by that way of dealing; through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 339 for by that means I fold him at a much cheaper rate. The fame day a little after I was return’d to my Lodging, the Princefs his Wife fent for me,to make her a price of fome cer¬ tain Jewels which (he had made choice of. But juft as I was ready to take Horfe,the General of the Mint, and the Kings Slave came to give me a vifit, fo that I could not go to the Caftle that day : neither would I go the three next days, as being the three laft of the Paflion Week 5 but the Fourth of April I went. So foon as I came,the Princeffe's Steward, who was an old Eunuch , told me,That the Princefs was extreamly angry that I had flay’d fo long, and that if one of the Coun¬ try fhould have ferv’d her fo, (lie would have made him feel two hundred Drubs upon the Soles of his Feet. At which I laught, and ask’d the Eunuch , if his Lady were wont to pronounce Sentences. Sir, faid he, (he is one of the Haugh* tied Ladies in the World ; and for the lead fault exa< 5 ls a mod fevere punifhment. If it be a man that, has offended her, fhe fends her Eunuchs to feize him, who bind him hand and foot, and put him in a Sack, carry him into the Seraglio into her prefence, and punifh him according to her Com¬ mands, without letting him out of the Sack, or differing him to know where he is. But I never yet knew that the (Perfian Ladies ever inflidled fuch fort of punifhments. And there¬ fore I defir’d the Eunuch , to let the Princefs know the Reafon that had kept me at home, and that I was always ready to obey her Commands. I tarry’d above four hours at the en- trance into the Seraglio , while the Eunuch went and came back. At length a Bargain was made between us for fo ma» ny Jewels as amounted to Four Hundred Pounds, for which I received my Money the next Morning. The 3. I went to the Governor, and defir’d him to give me leave to depart; for that I was in haft to be at Court.He pro* mis’d to difpatch me after Dinner: and I waited on him again at his time appointed. At what time, he ask’d me with a fmiling Countenance what was the value of the Gold Box I had given him, when he came to vifit me. I knew not what his defign was, and therefore in my anfwer I valued it at Ten Pounds. Pray then Sir, faid he, oblige me to take it again and give me the value of it in Keys, in Springs and Strings for Wat¬ ches. I was not a little furpriz’d at his Propofal, which did not feem to be very civil for a Perfon of hisQnality. However I an- fwer’d him,thatl was ready to do what he pleas’d;& added that I had feveral Watchmakers Tools, that I had brought for the C c c c Kings ^4° Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Kings Artificers, which 1 would fend him, if it were his Plea- lure. He took me at my word, alTuring me that I fihould do him a very great kindnels. For this fame Grandee is a great Lover of Mechanicks, and knows how to mend a Watch that does not go true. Afterwards he caus’d all that remain’d in his hands of mine to be delivered me back : and I thought certainly that he would have made an entire Bargain ; but to my great Aftonifhment he reftor’d me all. Then I per* ceiv’d I had been his Cully, and that he had only drill’d me on in hopes of felling him a great Purchafe, to let him have what he chiefly defir’d at a cheaper rate. However I con¬ ceal’d my difguft, and my diflatisfa&ion to be fo ferv’d ; and return’d him a thoufand Thanks, with a Countenance as gay, as if I had had my hearts defire. Afterwards I befought him to give me his Letters of Recommendation to his Son : which he promis’d me to do, and invited me to go along wich him into the Country, whither he went the next morning. But I excus’d my felf, returning him Thanks in the beft Lan¬ guage I could, I alfo requefted him to give me the Agree¬ ment with Mr. Jzarias, who was to accompany me to Tau* ris . I will fo, anfwer’d his Lordfhip, and I will enjoyn him to be your dMehemandar, or Guide , meaning that honeft Armenian already mention’d. This done, I again return’d him my humble Thanks for all his Favors > and after I had told him that I would not fail to extol his Kindneffes at Court, I took my leave. I thought it not proper to put him in mind of feveral other Promifes that he had made me ; as being affur’d they would produce little , for that according to the Cuftom of the Country he had made ’em, not with an intention to be as good as his word, but onely to make me the more ready to do what he defir’d. The 5. the Governor went to the Camp, which he had caus’d to be fet up about a League from the City, in a fpaci- ©us and lovely Meadow, all cover’d with flowers during the fair Seafon. The two Rivers that encompafs Erivan , and run along with a winding Courfe and gentle Stream, make leveral little Ifiands in that Place. So that the Governors Quarter, that of the Princefs his Wife, and thofe of the molt confiderable Perfonsthat accompani’d him, were allfeparated; while every one had their particular Ifiand 5 which were joyn’d together by certain little Bridges, that were laid on or tak’n away,as occafion requir’d. The Governor’s Tents were very Magnificent; and indeed there were in a little Ground through the Black-Sea., and the Country of Colchis. all the Conveniences of a Palace even to the very Bathes and Stoves. His Family confifted of about Five Hundred Men, without reckoning the Women and Eunuchs, And it is the Cuftom of the Grandees of this Kingdom to folace them- felves in this manner in the Country in the Spring Time. There they divertize themfelves in Hunting, Fifliing, Walk¬ ing and employ themfelves in feveral other Exercifes, both a Foot and on Horfe-back: There they fuck in the frefh Air, and enjoy that Coolnefs which they fo much delight in. This is the Refrefhment and Recreation of their Lives; fo that if they have no bufinefs in the City which requires their Prefence there, they continue thus taking their pleafure all the Summer long, in the moft delicious parts of the Neigbouring Moun* taines. This they call Telac : or a Country Excurfion . The 6 . The Prince’s Treafurer gave me a Dinner,and the Kings Lieutenant of the Fortrefs was at it. He is a Native of Vag-Eftaan. Which is a Mountainous Country to the North*Eaft of the Cafpian Sea, and bordering upon MufcoYte . So that I took great delight to hear him repeat feveral parti¬ culars of the Cuftomes and Manners of his Country. The King of Terfia is acknowledg’d there as Soveraign Lord ; but he is not abfolute Mafter of it: nor are the People that inha¬ bit it always fubjedfc to his Commands. And the Court winks at their Difobediences 5 it being a difficult thing to re¬ duce ’em, by reafon of the Roughnefs and Height of the Mountaines. They are a Savage fort of People, and the moft barbarous of all the Eaft : and I take 'em to be fome Remainders of the Tarthians, The fame Evening that Gen¬ tleman fent me a Prefent of Fruit, Wine, and Mutton. The 7.The Treafurer fent me much fuch another Prefent,as the Governor had fent me the day before: and I repay’d 'em in frmll Returnes for the Favors I had receiv'd from Both. They had been very civil to me at Erivan, not fo much as offering to take thofe fees, which men are oblig’d to pay in Terfia to the Officers of Governors, for all the Money receiv'd out of their Treafuries 5 for that their Mafter had forbid ’em to de¬ mand any thing of me. And therefore they did me thole Kndnelfes to oblige me to be the more free of my own ac¬ cord i well knowing I was not fo ignorant of the Cuftomes of the Country, but that I knew that it was not any motion of Generofity, that made ’em fo courteous to Strangers. In the Afternoon I went to the Camp, to take leave of the Governor; who fliew’d me a cboufand Civilities 5 and at my departure Hi The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, departure gave me two Letters of Recommendation to his two Eldeft Sons, who are the Kings onely Favourites. They were both much to the fame EfFedt. And this is the Tranfla- tion of that which was written to the Eldeft. GOD, 1 befeech the SoVeraign Author of all good Things to preferve in Life and Health the High and Potent Lord Nefr»ali=bec, my mojl Honour d and moft Happy Son, the Favorite and Confident of his oyal Majefiy. We make moft perfeEl njows to Heaven for your Happy Grandeur] The motive that indued us to write ye this Letter, is upon the Account of our being fo much concern d as Tte are on the behalf of Mr. Char¬ din, who arriv’d fome tune fince at this City , and is now going in all haft to the Palace, Tbhich ts the (a) Refuge of the Univerfe. You muft of neceffity fully and exactly (bj inform your felf of his defigns , and what Petitions he has to make to the moft High Court ; and "tohen you rightly underft and ’em fee that you life your be ft Endeavour that they may be favourably anfwerd. We Jhall be >very deferens to know,what EjfeEl and Succefs our ( Recommendation Jhall have, and after what Manner this Illufirious Frietid [hall be receiv’d and entertain’d. We alfo dejire you to fend us the good Tydings of his Health. We pray to God , that he may ha^ve the favour and the happinefs to be well re* ceivd of our Great King. To whom 1 wifh that (c) all the World may pay Homage, and that he may prof per in all his Undertakings . The Eternal God grant ye long life . (a) The Perfian word which I have tranflated, the Refuge of the World , is Alempenha. Alem fignifies the whole entire World, or llniverfal Feature. Penha, a Pgtreat, a Haven, a Place of Securi* ty, and to which a Man may have recourfe. (b) In the Original it is, that they inform themfelves. For the Eaftern People addreffing themfelves to Perfons of Quality $ to denote the Perfon, make ufe of the Third Perfon Plural, and when they mean themfelves fpeak in the Third Perfon Singular. Which is alfo the Proper Idiom of the Holy Lan* guage. (c) In the Per fan it is, That all Souls may ferVe his Name, his Name. Repetition is a Figure very frequent in the Oriental Lang uages, and queftionlefs borrow'd from the Sacred Lan¬ guage. Of which there are a Thoufand Examples in the Ori» inal Bibles, as in the 68. Pfalm. v. 13. They are fled, they are fled, nr U through the Black* Sea., and the Country of' Colchis. 343 fled. That is, They are abfolutely fled. And Pfalm. 8. 7. V5, The man , the man y That is, the Perfect Man. Afterwards I went and took leave of the Principal Lords of the Court, and among the Reft of the General of the Mint. This Lord, who was call'd Mahamed Shefi y perfwaded me to go to I/pahan by the way of ArdeVil , afluring me that I fhould not fail to fell in that City. Thereupon I promis'd him fo to do, and took along with me a Letter of Recommendation to the Governor of that City ; who was his near Kinfman * Which l thus Tranilated into French, GOD, Thrice High and Totent Lord , Glorious Majefly , worthy to be call d Cele/haf EleEt of the Governors , Deputy Lieutenants and Hap - py Men y Fountain of Grace , Honour and Ciuility ; Exemplar of Turity , Model of Generoflty and Munificence • Heart Sincere , Ifeal and Faithful. Erotedor of his Intimate Friends and Ifjndred, My moft Excellent Lord and Mafler y I befeech themofl High God to pre * ferVe your Health and prolong your Life . Having paid you my due (figfpelts and Homage , Thefe are to let you underfland } Great Sir , whofeWit is Clear and Gliflering like the Sun , That Mr. Chardin the Flower of European Merchants , in* tending to go through Casbin to the Magnificent Falace , ivhich is the Refuge of the UniVerfe y I ivho am your (Real Friend , perfwaded him out of a defire to fer^veyou, to go through the Sacred Ardevil. He carries with him certain Commodities of an Extraordinary rvalue, Tbhich he will flew in the prejence of your thrice a Noble Ferfon. I am certain you will buy , if you meet with any thing that is tborth your having : and I am affurd your Highnefs will command your Feople to take care of this Noble Stranger. I am preparing to go for Tifflis, Tbith God's Affflance , toward the end of the next Month Zdc* hage. If lean ferVeyour Excellency in that Country , you will do me a great Honour to let me know it. 1 befeech ye to believe that a richer Frejent cannot be made me , then to bring me Tydings of your good Health. God , through his favour, preferVe your llluflrious F erf on till the Day of Judgement. Iam the true Friend of the Thrice High , and Thrice llluflrious Lords , Geonbec, Hiaiabec, and Mahamecbbec : I am apt to be¬ lieve for my own { '{epofe the Continuation of their Health. The Seal contain'd a Verfe, or Sentence,of which this was the Meaning. I have wholly left my Deftiny to God, I Mahamed Shefi his Creature « ^ D dd d Upon The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia* Upon rhe outfide of the Letter, at one Corner was written in a fmall Character. God prefer and the upper Armenia ; to the North upon Vageflan, which is that Mountainous Country, that confines upon the (To* faqueMufcoVites , and makes a part of Mount Taurus, Itencloles all the Eafiern JMedia, call'd by the ancient Authors A^arca, and the Western or lelfer Media y which they likewife call Atro*» patia , or Atropatene, AJfyria is a part of the upper Armenia . The Ferftans affirm,that this Place was call’d A^er-bey an , that is, the Country of Fire ; by reafon of the famous Temple of Fire which was there erected, where was kept their Fire , which the Fire=worfbippers y held to be a God ; and becaufe the chief Pontiff of that Religion refid^d there. The Guebres y who are all that are left of the Fire>worfl?ipper $,lhew this place ?49 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia 5 about two days journey diftant from Shamaki. They aflure us for a certain truth,that the facred Fire is {fill there ; that it refembles a Mineral and fubterraneall Fire j and that they who repair thither out of Devotion fee it in the form of a Flame. Nay they add one particular more, which is a fort of pleafant ftory, that if you make a hole in the ground, and fet a pot over it, that fame fire will caufe it to feeth, and boyles all that is in the Pot. To return to the Name of A^er-bey an,the Etymologie is true : for ^is the Article of the Genitive. Er or Ur, in old Terjian , as in moft part of the Ancient Oriental Id/owr,fignifies Fire, andlBey fignifies a Tlace or Country .1 am not ignorant that fome people read and pronounce it Afur-paican, and affirm that this geat Pro¬ vince wasfo call’d,becaufe it contains AJfyria-, which in the opi¬ nion of all Authors,deriv’d its Name from Ajfur \ which is the fame thing in my Opinion • for I am apt to think that the Name of Ajfur, comes from Agj Ur , that is of Fire. Mofes fpeaking of Nimrod,that Idolatrous Prince, who introduced the Worfhip of Fire , and invaded Chaldea , the fhare and Patrimo* ny of Sem, tells us,that the Sons of that Patriarch retir’d thither, and that Jjhur was one. Now Tis very probable, that this Afhur was fo call’d from his retiring thither, or from the won* fhip of Fire ; or from Chaldea f which was then call’d the Coun¬ try of Fire ; as appears C. 11. of Genefis , and in all the ancient Authors; who unanimoufly agree that Chaldea was call'd the Country of Ur , or the Country of Fire. And (Ptolomy makes men¬ tion of a City in that Country which is call'd Urcoa , that is to fay the place of Fire : ga, with a long or a double a, being a tPerfian word, that fignifies a Tlace , or eic=Hajfen. That which is mark’d with the Letter (0) in the Plate, is the faireft in all Tauris ; all the infide, and fome part of the outlide, being guilt with Gold, It was built in the year 878 of the Hegyra, by a Terfian King call’d Geoncha , or King of the World. That with two Towers is a very fmall one, but both the Toners are of a Peculiar fort of Workmanfhip 5 and (hew the curiofity of the Artift. For they are built one over the other ; and the upper moil is much higher and larger in the Diameter then that below, which ferves for a *Bafis to the other. There are alfo three Hofpitals in the City, very neat and well in repair; however there is no body lodg’d within ’em, only they give Victuals to thofe that come twice a day. Thefe Hofpitals at 1 'auris are call’d Achtucon , that is, Tlaces where they fpend a great deal of Victuals. At the end of the City to the Weft, upon a little mountain ftands a Hermitage, a very neat piece of Work¬ manfhip, which they call Ayn Hah, or the Eyes of Haly . This Calif, whom their Prophet made his Son*in=Law, was as the Ter pans report, the moft lovely man that was ever feen ; fo that when they would fignifie any thing that is extreamly handfom they fay tis Halys Eyes. This Hermitage ferves the Taurifians for a place of Devotion, and the way to it for a walk ofPleafure. Without the City of Tauris to the Eaft, appears a great Caftle almoft gon to decay, which they call Cala=%afinde. It was built above 400 years ago by Coje TsP?id, Grand Vifier to King fazan. The Story reports, that their King had five Grand Vifirs, becaufe he did not believe that one could fuf* fice to difpatch all the affairs of fo great a Kingdom. Abas the Great feeing that Caftle ruin’d, and judging it advantage* oufly feated as well to defend the City, as to command it, caus’d it to be repaired about fifty years lince, but his Succeftbrs not being of his opinion, let it go to Ruin. There are alfo to be feen the Ruins of the Principal Edifices and Fortifications, which the Twks built there, during the fe¬ deral times that they were Mafters of it. So that there are very through the Black- Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 3 5 5 - ----------—.-. . - — ' , ■■ -y ii -r- 11 1 T b i | ~ ~~~ very few Rocks or Poyncs, of Mountains joyning to the City where nothing but the Ruins of Forts and Heaps of Rubbifh are to be feen. Of which I carefully furvey’d a great Part 5 but I could not difcover any thing of Antiquity. There is nothing to be digg’d up but Bricks and Flint Stones. The onely Edi- fice that remains mod entire among the Turkjfb Buildings is a large Mofquee,the infide of which is inlay’d or rather par= getted with tranfparent Marble; and all the Outfide variega¬ ted in Mofaicwork. But the Terfeans account the Place de¬ fil’d, becaufe it was built by the Turks, whofe Faith they abo¬ minate. Among the heaps of Rubbifh, of which I have fpoken, without the City to the South, appear the Ruines of the Palace of the late Kings of Terfea. And to the Eaft,thofe of the Caftle where they fay Cefroes lodg’d ; and where he laid up the Holy Cros for Security, and all thofe other facred Spoyles which he brought away from Jerufalem. ThcTia^ao^Tauris, is the mod fpacious Piazza that ever I faw in any City of the World, and far furpafles that of Jfpa* ban. The Turks have feveral times drawn up within it Thirty Thoufand Men in Battel. Toward the Evening this Piazza is fill’d with all the meaner fort of People, that repair thither for Sport and Paftime. Where Tome are for Gaming, Tome for Tricks of A&ivity, fome for feeing JackTuddings and Mountebanks a& their Drolleries, fome for Wreftling, others for Bull and Ram*fighting, others for repeating Verfes, fome reciting Stories in Profe; and fome to fee Wolves dance. The People of Tauris take great delight to fee that fort of Sport; infomuch that they bring thofe Dancing Wolves a hundred Leagues an end, after they are well taught : And fuch as are beft inftru&ed are fold for five hunder’d Crowns a piece : Sc many times alfo great Quarrels arife about thefe Wolves, which are not eafily appeas’d. Nor is this Piazza empty in the day time ; as being a Market for all forts of Provifions, and things of fmall Price. There is alfo another (Piazga at Tauris , which appears in the Plate before the de- molifh’d Caftle, call’d the Caftle of Jafer&acka. This Was a Place for the Rendezvous, and exercife of the Souldiers be¬ longing to the Garrifon • now it ferves for the Shambles 5 where they kill and drefs all forts of large Meat, which is fold in all parts of the City* I have with great diligence endeavour’d to underftand the number of the Inhabitants in Tauris , but could never have a juft account j but I think I may truly reck’n it to amount to G £g£ 51 ® The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, 5 5 o Thoufand Perfons, yet leveral Perfons in the City would make me believe there could not be lefs than Eleven hundred Thoufand. The number of Strangers alfo which are there at all times is very great : for that they refort thither from all parts of Jfia. Nor do I know of any fort of Merchandize, of which there is not there a Magazine to be found. The City is full of Arcifts in Cotton, in Silk, and in Gold. The faireft Turbans in Terjia are there made. And I have heard feveral of the Principal Merchants of the City affirm, that there are above fix thoufand Bayles of Silk wrought out in Manufacture every year. The Trade of the City extends all over Berfia and Turky ; into Mufcoyy , Tartary , to the In¬ dies, and over the 'Black-Sea . The Air of Tauris is cold and dry ; very good and healthy : nor can any man complain that it contributes to any bad dif- pofition of Humors. The Cold continues there a long time, in regard the City is expos’d to the North, for the Snow lies nine months in the year upon the tops of the Moun¬ tains that liirround it. The Wind blows almofl every day, Morning and Evening. It alfo rains very often,unlefs it be in the Summer: nor is the Sky but feldom without Clouds any feafon of the Year. It is feated in ; 8. deg. of Latitude, and 8z of Longit. It abounds with all things neceffary for hu* man Support; fo that a Man may fare there delicioufly and very cheap. The Cafpian Sea,which is not above forty Leagues diftant, affords ’em Fifli. And fome they alfo take in the River of Agi before mention’d ; but that is only when the water is low. The ufual price of Bread is three pound for a penny, and of a pound of Flefh Three half pence. In the Summer there is great plenty of Venifonand water Fowl. But they kill very little Yenifon or other wild Beads. There are alfo Eagles in the Mountains 5 one which I have feen fold by the Country people for a groat., Perfons of Quality let fly the Sparrow-Hawk at the Eagle, which is a Flight full of Curiofity and much to be admir’d. For the Sparrow-Hawk (baring above the Eagle,ftoops of a fudden with that fwiftnefs, ftrikes her Pounces into his fides, and with her wings continually beating upon his head (ends him in a fhort time to the ground : Yet fomecimes ic happens that both the Eagle and the Sparrow* Hawk come both to the Earth together. In the fame manner the Sparrow*Hawks will many times flop the flight of hunted Stags, and render the Chace much through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 557 much moreeafie to the Purfuers. But if this were fo ob= fervable, that which I am going to fay is no lels remarkable i " which is, That they afliircbme, that in the parts adjoyn- ing to Tauris , there grow no lels then threefcore forts of Grapes. Not far from the City in the neighbouring Parts, are to be feen great Quarries of white Marble, of which there is a fort that is tranfparent. The People of the Country af¬ firm it to be the water of a Mineral Fountain,congeal’d and hardne’d by degrees : and indeed, there are not far from it two confiderable Mines, the one of Gold, and the other of Salt. But there has been no working in the Gold Mine for this long time, becaufe they always found,that the Profit ne¬ ver defray'd the Expences of the Labour. There are alfo feveral mineral Waters : Of which the mod frequented are thpfe of ?Baringe y half a League from Tauris ; and thofe of Seid^Kent, another Village, which is fix Leagues from the City. Thefe Waters are fulphureous, but there are others that are cold ; others boyling hot. I do not know whether there be any City in the World, concerning the Original and firft Name of which, there is a greater Difpute among Modern Authors. We fhall produce the Opinion of the moft celebrated : only it will not be amifs i$i the firft place to take notice that the Terfians call the City TebriSj and that when we call it Tauris , as the People of Eu¬ rope generally do, it is only in compliance with the common Cuftom; and to the end, I may be the better underftood. 7 eixera, Olearius , and fome other Authors maintain, that Tauris is that City which Ttolomy , in the fifth Table of Afia, calls Gabris 7 the G. being put in the ftead of T. an Alteration frequent in the Greek Language, as they affert. LeonclaYi* us , Jo^vius, and Aython , will have it to be thac City which the fame Ancient Geographer calls Ter\a , inftead of TeVra, by a tranfpofition of the Letters of the word. But TerVa being plac’d in Armenia , and it being certain that Tauris is leated in Media, thofe two Names can never be appropriated to the fame City. So that without doubt, the Refemblance of the word deceiv’d thofe Authors. Tebris is a Verfian word ; and was given to the City in the year 165. of the Hegyra, as we fhall declare more at large. And therefore, in regard it was fever¬ al years ago fince Ttolnmy wrote, we mull believe that Terva and Gabris are both very different from Tauris . Niger afferts it to be Tigranoama ; other Authors take it to be Ttgranocerta, Some The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Some there are of Opinion that it is che S ufa of Media, To fa¬ mous in Scripture : tho others believe it to be the City.which in the Book of Efdras is call’d Jcmatba, or Amatha. Some place it in Ajjyria, as Btolomy and his Interpreter. Others in Ar¬ menia, as Niger Cedrenus, Aython , and JoYms. Marcus Taulus Venetus places it in the Country of the Barthians. Calchondylas removes it a little farther, that is to fay, into the Province, of which Terjepolis was formerly the Metropolis. In fhort,there is a ftrange Confufion in the Variety of Opinions upon this Subject. But the mo ft rational in my Opinion, is that of Molets, who has tranflated and commented upon ! Vtvlomy , of Ananias^ Ortelius , Golnits, Teixera , de la Vail, Atlas , and ah molt all the modern Geographers, that lour is is the Ancient and Celebrated Edatana, fo frequently mention’d in Holy Writ, and in the Ancient Series of A ft a. Minadoi , an Italian Author, if I am not deceiv’d, has let forth a Treadle to prove it. However, give me leave to add this, that there are no Remainders to be feen at Tauris, either of the Magnificent Palace of Ecbatana, where the Monarchs of AJia kept their Courts in Summer, nor of that of Daniel ; which was after* wards the Maufolemn for the Kings of Media, of which fofe - phus (peaks in his tenth Book ; and which he allures us flood entire in his time. If then thefe ftately and magnificent Pa* laces were (landing not above fixteen Ages ago, in the Place where Tauris now (lands, the very Ruins themfelves are now not to found. For among all thofe that are to be feen with* in the Circuit of that City, there are none but what are of Earth, Brick, or Flint, which were not Materials anciently made ufe of in Media for the building of fumptuous Pala¬ ces. The Perfian Hiftorians unanimoully agree the Time when the Foundations of Tauris were laid, to be in the year 265. of the Hegyra : but they do not concur in other particulars. Some aferibe the Foundation of it to the Wife of Haron^Jhid, Calijf ot Bagdad, call’d Zebd*el-Caton , which (ignifies the Flower of Ladies. They report, that (lie being defperately lick, a Median Phylitian cur’d her in a (hort time. For which the Princefs not knowing what Reward to give him, bid him make choice of his Recompence 5 where upon the Phyfitian defir’d that fhe would build a City in his Country to the Ho* nor of his Memory. Which after fhe had perform'd with great Care and Diligence, he call’d the City Tebris ; as a Memorial that it ow’d its Original to Bhyfick. For that Td through the Black Sea^ and the Country a/* Colchis* 359 fgnifies Bhyfic, and Bjs is the Participle of %£len, to power forth , fcatter abroad, or give a Largefs. This is what fome re¬ late ; to which there are others that tell a Story not much unlike. For they fay, that Halacoucan, General to Haron Bg- p?id, having been two years lick of a Tertian Ague, of which he never expected to be cur d, was llrangely deliver’d from his Diftemper by an Herb, w T hich he found in the fame place where Tauris now Hands. And that to perpetuate the Me¬ mory of fuch a fortunate Cure, he built this City, and call’d it Tebrift ; the Ague is gone . For Teb lignifies alfo an A - gue> and rift comes from the Verb %eften, to go away But that aferwards,either by Corruption,or becaufe it runs fmooth- er upon the Tongue,it was call’d Tebris inftead of Tebrift * Mirzpthaer, one of the moll Learned Perfons of Quality that are in Terfea , the Son of M r%a Ibrahim , Treafurer of the Province, gave me another Reafon of the Etymology : that is to fay, that at the Time when this City was built, the Air was extremely wholefom and prefervative againft Agues : Which extraordinary Quality drew a world of Peo¬ ple to it; and that therefore it was call’d Tebris , as if man fhould fay, the Expeller of Agues. The fame Lord alfo fur¬ ther affur’d me, that there are in the Kings Treafury at Ifpa* hart , certain Medals with the Infcription of that ZebTel-Ca- ton , which were found at Marant , a city near to Tauris ) with a great number of others both of Gold and Silver, being the Coyns of the Ancient Kings of Media. And that he had ob- ferv d others, with Greek Figures 2nd Infcriptions, wherein he remembred the word Dakianous. And then he ask’d me if I knew who that Dakianous was! To which I anfwer’d,that I did not underftand the name, but that it might be veryprp- bably the Name of Darius. In the 6 9. year after the Foundation of Tauris , the City was almoft ruin’d by an Earth-quake. But Monteryekel , Ca- lijf of Bagdad , of the Race of the Abas’s who then Reigned, not only repair’d but enlarg’d it. A hundred fourfcore and ten years after that, the 14 of the Month Sefer, another Earth¬ quake, more violent than the former, utterly ruin’d it in one night. The Perlian Geography relates,how that at the fame time there refided in the City, a Learned Aftrologer of Shi- ras , call’d Aboutaher , or Juft Father , who foretold that the faid Earth-quake fhould happen upon the Sun’s entrance in¬ to Scorpio , in the year 235. of the Hegyra ; which anfwers to the year 849. of the Chriftian Epoche 5 and fhould over- H h h h throw q 6 o The Travels of Sir John Chardin intoVcrfm, throw the whole City : To which, when he found the Peo¬ ple would give no Credit, he went and was importunat with the Governor, to force the People out of the City. The Governor, who was alfo the Califfs Lieutenant, over all the Province, being always a great Admirer of judicial Aftrology, gave way to his Importunity, and did all he could to fend a- way the People into the Country : But finding that they Bill lookt upon the Prediction of the Earthquake to be a meer Chi - mera, and fufpeCted fome mifchievous Defign in the Governor, he could not perfwade above one half of the People to ftir j which fell out to their DeftruCtion. For the Earthquake hap* p’ned exactly at the Hour mention’d in the Prediction, to the overwhelming of forty thoufand Perfons. The next year Emir 'Dm’veron theSon of Mahamed^ondain- Aredi,Y ice-Roy of tperjia, receiv’d Orders from the Calif, to rebuild it larger and fairer than it was before, and to know of that famous Aftrologer About aker y under what Afcendant he fhould begin to work : Who bid 'em begin when the Sun was in Scorpio , and allur’d ’em the new City fhould never be troubled more with any Earthquakes : but that it was threatned with great Inunda¬ tions of Water. To which the Hiftory adds, that the Event has in all relpeCts verifi'd the Truth of the Prediction. Af¬ ter this new Reftoration,TWh came to be wonderfully en¬ larg’d, famous and flourifliing. They aflure us, that in the Reign of Sultan Cagan y which is about 400 years ago, it ex* tended in breadth, North and South, from the little Moun¬ tain of Ain Aliy to the oppofite Mountain, call’d Tcburandog y and in length from the River Agi to the Village Baninge , which is two Leagues beyond the City. The fame Hiftory alfo ob* ferves,for a Proof of the multitude of the Inhabitants where¬ with that City was peopl'd, that the Feftilence happening among ’em, there dy’d 40 thoufand in one quarter, before they were mifs'd. In the year 896. of the zgira, and 1490. of Chrift, the Princes of the Race of Sbeith-Sepht having invaded re¬ mov’d the Seat of the Empire from ArdeYd , which was their own Country,to this City. In the year 1514. Selim took it upon Compofition, two years after the King of P erfia , who thought himfelf not fafe there, retir’d from thence, and feated himfelf at Casbin. Selim ftay'd not long at Tauris , but he carry’d away with him a wealthy Booty, and three thou¬ fand Families of Artificers, the raoft part Armenians , whom he fettled in Constantinople . Soon after his Departure, the In¬ habitants through the Bkck-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. % 6 i habitants of Tauns rebell d,and falling unexpectedly upon the Turks, made a mod famous havock of the Enemy,and be¬ came Maders of the City. But Ibraim Ba/ba> General to So - liman the Magnificent, feverely reveng’d this Rebellion in the Year 955. of the Hegyra, and Year of otirLord 1548. For he took the City by Aflaulc, and gave the Plunder of it to his Army 4 who committed therein all manner of Inhumanity, even to an Exoefis unheard of before.In a word,all that could be call’d Cruelty .Eire and Sword wa, there put in Execution.The Palace of King Tahmos, and ah the mod confiderable Stru¬ ctures were dedroy 'd, and levell’d with the Earth. Yet not* withftanding all thele Calamities, the City lifted up her head again at the beginning of Amuraths Reign, and with the Af« fidame of forne few Perfian Troops, put to the Sword all the Turkifh Garrifon, confiding of Ten thoufand men. A- murath difmay’d at the Courage of the Taurijians , Pent a power* fill Army under the leading of OJman , his Grand Vifir, utterly to dedroy, and wholly to fubdue the Inhabitants. This Ar* my enter’d the City and pillag'd it, in the Year 994. by the Mahometan Accompt, and the Year of our Lord 1585. at what time the Vifir caus’d all the Fortifications which the Turks had raifed before to be repair’d. But eighteen years after this Expedition, in the Year 1605. Abas the Great re¬ took Tauns from the Turks with a Email Force, but with that Policy, Diligence and Bravery,which is hardly to be credited* He divided the flouted of his Soldiers into feveral Email Bo¬ dies, who furpriz d che Corps du Guard , and cut their Throats in Euch a moment of time, that they had no notice of it in the Town. Thefe Troops were follow'd by a Body of five hundred Men, difguiz’d like Merchants, who enter’d the Ci¬ ty with a plaufible Story, that they had left the Caravan a days journey behind. Which the Turks readily believ’d, be** caufe it is the Cudom of the Caravans , that upon their Ap¬ proach near to Great Cities, the Merchants go before j befides that, the Turks never dreamt but that they had been examin’d by the Corps du Guard. Abas follow’d dole, and feeing his men were enter'd, dew into the City at the head of fix thou* Eand Men 5 while two of his Generals did the fame on two other fides of the Town. So that the Turks, finding them- Eelves (urprif’d, furrender’d only upon condition of lparing their Lives. And the Hidory farther obferves, that in this Expedition it was, that that fame Potent Prince fird order’d one Brigade of his Army to carry Mufquets, and finding the good 362 The Travel / of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, good Effed of 'em, order'd a mixcure of fire-Arms among all his Forces. Whereas before the Perfians never made uie of Guns in any of their Wars. Now that we may not omit any thing in the Hiftory of Tauris, that is worthy Obfervation, it behoves us alfo to let ye know,what the Armenian Authors have wrote concerning it. They report that this City is one of the moft Ancient in all Afia, and that it was formerly call’d Sha*Haflen y or the Poyal Place, for that the Perfian Monarchs there kept their Court: and that afterwards a King of Armenia , who was call'd Co/* roes, chang’d the Name of it from Sha-Hajlen into Tauris, which in the Armenian Language fignifies a Place of P^venge, for that he there defeated the King of Perfia ; who had murder’d his Brother. The Government of the Province of Tauris , is the Chiefeft in all the Empire, and annext to the Dignity of the Captain General Chip. It brings him in thirty thoufand To* mans Yearly,which amount to much above a Million fterling, belides Cafualties, which are very confiderable in the Afiatic Governments. The Governor bears the Title of Peeler * bee . He maintains three thoufand Horfe; and has under him the Governors or I\aris of Cars , Oroumi,Maraga,ArdeVil ,and Twenty Sultans, who altogether maintain eleven Thoufand Horfe more. I lodg’d at the Capuchins Inn, who were arriv'd before me. They were no more then two, whom I defir’d to keep my Ar* rival private, for about fifteen days. Which I did to put my felfiiitoan Equipage, and my Things in the fame Order, as they were before my misfortunes in cMingrelia j as alfo to me¬ thodize thofe things which I had brought for the King, to the end I might (hew ’em to the beft advantage at Court. But my arrival could not be concealed. For Mir^athaer, Son of the Treafurer, and Receiver=General of the Province, and admit* ted by way of Survivor*fhip,underftood that there were Strang* ers at the Capuchins Inn. And therefore he fent the 2 2d to tell the Superior,that he wonder'd at his negleft in not coming to give him notice of the Arrival and Quality of the Europe * ans, which he entertain’d in his Houfe. To whom the Father excus’d himfelf, and farther told the Meffenger, that for my part,I had not fail’d to wait upon him; had I not been ill difpo* fed;but in a few days I would attend and pay him my Refpe&s. The 2 3. the fame Lord, whom I had the honour to know in my fiift Travels,made me a Vifit,together with the Son of the Can of Guenje, and fhew’d me great Civilities. He fate two through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 363 two hours in my Chamber, while I gave him an account of the affairs of Europe, particularly concerning Arts and Sci* ences. After which he was fo kind as to tell me the good fortune that had befall’n his Family, and his Brothers Em* ployments. He was the eldeft of three young Lords, all in good Credit, and advanc’d to Places both of Honour and Profir. His Father is Treafufer, as I faid before, and Recei¬ ver* General of all the Kings Demeans, over all the Province of J^erbeyan. This is that Mirga Ibrahim of whom fo many Accidents are related in the Story of Soleimans Coronation. He was not then at Tauris, in regard his Employments kept him at ShirVan, a City near the Cafian Sea : whofe place this Mirgathaer fuppli’d in his abfence. He is very well read in the Arabick, Petfian and T urki[h Languages: and befides a Capuchin taught him for feveral years the Philofophy of the Schools, and all our Sciences. He is a very Learned Perfonage, a Man of ripe Wit, and extreamly civil. After t‘wo hours difcourfe he prefs’d me to fhew him fome Jewels and Watches. To which I had no defire, as not being then in a Condition for the Reafons already mention’d. But he importun’d me fo earneflly, and with an affability fo becoming,that I could not refufe him. So that I fhew’d him feveral Jewels which I had of a low value, of which he carry 5 d away feveral along with him. In the Evening Tahmas^Pec^ who fupplyes the place of Go¬ vernor of Agerbeyan in the ftead of an four Can his Father, who is always at Court,fent his Goldfmith to me, to tell me, 1 fhould oblige him, by coming to him the next Morning, and bringing along with me fome Jewels and Rarities of fmall value : To which I anfwer’d that I would not fail him, and accordingly I went the fame day,and to Mirgathaer alfo. The 25. we heard while we flay’d with thofe Lords,the Confirmation, and full Relation of a Robbery reported a month before, and committed the December preceding upon the Great Caravan that goes from Ifpahan to the Indies by land. This Caravan fets out once a Year in Augufl , and goes through Candabar which is in Baftriana. The Robbery was very con- fiderable, as well for the Number of Perfons, for the vafl wealth that was in the Caravan , as alfo for the Conferences thatenfu’d. It was committed three days journey from the Frontiers of India , by the Agwan, a fort of People much like the Tartars , but tributary to the Perfian. They had intelligence which way the Caravan march’d, and furpriz’d k in a very ad- I i i i vantageous 5^4 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia., vantageous place for fuch a defign. They were in all five hundred Men, all well Mounted and well Refolv’d. The Caravan had a Convoy of about two hunderd, and confifted of about two thoufand Perfons, for the moft part Indians. The Convoy made no Refiftance, but betook themfelves to Flight: and the moft part of the Caravan, following the Exarm pie of thofe that fhould have defended ’em, fhifted every one for themfelves. So that there were but eleven kill’d, fo fmali was the Refiftance made. Nor was it a thing to be wonder’d at. For the Caravans , and particularly thofe of the Indians , are compos’d of Armenians and Indians, people that for the moft part will be Scar’d with a ftick. And they that had any Cou¬ rage were left alone and abandon’d by thofe that fhould have aflifted ’em ; So that every Man ftrove to fave one, and hap- py he that could Oiift for himfelf. The Robbery was value! at feveral hundred thoufands of Pounds : but the true and juft account could never be known, the Merchants upon fuch occafions ufually difguifing the Truth, fome becaufe they are afraid of loofing their Credit, others for fear it fhould be dif- cover d, that they conceal a part of what they fend to fave Cuftomsand Toll. The Inventory which was given into the King, fign’d by above fixty Perfons concern'd, amounted to no lefs then three hundred thoufand Tomans, or a million four hundred thoufand Pound fterlingj yet we were affor d it was but the half of the Lofs. The Governor of Candabar was accus’d to have been acceflbry to the Robbery. The King therefore fent for to have him apprehended and brought to If* paban upon a Camel chain’d about the Neck, with one Servant which he had the Liberty to make choice of. It was affirm’d that they who comitted the Robbery themfelves, were a fort of People fo ignorant,that they underftood not what belong’d either to Gold or Precious Stones. They divided the Coyn’d Money one among another, Gold and Silver intermix’d toge¬ ther by weight, without any diftin&ion of Mettal, and jum¬ bled the true Pearls with the falfe ones, without making any Difference. I mu ft confefs I could hardly believe this, nor had I reported it, if it had not been univerfally and conftantly a- vow’dby all the People I difeours'd with upon this occafion. The fir ft of May the Deputy-Governor lent to the Superi¬ or of the Capuchins , to know if he had no news of the Arrival of the Patriarch of Armenia , and where he had conceal’d him¬ felf. Tis true we all knew well enough, but we had no mind to tell, knowing wherefore they fought for him ; which was through the Black- Sea 3 and the Country of Colchis* 365 was for no other reafon then to apprehend him $ and carry him Prifoner to Eri^van. He had made his efcape fix days before , vex’d to the very Soul to find , that while the Go¬ vernor pretended to take fo much care to pay his debts, he minded nothing more then how to fqueeze a good Sum of Money for himfelf. For the Governor according to the foremention d Order from the Court, had fent to feve- ral Ferfons about IriVan, to Levy the money for payment of the Patriarch’s debts upon the Armenian Villages. But the Officers entrufted to raife the Money had fo far out-ftrecch’d their Commiflion,in the outrages and violences which they committed, as to demand and levy double the fum which was imposd. All which the Patriarch well knew : but conniv d at it, for the advantage he was to receive thereby* And he would fain have been handling the firft Money that was brought to Eriyan ; but the Governor was fo far from fuffering him to meddle, that he would not pay above half to the Cuftomer of Conflantinople s Truftees. So that of three thoufand five hundred pounds which were rais’d for his SatifV fa&ion, he would not part with above two thoufand for the payment of the debts. The Patriarch complain’d of this Injuftice,but could have no Remedy. All the Governor Paid to him was this, that if the Cuftomer of Constantinople were pafd in time ’twas as much as he could require, and that it did not belong to him to take Cognizance what was levy’d for that purpole. But perhaps he could not chufe but be difturb’d with the Cryes and Curfes of his own Nation : for they were bitterly enrag’d againft him, and his Proceedings. ’ And therefore he refolv'd to appeafe 'em 5 c withdraw himfelf from the oppreflion of the Governor of Armenia > which made him make his efcape, with a defign to make his Complaints to the Court. The Governor on the other fide, having notice ofhis flight, fent away to the neighbouring Governors to flop him 5 and he happen’d to be at TaurEj when the Exprefs arriv’d there. But the Armenian Inhabitants of the City pre- ferv’d him, nop fo much by concealing him in any private abfconding Place,as by their Prefents to the Grandees, and for that the Injuftice that was done him in his private affairs, was fo publickly notorious, that it was no more then what was reafonable for them,to let him have his Liberty to go to Ifpa* ban for Redrefs. The 6 , tf^uftan-ftec Mufter*Mafter General of the Army fent to give me notice of his being come to Town. For he underftood %66 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia. underftood at the Governors houle where he lodg’d, that i was arriv’d at Tauris. So that I went to vific him the fame day, and to renew the friendfhip which I had contracted with him in my firft Travels. He is a Perfonage the molt eminent for his Witt and Valour of any other in the whole Kingdom. He is Brother to the Governor of Candabar, who was accus’d for being Acceffory to the Robbing of the Indian Caravan. His Father was Governor of Armenia $ and Abas hada great affection for this ( ]{uftan- l Bec, for the fake of his Learning,his Courage,and his Gracefull AfpeCt. Nor was it a* bove a year before,that the King had given him a Commifli- on to go into the Province of A%er*beyan , to take a review of the Forces and Ammunitions there ; and now his Commit on was out, by which as I underftood, he had gotten above ten thouland pounds. His Company and Difcourfe ex* treamly pleas’d me ; for he fhew’d me feveral Mapps of the Province which he had newly made of which he promis’d me copies ; and reaching down a Plain*Sphere, which had been lately printed in Europe , he fhew’d me feveral Faults in it: I alfo fupp’d with him, nor would he let me go til mid¬ night. The 7. he did me the Honnor to give me a Vifit, and to fpend all the Afternoon in my Chamber. The 8, and the three days following, I made it my bufi- nefs to fetch away fuch parcels of Goods from Tabmas*BeCj and Mir^a-thaer, which they refus’d to buy, after I had bar* gain’d with ’em for what they made choice of j tho all that 1 fold to both came but to a thoufand Crowns, and that with* out Profit. So that I had much ado to agree with ’em 5 however I was paid when we all concluded. The one pre¬ tended in abatement of my price,his Fathers being a Favourite at Court ; the other the great Credit which his Brothers and his Unckle Mir^a-Sadec, being Lord High Chancellor, had with the King; and forc’d me to take Letters of Recommen* dation, which they freely offer’d to compenfate the Profit which I fhould have got by my goods.For a man would hard* ly believe the Careffes, the Flattery,the engaging and familiar Behaviour, which the Perfians Grandees will condefcend to, for their own Interefts, how flight foever. And they be¬ have themfelves with fuch an Appearance of Sincerity, that a Traveller muft very well uuderftand the Genius of the Country and the Court , to avoid being cully’d by their kind- neffes. The through the Black Sea, and the Country of Colchis- 3 67 ■.I" ' " 1 " " . nr - —=~—— — — ... .... ■■ n r-, T ~~—---— - » ' - The 1;. I went to take my leave of pufianTec, whole 00 cafions call’d h im to Arde^vil two days after. He did me the favour to permit me a long dileourfe upon the bed way to manage my affairs at Ijpahan ; and how to come off with mod advantage and fuccels. To which purpofe he gave me very good advice, and Letters of. Recommendation to his Kindred and for CofrouTan , Collonell of the Musketeers who was one of the mod powerful and confiderable Lords at Court. Of which the Tranflation follows word for word. GOD. We fend to the mofi illufrious Lord of the Earthed we give his mofi noble and generous heart to underfund , that Mr. Chardin a French Merchant the Flower of the Christians , who had been fent into Europe by the deceafed K m g} "toho has nolo his ( a ) Habitation in Heababccon. Another Perfian Hiflory, compos’d by an Author call’d by the name of Jmbdalla , relates that Casbtn had its Heft Rife from a Caflle which the King lafl mention'd caus’d to be built, to flop the Inroads of the Deilemites , that came down from Mount AloWVent ,and ravag’d all the Territory. That this Caflle was feated in the middle of the City, where is now the Royal Pi- a^a of Cafbin,and that it was ruin'd by the Arabians in the time of Ofman , one of Mahomets firfl lucceffors. And indeed al« moll all their Hiflories make mention of this Caflle, and fav, that after it was demolifh’d it was rebuilt again much larger then before, and a great Town rais’d round about it. Mou* Jael-badibilla , the Son of Mabomet*mebdy , Califf of fBagdat, caus’d it to be lurrounded with walls in the 170.year of the Hegyra , and about a thoufand paces from it built a little City,which he call’d by his own name Medina*cMouffi ,which name one large Ward or Quarter of Cafbin carrys to this day. Moubarec-Juzfec one of the Califfs freed Servants, who had the Government of the province,and to whom the work wasrecommended,buik another City,at an equal diftance,and call d it Monbarekie , for the prefervation of his name,which th zPerpans Tome time after call’d Monbarec-abad. Moubarec fignifying blciTed,abada habitation. Haron-Pyfiid Brother and SuccefTor to Moufa-elbadi, joy nd thefe three little Cities into one, by filling up the void fpace with a great number of buildings $ and then order’d the whole to be encompafs'd with Walls and Fortifications.Which work was begun in the 190 year of the Hegyra. Haron alfo had a defign to have made it a Bull-wark againffc the Incurfions of the Hircanians and Deilamites , and a Magazine for the warr which he was intending againfl Iberia, and withal a place of Trade : but dying not long after, the work remain’d imper¬ fect. In the year 245 , in the Reign of Muktadis-billa*Moufi, Nufa’s fon, who had fhaken off the Yoak of that (pontiff, and ufurp’d the Royal Authority in Perjia , finifh'd the Walls and Fortifications, and gave to the City, the name of Cafbin ,or Cafvin, for the word is iometimes pronounc'd withal, and fometimes with a * dadiy or Chief Jufiiciary. The Orientals give this Title to all the Kings of Terfia of the firft Race, as being the firft Gover* nors and Legiflators that came to their Knowledge. Hon* (being was the fecond King of that Race. Manoutjher,the firft King after Houfbeing, greatly enlarg’d it : and it continu’d in its Splendor till the Conqueft of the firft Mahumetans that deftroy’d it. Mehdibilla, furnam’d Manfour, or the Vi which the Perfians believe to have been the lawful Succeflors of Ma* hornet , after the Death of Jh his Son in-Law. It contains eight feet in length, five in bredch, and fix in height. Over-laid with Tiles of China } painted alamorefca , and over-fpread with Cloth of Gold that hangs down to the ground on every fide. It is enclos’d with a Grace of Malfy Silver, ten foot high, di- flant half a foot from the Tomb ; and at each Corner crown’d as it were with large Apples of fine Gold. Which is done to the end the People fhould not fully the Tomb with their kif- fing and handling it: for the Tomb is lookt upon as a facred Piece. Several breadths of Velvet hung about the infideof the Gratejiide it from the view of the People: fo that only Favor or Money can procure a fight of it. The Flooer likewife is cover’d with a Carpet of very fine Woollen ; over which at great Feftival Times,are fpread others of Silk and Gold. Over the Tomb,about ten foot in height,hang feveral Silver Veflels which they call Candd ; being a fort of Lamp, of which there are fome that weigh fixcy Marks : and areotherwile fa- fhion’d then the Church Branches, as may be feen in the Fi¬ gures. But they never light up any fire therein, which they are not made to hold, nor any fort of Liquor, as not having any Bottom. Upon the Grate hang feveral Infcriptions in Letters of Gold upon thick Velloms, as large as a large fheet of Paper. Which Infcriptions contain the Elegies of the Saint and her Family. The lnfcripdon upon the Front of the Entrance contains the through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis* 395 the Prayer which they all generally fay, that come in the Pilgrimage to the Sepulcher. The Pilgrim, when he enters, kifles the Threfhold and the Grate three timesj and ftanding upright with his Face towards the Tomb, one of the Mollas , that attend there day and night, comes to him, who caufes him to fay the Prayer word for word. After the Prayer fo faid, the Pilgrim again kifles the Grate, and the foot of the Door; then giving the Prieft four or five pence, more or lefs,according to his ability, he retires. If he defires a Cer¬ tificate of his Pilgrimage, they write him one in due form; the difpatch of which cofts him half a Piftole,or eight or nine fhillings. All the money which the Pilgrims and other Vo¬ taries give, is put into a little iron Cheft, like the Trunk of a Tree, that ftands at the entrance into the Chappel, which is open’d every Friday , and what is found therein is diftribu- ted among the people that belong to the Mofque , and do Duty in that confecrated place. It would be too long, and perhaps to irkfome, to infer* all the lnfcriptions I have mention’d : and therefore I fhall only give you the Tranfla- tion of the two Principal Prayers, which the Pilgrims are bound to fay. In the name of God clement and merciful I Viftt my Lady and Miflrefs Fatima, the daughter of Moufa, the Jon of Dgafar, upon fvhom he all Salvation and Be ace eter¬ nally. And out of my %eal to approach to God hy her Inter ceffion, 1 in¬ voke her for my felf,my Father and Mother , and all the truly Faithful In the name of God foVeraignly pitiful,! wifh thee Health eternal 0 Apojlle of God. I wifh thee Flealth etemalfi EleSl of God . I ivijh thee Fiealth eternal } 0 the hejl and moll per fell of all mew,Mahamed the fon of Abdalla. God grant thee his Mercy y his Grace and his ] Benedictions, and to all thy Family. 1 wifh thee eternal Health, 0 Prince of the Faithful 0 Lord and Chief of the true Vicars of God . 1 Tvifh thee eternal Health , 0 thou that art the Truth it felf. 1 wifi? thee Health eternaland the Mercy and Benedictions of God o Ali who art the true Balfom,for the wounds of fin.l wifi) the Health eternal 0 Virgin rnoft Bure, mofl Juft, and moft Immaculate , glorious Fati* ma, the daughter of Mahammed the Ele«5l, the heft beloved Wife of Ali, the Mother of twelve true Vicars of God , of llluflrious (Birth, and I alfo vpifh the Mercy of God,and his Benedictions 5 to thy Mother the moft precious , the mofl pure, and high-born Khadidge. / wifh the mercy of God and his Benedictions to Hafan and Heuflein, true Di* Rrrr redors 396 The Traveh of Sir John Chardin Perfia, reBors of the way of Truth , Celejlial Flambeaux s of the dark Night of the World, Great Standards of true Piety, mreproacha - Me Tcfiimonies of God againft the World, Lords of all the young Men who are in the Glory of Paradife. Iwifh thee Eternal Health 0 Fatima , the Daughter of Moufa, Virgin Holy , Vertuous, Juft, DireBirix of the Truth , Pious, SanBiji’d ,, worthy of all our Praifes , who SoVer aignly loVelt the Faithful and who art Sovereign¬ ly beloVd: Virgin without blemifh, and exempt from all Impurity . May God tab his Greateft Delight in thee, look upon thee as pleajing to Him, and Eft ah It ft? thee in Paradife, which is thy Eternal Habi* tation and Pefuge. lam come to feek thee , 0 SMiflrefs and Lady of my Soul, in hopes that I may approach the moft High God hy this AB of Piety, and of his Apofile and his Holy Children. The Mercy of God he upon him and them Eternally. I Abhor and I Deteft my Sins,of which I have made me an unhappy Burthen,that finks me to the Earth -, and I do my Endeavour to break the Yoke of Hell: Vouch- fafe me thy Interceffion , 0 moft Holy Virgin, at the Day when the Good [hall he feparated from the Wicked.Be then a propitiation in my behalf, for thou art dejeended from a Pace and Genealogy of Parents , that will not fuffer thofe that love ’em to fall into Misfortune j that never refufe any thing to whoever they be that call upon’em in Prayer ; who divert all evil from thofe that tenderly cheriftVem ; but whofe Enemies on the other fide Jhall never profper. 0 God moft High, the Holy DoBors of the pace of the Prophet, upon all whom be eternal Mercy, thy Peace, and thy Salvation , have truly declar’d and taught that whoever frail devoutly vijit Fatima of Com, Jhall have Pa* radife for his Portion. 1 am the Man, 0 my God , who come to Vi* fit her in this manner, perfwaded and convinc’d, as 1 am, of her Gran¬ deur and her Excellency, and of that of her glorious Ancestors, pure and clean from all Sin , upon all whom be Mercy and Peace. 0 God , be favourable to MahamecS and the Family of Mahamed. Pender profitable to my Salvation the Vifit which I make to this Holy Virgin , and confirm me in the favor of her LoVe. Suffer me not to be de- priv d of the faVor of her Interceffion, and crown me with the Glory of Paradife,asthou haft promis’d to do,for that in thee is Sovereign Power. I vifit my Lady and Miftrejs Fatima, the Daughter of Moufa, the Son of Dgafar. Peace be upon ’em, and let it be wifr’d 'em e- ternally by all the Faithful Believers , whofe Devotion enclines ’em to approach to God by her Interceffion . In the Name of God Clement and Merciful, Peace he upon Adam, Be EleB of God. Salvation be upon Noah, the Prophet of God. Salvation he ifm Abraham, the intimate Friend of God. Salvation tfon Moles, the mouth of God. Salvation upon thee Mahomet, the through the Black-Sea, and the Country of Colchis. the Jeal and laf of the (prophets . Salvation upon thee, the Prince and Director of the Faithful, Aly the Son of Abicaleb, Vicar of the Jpoftles of the Lord of human Creatures. Salvation upon thee Fad- ma, the Lady of the Women of the world . Saltation upon both you, the Graud Children of the Prophet of Mercy , and Lord of the young men that inhabit Paradife. Salvation be upon thee Ali the Son of Heufein, the Lord of pious Men, and Joy of the Eyes of theglori* fd Saints. Salvation upon thee Dgafar the Son of Mahomed the juft* Salivation upon thee Moufa the S on of Dgafar the Pure. Salvation upon thee Ali the Son of Moufa, whom Voe all agree to. Salvation upon thee Mahomet, the Son of Ali, the tenderly cherifh’d. Salvation upon thee Ali the Son of Mahomet the Faithful Counfel¬ ler. Salvation upon thee Ha fan the Son of Hali. Salvation upon thee, the Light and Sun of the World, the lasl Apoflle, and upon the Friend of thy Friends, and upon the Vicar of thy Vicars. Salvation upon thee , the Daughter of the Apoflle of God. Salvation upon thee the Daughter of Fatima and of Khadidgeh. Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Director of the Faithful, and the Friend of God\ Salivation upon thee the Daughter of the Pace of Haffan and Heufein. Salvation upon thee the Daughter of the Friend of God. Salvation be to thee the Amt of the Friend of God. Salivation be to thee the Daughter of Moula the Son of Dgafar. The Mercy of God, his DenediSlions and his Salvation be upon ye all . God grant that ye may all know one another in Paradife. God grant thatwe may be afjembled together in your Company , that Tve may drink out of our Prophets Fountain, and that you may drink out of the Cup of your Grandfather y from the hand of Hali the Son of Abicaleb. The Blef* Jings of God be upon all us. I pray to Cjod that he may fill us with Gladnefs and Joy, that he may affemble us into the company of your Grandfather Mahomet, upon whom be the Mercy and Peace of God, and may he never deprive us of your Kyiowledge • for he is a moll Powerful ProteSior. I approach to God under the fhadow of your FaVor, detefiing your Enemies ; 1 make him the Offering of my felf , devoting my felf for a ViSlim without Ignominy or Pride ; and I con- fefs with all my heart,that whatever Mahomet pread/d is Truth,and I fubmit thereto. Therefore it is, that we implore thy Afffiance, 0 Lord our God, thy Compaffion , and the glory of the day of Judgment. 0 Fatima , intercede for me, for thou art in high Bfleem with God, and thou hafl polver in HeaVen.O God I pray thee,that thou wilt grant me to make a happy end, nor take away from me any thing that 1 enjoy. There is molt certainly neither power nor flrength, but by the FaVor of the most puijfant and great God. Hear me 0 God, and accept my Pilgrimage , through thy Liberality, thy FaVor, thy Mercy , and thy Cle* mency « 5 98 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, mency. Be favourable to Mahamed and his Family , and grant 9 em Salivation andTeace , 0 foVereignly=merciful Being. To conclude, this Fathmas Tomb was rebuilt three times. Her Father carry’d her to Com,by reafon gf the great Perfecu* tion, wherewith the Califfs of Bagdat molefted his Family, and all thofe that took Jlys part, and held him and his OfF- fpring for the true Succeilbrs of Mahomet. She ereCted feveral fair Structures in that City,and there at laft ended her days.The People believe that God carry’d her to Heaven, and that there is nothing in the Temple, but only a Reprefentation of her Body. In the two Chappels on each fide, ftand the Tombs of the two laft Kings of Berfia : the Portals of which are not fb large, as the Portal of Fatima's Monument : but the folding- Doors are over-laid in the fame manner with Plates of Sil¬ ver. They are of an equal Diameter, both the one and the other, at the end of a Gallery twelve foot broad and thirty five in length. At the entrance there is alio a kind of Ve* ftry,were the Ornaments and Moveables are kepr. The Chap- pel, where Aba* lies enterr’d, is an irregular Twelve-Angle : the other where Sepbi is buried, is an irregular Square. The Veftries, Galleries and Chappels are hung with rich Tape- ftries : thofe wherewith the Chappels are hung, are of Gold and Silk woven together. And indeed there can be leen no¬ thing more beautiful, nor more magnificent then thefe Mau? foleums. The lower part is over-laid with large Tiles of Porphiry , painted with Gold and Azure : the Roofs are a moft ingenious and delicate Piece of Architecture, all pain* ted with rich Morefco Work in lively Colours, that even da- zk the Eye. For the Gold and Azure is laid on fo thick, that you would fwear it was all Matty in its Subftance. The Bomo opens toward the lower part, with a double row of four and twenty Windows ,• and there is one very large one equal with the Ground, that looks into the Garden, with another oppofite to it, which looks into the great Chappel. The Glafing Work confifts of Panes of Chryftal, painted with Gold and Azure, and fatten'd in maffy Silver. But I remit the Reader to the Draughts, to take a more perfect view of-thefe fumptuous Monuments, contenting my felf to relate what they cannot exprefs. Abets s is four foot high, four in breadth, and eight foot long. The three Lamps that hang over it are of pure matty Gold, of which the biggeft is worth four and twenty Marks, the rett twelve apiece 5 and they hang by rods iPU w 31k i X ft Ill llllltlllllllllllllllllllllllll ,l! r Iff I .. ! ^ •—-—— > / / through the Black Sea, and the Country of Colchis, 5 99 of Silver, that defcend from the bottom of the Duomo. The Tomb is pav'd wich Tiles of Cheney, and cover’d with Rich Perfian Cloth of Gold, that colls between fixty and feventy Pounds Sterling an Ell, the mod gorgeous ima¬ ginable, with a Scarlet Counter-Poynt over that, and over head a Canopy of Gold. The Counter*poynts are tack'd below to the Carpets under foot,wich a fmall Silk ftring^hat runs through Rings of maffy Gold. And the Clafps and Hooks at the Corners are of the fame Metal. Round the Gallery of Abac's Tomb, runs a fri%e divi* ded equally into Cartridges of Azure, wherein are written in large Chara&ers of Gold, the Elegies of the Famous, Ha- Jy , the Great Saint and Idol of the Perfians, made by the Learned Hafan?Ca%a* Of which I fhall iniert the Tranfla= tion, as being a Piece of Eloquence, wherein may be feen not only the Genius of the Perfian Poetry, but the Tranfports of Mahumetan Devotion. The whole is divided into feven Songs in Didichs,of which the firft runs all upon Mahomer, and the other fix all upon Haly . w The firft Song. I Salute the glorious Creature , of whom the Sun is hut the dow* Majlcr-piece of the Lord of Human Creatures , Great Star of - fujiice and Religion. Infallible Expounder of the (l) four Books, ConduHor of the eight ( 2 ) Mobiles; Gover¬ nor of the ( 3 ) feven Parts. Chief of the Faithful. ( 4 ) VoSlor of that knowledge which is in¬ fus'd into the Prophets* tffyyal Hero, ( 5 ) ce=> lebrated by twelve Succeflbrs, though the Veil fhould be taken away, yet Tcould not my (Belief be entreat'd. Light of God. Illuminatin'/ Soul *ej'might die better from tknee con- <=> ' _ <=> elude, that his Knowledge was fupernaturaL of Trophejie ; Guide of true Believers* CO The twelve Heirs ? nd Succeflors of J rri r a ■ rt C , 1 1 11 1 Mahomet , the laft of which was cafry'd ta 1 he prjt Object OJ boa , when he bethought Heaven 5 and fhall return to confound die himfelf of fending his Orders to Earth , and Rei s n of the unfaithful. Embaffador , Center of divine Secrets , concerning what is paft and to come , who has caus'd the Acknowledgment of God to JJ?ine forth out of the darknefs of Errors j as the Horning goes before the Sun f before he mounts the Horifon * thwart an obfeure CO The Pentateuch, the Pfalter, the Gofpet, and the Alcoran. The Mahometans believing that thefe Books ever were and always lh i be the Rule of their Faith. C2) The Heavens of the Planets r ( - Primum Mobile. CO "The feven Climates which was the Ancient Divifionof the Earth, (4) It is in the Original^ Loft or in the Knowledge of the Prophets who knew roc their A,B , C. For the Mahumetan affirm. 400 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Principal Type of things created . Instrument of the Creation of the World, the highefi of the Pace of Adam. Soul of the great Apoftles and Meffengers. Thou art that Lord, through whom, one Verfe in the Alcoran pro- inifes the fulfilling of our defires . Thou art that Sun,through whom another Verfe tells the Sovereign Beauty fiall he feen. Light of Byes ! Crown of Prophefie. Idol of the Angel Gabriel! Thou art in the ivorld, a "World of "Virtue and dignity . Thou art upon the Earth a Sun of Majefiy and Grandeur. The Sea is not rich and liberal, hut by the gifts of thy munificent Hands . The Angel Treafurer of Heaven re apes his HarVeft in the Berttl Gardens of the purity of thy Nature. Moles, who divided the Sea f is the Porter of the Throne of thy Justice. Jefus, the Monarch of the Fourth Heaven, keeps guard be* fore the weil of the Ihrone of thy Glory. That incomprehenfible Painter, who drew the Mole at one firoke of (a.) Let it befo, his Pencil {a) koun fikoun newer made fi fair a Portraiture as the Gen lt f as °" globe of thy Vifage. me From thy defcent into the Cradle to the laft day of thy Life, the tans hold that Angels who Pegifier Words, newer heard thee fpeak a word which twom^eaSg did not rawifih God him)elf with Joy. onewho writes man Ul whatfoeVer condition he is,can refemble God fo much as downthegood, t ] ml fojp if there could be an Image to reprefent God as he evil which he is, it could be no other then thy felf 5 that Embaffador whom out of his extraordinary Clemency he fent to the Earth. Happy and holy is the man who believes all that God has fpoKn in the Alcoran, according to the fence which his Prophet has obJerVd in the Book of his fentences. If he fhould be compar'd with any other exalted Being , there could not be found a more perfect exemplar then Mahomet, The (econd Song. 0 unexpreffible man ! who haft no Equal but Mahomet the EleCt Prophet. God has ajfignd upon thy (y) LoVe the Dowry of the Ladies of Paradife. The Primum Mobile, ipould never dart the Ball of the Sun through the Trunk of Hea* Veil , were it not to ferve the morning out of the extreme LoVe fhe has for thee. What is the power of the Stars and Deftiny, in comparifon of thine ? and what is the Light of the Sungompard with that of thy Under ft an- (7) The Perfians affirm, that Aly was the handfomefl Perfon that ever was: and that his Eeauty was unconceivable. For which reafon the Painters uiually cover his Face with a Veil, and will not let it be feed. But what the Poet here fpeaks of Haly fignifies that the Blefled in Heaven account it their chief eft felicity to be belov’d by him. through the Black- Sea., and the Country of Colchis. 40 The Sun is enlwht- in one Action, aj- hCdC aC ug ? Defhny does but execute thy Commands , ned by the beams of thy IfnoTvledge. When the numerous Train of thy JTajefty goes in its Temp, yve fee the (8) Sphear bound to the hand of the Captain that guides itge) or For- like a little Tell at the neck of a CMule. STiiSfknp!^ Let not Hercules 'Vaunt any more the Force of his Courage. For who would endre a Fly to brave it upon the wings of the great Thcenix chy pieafure,as r 1 xa ft a Mule turns OJ the Uajt. the little EelF ad Hercules feen the Valour of thy Arm furedly the Bird of his Soul would have broKn the Cage of his Tody, and fled for fear. The immenfe Sea of thy merit , toffes up furges above the FFeaVms, and upon this Sea of Vertue the Tempefts of Adverfity cauje no more dijorder then Types in the Water. If thy Glory be weigh d in the Balance of exalted Sence, s the high* eH mountains weigh'd againjl it, would appear no more then the Seed of Lentils. In the great Career of Happimfs , where the {Tranfparts of thofe Tt>ho run the Tytce, makes ’em like Horfes, that get the Tit in their Teeth and throw their Tyders. And caufes ’em with the force of their Spurs to prick an Artery, at what time the Angel of Death comes like a fatal Thyftian to take ’em by the Arm of the Soul ) Thou (halt efcape this rude Career, as the Sun pajfes on from the Eaft. They (ball carry before thee the honourable Standard of the Supreme Majejly j and behind thee 7 the Spoyls, as marks of the ViHory. And in this %ace, were all the Inhabitants of the world as braVe as Hercules, the moft undaunted of ’em all Would not have the Cou* rage to Jland a moment before thee. God pall create a Tody of ( 9 ) Air, that pall cry with a loud f 9 ) Renown ryo\ce on his behalf, Victory, Victory . Time is none fo flout as (io) suipha- Aly. There is no Sword like to (1 o)Sulfagar, that Hero’s SwordotuJfllSd »» t«0 Toy ntS - divides ic felf at the endwich The third Song. Thou from whofe purity the FJeaVn of Unfinfulnefs drains its Lufire . The Sun is made a Crown of Glory of the padow of thy Umbrello. two points. 402 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, (ii) Stones of Divination. The Mahu- metans lay: that when Jefus Chrift was liv¬ ing Phyficktiourifh’d ini ts higheft degree of Excellency , and that God gave him l'o ma¬ ny fecrets of that Art, that he rais’d the Dead, and penetrated the very thoughts of Men. Jefus the great CbytniTk made ufe of the Earth of the Portal of thy (prudence, for red Sulphur •> of which he compos d the Takfir, and the (it) Stone Phale, by means thereof he underflood all things, and heal'd all men. The eternal (Painter painted a great many Images, and brought to light a great many I- deas, with a defign to form thy lovely Counter nance ; but he found none that came near thy 'Beauty. The Eaulcon of thy Umbrello having extended his wings , has Ci 2 ) That is found the ( 12 ) Birds of the feVenth HeaVen nefiling under the eSrophet?^ large Feather of thy left wing. (ij) a figure Who ever has ( 13 ) feal'd his Heart with thy Lo r ve e has found Cuhom°of the ^ at: PTeart is become a Mine of precious Stones. Perhans,to feai He mofl powerful Creature of all things, admir'd upon the fixth their Mines j l j j o * * J withtheKing’s day of the Creation, that Superiority of Excellency, which thou haft officers^,°^be- aboVe all his other Creatures. belong 1 to "he hip on the memorable day of thy ViBory, the Sweat of thy hands Ki °g* was to thy Enemies a profound Deluge that fwallow'd 'em up like the Sea. Thou Vulture of the heaVnly Conftellation didft fly upon the Blood as a Dog upon the water „ Inflpid (poet, who compare ft to the Sea the fweat of the hand of thy Hero. Thou art aftoniJEd at the Thought that comes into ( 14 J TheHea- thy Head, that the Sea which refembles that Sweat is the ( 14 ) blew Sea . Who ever has lifted up the hand of Neceffity toward the Portal of thy Beneficence , he has it always return'd back full of what he de* fir'd. 0 dHine and Sacred Host! who gHeft the Saints to drink out of the Bafon of Paradife . To fpeak fomething in thy Pratfe, we muft needs Jay } that Nature is only adorn'd and enrich'd by thee. Athoufand and a thou[and Tears together the hea as I faid before : for it fealds in the Summer, there being no place in all Perfia where the Sun fcorches more violently. It abounds in all manner of Vi&uals and Fruits, particularly in Pijiachm. The people alfo are very courteous and civil. The mod part of Topographers will have Com to be the fame place which Ptolomy calls Gama, or Guriana. And his Tranflator aflerts it to be the fame With Cboama, tho others will have it to be ArbaBe , or Hecatompyhi Several HiftorieS 4>io The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia., of Berfia likewife relate this City to be very Ancient y and that it was built by Tabmas y when the Sun entred into Gemini $ that it was twelve thouland Cubits in compafs, and as big as Babylon. I mull confefs there is no doubt but it was very large ; for there are many Ruins and Footlleps ol Habitations to be leen round about it : but it is much to be queftion’d whether it were fo Ancient as the Reign of Talma*. Other Perlian Hiftories deduce its Original from the firft Age of Ma^ humetifm ; and affirm that in the time of Mahomet there were in that place feven large Villages, and that in the 8 ] Year of the Hegyra y Abdalla Say don y Califfe , coming into that Country with an Army, joyn’d thofe feven Villages together with new Buildings, enclos'd’em with a Wall, and made ’em one Ci¬ ty ; and that afterwards this City encreas’d to that degree, that it became twice as large as Confiantinople. For Moufa the Son of that Abdalla came from Bajra to Corn, and brought with him the Opinions of Haly y which they call the Religion of Shia or Imamifm : which was always profefs’d in that place even to Martyrdom, nor would the People fuffier any other ; and therefore TemurAeng being of a contrary Belief, utterly dellroy’d the City. Neverthelefs by degrees they repair’d one part of it againjbut it did not begin to reflourifh until this lall Age, and lince that Sepby was there interr’d. Aba* the Second, his Son and Succelfor, banifh’d thither fuch Perfons as were fallen from his Favour, to the end they might pray to God for his perfon,and give thanks to heaven for their Lives which he had Ipar’d 'em. Soliman at prefent reigning had made ufe of it, to the Lme purpofe,fending thither all thofe whom he thought convenient topunilh with Exile,- and the great nun> ber of exil’d perfons of Quality it was, that has reftor’d the City to that Splendor wherein now it (lands. In the Year 1634 . an Inundation of Waters ruin’d a thoufand Houfes : and it is but three Years (ince,that an Accident of the fame nature had like to have ruin’d it all together. For two thou* fand Houfes, and all the Ancient Houfes were laid level with the Earth. The Name is pronounc’d with a double m y as if we fhould write the word Kjmm. It is alfo call’d Darel mou^eheU din y that is to fay, The Habitation of pious (people . The Go* vernor bears the Title of Varogue or Mayor. The 15 . we (laid at Comm to reft our Horfes, and departed the 16 . at fix a Clock in the Evening. We travelfd four Leagues over delightful Plains as level as could be, fertile,and well (lord with Villages : and yet the Soyl of Com appear’d to f r I l t * through the Black-Sea., and the Country of Colchis. to be fomwhat dry. We found the people every where,were treading the Corn, the Harveft being already reap’d. We lodg'd at Cajfem*abad , a Town confifting of about three hum dred Houfes, belonging to the Queen Mother, as her Dowry. The 17. we traveil'd five Leagues crofs the Plain. We found it all the way cover'd with a moving Sand, dry, with¬ out either Villages or Water. We lodg'd in a place call’d Jbjhiririy or Sweet Water , becaufe there is in that place a Foun* tain of fair Water and Cifterns in the midft of fix CareVan* jerais. The 1 8. our Journey reach’d to Cajban , where we arriv’d, after we had travell’d feven Leagues,(leering toward the South, over the Plain already mention’d : and at the end of two Leagues , we found the Soyl delightful and fertile, ftor’d with large Villages. We pafs'd through feveral, and about half the way left upon the lefc hand, at a near diftance, a lit* tie City call'd Sarou , feated at the foot of a Mountain. 1 he City of Cajban is leated in a large Plain, near a high Mountain. It is a League in length, and a quarter of a League in breadth ; extending it felf in length from Eaft to Weft. When you fee it afar off, it refembles a half Moon, the Cor« ners of which look toward both thofe Parts of the Heavens. The Draught is no true Reprefentation, either of the Bignefs or the Figure ; as having been taken without a true ProfpecL And the reafon was the Indifpofition of my Painter, who be* ing extremely tir'd with the former days Travel, was not a* ble to ftir out of the Inn, where we lay. All that he could do was to get upon the Terral3, and take the Draught from thence. There is no River that runs by the City,only leveral Canals convey’d under Ground, with many deep Springs and Cifterns as there are at Com. It is encompafs’d with a double Wall, Rank'd with round Towers, after the Ancient Fafhion; to which there belong five Gates. One to the Eaft, call’d the <%oyal Gate ; as being near the Royal Palace,that (lands with* out the Walls. Anocher call'd the Gate of Fieu ; becaufe it leads dire&ly to a great Village, which bears that name. Another between the Weft and North, call'd the Gate of the Hmfe of Me Ik $as being near to a Garden of Pleafure, which was plan¬ ted by a Lord of that Name. The two other Gates are op- pofite to the South-Eaft, and North-Eaft. The one call'd Com Gate , and the other Ifpahan Gate ; be caufe they lead to X x x x thole 412 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia. thofe Cities. The City and the Suburbs,which are more beauT ful then theCity, contain fix thoufand five hundred Houles , as the People allure us; forty Mofques, three Colleges, and about two hundred Sepulchres of the Defendants of Jly. The Principal Mofque Hands right againft the great Market Place, having one Tower, that ferves for a Steeple, built of Free Stone. Both the Mofque and the Tower are the Remainders of the Splendour of the firft Mahumetans, who invaded ( Verfea . The Houfes of Cajhan are built of Earth and Bricks, of which there few that are remarkable. But the Bazars and Baths are lovely Structures,well built and well kepr. There are alfo feveral Inns. That which is call’d the oyal Inn with* out the City, joyning to the Gate that looks toward the Eaft, is the faireft not only in Cafian , but in all Ter ft a. It is four fquare,every front within-fide being two hundred Geometri¬ cal Paces, and two Stories with an Anti-Chamber, or Hollow* nels below that runs albalong the length ofthe two Fronts,rais’d about the height of a man above the Court, and four Inches below the level of the Chamber. It is eight foot deep,pav’d with white Marble, almoft as tranfparent as Pophiry. The Stories on the fides contain fifteen Chambers of the lame Fi* gure : the two others had but ten, with a large one in the middle, having five Chambers. The other Apartments con* lifted of one Chamber,fifteen foot long and ten broad, high and vaulted, with a Chimney in the middle, and a fquare Tor - tico before,ten foot wide,cover’d with a half Duomo , with a Contrivance for a Chimney on each fide; which was for the Servants to lodge in. The fecond Story was contriv’d like that below, with a Balufter four foot high, that let in the the Light,and ran round the Structure. In the Geometrical Part of the Draught, you may perceive a Hexagonal in the midft of the Entrance, every Front of which is a large Shop, where are to be fold all manner of Belly-Timber, Wood and Forrage. The Entrance is under a high and magnificent Por¬ tal, adorn’d with Mofalc Work, like all the reft of the Build- ding ; and upon the fides runs a Tortico , where you may lie in the day time as conveniently and as pleafantly, as in the Inn it felt. The Fountain in the middle of the Court is raifd a* bove five foot: and the Brims of it are four foot broad,for the Convenience of thofe that will fay their Prayers after they have perform’d their Purifications. There ' c !I:A * ' Ciis- through the Black-Sea, and the Country c/Colchis. There isalfo fomewhat char does not appear in the Draught, that is to fay, the hinder part of the Careyanferay , which is worthy to be obferv’d in this place. For ic confifts of very large Scabies,with places for Servants and Luggage, builc al- moll according to the fame Symmetry, as the Apartments al¬ ready mention ’d 5 at leaft as to the Form and Bignels of (tore* Houfes, and Lodgings for the Poor, and the Country people that bring their Goods to fell;and the largeGardens,that lie be¬ hind this lovely Palace of a CaraVanferay: no lefs famous for its Founder Abas the Great, who caus'd this fumptuous Strutfure to be erected. Near adjoyning to it (lands the Palace Royal • and over againfi: it , another defign’d for the Lodging of Embaffadors. Both the one and the other, with very large Gardens behind ’em, were built at the Charges of that Re¬ nowned Monarch : befides that there is in the middle a void Space for their Caroufels, and other Exercifes on Horfe* back. The Wealth andTrade of Cajhan confifts in the Manifa< 5 tuary of all forts of Silk, Stufs, and Tilfues of Gold and Silver. There is not made in any place of Terfia more Sattin, Velvet, Tabby, Plain Tiflue, and with Flowers of Silk, or Silk min¬ gled with Gold and Silver, then is made in this City, and the Parts round about it: fo that one (ingle Rorrough in this Ter- ritory, contains a thouland Houfes of Silk-Weavers. That which is call'd Aron, feeming at a diftance to be a good big City, as containing in it no lefs than twothoufand Houfes,and fix hundred Gardens : Ic is about two Leagues from C4- The City of Cajhan ftands in a good Air,but violently hot, infomuch that it is ready to ftifle yee in the Summer. Which extream Heat is occafion’d by its Situation ; as lying near a high Mountain oppos’d to the South. The Reverberation of which fofurioufly heats the place in the Dog-Days, that it fcalds again. Befides,there is one greater Inconvenience more troublefome and more dangerous, which is the great number of Scorpions that infeft thofe parts at all times, efpe- cially when the Sun is in Scorpio : Travellers are terribly threat* ned by ’em : And yet for my part, (thanks be to God) I ne* ver faw any in all the time that I pafs’d through the Country. Neither could I hear of any great Mifchief that they had done. Ic is faid,that Abas the Great s Aftrologers in the Year 1625. invented a Talifman to deliver the City from thole Vermin ; fince 4 *4 Travels of Sir John Chardin iwtaPerfia, fince which time there has not appear’d fo many as before. But there is no Credit to be given to thefe idle (lories; no more then to that fame other, that if Travellers flopping at Ca» Pun, are but careful at their entrance into their Inns, to (peak thefe words, Scorpions , I am a Stranger , meddle not with me , no Scorpion will come near ’em. For thefe are meet Tales. However certain it is 7 that their fling is very dangerous : And therefore it has given occafion to an Imprecation frequent* ly in the Mouths of the Perfians, JMay the Scorpions of Caftan lling thy Golls. However there is no Body, but has by him fe- veral foveraign Remedies againfl the fling of this Creature. This City lies in 35. deg. 35. min. of Lat. and 86. deg. of Longitude. Cattel and wild Fowl are not very plentiful in thofe parts ; but it abounds in Corn and Fruits. They car¬ ry from thence to Jfpahan , the firfl Melons and Warer Me* Ions which are eaten in that City ; which they furnifh with vafl numbers,as long as the feafon for Fruit endures. Several European Authors hold Caftan to be fame place, which the Ancient Greek Authors call Amhrodux , or elle that which was call'd Ctefiphon of the Country of the Tarthians.The Perfian Hifloriansaver,that it owes its Reflauration to Zebd 4 e- ca-ton the Wife of jTirow-$(e/Ld,CalifF of (Bagdat. They obferve moreover,that this Princefs was a Virgin when die firft be¬ gan to build the City,and that for that reafon fhe laid the firft Stone when the Sun enter’d Virgo. She gave it the name cTtCafan in honour of Cafan her Grand father,the Grand child of Haly 9 who di d and was entered in that Place; of which there hap¬ pened iome altera r ion afterwards,through the error of poin- ing : For it is well known ro people verfed in the Eaftem Languages, that fuch a miflake fo eafily committed, changes the letter S, into that which is call'd Shin. Tamerlan , be® ing become Mailer of this City, fpar’d it in a Humour,as they fay, when he hid deflroy’d almoft all the other Cities of ^Ter.fia, It is call’d by another name Darel-mowmenin, or the Habitation of the Faithful ; either becaufe the Defcendants from Aly, and his fiift Followers made it a Santfluary and Retreat duiing the Perfections of the Calijfs , who would not embrace his Opinions, but held a contrary belief; or elfe becaufe a great number of the Defcendantsof that CalifFlie there enterr’d Their Graves are confus’d among thofe that lie buried round bout • the Monuments that were erected over km having bin beaten down by the Turks and Tartar s,t hat invaded thofe places 5 through the Black- Sea,, and the Country of Colchis. 415 places ; and facrific’d rhofe ftru&ures to the honour of their Saints,the grand Enemies and Perfecutors ofthe Defcendants of Aly. They made fearch for thefe Graves,after the Califf became Matter of the City again : but how eafily they may be deceiv’d in this fearch is no difficult thing to conje&ure* For in the Year 1 667. they found out one that put the whole City into confufion. For they affirm’d the Grave upon which a large Monument had been built a hundred years. be- fore,out of an afliirance that one of Alys defcendants was bu¬ ried there, to be the Sepulcher of one Yuzbec, a Preacher. The People enrag'd that they had worfhipped for a whole Age together a Place in their Opinion more worthy of Exe¬ cration,ran in a heat to puli down the Monument, dug down the Earth that was at the top, and round about it, and made a common road over it. But what happen’d af¬ terwards is much more Remarkable. And that is this, that one of the great TerfeanDoCt ors undertook to write a Treatife, on purpole,that there was never any fuch perlon as Yugbec buri¬ ed there. Upon which the People again offended to lee themfelves made the fjport of their Do&ors fancies, have left the place as indifferent, and will neither pollute, nor give it Reverence. The Governor of Caftan carries the Title of a Qarogue, as do all the other Governors of the City’s of Tar- thia . A Lord that was one of my good Friends, call’d standee , Brother to feveral Governors Provinces had the Government of that City, the firft time that I pafs’d through it. The two years of his Government being ended, the City was fo well fatisfi’d in his conduct, that they lent fome of their Members to petition that he might be continu’d two years longer, but their Petition was rejected, as being con¬ trary to cuffom to continue fuch Officers longer then the ufual time. The 19. our Fforfes 'were fo tir’d that we were forc’d to ftay at Caftan. We departed the 29. andtravell’d feven Leagues; the two firft crofs the Plain where the City was built: the reft over a Mountain which was of a good height, but not difficult to afeend. At the top we met with a very large and fair CaraVanferay , and a little further with a wide Lake, which ferves for aReceptacle to receive the meltedSnow and Rain that falls from the Parts thereabouts 5 from whence they let go the water into the Plain of Caftan, as they have need. Abas Y y y y 41 6 The Travels of Sir John Chardin into Perfia, Abitt the Great, rais'd up two ftrong Dams about it, to the end it might hold more Water; and to prevent the Wa¬ ter from wafting. He alfo caus’d feveral Caufeys to be made in the fame place for the Convenience of Travellers. Be¬ ing defcended from the Mountain, you enter into a deep Val¬ ley , very narrow and about a League in length : all which fpace of Ground is ftor’d with Houfes, Vine* yards, and Gardens fo clofe one to another, that it feems to be but one Village of a League in length. Several de* lightful and clean Streams derive their Springs from that Plain, which prelerve the Air wonderfully cool all the Summer 5 fo that it is a place the molt charming and delightful that a man (hall meet with in that fcorching Climate. For the Sun has fo little Power there, that the Rofes were not then blown ; the Corn and Fruit were alfo then green and but half ripe ; and yet they had reap’d their Harveft,and had eaten ripe Fruit a Ca/ban at month before. We lodg’d at the end of that lovely Plain, in a CaraVanferay there built, which they call’d Caron . :* Some of our own modern Authors alfert, That this Valley was the Place where Darius was murder’d, which is not im* probable, for that the Hiftory obferves,that Dejfus and Na~ bar^anes, after they had committed that Treacherous Murder upon the Prince, took feveral Roads, the one for Hyrcania y and the other for DaBriana j and Ca(han is exactly the Place that leads directly to thofe two Provinces. The ii, we traveU’d eight Leagues; two along-the foot of the Mountains between which that Valley lies 5 and fix in a pleafant Vale, ftor’d with a great number of Villages : where we met with feveral Carayanferay s upon the Road j we alighted at one that was larger and fairer then the reft, call’d Jga-I\emal y from the name of a rich Merchant that built it, and feveral other publick Structures' about Ifpaban. The 22. our Journeys was not above five Leagues in the fame Plain, where Aga-K^mal ftands. We traveil'd fo hard, that by nine a Clock at night we arriv’d at Moutfhacour , which is a large Village confifting of about five hundred Houfes, where there are feveral Inns and Gardens, and great plenty of Water, The 23. we fet forward late, to the end we might not come to Ifpaban before day. We travell’d the nine Leagues, which we had to ride* over lovely Plains, {Fill directing our Courle through the Black- Sea, and the Country of Colchis. 417 Courfe to the South as in our former Journeys : and pafs’d by fo many CardVanjerays and Villages, drawing near that great City, that we thought our lelves in the Suburbs, two hours before we got thither. We enter’d the City by five a Clock in the Morning, all in good health. Thanks be to God. The end of the Firft Boo\ sm fa THE INDEX A. Bas the Great , ruins the Frontiers of Perfia. 348 Abca’s, a thieving people* 77 Abrener, peopl’d with pman Catho * lies . 3 46 Adoption, the manner of it Men- grelia, &c, by the women . 146 Akaizike, the Tefcription of it* t 68 Alexander K^. of Imiretta. 136 Alexander Son of Levan Trince of Mingrelia. 136 Amazons, 187 Anarguia , a Town in Mingrelia. 111, 116 Arakilvank, a famous Armenian Mo= naflery. Araxes, the L{iver. 547, 348 Archylus , Son of Shanavas Can, 139 crown’d I{. of Imiretta by his Fa * ther. 140 Armenia divided and bounded ,1^1 itre. Armenian Traditions fabulous. 252 Aron. 413 Author, The Author’s departure from Paris, p. 1. His Motives for the Jecond Voyage to Periia. 2. Made the fQng of Perfia’s Merchant, ib. He defigns for the Rlack*Sea and Colcho?. 1 6, <&c. His difircfs at Ilgaour. 108. He fends an Ex- prefs to the Theatin Superior , 109. His Anfwer , ibid. The Author’s Surprife , 1 10. The Marketplace fir’d, 111. The Superior comes to him, and carries him off , 11 2. A- mingreham Slave draiVs Compaf- fion from the Author , 115. The French Embaffadors Letter in be = half of the Author, 116. He ar¬ rives at the mouth of the driver As* tolphus, il6. He takes a Lodge ing in Anarghia, 117. Vifited by a lay Theatin, ibid. A Lady fur - nifies him with FroVifions , 118. He is advis’d to pretend himfelf a Capuchin, ibid. He departs from Anargy, 119. The Occafions of his Misfortunes, ibid. Vifited by the Trincefs of Mingrelia, 12 1. She invites him to Tinner, 4 2 2. The Confequences , ibid. 123, ta, 156 [Buptifm of the Mingrelians , ioi B aflia of Akalzike invades Imiretta, dethrones one , and fet up another Ktng ? 147 Bichni in Armenia and Monaftery be= longing to it , 244 Black*Sea, the Defeription of it, 155 C. C Afla deferib’d, 68 The Kingdom of Kaket fub= fH to theTerfians , 206 Carthuel, a TroVinceof Perfia, 188 Casbin, the Tefcription of it, 378 Cafhan, the Tefcription of it , 411 Caffemabad 411 Cherks, a faVage people. 76 An Account of Chnjlian Corfaires in the Archipelago, 3. The grounds of the Candy War, j 3, Zfc. The Caous, a fort of Giants, 3 71 Carafliimanj a fair Village in Per® fia, ^ 37 1 Casbin deferib’d , 378,^^ Colchis, the Tefcription of it-jy^c. Com, the Tefcription of it, 390 Cotacis deferib’d, 177 D. D Adian, the Title of the Wince of Mingrelia, He is guil¬ ty of the jobbery committed upon the Author, 131 Darejan, Taughter to the lafl dfing of Georgia would have married her Son in LaW f 136. Her wicked Tranks to continue her felf in the Tominiojh 137, tsre. She marries Va£tangleo/ie of her Lords, 137 which caufes a Revolt of the reft, ibid. Titrayd, 138. her tragick End, 145 Darejan , Levans Aunt and Wife, 134, She fets up her Son Vomeki, Deria-fhirin, or the Lake of Irivan defcriUd. 247 Dily-jan,W the Country about it ,240 E. E Bber, the Tefcription of it, 3 77 Echmiazin, or the Monaftery of the three Churches, 249 Echmouil, a place famous for the T'tL gr images of the Ter fans, 387 v F« The Index. F. 'Eaft, the order of a Nuptial Feaft in Perfia, 2 16 Two Fryers ComrniJ/toners for the Ho¬ ly Land ; their claim at the Forty 39, i&c, .Their large Offers to the Turk, and the Reafons , 45 G. G Enoefes maintain a Conful at Smyrna, 11 George, Frince of Libardian, 134 his IVife is taken from him , ibid. He dies for grief , 135 Georgia, the Defcription of it, 186, C yc. the Religion of the Countrey , 192, Conquer 3 d by Ifhmael the the Great , 193. The Hiftory of Georgia ibid, , 211 7 /;e Mountain where Noah’s Arkreft * ed, 252 Moutfliacour, d large Village. 416 Mafic not us’d in the Mahometan Re* ligion , 229 N. N Acchivan, Defcription of it , 346, T 7 ;e Deputy GoVer nor uncivil to the Author , 349 Tnrki/h Navigation , 66 M. Noyntel, Fretich Embajfador at the Tort , 28, <&7T, his Negotiation fruftrated, 44 o. ■# ; Tta Chekaize betrays 2 .- Da> rejan, 138 Oyl Sacred, call’d Myrone, p. 101 P. lArthia, the Air, and Defcription of the Country. 373 The Vice roy of Georgias'?^, 236 Tl)c Governor of Irivans'P^j342 Mirza=Thairs P^/}. 368 T/;(? hying of Perila’s Tatent 236 The Tatriarch of Armenia } a Sto¬ ry of his Extravagance. 333. ill us’d by the Governor e/Irivan^y Pervare, a Village of Perfia. 372 The Tj 'ver Phafis. 156 Tolicy of the Turks furpaffes the Eu* ropeans. 51 The Tlain fuppos’d to be the place where Darius was murder’d 416 Tride of the Georgians and Eaflern people. 230 Qt s Enior Quirini Agent for the Ve* net tans at the Tort. 5 o R. Hy, formerly a ^vaft City in _ _ Perfia. 387 Agreat jobbery committed upon the Terjian Caravan. 363 Toman Catholicks in Perfia, 546. An Embajfador from the Tope in their behalf, ibid, hoV> us A in Georgia, n 350 Ruftan-Can, his C £ ■ r «U. -■ ; • ’ t j. M i ' ■ . / ' * - *'.*0 ’ • . X • • ' •; v . i A - •* \. , J { Directions for the Book-binder for placing the Cuts. N° i The Authors Picture. 2 The Brals Title. 3 The Diadem,Sword, and Dagger at the Coronation of Soleiman III. 39 4 The Map of the Black Sea Page 1 5 The City of Tefflis in two fheets 208 6 The King of Perjlas Patent to the Author 216 7 A Feaft at T efflis in Georgia at which the Author was a Gueft The City of Irivan in two fheets An ancient Tower in the City of Irivan 8 9 10,11. Ecs-Miazin a Monaftery, in three fheets 1 2 The City of Tauris , in two fheets 13 The City of Sultanie x 4 The City of Ajwi, in two fheets 15 The Tombs of the two laft Kings of Peyfia 1 6 The Sepulchre of Abas II. King of Perjia j 1 7 Of Sefie I. King of Perfia f 18 The City of Ca[han, in two fheets 19 The great Inn in Cajban 216 2 4S 249 35 2 3 75 3 9° 3 9 l 398 411 ibid. CORONATION < , O F SOLYMAN III. THE PRESENT King of Perfia. BySirfOif^C CHJRT>I 3 ^ I The Corok ATION of SOLY The Third of that Name