582 Journal of a Tour through [Nov. 



possess the same qualities which he describes ; making short flights, and 

 tiring very soon. (Anabasis, lib. i. c. 5.) The natives call this bird the 

 young antelope. They likewise designate the ostrich by the name of a 

 beast, calling it the camel bird. This appellation is apposite, for when the 

 camel is seen on the desert from a distance, it is almost impossible to 

 discriminate the one from the other. 



I was often amused in my rambles round Tabriz, at meeting the 

 Muhammedan ladies, who promenaded the streets, enveloped in their 

 chaders. If no native was within hail, (as the sailors would say,) they 

 invariably tossed off their veils, and in a sprightly manner expressed a 

 desire to become better acquainted. The same forward air and manner 

 was also displayed by the women, who often appeared at the latticed 

 windows overlooking the road, and who manifested by their coquetry, 

 and a peculiar laugh of the eye, the expression of delight at the atten- 

 tion they excited. As their faces were highly rouged, and their head- 

 dresses gaily adorned, it forcibly called to my recollection, the history 

 of Jezebel, how she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out 

 at the window*. They have also a busy trifling with their veils, under 

 the pretence of adjusting their hair ; during which time they do not 

 fail to make the best use of their large gazelle-like eyes. In speaking 

 of the women, I shall briefly remark that they have intrigue to their 

 fingers' ends — a la Francaise. The higher classes are extremely profli- 

 gate ; and when engaged in an amour, quit their home, wrapt in their 

 impenetrable chader of one of their female slaves. There is no country 

 on earth where the women have greater opportunities of gratifying 

 their wicked propensities than Persia. Major Hart assured me that 

 when the Russians were in possession of Tabriz, most of the Persian 

 nobles fled to the adjacent towns, and left their wives and their slaves 

 in possession of their houses — and of their liberty. These women 

 flocked at nightfall in such numbers to the citadel, where most of the 

 Russian officers were quartered, that the sentries were compelled to 

 repel them with the butt ends of their firelocks, or they would have 

 been completely overpowered by the violent passions of these females. 

 On their admission to the officers, who thought that fear had driven them 

 for protection, they confirmed by expressive looks, and attractive ges- 

 tures, that the object of their visit was by no means equivocal. I could 

 illustrate this with many facts, but the present one will, I think, be 

 sufficient to show that the Persians have some cause for padlocking 



* " And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it ; and she painted 

 her face, and tired her head, and looked out at the window." — 2 Kings, xi. chap. 

 30th verse. 



