60 The Persian Travels Book II. 



his Army , which was upon its march to the Siege of Babylon. Now you mud 

 take notice , that not far from Aleppo, toward the Eaft, there Hands a Houie inha- 

 bited by the Dervies, which are a Religious Order among the Turks; though it for- 

 merly belong'd to the Monks of St. Bajil , and was a fair Covent. It is ftill in good 

 repair , the Walls of the Chambers, Halls, and Galleries being all of Marble. All 

 the Dervies of this Houie went half a League from the City, as far as Mount Omelet, 

 to meet the Grand Signor; and the Superiour, at the Head of the reft, having made 

 a Speech to hisHighnefe, two Dervies came and made their obciiance in particular. 

 Which being perform'd , from that place to the Caftle of Aleppo , for half an hours 

 march together \ they went juft before the Grand Signer's Horle , turning round 

 continually with all their might, 'till they foam'd again at the Mouth , and dazl'd 

 the Eyes of thofe that beheld them. There are i'ome of theie Dervies that vvill 

 turn in that manner for two hours together , and glory in that which we account 

 folly. 



While the Grand Sifnor {laid at Aleppo, the Bajha of Cayro came thither with a 

 thoufand Janizaries : And indeed , there never was a fight of Men more active, or 

 better ordcr'd. Every one of them had Scarlet Breeches that reach'd down to 

 their Ancles, with a Turkic -Robe of Englift Cloth , and a Waft-coat of Calicut 

 painted with leveral Colours. The moft part had Buttons of Gold and Silk j and 

 as well their Girdles as their Scimitars were adorn'd with Silver. The Bajha 

 march'd at the Head of this Magnificent Regiment in a modeft Garb ; but the 

 Harnefs of his Horle was as rich as his Habit feem'd to be carelefs, having fpar'd 

 for no Coft to appear before the Grand Signor in a ftately Equipage. 



There is a neceflity for a Man to ftay ibme time at Aleppo, as well to difpole 

 of his Affairs , and in expectation 'till the Caravan be ready, unlefs he will venture 

 himfelf alone without a Guide, which I have done more than once. And thus much 

 for Aleppo , next to Conjlantinople and Cayro , the moft confiderable City in all the 

 Turkifo Empire. 



CHAP. III. 



Of federal ^oads in general from Aleppo to Ifpahan , and par- 

 ticularly of the (]{oad through the great Defert. 



THere are five principal Roads from Aleppo to Ifpahan , which being added 

 to thofe other Roads which I have deicribM , through Natolia, make 

 feven Roads into Perfia , parting from Constantinople , Smyrna , or 

 Aleppo. ^ 



The firft of the five Roads, fetting out from Aleppo, is upon the left hand, to- 

 ward the Summer-Eaft, through Diarbek^and Taurts. The fecond directly Eaft, 

 by Mejopotamia, through Mottjful and ' Amadan. The third upon the right hand, 

 toward the Winter-Eaft , through Bagdat and Kengavar. The fourth lomewhat 

 more to the South , crofl&ng a little Defert , through Anna, Bagdat, and Baljara. 

 The fifth through the great Defert , which is an extraordinary Road , never travel'd 

 but once a year, when the Merchants of Tinkle and Egypt go to buy Camels. Of 

 thefe Roads I intend to treat diftinftly, and in leveral Chapters. And firft of 

 the Road through the great Defert. 



The Caravans that go to Baljara this way never kt out 'till the Rains are fal'n, 

 that they may not want Water in the Defert : and the Rain fcldom holds up 'till 

 December. This Caravan , with which I travel'd, fet out upon Chrijlmaj-dw , con- 

 fiding of about fix hundred Camels , and four hundred Men , Matters and Servants 

 together: the Caravan-Bajhi being only on Horfe-back, and riding before, to find 

 Water, and convenient places to lodge in. 



I muft confefs I had the convenience my felf to ride my ownHorfe, which I kept 

 all the while I was at Aleppo. A liberty permitted the Franks only at Conjlantinople, 

 Smyrna, and Aleppo : for at Damas, Seyde, or Cayro , none but the Confuls are 1 iiffei'd 



to 



