Cbap.X. of Monfieur Tavernier. 125 



CHAP. X. 



A RELATION of the prefent State of Mengrelia. 



M£n%rclia extends from a Chain of Mountains, that feparates it from Ge or- 

 gia to the BlacJ^Sea, and is now divided into three Provinces (every one 

 of which has their King. The firft is eall'd the Province oflmarete, or 

 Baffa-Shioitkj the king whereof pretends to a l'uperiority over both the 

 other, which is the reafon they are often at War, and that with fo much 

 cruelty, that when they have tak'n any Prilbners of either fide, they fell them into 

 Thrkic' They arc fo accuftom'd to fell one another in this Country, that if a man or 

 his wife have any occafion for money, they will go and fell one of their Children, and 

 many times they will exchange a Child for Ribands or other Toyes at the Mercers 



Shops. 



The fecond Province is that of Mengrelia, and the King of this Province is eall'd the 



King of Dadian. 



The third is the Province of Guricl, the King of which Province is eall'd the King 



of Guricl. 



The Province of Mengrelia was formerly fubjeft to the King of Bajfa-Shiotik.-, who 

 fent thither a Governour, which is eall'd in their language Dadian. 



OneofthofeGovemoursbeingaperfon of wit and courage, gain'd fo far upon the 

 affeftion of the People, that they chofe him for their King. 



The chief of the Province of Guriel, feeing how the Dadian had obtain'd the King- 

 dom, following the Example of Mengrelia, (hook off the Yoke of the King of Baffa- 

 Shion^, and chofe another King among themfelves, who keeps his Soveraignty to this 

 day, by the fupport of the Grand Signor. For when the Dadian rebell'd he enter'd into 

 an Alliance with the Grand Signer ,' and cblig'd himfelf to furnifh him every year with 

 fuch a certain quantity of Iron, upon condition that if the King of BajfaShiouk^(hou\d 

 war upon him, he fhould furnifh him with twenty thoufand Horfe. Of which the Turl^ 

 was very glad, finding thereby the Country of Mengrelia divided, which being united, 

 was able at any time to have difturb'd him with an Army of fifty thoufand Men. 



The King of Bajfa-Sbiouk^ coynes money of the fame bignefs and weight with that 

 of the King of Perfia. But in regard it is not fo fine metal as that of the King of Pcr/ia, 

 he would have much a doe to make it pafs in the trade between his Subjects and the 

 Perfians, which is very great, had he not found an expedient by putting the King of 

 Pe rpa\ name upon the Coyn as well as his own, which makes it pais without any diffi- 

 culty. He would alio put the GrandSignorh Name upon his Coyn, but that the TitrJ^ 

 coynes none but fmall money, or Affers, excepting only fome Ducatts which he coincs 

 jx. Cairo. The King of Bajfa-Shiouli, as well as the King of Teflis coynes all iort of 

 forrcign money. 



Theie three Kings of Baffa-Shioul^, Mengrelia and G Uriel, are Chriftians alfo. 

 And when they go to war, all the Ecclefiaftical Perfons attend them ; Arch-bi(hops and 

 Bimops , Priefts and Monks : not fo much to fig&t as to encourage the Souldiers. 



Being atConftantinople the firft time I travell'd intoP^ I faw there anEmbafla- 

 dor from the King of Mengrelia, whofe behaviour gave all the Franks occafion of laugh- 

 ter. The Prefent which he made the Grand-Stgnor was in Iron and Steel, and a great 

 number of Slaves. The firft time of his Audience, he had a train of above 200 Perfons. 

 But every day he fold two or. three to defray his expences', So that at his departure,he 

 had none but his Secretary and two VafTals more left. He was a man of prefence but no 

 wit : and every time he went to vifit the Grand-^ifer, he prcfum'd to wear the white 

 Bonnet which all the Franks wonder'd at ', when they faw that the Grand Vifier wink'd 

 at it. For fhould any other Chriftian have done fo , he had been moft certainly put to 

 death, or conftrain'd to tumMabumetan. By which it was apparent how much the 

 Grand Signor valu'd the Fricndfhip of the King of Mengrelia, and how careful he is of 

 offending thole that arc fent from his Court. He knew thofe People fuffer no affronts, 

 but upon the leaftword prefently draw ', befidestbat there is nothing to be got by 

 provoking them. 



fhis Embaffadour going once upon a vifit into the Country, returning homewa* 



furprizd 



