Cha pTTX. of Monfieur TA y E r n i e r. 2~7? 



rcfolv'd to force 'em to turn Mahometans. But AU-CouU-K an, being a Georgian 

 repenting that he had rais'd the Kings indignation to fo high a pitch, and not be- 

 lieving it would be any advantage to him for the Armenians to turn Mahometans 

 contented himfelf only with frighting them,which was enough to bring the Arme- 

 nians upon their knees, and to make them come and beg the Intercelfion of his 

 authority. Which favour, as he order'd it, coft the Armenians ten thoufand To- 

 mans to the King, and four or five thoufand Tomans to his Favourite. 



The 2$. of September i6jj. the King made a Cavalcade, then which there could 

 be nothing imagin'd more magnificent. All the richeft Furniture was brought out 

 of the Exchequer into the Mcydan. The golden buekets to water the Horfes. The 

 golden Fat out of which they take the water, together with the buckles, harnefs 

 and nails of gold, to which the Horfes are tyU After the King had play'd at 

 Mall, as I have already defcrib'd, and had alfo fhot at the Goblet upon the top of 

 the Mail in the middle of the Meydan, he went and fate in the Divan, which is 

 overthe Gate calfd AHCapi, where he had the paftime to fee Lyons, Bulls 

 Bears, Tygres and Rams fight. But that which was moft admirable, was to fee a 

 man ftand upright upon the Saddle while the horfe ran full (peed, which he did 

 three times the whole length of the Meydan. The firft. time, 'tis true, he fell,but 

 the twolaft times he ftoodfirm. 



On day the fame AU-Couli-Kan prefented two handfom Youths to the King, 

 which had both delicate voices. The King hearing them fing, was very much 

 troubl'd that he could not make ufe of them in his Haram, which Ali-Cottli-Kan 

 obferving, fent for a French Chirurgeon, and promis'd him a great reward if he 

 could cut the youths and fave their lives. The Chirurgeon for lucre of a Jarge 

 recompence, cut them both and cur'd em very well. Which done , AU-Couli- 

 Kan, prefented the two youths to the King, who was furpriz'd to fee them, but 

 was well pleas'd that he had got two fuch new attendants in his Haram. But fee 

 the reward of fuch a wicked action. AL-Couli-Kan dy'd foon after. The Chir- 

 urgeon never was pay'd : and being advis'd to prefent a Petition to the King by 

 the Meter, the Meter ask'd him whither he would turn Mahometan : which when 

 the Chirurgeon deny'd to do, the Meter bid him be gone like a Rafcal , telling 

 him withall that he did not think the Religion of the Chriftians had permitted 

 fuch ads of villany.The two youths were born at Cajh.tn^nd had both Fathers and 

 Mothers, and were promis'd in Marriage. When their Parents heard of it, they 

 came to Ifpahan, to weep over their Children. Which the King obferving, to 

 appeafe their forrow, gave them a Penfion during life. 



CKAP. IX. 



Of the Government of Pcr/k. 



TH E Government of Perfia is purely Defpotick or Tyrannical. For the King 

 has the fole powre of life and death over all his Subjects, independent front 

 his Council, and without any Trials or Law-proceedings. He can put to what 

 death he pleafes the chief Lords of the Kingdom, no man daring to difputethe 

 reafon : nor is there any Soveraign in the world more abfolute then the King of 

 Perfia. 



The King deceafing and leaving Male IfTue behind him, the Eldeft afcends the 

 Throne,while his Brothers are kept in the Haram^nd their eyes are put out: and if 

 there be the leaft fufpicion of any contrivance againft the King, they are forth- 

 with put to death without any farther examination. And not only they, but the 

 Children alfo of theKings Brothers and Sifters.I remember when I firft travell'd in- 

 to Perfia, they were not fo rigorous, but were contented to move a red hot iron 

 to and fro before their eyes. But Sha-Sef perceiving his command had bin neg- 

 ligently executed, and that the poor unhappy Princes had fome fight left them, 



Dd be 



