Chap. X. of MonfieurTTv^ inier. "233 



One day it happen'd that there was a great~hubbub in one of thofe houfes~of"~ 



debauchery, where the woman had proftituted her own Daughter. The King in- 

 form'd of it, commanded the Mother to be thrown headlong from a Tower : and 

 that the Daughter mould be torn a pieces by his doggs, which he keeps a purpofe 

 for fuch chaitifemenrs. * * 



Above all things there is an extraordinary care taken for the fecurity of the 

 High- ways. For which purpofe guards are fet at convenient diftances, who are 

 ready to purfue upon the leaft noile of a Robbery, and who examin people whence 

 they come and whither they go. If they anfwer not as they fhoufd,or trip in their 

 Aniwers, they carry them before the next Governor. Thofe Radars are fq polled 

 over all i\rfia 9 that you need no more then fend to the places where they keep 

 ftation, to know what is become of any perfon that has committed a crime. For it 

 is impoflible to fcape, all the Paifes are fo well guarded. If any one endeavours 

 to travel through the Mountains or unfrequented roads, then the Radars who are 

 in all places, feize /uch perfons upon fufpition, for not taking the direcl: 

 road. 



As the Caravan was one day fetting out from Ta/tris for lfpahan^ poor fellow took 

 an occafion to rob a Cloak-bag during the hurly-burly of packing up,and fled crofs 

 the fields not knowing his way : the Merchant miffing his goods,complain'd to the 

 Governdur who having fought for him in vain, fent order to the Guards of the 

 High-ways, to make a ftrict examination, and to fend the perfon to him fo foon 

 as they had feiz'd him. In a ihort time the Thief was conftram d to forfakc his 

 Cloak-bag and to come a thwart the fields for water. Who being examin'd by the 

 Radars why he came alone by fuch a by way, and not knowing what to anfwer, 

 was carri'd to the Governour. He was foon convifted and condemn'd to death, 

 for Thieves find no mercy in Perfia. Only they are varioufly put to death. For 

 fometimes they are ty'd to a Camels tayl by the feet, and their bellies rip't open. 

 Sometimes they are buried alive all but their heads, and ftarv'd to death : in 

 which torment they will fometimes defire a Paflengei to cut off their heads $ 

 though it be a kindnefs forbidden by the Law. But the molt cruel punifhment of 

 all, is when they fet the Thief a Horfe-back, with his extended Arms faften'd to a 

 long Itick behind : then larding him with lighted Candles, they (infer the Candles 

 to burn into his very bowels. Another and I met two in this mifery,, who defir'd. 

 us to hanen their deaths, which we durir. not do, only we gave them a Pipe of 

 Tobacco according to their- defire. 



As for thofe that lteal in Cities, they tye them by the heels to the tayl of a Ca- 

 mel, and rip up their bellies : and then as the Camel drags the poor creature along 

 the ftreets, while one goes before him crying, Toe King has punijtfd him for [mh 

 a crime. If yet he be not dead,they hang him upon the next tree. 



The Radars have little wages, which makes them ufe their Rhetoric to get 

 what honeftly they can out of the Travellers, to whom they tell long ftories of 

 their care for the fecurity of the high-ways. 



If it happen that a Merchant be rob'd, the Governour of the Province is to 

 make good to the Merchant whatever he has loft, according as he fhall make out 

 by his Oath or his Book. Nor dare the Governors deny fatisfaftion, fearing a 

 complaint at Ifpahan. I my felf was rob'd of two Bales of goods, between Lar 

 and Schiras s to the value of 1400 Piafters, but upon complaint to the Governour 

 upon my own oath and fhewing him my Book, he pay'd me all my lofs in gold, 

 and gave me a prefent in wine befides. 



The Pofts or Sbappars are thofe that carry the Kings difpatches to the Gover- 

 nours of Provinces. When they are fent any whither, the Kings Eiquire finds 

 them a Horfe, and a man that runs to the end of the Stage, to bring him back 

 again. If thefe Curriers meet a Horfeman upon the road, they have power to dis- 

 mount him, if their own be not fo good, or be tyr'd : and the Horfeman muft ei- 

 ther run after his Horfe, or fend fome body to the end of the Stage. Sometimes * 

 thefe Curriers abufing their power, within a quarter of an hour after they have 

 chang'd their Horfe, if they meet another better mounted, they will take 

 away his Horfe too. Nor dares the Horfeman refifr, though he be never fo much 

 too ftrong j for there is no pardon for them that lay fo much as a finger upon one 1 

 ot theie Shappars i at other times they will pretend to take away a mans Horfe 



only' 



