Chap XViH. of Monfieur Tavernier. 243 



time the fervants are very diligent to bring every man his fhoes, in hopes of fume 

 little piece of filver. 



The Armenians entertain their friends in the fame manner j only that they be- 

 gin their Feafts with a cup of itrong water, and fome fweet-meats, after which 

 they give a couple of hard Eggs to every one of the guefts. The Persons alfo bave 

 foon done, but the Armenians eat fwift, and a long time without drinking, which 

 they never do till the end of the meal. After they have given thanks and ta;;en 

 away the cloth, then they fall to drinking to excefs. He thar gives the enter- 

 tainment never thinks he has done well, till his guefts are not able to find the way 

 out of the room, and the more they tumble about the room, the lefs he thinks 

 he has fpent his money in vain. 



To conclude, the Perfian's are very Gentile,and afford their victuals with a free- 

 will to all that will come and eat with them at Supper time : admiring at the 

 cuftome of the Franks, who (hut their doors when they fit down to their 

 meals. 



CHAP. XVIII. 



Of the Marriages of the Pcrfia ns. 



THe Perfmns betroth their Children very young, that is at nine or ten years \ 

 but among the Armenians there are fome marry'd and lye together at five 

 or fix. the Law of 'Mahomet allows them but four lawful Wives, whom they 

 call Nekha. Bin there are others whom they call jimoutba or hir'd women, and 

 of whom they may have as many as they can keep, and for Co long time as they 

 plcafe, which Jsratifi'd b] :he allowance of the Judg. Ti.cy may alfo enjoy the 

 Slave :i .in v purchafe. The Children both of the one and the other are ae- 



com; : ■ v. . and inherit all alike, without the diitindion of Elder or Younger; 

 b Daughters can bave but the (hare of one boy- When the womans time 



th ►hir'd is out, the man dilmiiies her, and me is obii^'d to ftay forty days 



before ii:e engage again, that it may appear whither (he be with Child or 



no. 



The man gives to the woman that he marries a Dowry afTign'd upon his Eftate, 

 and lends her money and filks to make her cloaths. The maid alio (ends fbmething 

 to him , but very little, and all by the interpolition and intercourfe of the women. 

 For the two parties never fee one another. Upon the wedding day, they lend to 

 the Bridegrooms houfe, by the found of Drums and Trumpets, certain Horfcs and 

 Men laden with the Brides goods, which is many times done out of vain-glory, 

 and more for iliew then fubftance. The Bridegroom is led a foot, attended by fe- 

 veral women with Tapers in their hands, and a noife of Drums and other Inftru- 

 ments marching before them. Being come to the door of the Bridegrooms Houfe, 

 if he have promis'd a larger Dowry to the woman then he is able or willing to 

 give, he keeps his door (hut. The Parents of the Maid knock, and he declares he 

 will not have her at that price. But at length after fome contefts on both fides 

 they agree, and the Virgin enters with her Mother and all her Kindred. Then the 

 Moullah reads the conditions of Marriage } which being done, the women retire 

 into the inner part of the Houfe, the men feafting by themfelves,and the women by 

 themf elves. 



This is all that is done upon the Wedding-day, but the following days are not aT- 

 ways (0 plcafing, and it often follows that both parties do not agree, or that the 

 husband milufes his wife. Then die woman that requires feparation, requires the 

 Dowry promis'd her by her husband : which the man oft-times refufes and if (he 

 perfifts in her demand,is many times fo feverely us'd by him,that (he is conftrain'd 

 to cryj'cb Devils name let. me «oJ demand nothing of thee. Then they both repair to 

 the Cafi, or Cheit-Lcjloon, who is a Doctor of the Law, and in his pretence 

 they dilcharge one another. This they may do by their Law three times. 



G g After 



