The Persian Travels Book III 



when yoti do not pafs through the City, which amounts to four Piafiers for every 

 Horfe-load, 



From Milefara you come to the River Arzlan-chaye , or, the Lion River, by 

 reafon of the rapidity of the Stream which falls into Euphrates. 



From Arzlan-cbaye you go to Seuerak^ This is a City, water'd by a River, that 

 âlfo falls into Euphrates. It is environ'd with a great Plain to the North, the Weft, 

 and South. The way which the Horfes , Mules , and Camels keep is cut through 

 trie Rock like a Channel , two Foot deep , where you muft alfo pay half a Piufier 

 for every Horfe-load. 



From Seueral^y ou come to Bogazi , where there are two Wells, but not a Houfe 

 near j and where the Caravan ufually lodges. 



From Bogazi you come to Degmrman-Bogazi , and from Degnirman-Bogazi to 

 Mirz.ata.pa , .where there is only an Inn. 



From Mirzatapa you- come to Diarbequir , which the Turks call Car-emu. 



Diarbequir is a City fituated upon a rifing ground , on the right fide of Tigris, 

 which in that place forms a Half-moon ; the defcent from the Walls to the River 

 being very fteep. It is encompals'd with a double Wall} the outward Wall being 

 ftrengthned with fixty-two Towers , which they report were built in Honour of 

 the fixty two Difciples of JESUS CHRIST. The City has bur three Gates* 

 over one of which there is an Infcription in Greeks and Latin , that makes mention 

 of one Confiantine. There are in it two or three fair Piazza's, and a magnificent 

 Mofquee, which was formerly a Chriftian Church. It is furrounded with very decent 

 Charnel-houfes , near to which the Moullah's , Dervi's , Book-fellers and Stationers 

 do live , together with all thofe other people that concern the Law. About a 

 League from the City there is a Channel cut out of Tigris , that brings the Water 

 to the City : And in this Water are all the red Marroquins wafh'd that are made 

 at Diarbequir, furpaflîng in colour all others in the Eaft : which Manufacture employs 

 a fourth part of the Inhabitants of the City. The Soil is very good , and yields 

 according to expectation ; there is excellent Bread and very good Wine , nor is there 

 any better Provifion to be had in any part of Perfia: more efpecially, there is a fort of 

 Pigeons which in goodnefs excel all the feveral kinds that we have in Europe. The 

 City is very well peopl'd , and it is thought there are in it above twenty thoufand 

 Chriftians. The two thirds are Armenians , the reft Neftorians , with fome few 

 Jacobites. There are alfo fome few Capuchins , that have no Houfe of their own, but 

 are forc'd to lodge in an Inn. 



The Bafiia of Diarbequir is one of the Viziers of the Empire. He has but an incon- 

 fiderable Infantry, which is not much requifite in that Country -, the Curds and Arabs 

 which infeft that Country being all Horfe-men. But he is ftrong in Cavalry, being able 

 to bring above twenty thoufand Horfe into the Field. A quarter of an hours riding 

 on this fide Diarbequir there is a great Town with a large Inn , where the Caravans 

 that go and come from Perfia rather choofe to lye than at Diarbequir ; in regard that 

 in the City-Inns, they pay three or four Piafiers for every Chamber, but in the 

 Country-Inns there is nothing demanded. 



At Diarbequir y you crofs the Tigris , which is always fordable unlefs when the 

 Snow and Raiqs have fwelPd it ; for then you muft go a quarter of a League higher, 

 and crofs it over a great Stone-Bridge. Half a League on the other fide of Tigris 

 ftands a Village, with an Inn , which is the Rendevous of the whole Caravan, and 

 where they that firft come have time enough to provide themfelves for a Journey of 

 nine or ten days , as far as Betlvs. For though you may find Towns and Inns thick 

 enough upon the Road , yet there is no good Bread to be met with. 



When the Caravan proceeds , the firft days journey is fourteen hours on Horfe- 

 back , and you come to lye at Shaye-batman, where you muft pay a Piafier for every 

 Horfe-load. 



From Chaye-batman you come to Chihgran. 



From Chikaran to Azoh, which you leave half a League from the great Road, 

 where the TolUgatherers take their Toll j which is four Piafiers upon every Horfe- 

 load. 



From Azouyou come to Ziarat ; from Ziarat to Ztrqwe , where you pay a Duty 

 of two Piafiers for every Horfe-load. 

 From Zerche to Cochakgtr. 



; t From 



