Chap.X. of Monfieur Tavernier. 



CHAP. X. 



A RELATION of the frefmt State of Mengrelia. 



M£ ngrelia extends from a Chain of Mountains, that ieparates it from Geor- 

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

 of which has their King. Thefirftis call'd the Province of Imarete, or 

 Baffa-Sbioitkj, the king whereof pretends to a luperiority over both the 

 other, which is the rcafon they are often at War, and that with lb much 

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

 Tnrkie. They are 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 fécond Province is that of Mengrelia, arid the King of this Province is call'd the 

 King of Dadian. 



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

 of Guriel. 



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

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



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

 affection 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, fhook off the Yoke of the King of Bajjk- 

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

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

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

 fuch a certain quantity of Iron, upon condition that if the King of BaJfaSbiouk_{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 Batfa-Shiouk^ coynes money of the fame bignefs arid weight with that 

 of the King of Per fia,. But in regard it is not lb fine metal as that of the King of Perfia, 

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

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

 Perfia'i name upon the Coyn as well as his own, which makes it pafs without any diffi- 

 culty. He would alio put the Grand Signor's, Name upon his Coyn, but that the Tnr\ 

 coynes none but fmall money, or Affers, excepting only feme Ducatts which he coines 

 ar Cairo. The King of Bajfa-Sbionk^, as well as the King of T tfiis coynes all fort of 

 forreign money. 



Thefe three Kings of Baffa-Shioukjy Mengrelia and Guriel, are Chriftians alfo. 

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

 Bifhops , Priefts and Monks : not fo much to fight as to encourage the Souldiers. 



Being -&t Constantinople the firft time I travell'd into Perfa I law there anEmbaffa- 

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

 ter. The Prefent which he made the Grand-Signer 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 Vaffals more left. He was a man of prefence but no 

 wit : and every time he went to vifit the Grand-Vifier, he prefum'd to wear the white 

 Bonnet which all the Frank* wonder'd at ; when they law 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 conftrainM to turn Mahumetan. By which it was apparent how much the 

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

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

 but upon the leaft word prefently draw befides that there is nothing to be got by 

 provoking them. 



This Embaffadour going once upon a vifit into the Country, returning home was 



furpriz'd 



