Chap.XIV. of Monfîeur Tavernier. 175 



the end he might defraud his Father and his Brethren of their Eftate, according to 

 Halyh Law, already mention'd. But after he had fpent good part of the Goods 

 in Debauchery , he return'd to the Three Churches , where the Grand Patriarch 

 liv'd , to be abiolv'd from his Fault -, but the Patriarch telling him he muft go to the 

 Bifhop of Smyrna , he went accordingly \ and in fome few days after he had under- 

 gone the Penance enjoyn'd him , he went to the Cadi , and with a great Resolution," 

 Sir f faid he , you know that fome years fince I turned Mahometan -, now I come to 

 declare before ye that I have relented , and do repent of the foul Crime I committed, 

 when I deny'd the Saviour of the World, and embraced your wicked Law. The Cadi, who 

 thought it had been at firft only fome evaporation of Extravagance , endeavour'd 

 to reclaim him by fair words and promifes -, but when he heard him perfift in his 

 refolution, when he heard him curie and blafpheme Mahomet , he caus'd him to be 

 carry'd to the Piaz.z,a, where he was cut to pieces immediately. For no perlons go 

 with more courage and joy to Suffer for their Faith, then the Armenians. 



In the year 1,65 i there happen'd to be a Wedding between a young Turk, and 

 a Virgin of the fame Nation. To this Wedding was invited an Armenian Lady, 

 who was a great friend of the Bridegroom's Mother. The Armenian had an only Son 

 of about twelve years of age , that earneftly defir'd to go along with her -, at firft 

 (he refus'd him, knowing that after the age of five or fix years, no Youth is permitted 

 to be in company with the Turkijh Women or Maids. But the Boy ftill preffing his 

 Mother, and being Seconded by an Aunt, who to pleaSe her Nephew, told her She 

 might let him go in Girls Apparel-, at laft the indulgent Mother, over-rul'd by 

 the importunity of the Child, took him along with her in a female drefs. Three days 

 the Solemnity of the Turkifh Weddings laft: but the very firft day, an old Gipfy- 

 Turk^ cafting her Eye upon the young Armenian , and finding him too Sparkifh and 

 too nimble fora Girl, SuSpected his Sex :, and calling his Mother afide, told her, that 

 by all the geftures and actions of the Child , She could be no Girl, but a Boy in diS- 

 guiSe. The Mother not only deny'd the matter , but alio Seem'd highly offended 

 at the old Womans SuSpition-, who as much incens'd to have her judgment que- 

 ftion'd , decoy'd the Child among the Eunuchs of the Family, and caus'd him to be 

 fearch'd } and finding her Self in the right, fpred it prefently about the houSe. Im- 

 mediately the people cry'd that the Chambers were defil'd , that the Armenian Lady 

 had done it in derifion of their Law *, and Seizing Mother, Aunt, and Youth , carry'd 

 them all before the Baflia , demanding Juftice. The Bafha diSmiSs'd the Mother 

 and the Aunt , but kept the Youth Six or Sev'n days , hoping the rage of the people 

 would be over. But in vain he ftrove to plead for the Child , though the Father 

 offer'd them half the weight of him in Gold, for the Bafha was fore'd to deliver him 

 up into the hands of the marry 'd Womans kindred \ who carry'd the Child to the 

 Market-place of the City, where they ftript him ftark naked - , and firft they flea'd 

 him from his Neck behind down to the Waft , and So left him with a Guard upon 

 him all night. The Cadi and MoullaWs exhorted the Child to turn Mahometan , and 

 they would preferve him from further mifchief. His Mother beg'd him to have pity 

 upon her and himfelf , and to turn Mahometan to Save his life. But neither tears, 

 nor all the tender words that grief and affection could infpire , could Shake the con- 

 ftancy of the Infant, who with a refolute utterance anSwer'd , that he had hitherto 

 fuffer'd, and ftill would Suffer patiently -, and that nothing griev'dhim, but that his 

 Mother Should exhort him to deny his Saviour. Next day the pitileSs Turks came 

 and flea'd all his Breaft and his Stomach , and So left him all night under a Guard, 

 intending to have flea'd him part by part every day. But the Bajha abhorring 

 their Cruelty , came the next day with his Guards , and caus'd his Head to be. 

 cut off. 



Van is a City peopl'd as well with ^Armenians as Turks ; So that it is a uSual 

 thing for the Armenian and Turhifb Boys to play together. One day it unfortu- 

 nately fell out, that the Boys playing one among another, and flinging Stones at each 

 other, an Armenian Boy hit a young Turl^fuW upon the Temples, and ftrook him 

 dead. Prefently the other Turkifh Boys and the Rabble feiz'd him, and carry'd him 

 to the Bafha ; the Father and Mother of the Child (lain follow'd with hideous out- 

 crys , bawling for juftice , or that the Boy Should turn Mahometan to expiate his 

 fault. The Armenian Parents offer'd a large Sum of Money to redeem their Child ^ 

 but the adverfe party obftinate againft all accommodation,the Bafha was conftrain'd to 



" ' " deliver 



