Chap. VI of Monfieur Ta vernier. 213 



a Mine of Talk, Stone, Allum, and Coles,but of neither fo good as in other Coun- 

 tries. He was fo obftinate in the fearth of Metals, that if any perfbn had an occa- 

 ilon to fpeak with him, let him be never fb bufie npon never 16 important affairs, 

 it was enough to bring him fbme ftones of a fuppofed Mine, or fbmechmg rare ei- 

 ther for Colour, Figure or Weight. He alfo gave full power to them that broughe 

 him any tidings of a Mine to go to the place, End to prefs the Countrymen from • 

 their labour to dig in the Mountains and break up rocks : and if they found no- 

 thing he caft the fault upon the ignorance of the Labourers. 



He alfo applyM himfelf to the ftudy of Mechanic Motions. He would have A.j 

 found an Invention, Whereby the half Vail that hangs in the Kings Mcgeler , or -PM^r-M 

 Council Chamber, and is drawn to and fro by certain Officers in the Summer, to 

 gather the cool Air, mould have bin made by Engine-work. Then he took a fan- 

 cy for water Engines, the moft neceffary thing in the world for Perjia to relieve 

 the drowth of the Country, but wanting neceffaries, as Beams, Rafters, Wheel- 

 work, Cordage and Iron, he could not begin thofe Engines, the figures whereof 

 La Chapdlc had left him in a Book. 



But as Mahofhet Beg was ftudious in thefè things, fo was he Ambitious and Re- 

 vengeful to that height that he could not obferve a moderation in his refentment 

 againft thofe that had given him any diftafte. In his height of PafTion he caus'd 

 feveral Kans to be depriv'd of their Provinces, and by eonifcating their Efhtes 

 reduc'd them to utmoft necelTity. 



TheAT^ of Erivan had a Son who was a lovely and a well proportion'd Gentle- 

 man, and always attended at the Kings Elbow.One day that the King was drinking 

 with fome Lords, he commanded the Kan of Erivans Son to carry a Gold Cap 

 full of Wine to the Atbzmadoulet, who perceiving that he had enough already, 

 made a fign with his eye to the young Lord to return it back. The young Lord 

 palling by the King told him ingenioufly that the Atbemadottket, had rib dcfire to 

 drink, whereupon the King commanded him to go and powre the Wine into his: 

 bofome. As the one was oblig'd to obey, the Atbemadmlet was forc'd to fuf- 

 fer, and to permit the young man to open his bofome and powre down the 

 Wine ; for not daring to fhevv his Anger, he was forc'd to diffemble the beft he 

 could for that time. But having refolv'd to revenge the affront upon the Kanoî 

 Ertvan Father of the young Lord, who had only done what the King command- 

 ed him, he refolv'd to lay hold upon the opportunity that prefented it felf,know- 

 ing that there were feveral complains come againft him from the Armenians of 

 Erivan. Thereupon the Athemadonlet fends for the Kclonrer, encourages him in 

 his fuit, and gives him inftructions how to proceed. To this end Mahomet 

 Beg appoints him to meet him fuch an hour at the Kings Stables, whither the 

 King prefently coming, the Kelonter threw himfelf at the Kings feet, and be- 

 fought him for Juftice againft the Kan of Erivans oppre liions : while Mahomet 

 Beg fail'd not to heap up aggravations againft the Governour, and the King, 

 though he had heard but one fide,as eafily condemn'd him upon the Accufation of 

 the Kelonter and his Prime Minifter. Thereupon an Officer of the Kings , calPd 

 Negef-CouU-Beg, a man of a quick and active fpirit was commanded to go in all 

 hafte, and feize upon the Perfon of the Kan. Who being come to Erivan found 

 him upon his feat of Juftice, confifcating and condemning to fine and Corporal 

 punifhment a near Kinfman of the Kelonters. The Meflenger boldly enter'd into 

 the Megeler or Council Chamber, goes dire&ly to the Kan, told him he was the 

 Kings prifner, and gave him a blow with his fift upon the neck, about which he 

 was to wear the Triangle of great thick pieces of wood already deferib'd, into 

 which the neck is enclos'd, while the Arms and Hands of the Prifner are put 

 through another piece of wood that croffes the Triangle, which is a great pain to 

 the Prifner. Thus was the Kan carry'd night and day to Ifpaban, but when he 

 came there the King fhew'd him more mercy, and allowed him his houfe for a 

 prifon, yet not fuffering him to go to the Bath, nor to (have his hair, nor to ftir 

 out of the Apartment where his women were. Thefe are penalties impos'd upon 

 thofe that fall into dilgrace at Court, whom the King fhuts up in their houfès, in- 

 tending no feverer punifhment. For the Kan being belov'd by the King wasre- 

 ftor'd to his favour, and to his former charge of fuperintendant of the Kings 

 Aîefquee. 



G c 2 Neither 



