Chap. IX. of Monfieur Tavernier. 2 1 y 



refolv'd to force 'em to turn Mahumetans. But AU-Couli-K an t being a Georgia*} 

 repenting that lie had rais'd the Kings indignation to To high a pitch, and not be- 

 lieving it would be any" advantage to him for the Armenians to turn Mahometans, 

 contented himfelf only with frighting them/which was enough to bring the Arme- 

 nians upon their knees, and to make them come and beg the Intercelfion of his 

 authority. Which favour, as he order'd it, coft the Armenians ten thoufand To- 

 mans to the King, and four or five thoufand Tomans to his Favourite. 



The 23. of September i6jj. the King made a Cavalcade, then which there could 

 be nothing imagin'd more magnificent. All the richeft Furniture was brought out 

 of the Exchequer into the Meydan. The golden buckets to water the Horles. The 

 golden Fat out of which they take the water, together with the' buckles, harnefè 

 and nails of gold, to which the Horfes are ty'd. After the King had play'd at 

 Mall, as I have already defcrib'd, and had alio mot at the Goblet upon the top of 

 the Maft in the middle of the Meydan, he went and fate in the Divan, which is 

 oyer the Gate call'd AH Capi, where he had the paftime to fee Lyons, Bulls, 

 Bears, Tygresand RanïslîgÏÏt. But that which was moft admirable, was to (èe a 

 m m ftand upright upon the Saddle while the horfe ran full fpeed, which he did 

 tfhree times the whole length of the Meydan. The firft time, 'tis true, he fell,but 

 the two laft times he ftood firm. 



On day the fame ALi-Couli-Kan prefented two handfom Youths to the King, 

 which had both delicate voices. The King hearing them fing, was very much 

 troubFd that he could not make ufe of them in his Haram, which Ali-Conli-Kan- 

 ob(èrving, fènt for a French Chirurgeon, and promis'd him a great reward if he 

 coiud cut the youths and fave their lives. The Chirurgeon for lucre of a large 

 recompence, cut them both and cur'd em very well. Which done , AU-Coali- 

 Kan, prefented the two youths to the King, who was furpriz'd' to fee them, bût 

 was well pleas'd that he had got two fuch new attendants in his Haram. But fee 

 the reward of fuch a wicked a&ion. AH-Couli-Kan dy'd foon after. The Chir- 

 urgeon never was pay'd : and being advis'd to prefent a Petition to the King by 

 the Meter, the Meter ask'd him whither he would turn Mahometan : which when 

 the Chirurgeon denyM to do, the Meter bid him be gone like a Rafcal, telling' 

 him withall that he did not think the Religion of the Chriftians had permitted 

 fuch acfts of villany.The two youths were born at Cajhzn^wà. had both Fathers and 

 Mothers, and were promis'd in Marriage. When their Parents heard of it, they 

 came to Ifpahan, to weep over their Children. Which the King oblerving, te* 

 apptafe their forrow, gave them a Penfion during life. 



; . , ; . — 



C K A P. IX, 

 Of the Government of Perfia, 



■ . 



■ : ■ ■ ' 1 1 ■ 



TH E Government of Perfia is purely Defpotick or Tyrannical. For the King 

 has the fole powre of life and death over all his Subjects^ independent from 

 his Council, and without any Trials or Law-proceedings. He can put to what 

 death he pleafes the chief Lords of the Kingdom, no man daring to difputethe 

 reafon : nor is there any Soveraign in the world more abfolute then the King of 

 Perfia. , 



The King deceafing and leaving Male Ilfue behind him, the Eldeft afcends the 

 Throne, while his Brothers are kept in the Haram,and their eyes are put out: and if 

 there be the leaft fufpicion of any contrivance againft the King, they are forth- 

 with put to death without any farther examination. And not only they, but the 

 Children alfo of theKings Brothers and Sifters.I remember when I firft traveU'd in- 

 to Perfia, they were not fo rigorous, but were contented to move a red hot iron 

 to and fro before their eyes. But Sha-Sef perceiving his command had bin neg- 

 ligently executed, and that the poor unhappy Princes had fome fight left them, 



D d he 



