Chap. X. of Monfieur Tavernier. 



One day it happen'd that there was a great hubbub in one of thofe houfes of 

 debauchery, where the woman had proftituted her own Daughter. The King in- 

 form'd of it, commanded the Mother to be thrown headlong from a Tower : and 

 that the Daughter mould be torn a pieces by his doggs, which he keeps a purpofè 

 for fuch chaftilèments. 



Above all things there is an extraordinary care taken for the (ècurity of the 

 High-ways. For which purpofe guards are fet at convenient diitances, who are 

 ready to purfue upon the leaft noifè of a Robbery, and who examin people whence 

 they come and whither they go. If they anfwer not as they fhould,or trip in their 

 Aniwers, they carry them before the next Governor. Thofé Radars are fo polled 

 over all Ptrfa, that you need no more then fend to the places where they keep 

 Itation, to know what is become of any perfon that has committed a crime. For it 

 is impofiible to fcape, all the Pâlies are Co well guarded. If any one endeavours 

 to travel through the Mountains or unfrequented roads, then the Radars who are 

 in all places, feize /uch perfuns upon fufpition, for not taking the direct 

 road. 



As the Caravan was one day fetting out from Tamis for lfpahanp poor fellow took 

 an occafion to rob a Cloak-bag during the hurly burly of packing up,and fled crofs 

 the fields not knowing his way : the Merchant miffing his goods,complain'd to the 

 Governour who having fought for him in vain, fent order to the Guards of the 

 High-ways, to make a ftrid: examination, and to (end the perfbn to him fo foon 

 as they had feiz'd him. In a lhort time the Thief was conîtrain'd to forfake his 

 Cloak-bag and to come a thwart the fields for water. Who being examin'd by the 

 Radars why he came alone by fuch a by way, and not knowing what to anfwer, 

 was carri'd to the Governour. He was foon convicted and condemned to death, 

 for Thieves find no mercy in Perfia. Only they are varioufly put to death. For 

 fometimes they are ty'd to a Camels tayl bv the feet, and their bellies rip't open. 

 Sometimes they are buried alive all but their heads, and ftarv'd to death : in 

 which torment they will fometimes defire a Paffenger to cut off their heads ; 

 though it be a kindnefs forbidden by the Law. But the moft cruel punifhment of 

 all, is when they fet the Thief a Horfe-back, with his extended Arms faften'd to a 

 long ftick behind : then larding him with lighted Candles, they fuifer the Candles 

 to burn into his very bowels. Another and I met two in this mifery., who defir'd 

 us to haften their deaths, which we durft not do, only we gave them a Pipe of 

 Tobacco according to their defire. 



As for thofe that fteal in Cities, they tye them by the heels to the tayl of a Ca- 

 mel., and rip up their bellies : and then as the Camel drags the poor creature along 

 the ftreets, while one goes before him crying, The King has pHniJtfd him for fuch 

 a crime. If yet he be not dead,they hang him upon the next tree. 



The Radars have little wages, which makes them ufe their Rhetoric to gee 

 what honeftly they can out of the Travellers, to whom they tell long ftories of 

 their care for the fecurity of the high-ways. 



If it happen that a Merchant be rob'd, the Governour of the Province is to 

 make good to the Merchant whatever he. has loft, according as he fhall make out 

 by his Oath or his Book. Nor dare the Governors deny fatisfa&ion, fearing a 

 complaint at Ifpahan: I my felf was rob'd of two Bales of goods, between Lor 

 and Schiras, to the value of 1400 Piafters, but upon complaint to the Governour 

 upon my own oath and (hewing him my Book, he pay'd me all my lofs in gold, 

 and gave me a prefent in wine befides. 



The Pofts or Shappars are thofe that carry the Kings difpatches to the Gover- 

 nours of Provinces. When they are fent any whither, the Kings Efquire finds 

 them a Horfe. and a man that runs to the end of the Stage, to bring him back 

 again. If thefe Curriers meet a Horfeman upon the road, they have power to dis- 

 mount him, if their own be not fo good, or be tyr'd : and the Horfeman mult en 

 ther run after his Horfe, or fend fome body to the end of the Stage. Sometimes 

 thefe Curriers' abufing their power, within a quarter of an hour after they have 

 chang'd their Horfe, if they meet another better mounted, they will take 

 away his Horfe too. Nor dares the Horfeman refift, though he be never fb much 

 too ftrong ; for there is no pardon for them that lay fo much as a finger upon one 

 Of thefe Shappars -, at other times they will pretend to take away a mans Horfè 



