Chap.XVXII. of Monfieur Tavernul 243 



time the fèrvants are very diligent to bring every man his fhoes, in hopes of fome 

 little piece of filver. 



The Armenians entertain their friends in the fame manner j only that they be- 

 gin their Feafts with a cup of ftrong water, and fome fweet-meats, after which 

 they give a couple of hard Eggs to every one of the guefts. The Perfians alfo have 

 foon done, but the Armenians eat fwift, and a long time without drinking, which 

 they never do till the end of the meal. After they have given thanks and taken 

 away the cloth, then they fall to drinking to excels. He that gives the enter- 

 tainment never thinks he has done well, till his guefts are not able to find the way 

 out of the room, and the more they tumble about the room, the lefs he thinks 

 he has fpent his money in vain. 



To conclude, the Perfians are very G entile,and afford their victuals with a free- 

 will to all that will come and eat with them at Supper time : admiring at the 

 cuftome of the Franks, who (hut their doors when they fit down to their 

 meals. 



CHAP. XVIII. 

 Of the Marriages of the Perfians. 



THe Perfians betroth their Children very young, that is at nine or ten years 3 

 but among the Armenians there are fome marry'd and lye together at five 

 or fix. The Law of Mahomet allows them but four lawful Wives, whom they 

 call Nekya. But there are others whom they call Amoutha or hir'd women, and 

 of whom they may have as many as they can keep, and for fo long time as they 

 pleafe, which is ratified by the allowance of the Judg. They may alfo enjoy the 

 Slaves whom they purchafè. The Children both of the one and the other are ac- 

 compted lawful, and inherit all alike, without the diitinction 6f Elder or Youngerj 

 but two Daughters can have but the fhare of one boy. When the womans time 

 that was hir'd is out, the man difmifTes her, and fhe is oblig'd to ftay forty days 

 before (he engage again, that it may appear whither fhe be with Child or 

 no. 



The man gives to the woman that he marries a Dowry affign'd upon his Eftate, 

 and fends her money and filks to make her cloaths. The maid alfo fends fomething 

 to him , but very little, and all by the interposition and intercourfe of the women* 

 For the two parties never fee one another. Upon the wedding day, they fend to 

 the Bridegrooms houfe, by the found of Drums and Trumpets, certain Horfes and 

 Men laden with the Brides goods, which is many times done out of vain-glory^ 

 and more for (hew then fubftance. The Bridegroom is led a foot, attended by fe- 

 veral women with Tapers in their hands, and a noife of Drums and other Inftru- 

 ments marching before them. Being come to the door of the Bridegrooms Houfe, 

 if he have promis'd a larger Dowry to the woman then he is able or willicg to 

 give, he keeps his door fhut. The Parents of the Maid knock, and he declares he 

 will not have her at that price. But at length after fome contefts on both fides 

 ihey agree, and the Virgin enters with her Mother and all her Kindred. Then the 

 Moullah reads the conditions of Marriage ; which being done, the women retire 

 into the inner part of the Houfe, the men feafting by themfelves^nd the women by 

 themfelves. 



This is all that is done upon the Wedding-day, but the following days are not al- 

 ways fo pleafing, and it often follows that both parties do not agree, or that the 

 husband mifufes his wife. Then the woman that requires feparation, requires the 

 Dowry promis'd her by her husband : which the man oft-times refufes and if fhe 

 perfifts in her demandas many times fo feverely us'd by him,that fhe is conftrain'd 

 to cryj'th Devils name let me goj demand nothing of thee.Then they both repair to 

 the Cafiy or Cheit-Lefloon, who is a Doctor of the Law, and in his prefence 

 they difcharge one another. This they may do by their Law three times. 



G g After 



