Book IIL 
B6z Sir John Chardin'^ Travels 
CHAPTER II. 
Containing Travels through the Empire of Perfia, and the Pro- 
vinces depending thereon ; with a large Account of their Climate, 
Soil, and Produce, the Conftitution of the Empire, and Nature of 
the Shah’s Government, the Laws, Manners, Religion, Commerce, 
Diverfions, not only of the native Verfians^ but of the feveral 
Nations living in their Country, and fubje^f to the Shah, with a 
brief Account of the late Revolutions in that Empire, 
SECTION I. 
The Travels of Sir J o h n Chardin, by the 'Way of the Black-Sea^ through the 
Countries of Circajjia^ Mingrelia^ the Country of the Abcas ; Georgia^ Armenia, 
and Media into Perfia Proper ; with a very curious and accurate Account not only of 
the Countries through which he travelled, but of the Manners and Cuftoms, Reli- 
gion and Government, Commerce and Inclinations of the feveral Nations that in- 
habit them ; Relations fo much the more curious, as thefe Countries, and the Peo- 
ple dwelling in them, had not been tollerably defcribed before by any Author. 
2. A fuccinSi IntroduSiory Account of the worthy Perfon by whom thefe travels were written^ of the Va- 
lue of them, and of the peculiar Excellencies by which they are dijiinguijked. 2. An Account of the 
Thracian Bofphoms, of the delightful ProfpeBs in failing through it, and the beautiful Countries 
upon the Coaft. 3. The Author's Arrival at Caffa, a Defcription of the Country of the Crim Tartars, 
and of the Condition, Cuftoms, and Manners of that Nation. 4. Phe Cherks, Abcas, and other bar- 
barous Nations that however file themfelves Chriftians, largely defcribed, with feme very curious Re- 
marks on the State and Strength of thofe Nations. 5. A more particular Relation of the Mingrelians, 
Cara Cherks, or Black Circaffians, and other Inhabitaiits of that Country, known to the Ancients by 
the Name ^Colchis. 6. Phe large and fruitful Country of Mingrelia exaMy defcribed, with a View of 
the Gover?mient, Forces, Way of Living, and diffolute Manners of all Ranks and Degrees of People who 
inhabit it. 7. Of the terrible Corruption, in Point of Religion, which reigns amongfi them, and from 
whence it appears to be a wild and extravagant Mixture of Atheifm and Superftition, kept up by the 
Arts and Frauds of their Priefls, who are little better than Cheats andjuglers. ^ 8. Phe Principality 
of Guriel, and the Kingdom of Imeretta, anciently called Iberia, with the Countries adjacent, defcribed, 
and the Ma?mer in which they loft their Independency, and became Pributaries to the Turks. 9. Phe Au- 
thor continues his fourney through Mingrelia, is prefent at the Ceremony of^ Baptizing two Children, 
of which he gives a large and particular Account. 10. Phe famous Mountain Caucafus defcribed, and 
a View of the Condition of its prefent Inhabitants, \i. A large and circumftantial Detail of the 
Country and Inhabitants of Gtoxgi^i, with a Defcription of the capital City of Tefflis, and the State of 
Roman Catholick Miffionaries in that Country. 12. Phe Author's Pravels through the Countries, at 
the Foot of Mount Taurus, forming a little Principality inhabited by the ColTacs. 13. An Account of 
the famous City ^Erivan, and of the Country c?/ Armenia, of which it is the Capital, as well as of the Peo- 
ple who inhabit it. 14. A Digreffion concerning the Marriages of the Perfians, and the Reafons why 
Divorces, though lawful among ft them, are feldom praAifed. 15. Phe Author's fubfequent Obfervations 
in his Pravels through Armenia, and of the Fortreffes ereSled to prevent the Incurfions of the Turks. 
16. Of the noble Province of Azei'beyan, anciently called Media, with an Account of a fpurious Kind 
of Cochineal prepared by the Inhabitants. 17. A Defcription of the large populous and magnificent 
City of Tauris, the prodigious Fertility of the Country round about it, and a Comparifen between the 
different Climates Media andVdxxIm., with many other curious Particulars. 18. A Defcription of 
the laft-mentioned Province, and of the Cities of Ebher and Casbin, in the Neighbourhood of which 
grow the fineft Grapes in the World, 19. An Account of the famous City of Rey, formerly one of the 
largefi in AIvx, of which there are now fear ce any Ruins remaining. 20. Phe City of Com and the 
glorious 
