TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 103 
should be observed, that the Tahtar couriers chap. 
perform the same in half the computed time, v. 
and sometimes in less than half. We heard coumfy!''' 
fearful tales of the state of the road at Kishan, 
and rumours big with the perilous adventures 
of passengers ; the country being described 
as full of robbers, and the villages as being 
entirely deserted. Some of the inhabitants 
came to us, to make very anxious inquiries 
respecting the condition of Fairy'^. As Kishan 
is a large town, and carries on a con- 
siderable inland commerce, we were very 
diligent in our inquiries among the silversmiths, 
(1) "The Tartars diVQ public couriers, much respected for their 
good conduct and fidelity. Their name by no means indicates their 
origin, as they are taken indiflferently from all the provinces in 
the empire, and are distinguished by the Tartar ca/pac, which they 
wear instead of the turban. They are strong and hardy ; and 
perform their journeys with wonderful celerity. As there is no 
such establishment as a General Post, a certain number of these 
Tartars are attached to the Court, to the army, and to the Governors 
of Provinces, and are occasionally despatched to all parts of the 
empire." — Thornton' s Turkey , vol, I. p. 84. Z/Owrf. 1809. 
(2) " At Kishan, the inhabitants saw the fire at Fairy. There 
are here 1500 houses; and of this number, 400 are tenanted by 
Creeks. The commerce of Kishan is inland : it consists in sup- 
plying the mediterranean districts, by means of caravans, with 
cotton, corn, and tobacco. This is a large town ; and it is in a better 
condition than the other towns of Thrace. Our journey this day, 
by the mariner's compass, was from south-west to north-east." — 
Cripps's MS. Journal. 
