TABRIZ TO ARZ-ROUM. 
307 
Pacha, who was himself on an excursion against the Conrds) returned, 
and told us that the Acting-governor would not receive us into the 
city, nor give us a passage near it; alleging as a reason, that his 
master the Pacha had left strict orders, that during his absence no 
strangers, and particularly no Persians, should be admitted. This 
unexpected news staggered us at first, but at length we determined to 
send one of the Mirza’s own men to exert the influence of his master’s 
station in our favour. We proceeded, following our messenger: the 
road took a turn to N. 30 E. and shewed us once again in a much 
larger exposure than before the stupendous Ararat. It is indeed a 
sublime and almost terrific object. It rises from an immense variety 
of lands; and is covered with snow, and almost always surrounded 
with clouds. 
We stopt at a small Armenian village called Kerdek , (on the left of 
the road, one fursung from Bayazid,) to await the return of our second 
messenger. We did not tarry long, when he appeared, though only to 
confirm the report of his predecessor. The Turks would not suffer him 
even alone to enter the city; for as soon as he approached, they fired 
a musket or two, to convince him that their resistance would not be 
confined to threats; and when he endeavoured to come to a parley, 
they answered him only with ill language and abuse. We determined 
therefore immediately upon taking a circuit to avoid Bayazid ', and 
seeking Ibrahim Pacha himself, from whom we expected a hand¬ 
some reception; as the Persians represented him to me as a vassal of 
their Prince Abbas Mi rza, fearing Him rather than his own sovereign. 
Our road to day averaged N. 10 W. a distance of ten miles; the same 
bearing indeed may be extended to Bayazid, on a further distance of 
four miles. Bayazid, as I learned in its neighbourhood, is situated 
close at the foot of Mount Ararat: it is peopled principally by Ar¬ 
menians. On a hill about it, is a castle, which by its defenders is said 
to be strong; they are very jealous however of the curiosity of a 
Persian. 
r n 2 
