ARZ-ROUM TO AMASIA. 
339 
6f government; notwithstanding our boyouroultee or public orders, 
(and others more immediately from the Musselim of Carahissar , in 
whose jurisdiction the place is) we were obliged to comply. Yet the 
horses for which we had paid so largely and unusually were too bad to 
Carry us further than twelve miles; we were obliged therefore to un¬ 
load the baggage, and rest them on a fine pasturage in an open part of 
the mountains. Our course had been N. 50 W. During our ride 
we traversed forests of pine trees, (intermixed with hazels, oak-bushes, 
and a variety of other plants) here and there forming most beau¬ 
tiful pictures. In some places the wood had been burnt down; and 
the countrymen were ploughing the land between the old trunks, 
where probably they would sow rye. The people here cut their trees 
about five feet from the ground, burning them a little, and then apply¬ 
ing the hatchet. 
3d. We had not however long taken possession of our station, and 
our cattle had not long indulged on the fat pasture that extended itself 
around, before a party of armed Turks, some on horseback and some 
on foot, came to us and desired us to withdraw our horses from the 
grass, for it was the property of their village. This startled the Per¬ 
sians, who swore that the grass was common property, for that it was the 
gift of God, and that their horses had as much right to feed upon it as 
any other: the Turks, however, soon made them understand, that the 
usages of their several countries differed in this respect: one of them 
at the same time remarking, ** You might as truly say, that corn, goats, 
“ cows, and sheep are common property, for they are all, as well as 
“ grass, the gifts of God.” The peasants here indeed take much 
pains with their grass, which they cut and dry into hay, and store up for 
the winter', whereas in Persia, grass is unappropriated; and even barley 
is open to the King’s people; for we used to turn our horses into the 
barley fields, where, in the King’s name and right, they devoured all 
around, while the poor cultivator did not dare to say a word to us. We 
were no longer in Persia, and therefore obeyed the summons; and de¬ 
parted an hour after sunset to seek a fresh pasturage, 
x x 2 
