260 
ZAVIEH. 
can be imagined, from which we did not escape until the day began to 
dawn, when we regained our road, close to a large stream of water 
that was perfectly salt. 
From Shireenabad we continued to travel over the desert until we 
reached Zavieh, a large village, surrounded by numerous others, and by a 
corresponding extent of cultivation. Here we found a small house, 
built for the convenience of the King, who frequently comes thus far 
from Teheran, on hunting excursions. In consequence of my illness, I 
was permitted to take possession of it by the chief man of the village, 
who himself helped me off my mule, showed me into my room, en¬ 
quired with apparent concern after my health, and treated me with a 
degree of attention and politeness, that could not have been surpassed 
in the most civilised part of the world. My habitation consisted of one 
large principal room, with an arched roof, surrounded by several infe¬ 
rior apartments for servants. The windows opened with heavy wooden 
sashes, upon a small garden, through which ran a stream of clear water, 
in a channel of brick, on both sides of which were sown flowers and 
vegetables. 
We successively travelled from Zavieh to Amrabad, and then to 
Kushek, a long march of twenty miles, over a barren track; through 
which leads the road from Ispahan to Tabriz, and which we crossed, 
a few miles after leaving Amrabad. Kushek afforded us a fine view 
of Demawend, bearing N. 71° E., rising conspicuous above the other 
mountains, by which it is surrounded. On the 4th of June we pitched 
at Biwaran, situated on a remarkable hill, and on that account looking 
like a Turkish village, because the Turks generally build on a rising 
ground, whilst the Persians are fond of the plain. After passing the 
village of Gulek, on the road from Kushek, we crossed a stream, flow¬ 
ing from north to south; and close to Biwaran was another stream, 
called the Bend Omar. 
Thus far, although the exterior face of the country was destitute of 
interest, yet we travelled onwards without the smallest impediment. 
The Governors of the different districts through which we had passed 
