HOSSEIN KHAN. 
313 
likely that any of the timid, superstitious inhabitants of these countries 
should have succeeded. We wete informed that people have reached 
the top of the small Ararat (or, as it is called here, Cuchuk Agri dagh) ; 
but as all the account which they brought back was a tale (like that 
told of Savalan), about a frozen man and a cold fountain, we must be 
permitted to disbelieve every report on the subject which we have 
hitherto heard from the natives. 
From Nakhjuwan we travelled over a long and dreary tract to Hok, 
a village which is said to take its name from the quantity of wild 
hogs in its vicinity. This fact and the near resemblance of the words 
hok and hog for the same animal, may justify the inquiry of the phi¬ 
lologist into the connection of the languages. No great reliance how¬ 
ever ought to be placed on such a concurrence; for these solitary and 
accidental resemblances will be found in languages whose general struc¬ 
ture is of very different kinds. This is a small white walled village, 
with few inhabitants, the number having been two years ago consi¬ 
derably lessened by the plague. At about two miles from it under the 
mountains are buildings, which from their resemblance to Persepolitan 
columns, would immediately attract the attention of an eager anti¬ 
quary. They are however nothing but the remains of a Mahomedan 
Mosque. 
From Hok we proceeded to a village called Narashin, situated in the 
district of Sherour. Here we entered upon the territory of Hossein Khan, 
the Serdar (or military Governor) of Erivan, one of the most powerful 
chiefs in Persia, who governs his country with nearly as much authority 
and independence as Abbas Mirza, or any other son of the King. His 
history is in every respect worthy to be recorded, as it peculiarly marks 
the spirit of the government of this country. He may be called the Ali 
Pasha of Persia. He was originally placed at Erivan, to protect the fron¬ 
tier against Russia, but he has so strengthened himself by the vigour of 
his measures and the money he has collected, that he now can bid defiance 
to the power of the King, and confines his submission to very little else 
than words and professions. He exercises the power of life and death 
over his people, and keeps up nearly royal state. Such a personage as 
