A SACRED VILLAGE. 
O 
branches of the great holy stock, where the most unexampled 
attention was shown to our convenience A principal division 
of the mansion was cleared entirely of its usual inhabitants, and 
the vacated apartments, above and below, appropriated to the 
sole use of ourselves, our people, and our quadrupeds. Every 
sort of provision that the village afforded was at our command, 
and due attendance to prepare and serve it. We were surprised 
by finding the women of the place not only walking about in 
freedom, but completely unveiled, and mixing promiscuously in 
discourse or occupation with the male inhabitants ; neither did 
they retreat from their various domestic employments on our 
near approach. Their features are regular, with dark com¬ 
plexions, and large fine eyes; and their figures are good, with a 
general appearance of cleanliness, a grace not very common 
amongst the lower classes in Persia. The chief cause of such 
humble affluence and manifest content, lies in the sacred village 
being exempted from tribute of any kind. Neither does it 
furnish the customary quota of armed men, demanded on the 
part of government from all less holy districts, to attend the king 
in his wars or annual encampments; and, in addition to these 
privileges, the prince-governor of Shiraz pays a yearly sum of 
forty tomauns towards the repair and decoration of the Iman’s 
tomb. The village is well constructed, clean, and at every point 
shows a flourishing condition. A large tract of garden-ground, 
abundantly stocked, and a corresponding space for corn in as 
favourable cultivation, stretch before the walls. The whole 
southern face of the mountain, wherever practicable, is clothed 
with quantities of grapes ; and every little sheltered spot ren¬ 
dered some way profitable by these industrious people. They 
have not the advantage of even a single stream to assist their 
