PROVINCE OF KARTELANIA. 
101 
whence only the tops of the hills might be seen. A circum¬ 
scribed prospect, for a summer-palace. But the embattled sides 
of the fortress, which were its protection, would allow no ampler. 
In the centre of the square stands a small wooden church, almost 
falling to the ground. It is now in contemplation to turn the 
palace into quarters for officers in garrison; and to occupy the 
square with barracks and stables, for a new battalion destined 
to this important line of country. 
This part of Georgia is now called the province of Kartelania, 
and was the ancient Iberia. Ptolemy describes it as bordered, 
on the north, by the Sarmatian mountains; to the south, by a 
part of Armenia; to the east, by Albania ; and to the west, by 
Colchis, the present Immeretia. He mentions many of its towns 
and villages. But Strabo, who travelled in these countries, 
speaks yet more decidedly of this being a flourishing, and even 
luxurious state. A dreary and comfortless contrast it now 
exhibits ! A once independent kingdom, reduced to the abject 
situation of a province; and not immediately to the sovereign 
power itself, which might dispense consequence, with near 
union; but through the double vassalage of a medium, being an 
appendage to another subject province, that of Georgia. Wars, 
and invasions from rival neighbours, gradually diminished the 
brave population of this little kingdom ; but their most mortal 
blow, was given by the hands of those amongst them who pos¬ 
sessed ambition, without the manliness to maintain it themselves. 
Like other powers, who, unwittingly, have committed the same 
sort of national suicide, themselves taught the Lesghees, (the 
people who were to be their destruction,) the passes of their 
country. During times of civil discords, the mutual jealousies 
of the Iberian chiefs subsidised bands of these warlike barbarians 
to fight their battles. The way once found, these conquering 
