ISO 
PRODUCTIONS OF T1FLIS. 
to incur the cruel torments denounced by these spirits on any 
rash mortal who should dare to explore their haunts. 
During my stay at Tiflis, the weather, which was almost one 
continued rain, proved very unfavourable to my wish of penetrat¬ 
ing any depth into the fine province of Kahetia, the celebrated 
Albania of the ancients. However, what I did see, more than 
answered the images impressed on my imagination, by the repre¬ 
sentations I had received of the abundant beauties of its valleys. 
The hills, and even mountains are clothed with the finest woods, 
consisting of oak, ash, chestnut, beech, and elm, intermixed with 
a thousand peculiarly favoured spots, (as if the benign spirits of 
these more genial regions had here planted their own little secret 
gardens,) producing the most delicious grapes, though wild, and 
fruits of the choicest flavour. The wines, both red and white, 
which are made from these natural vineyards, have always been 
esteemed for softness, lightness and delicacy of taste, beyond 
those of any other district in the province of Georgia. The 
valleys of Kahetia are abundant in hemp, flax, rice, millet, 
barley, and wheat; and with so little trouble to the occupier of 
the soil, it might almost be said, they grow spontaneously. 
Pheasants, wild fowl of every kind, antelopes, and deer, sheep, 
and all sorts of domestic cattle, enrich these luxuriantly-pas¬ 
tured vales. The rivers, too, add their tribute of plenty to the 
ample stores of nature. And, to wind up the climax of such a 
prodigality of blessings, (for all the treasures of the mineral 
World may be found in the hearts of its mountains,) the climate 
is delightful. Indeed, heaven seems to have drawn to this 
happy spot the essence of all that is necessary to the wants of 
man. But, alas ! the man which has been placed in this earthly 
paradise, to keep, to dress, and to enjoy it, has neither the will 
