ERIVAN. 
199 
the poorest order of people, are now the sole occupants of this 
once-famous citj. The first of these interesting places, I deter¬ 
mined on visiting; as it did not lie far from the road I should 
take on leaving Erivan. The lake of the province, may also 
be regarded as a less perishable memorial of the celebrated times 
of antiquity; for we can hardly doubt that it is the Palus Lych- 
nites of Ptolemy. It now bears the name of the province, or is 
called the lake of Sevan. Its farthest, or north-western extre¬ 
mity, (whence issues the Zengay river,) lies about six wersts 
north-east of the town. Its circumference is within thirty 
miles, the banks of the lake being almost entirely surrounded 
by mountains, which shelve down into the vast rocky basin that 
contains it. The waters are clear, with a peculiarly blue cast; 
are extremely heavy, and abound in several varieties of fine fish. 
At the northern end of the lake, a small romantic island is seen 
not far from the shore. It is surmounted with a venerable old 
building, the residence of twenty monks of the Armenian 
church. 
Erivan being the first place of authority, at which I had 
arrived since I passed the frontiers into Persian jurisdiction; 
and, as I had dispatched my Goumri escort on finding myself 
beyond the Turkish lines; it was necessary I should apply to the 
governor of this province, for the usual facilities in undertaking 
a journey to Tabreez. With this view, soon after my arrival I 
sent to the Sardar, to know at what time I might have the 
honour of waiting upon him. The following morning was 
named; and I did not fail at the appointed hour. A person 
was sent to conduct me; and mounting my horse, I followed 
my guide through a variety of narrow wretched streets, till we 
arrived at the fortress; where, on passing the gates, I saw no 
