STATE OF THE FRANGY ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN. 
427 
parties. Thus does ignorance of their duty, in some of the 
ministers of the church, and a shameless disregard of it in 
others, bring the Christian religion into disrespect, both with 
their own people, and the Mahomedans. For the Persians, 
though they allow themselves, from their own law, the privilege 
of concubinage, are yet aware that the code of no Christian 
sect grants any such licence; and when they see Europeans 
joining these Armenians, in not only breaking the ordinances of 
their faith, but adding to that offence a breach of the law of 
nature, by deserting the offspring of their temporary engage¬ 
ments, the contempt of the more just Mahomedans is the inevit¬ 
able consequence. But these unhappy children of European, un¬ 
christian parents, are likely to have a generous friend in one 
illustrious bosom at least. And, I doubt not, that the charity 
which that admirable Prince and his posterity may show to these 
forlorn ones, will be repaid by a fidelity, and moral usefulness 
on their parts, to draw down blessings on his name and race. 
The persons of the present Armenians of Persia, neither in 
male nor female, possess any thing of the dignity, or sweetness, 
which marks their Persian neighbours. Neither do they show 
the open brightness of countenance, which attracts in the Cir¬ 
cassian ; nor the brave, thoughtful air, that interests in the 
Georgian. So lamentably has neglect quenched their spirit, 
and their consequent self-debasements degraded the aspect of 
their forms and features, they could not be known for the same 
race whose ancestors sat at the same board with Shah Abbas. 
The costume of the men is that generally worn by the Per¬ 
sians. But the women differ considerably in theirs, from the 
fashions of the Mahomedan ladies. The Armenians bind their 
heads with silk handkerchiefs of various colours, the ends falling 
3 i 2 
