'Collections of travels through Turky into Persia, and the East Indies. Giving an account of the present state of those countries, as also a full relation of the five years wars, between Aureng-Zebe and his brothers in their father's life time, about the succession. And a voyage made by the Great Mogul (Aureng-Zebe) with his Army from Dehli to Lahor, from Lahor to Bember, and from thence to the Kingdom of Kachemire, by the Mogols, call'd, the Paradise of the Indies. Together with a relation of the Kingdom of Japan and Tunkin, and of their particular manners and trade. To which is added a new description of the Grand Seignior's Seraglio, and also of all the Kingdoms that encompass the Euxine and Caspian Seas, being the travels of Monsieur TavernierBernier, and other great men.' [‎212] (245/1024)

The Persian Travels Book V.
CHAP. VI.
Of the misfortune of Mahomet Beg in the reign of Sha-Abbas
thefecond.
\ /
M Ahomet ¥>eg was born at Tauris, the Son of a Taylor, who bred him a Scho
lar.- He had a quick apprehenfion, and was naturally endin’d tovertuei
and being defirous to advance himfdf in the world, he had the good luck to ob
tain the employment of Major-Bajhi, or chief of the EiTayers and Refiners of Mo
ney, who has a power to vifit all places where money is ccyn’d. After that, he
became acquainted with the Aila Verdi Beg, or Mr. Godfgift^ the Kings chief
Huntfman, by the title o£Mert-Shebgr-Bafhi) who gladly prefented him to the
King, to whom the King was very thankful, fo foon as he had founcfthe noble Qua*
lities of the perfon he had prefented. Thereupon fb foon as Mahomet grand
Matter of the Kings Houfe dy’d, the King beftow’d that Employment upon Maho
met Beg) who not only gain’d the favour of his Majefty, but the good will of all
the Lords of the Court. He had a great refpedf for them all, without medling
with any of their employments, and fuppreft his revengeful fpirit, not finding it
feafonable as yet to difclofc his paffions.
Kalife Sultan at that time Athemadoukt hapning to dye, the King conferr’d
that place upon Mahomet Beg) who at firfl: behav’d himlelfin that employment to
the fatisfa&ion of all men. He apply’d himfelf particularly to the fearching out
of Mines v for there had a report ran among the people for many years, that if
certain mountains nine or ten miles from Ifpahan toward the Weft were well -
digg’d into, there might be found ftore of Gold, Silver and Copper. To which
purpofe he made ufe of a Norman^ whofe name was La Chapelle de Han) who
vanted at that time to have great skill in Chymiftry, Mines and Minerals, for which
reafon he was recommended by the Governor of Ifpahan to the Athemadoulet then
at Cashin with the King, who prefently fent him back again to the Governourto
farnidi him with all things neceffary for hisExpences, and for the work which he
undertook in the Mountains. Thither went La Chapelk) and after fifteen days
toyl return’d to Ijfahan with two or three hunder’d weight of earth, and fet up fur
naces to draw out the metal. The Athemadoulet was fo wife as to give order to
the Governour of Iffahaii) and three or four more perfons of Quality to overview
the Noiman, to fee that he play’d no foul play. But though there was not fo
much as a half peny worth of filver in all the earth from the bottom to the top,
though the Terftans watch’d him fo narrowly as they did, hemade a fbift tolhuf-
fle in an Ahaffi among the earth, as it was in the furnace without being perceiv’d.
Neverthelefs the Athemadoulet) to whom it was carry’d, prefently found out the
cheat, though he took no notice of it, hoping to make better ufe of the Norman
in other things*, only he forbad him to dig any more in that place, in regard the
expence would exceed the profit.
La Chapeth) who was very skilful at putting off his merchandize, and one who
knew to make the beft ufe of the leaft fmackering that he might perhaps have in
Mechanicks, and the power ofMotion, had thecunningto amufe the Athemadottkt
for ten years together, being a paflion ate Lover of new Inventions j and the better
to infjnuate himfelf into the Kings favour aflum’d to himfelf the Invention of feveral
Rarities which he fhew’d the King, who thereupon allow’d him a very handfome
penfion. Thus encourag’d, he undertook to caft Canons, bring the water to the
top of the Kings houfe, and feveral other things, yet when all his defigns fail’d fer
want of Art, and that he found he could do no more good in Perfia) refblving for
India, he dy’d at Ormw,
The Athemadoulet miffing of Gold and Silver Mines, applg’d himfelf to the dif-
covery of Copper Mines, wherein he was more fortunate \ for in thofe Mines he*
alfb found veins of Azure, of which there is a great quantity confum’d in painting
the Grotefco Flourijhes upon the Ceilings and Arches of their Houfes. He alfo found
out a Mine of Lead near Terde : and being ftillupon new difeoveries, he found out