'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.' [‎243] (276/1024)

Chap. XVIII. o/Monfieur Tavernier. 243
^Tthefervants aie very diligent to bring every man his (hoes, in hopes of fome
little piece of filver. ,
Ihc Armenians entertain their friends in the fame manner, only that they be
gin their Feafts with a cup of ftrong water, and fome fweet-meats, after which
they give a couple of hard Eggs to every one of theguefts. The Perfians alfo have
foon done, but the Armenians eat fwilt, and a long time without drinking, which
they never do till the end of the meal. After they have given thanks and taken
away the cloth, then they fall to drinking to excefs. He that gives the enter
tainment never thinks he has done well, till his guefts are not able to find the way
out of the room, and the more they tumble about the room, the lefs he thinks
he has fpent his money in vain. ^
To conclude, the Perfians are very Gentile, and afford their vidfuals with a free
will to all that will come and eat with them at Supper time: admiring at the
cuftome of the Frank/, who (hut their doors when they fit down to their
meals.
——: 1 : “ ‘ “ ' . r ‘
CHAP. XVIII.
Oftbe Marriages oj the Perfians.
T H E Perfians betroth their Children very young, that is at nine or ten years >
but among the Armenians there are fome marry’d and lye together at five
or fix. The Law of Mahomet allows them but four lawful Wives, whom they
call Ntfya. But there are others whom they call Amoutha or hir’d women, and
of whom they may have as many as they can keep, and for fo long time as they
pleafe, which is ratifi’d by the allowance of the Judg. They may alfo enjoy the
Slaves whom they purchale. The Children both of the one and the other areac-
compted lawful, and inherit all alike, without the diftindionofElder or Younger i
but two Daughters can have but the (hare of one boy. When the womans time
that was hir’d is out, the man difmiffes her, and (he is oblig’d to flay forty days
before (he engage again, that it may appear whither (he be with Child or
no.
The man gives to the woman that he marries a Dowry aflign’d upon his Eftate,
and fends her money and filks to make her cloaths. The maid alfo fends fomething
to him, but very little, and all by theinterpoiition and intercourfe of the women.
For the two parties never fee one another. Upon the wedding day, they fend to
the Bridegrooms houfe, by the found of Drums and Trumpets, certain Holies and
Men laden with the Brides goods, which is many times done out of vain-glory,
and more for (hew then fubftance. The Bridegroom is led a foot, attended by fe- •
veral women with Tapers in their hands, and a noife of Drums and other Inftru-
rrients marching before them. Being come to the door of the Bridegrooms Houfe,
if he have promis’d a larger Dowry to the women then he is able or willing to
give, he keeps his door (hut. The Parents of the Maid knock, and he declares he
will not have her at that price. But at length after fome concerts on both fides
they agree, and the Virgin enters with her Mother and all her Kindred. Then the
Moullabxtids the conditions of Marriages which being done, the Women retire
into the inner part of the Houfe, the men feafting by themfelves, and the women by
themfelves.
This is all that is done upon the Wedding-day, but the following days are not al
ways fo pleafing, and it often follows that both parties do not agree, or that the
husband mifufbs his wife. Then the women that requires feparation, requires the
Dowry promis’d her by her husband : which the man oft-times refufes, and if (he
perfilts in her demand, is many times fo feverely us’d by him, that (he is conftrain’d
to cry, Pth Devils name let me go, 1 demand nothing of thee, T hen they both repair to
the Cafa or Cheit-Lejloon, who is a Doftor of the Law, and in his prefence
they difeharge one another. This they may do by their Law three times.
G g . After