Men who are easie of Access derive a double advantage by it the one in that it sets off their Nobility and the other in that they are the more respected for it He who obeys his Passions is capable of nothing and for that reason he is not fit to Command Perfection consists in three things In being observant in the Religion we profess in being patient under Afflictions and in behaving our selves Prudently Since the World is but a Passage it behoves us at least to endeavour to leave a good Reputation behind us A Camel is so gentle that a Child may lead him an hundred Miles by a Halter Nevertheless if the Child leads him through a dangerous way he resists and obeys no longer This shows that we must reject Mildness when Severity is necessary A Prince without Justice is like a River without Water As Meat is useless to a sick Man so all Advertisements all Counsels and Preachings are vain to him who is blinded with worldly Love Three sorts of Persons discover in three different occasions what they are and what they are capable of Men of Courage in Combats honest Men in returning what has been confided into â—heir Hands and Friends in times of Adverâ—â—â—y and ill Fortune Falshood is like a Wound which leaves a Scar. Aâ—â—â—yar is not credited even when he speaks Truth as it happen'd to Joseph's Brothers A learned Man who do's not practise what he knows is like a Cloud which yields no Rain Tho' we have a thousand Friends we still lack more but one Enemy is too much Science removes Ignorance but it does not correct ill Nature The more an Enemy appears submissive flattering and complaisant the more a good Politician ought to mistrust him 'T is dangerous to speak when we should hold our Tongues and to be silent when we ought to speak A Man may chance to kill a hundred other Men with his Sword but by his Prudence he may destroy a whole Army A rich Man without Liberality is like a Tree without Fruit. Provided you are not tired with seeking you will find what you seek at last If you cannot keep your own Secret what reason have you to complain that he to whom you have reveal'd it does publish it The Poor Man who has no Patience is like a Lamp without Oil. Tho' Patience is bitter the Fruit of it is sweet He who to show his Eloquence and Wit chances to say more than he is capable to do soon repents his Imprudence The Administration of the Affairs of Kings may be compar'd to Sea Voyages in which some get some lose some heap up Treasures and some lose their Lives A Woman without Vertue is like unseason'd Meat He that is voluntarily Poor possesses nothing and nothing possesses him A Brother who promotes his own Interest to the prejudice of his Brother is neither a Brother nor a Relation One Day of a learned Man is more precious than the whole Life of an ignorant Person 'T is less grievous to die in Want than to declare ones Poverty 'T is better to die honourably than to live miserably The Wicked ought to be reputed as dead even while they are living but the just Man lives even among the dead A cruel King must not expect to Reign long a proud Man to be prais'd an ill Maâ— to have many Friends a covetous Man to be thought honest and good natur'd and a self-interested Man to be reputed just and equitable You must never discover your Aversion to those who envy you nor to your Enemies The Friendship of great Men hot Weather in Winter the fair Words of Ladies and the joy of Enemies are four things we must never trust to We must never undertake any thing without having first examin'd it The Heart of a Person who has no dependence ought to be the Grave of the Secret he is intrusted with You ought never to converse nor keep company with Fools because they are asham'd of nothing Whoever possesses an Art may call himself a great Man Envy is as inseparable from Envy as Fire and Smoak are inseparable from one another If a good Counsel does not succeed at one time it will succeed at another The Country in which a Man has no Friends is an ill Country Envy is a Fire which kindâ—es in an instant and which equally burns both green and dry It is a Torrent which sweeps away Cottages and Palaces Great and small are often banish'd from Home for one Fault committed by one only Man in a whole Nation Honours Employments and Dignities do not reward us for the Trouble we are at to obtain them A Slave often deserves more esteem than a Gentleman At certain times a Book stands in stead of good Company A solitary life often proves the life of Mâ—â— who neither can or will do any thing The Day we pass without doing some good Action must not be numbred among the Days of our Life no more than the Day in which we learn nothing Mediocrity is the Rule of all Affairs and of all Enterprises Without Complaisance it is impossible to avoid Trouble even among Friends and Relations A great Monarch's chief Object ought to be good Reputation seeing that of all the Grandeurs and Hurry of the World 't is the only thing which remains after him Never put off what you are to do to Day till to Morrow The Mark of a great Soul is to pity an Enemy in distress Liberality is so agreeable to God that it disarms his Wrath and induces him to shew Mercy A small Estate well manag'd lasts long and great Treasures are soon wasted when in lavish Hands Never leave an old Friend for a new Acquaintance or you will repent it Whoever does Good never loses his Reward A good Action is never lost either before God or Man Those who are in Health have Bread and a dwelling Place ought never to put themselves to Service nor to Travel When you respect brave and valiant Men they are wholly yours But when you have the same regard for Cowards they hate you and become the more insolent Grediness leads to Infinity the safest way is to fix our selves Those who do not fix themselves are never rich A little Friendship well plac'd is better than a great Friendship contracted without Consideration There are but two ways to get out of great Troubles constant Steadiness or Flight A Monarch who abandons himself wholly to Divertisements makes his Life the first Life in the World in relation to Pleasures but in order to perform his Duty he must be in his Kingdom like the Rose in the middle of a Garden where it lies on Thorns You must not despise Men because they are creeping and ill-habited The Bee is a disagreeable Insect to the â—ight nevertheless its Hive produces abundance of Honey Great Honours exalt a Man who is well born but they lower an ignorant Man Subjects injoy Peace and Tranquility when they are govern'd by Princes who do
so much time to express himself The Leather-seller having ask'd What he would do with it He answered but stammering always excessively That he would make use of it in Winter The Leather-seller replied The Winter will be over by that time you can speak it and when will you make use of it then 201. One of Ali's Off-spring standing in need of Wood went out betimes in a Morning to wait for the Peasants as they came to Town to sell it but with intention to buy it only from one whose Name should be Ali So that as every Peasant arrived he ask'd his Name One called himself Aboubekir another's Name was Omer a third Osman and a fourth by another so that he let them all pass without buying any Wood and having attended till it was almost night as an Addition to his Trouble it begun to rain so that as he was ready to despair he saw a lame Man walking before an Ass laden with sorry Wood and very ill sorted He went near him and ask'd his Name The Lame Man answered Ali The other enquir'd how he sold his Ass's Load He answered Have a little Patience I am in Company with another who follows me you shall bargain with him Ali's Descendant answered Poltron that thou art thou sellest Wood after having been Calife and say'st thou hast a Partner can't you do your own Business without a Partner Observation Ali was the 4th Caliâ—e after Mahomet as I have already observed but that Dignity which ought to have gone to his Successors after him fell first upon the Ommiades and then upon the Abbassides so that the Reprimand of Ali's Descendant is founded upon that Point of History 202. There was never any Man seen who had so little Beard as Kuseh Tchelâ—bi who was thus named because of that Singularity He had none at all upon his Chin and not above 25 for his Mustachos The Poet Bassiri complaining to him of his Poverty he answered I wonder that you are poor for I have been told that you had abundance of Money Bassiri replied My Lord I have no more than there 's Hair in your Mâ—staâ—hos Observations We mentioned the Poet Bassiri formerly and I have already observed that Kusâ—h signifies a Man that hath little Beard Tchelebi is a Title of Honour given to Persons of good Birth The Word is probably derived from the Persian Word Geleb or Tcheleb which signifies the first Flowers or first Fruits and every thing that comes to Maturity before its ordinary time This Original pleases me much because the Turks give this Name particularly to handsom young People of good Parentage who are pleasant well-bred and of greater Wit than is usual for their Years Others will have it that it comes from Tcheleb an old Turkish Word which signifies God but this Etymology seems to me to be â—oo far fetch'd 203. The Jews at Constantinople having a Controversy with the Turks about Paradise maintain'd that they alone should have entrance thereinto The Turks ask'd Seeing your Opinion is so where do you think then that we shall be placed The Jews not daring to be so bold as to say that the Turks should be wholly excluded answered only That they should be without the Walls and look upon them This Dispute coming to the Ears of the Grand Vizier he said That seeing the Jews place us without the Walls of Paradise it is but just that they should furnish us with Pavilions to defend us from the Injuries of the Weather Observations At the same time the Grand Vizier tax'd the Jews over and above their ordinary Tribute a certain Sum for the Grand Signior's Pavilions which they pay to this day I never read this in any Book but it 's commonly talk'd of at Constantinople where I heard it 204. The World appeared to Isa the Son of Mary in the Form of a decrepit old Woman Isa ask'd her How many Husbands she had had The old Woman answered So great a Number that it is not possible to tell Isa replied They are dead in all likelihood and abandon'd you at their Death She answered again On the contrary it is I who killed them and deprived them of Life Isa replied Seeing it is so it 's a Wonder that any other after having seen how you treated the rest should have any Love for you and that they don't take Example by them Observation That Isa signifies Jesus Christ among the Arabians who ascribe many other Sayings to him that are not to be found in the New Testament but are nevertheless very edifying And here follows another which is no less remarkable 205. In the Time of Isa three Travellers found a Treasure in their Way and said We be hungry let one of us go and buy something to eat One of them went accordingly with an Intention to bring them some Victuals but he says within himself I will poison the Provisions that so they may die as they eat and I shall enjoy all the Treasure alone and he put Poison amongst the Victuals accordingly But the other two who had form'd the like Design against him in his Absence murdered him upon his return and so became Masters of the Treasury But after they had slain him they did eat of the poison'd Meat and both of them died Isa passed by this Place with his Apostles and says to them Behold what sort of a Thing the World is See after what Manner it treated those three Persons Wâ— be to him who asks riches of it THE MAXIMS OF THE Eastern Nations THE Fear of God is the greatest of Perfections and Vice the greatest of Imperfections The Fear of God purifies the Heart I fear God and next unto God I only fear those who do not fear him The Fear of God is the safest Harbour Piety is the greatest Wisdom and Impiety the greatest of Follies The Worship we pay to God mortifies I â—ust In serving the Devil we run to Perdition but in serving God we serve our selves We sin too much in sinning once but a thousand Acts of Worship are not sufficient to honour God as we ought to do Do not despise God in swearing by his Name lâ—st he should despise you Whoever betrays his Religion for the sake of the World is miserably mistaken We cannot know our selves well unless we know our Creator He whose Lust prevails over his Reason must Perish Did Man consider his End and the transitoriness of this Life he would be strâ—â—k with horror at his proceedings and at the deceit of them Life is a dream out of which Death only awakens us The Life of Man is a Road towards Death Men are more apt to follow the corrupted Manners of their Times than the good Examples of their Forefathers Virtue Science and true Learning are the main things which render us estimable Those are not Orphans who have lost their Father but those who want Science and good Education Want of good sence is the worst degree of Poverty Nothing conceals a
Hormouzan you have given me my Pardon and don 't you keep your word Omar being surpriz'd and asking how he understood it You have said answer'd the Prisoner I had nothing to fear till I had drank and I have not drank yet The Company confess'd Hormouzan was in the right and Omar granted him his Life Observations It has been observed before me that Schouschter is the antient Suza where the Kings of Persia used to winter it being situated in a very warm Climate as well as the whole Province of Khousistan which is still one of the Provinces of the Kingdom of Persia bordering to the West on the Persian Gulf. 〈◊〉 forgot the gracious Pardon of Omar and was one of his Murderers 3. Taher the Founder of the Empire of the Taherians in the Province of Khorassan had killed the Calife Emin and by that Murder raised Mamoun Emin's Brother to the same Dignity But Mamoun who trusted not Taher notwithstanding he was so much beholden to him sent him into Khorassan as his Governour in order to remove him from Court Whilst he was in that Station Mamoun declared for Calife after him Ali Riza the 8th amongst the 12 Imams Successors of Ali and sent him into Khorassan where Taher perform'd the Ceremony of the Coronation in the City of Merou and taking the Oath to him he said My Right-hand has raised Mamoun and my Left pays the same Duty to you Ali Riza answer'd The Left-hand that raises an Imam to the Throne may be call'd the Right Observations This Action of Taher and the Murder of Calife Emin gave occasion to the calling him Two-handed He died in the Year of the Hegyra 210. that is 825 of our Lord having taken the Title of King sometime before his Death The Saying of Ali Riza is grounded upon this that being Ali's Issue and consequently Mahomet's Off-spring by reason of Fatima Daughter to Mahomet whom Ali had married he thought himself worthier of the Califâ—ship than Mamoun and his Predecessors whom he and all the Abettors of Ali look'd upon as Usurpers His Authority as Calife was acknowledg'd and Money coined with his Name but his Power that was then equal to that of Mamoun lasted only about two Years for Mamoun repenting of his Gift caused him to be poison'd at Tous in Kâ—orassan where he died After his Death his Corps was carried and buried in a Place call'd Senabad belonging to the same Town where a Tomb was erected for him Since that time the Mahometan Superstition has drawn thither such vast Numbers of People that a Town has been built there with the Name of Mesched signifying the Tomb of a Person that has been put to Death or rather of a Martyr because the Mahometans look upon Ali Riza as such For amongst them those that are put to Death by the Prince's Command or killed in the War are call'd Martyrs and believed to be such The Devotion at the Tomb of Ali Riza does still continue and the Mahometan Pilgrims do yet resort thither especially those of Khorassan and the Neighbouring Provinces Khorassan of which mention will be yet made in this Book is a great Province or rather a considerable Kingdom on this Side the River Oxus comprehending the Provinces of Ariana Bactriana and the Paropamisades of the Antient The Vzbees are at this time Masters of that Kingdom together with that of Maveâ—amahar that is of the Transoxiana or Sogdiana of which Samarcand named by Q. Curtius Maracande is the Capital 4. Jacoub the Son of Leits who having seized upon the City of Sistan and the Dominions depending upon it had made himself Soveraign enter'd the Province of Khorassan to subdue it and went to attack Mehemmed the 5th Successor of Taher in the Town of Nisabor which he had chosen for the Capital of his Kingdom Mehemmed hearing of his Approach sent to assure him that he was ready to submit if he brought Letters with the Seal of the Calife but that he was very much surprized he should come against him in an hostile Manner without Order Jacoub who acknowledg'd not the Authority of the Calife drew his Scimiter out of the Scabbard saying Here 's my Order and so enter'd Nisabor where he made Mehemmed Prisoner with 160 Persons more of his Family and sent them to the Town of Sistan under a strong Guard Observation Leits the Father of Jacoub of whom we speak here was call'd Leits Saftar that is the Copper-Merchant because of his Profession and from that Name Saffar Jacoub together with his Brother Amrou and Mehemmed Son to Taher who ran after him were sirnamed Saffarans Jacoub from his Youth had such a strong Inclination to bear Arms that his Father endeavoured in vain to bind him to his Trade and was forced to leave him to himself When he was Master of his own Actions he turn'd Highway-Man but was still so honest as to leave something to those he robbed Upon a time he broke into the Treasury of Dirhem Governour of Sistan for the Calife and in the Dark laying his Hand upon something that glitter'd he put what he laid hold of into his Mouth believing it was precious Stones but finding it was Salt he went out without carrying any thing away The next day the Governor hearing that his Treasury had been broken up and nothing diminished made a Proclamation that the Robber might safely discover himself and that he should not only not be punished but that he would do all he could to oblige him Upon this Jacoub appear'd and the Governor asking him why he carry'd nothing away Jacoub told him this Story and added I thought I was become your Friend by eating of your Salt and that by the Laws of Friendship I was not allow'd to diminish any thing belonging to you Dirhem gave him some Employment which he discharged with so much Valour and Conduct that at last by degrees he made him General of his Army But after the Death of Dirhem Jacoub laying hold of his Power expell'd the Sons of Dirhem seized upon Sistan and after that conquer'd Khorassan Persia and several other States of which he made a vast and powerful Empire He died in the Year of the Hegyra 262. of our Lord 875. 5. Amrou Leits considerably inlarg'd the Kingdom left to him by his Brother Jacoub and to do it yet more he resolved to destroy the Calife and proclaim'd War against him But the Calife opposed to him Ismail the first King of the Family of the Samanians and Ismail taking him Prisoner sent him to the Calife Amrou was a very magnificent and liberal Prince so that no less than 300 Camels were employ'd in carrying his Kitchin Utensils when he was in the Field The Day he was overcome and taken Prisoner by Ismail he saw near him his chief Cook who had stuck to him and he ask'd him whether he had any thing to eat The Cook that had yet some Flesh left put it presently on the Fire in a Pot and went to look
for something to treat his Master in his Misfortune the best way he could In the mean while a Dog came by chance and put his Head in the Pot to take away the Meat but by reason of the Violence of the Fire he could not do it but lifting up his Head the Pot-hook fell on his Neck and being not able to disintangle himself ran away with Pot and all Amrou could not forbear laughing and as one of his chief Keepers wonder'd how a King bâ—ing Prisoner could laugh he answer'd This Morning 300 Camels were scarce enough to carry what belong'd to my Kitchin and this Afternoon you see a Dog running away with it all about his Neck Observ The Calife mention'd here was Mutadad who kept Amrou Prisoner two Years But after the Death of the Calife Amrou was slighted and starved in his Prison Mutadad died in the Year of the Hegyra 289. of our Lord 901. 6. A Slave of Amrou Leits ran away but being pursu'd was brought back and that King 's Grand Vizier who hated the Slave solicited Amrou to put him to Death suggesting to him it would be an Instance to deter others Hereupon the Slave casting himself on the Ground before the King said Whatever your Majesty will be pleased to order as to my Destiny it must be done for a Slave cannot find fault with the Judgment of his Lord and Master but because I have been brought up in your Palace as a Mark of my Gratitude I could wish you might not answer for my Blood at the Day of Judgment And therefore if you desire I should be kill'd let it be under a Pretence of Justice Amrou ask'd him what he meant by that Pretence Suffer me answer'd the Slave to kill the Vizier and then you will be in the Right in taking away my Life to revenge his Death Amrou laugh'd at the Conceipt and ask'd the Vizier what he thought of it The Vizier answer'd I desire your Majesty to forgive the Wretch he might draw some Misfortune upon me I have deserv'd that Answer not considering that when we design to kill another we expose our selves to be kill'd as much as him whom we intend to murder 7. In the first Ages of Mahometism a Mahometan said he was God A Year ago said some body to him such a One who pretended to be a Prophet was put to Death are you not afraid of the like Treatment O answered he they did well to put him to Death for I had not sent him Observ As to that false Prophet put to Death 't is observable that the Mahometans hold Mahomet for the last of Prophets after whom God is not to send any other so that they are perswaded they may safely kill as Disturbers of the Publick Society all those that pretend to that Quality 8. A Calender who observ'd not the Fast of Ramazan and took besides the Liberty of drinking Wine was advised that since he did not fast he ought at least to forbear drinking Wine Whereupon he answer'd I have forsaken the Practice of a Precept will you have me also to forsake the Practice of this Tradition Observations The Calenders amongst the Mahometans are a sort of People who forsake Father Mother Wife Children Relations and all things running through the World and living on the Alms that are given them but for all that they are not better Observers of their Religion as may be seen by this Instance Calender is also the Chief of a Nation Tribe or People For Instance In the History of Scharah and other Sons and Issue of Tamerlan Heads of 20 or 30000 Turcomans that had pass'd from Persia into Khorassan to settle themselves there are call'd Calenders The Armenians of Ispahan who inhabited the Ward of Julfa have also a Chief named Calender who in that Quality represents the Grievances of his Nation to the King of Persia or his Ministers and causes the Will of the Court to be put in Execution by those of his Nation 9. At a certain time a pretended Prophet was presented to the Calife Haroun Errâ—schid whose Subject he was The Calife not doubting but the supposed Prophet had his Brains crack'd sent for his Physicians to advise for a proper Remedy The Physicians did all agree that bad Food was the Cause of his Lunacy and said that a good Diet might conduce to his Cure Hereupon the Calife order'd they should take him into his Kitchin and feed him well during 40 Days After which time the Calife caused him to be brought to him and ask'd him Whether he was yet a Prophet and whether the Angel Gabriel still came to declare him God's Will The false Prophet answer'd Because I am in the Favour of God he has procur'd me such a good Kitchin and commands me not to leave it Observations Haroun Erreschid was the 5th Calife of the Family of the Abbassides and died in the Year of the Hegyra 193. of our Lord 808. The Mahometans hold that God sends the Angel Gabriel on all his Errands wherefore they believe he has dictated the Alcoran to Mahomet and call all the Dreams contained in that Book the Word of God 10. A good harmless Man of Sivri-Hissar complain'd to one of his Neighbours of a great Pain in his Eye and ask'd him whether he knew any Remedy for it The Neighbour answer'd Last Year having a great Tooth-ach I caused the Tooth to be drawn and I was cur'd I advise you to use the same Remedy Observation Sivri-Hissar is a small Town of Natolia the Inhabitants of which are reputed very simple 11. In the same Town of Sivri-Hissar a Man lock'd up every day his Ax in his Chest and his Wife asking the Reason of it he answered I am afraid lest the Cat should eat it You jest replied she Cats don't eat Axes The Rogue says the Husband has eaten a Liver that cost an Asper and a half why should not she eat this Ax that cost twenty Observation An Asper is a small silver Coin of the value of two Farthings that goes current through the Ottoman Empire and is called by the Turks Akgeh that is Half-penny and the Greeks have translated that word into their Tongue by that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that signifies the same whence our Franck Merchants and Travellers have made the word Asper which is more in use than that of Half-penny 12. A Mahometan Woman extream ugly ask'd her Husband by whom of her Relations he would allow her to be seen He answered by whomsoever you please provided I never see you Observation That Woman being so ugly it might be asked how the Husband came to marry her But 't is easy to answer that amongst the Mahometans as well as amongst us Wives are often taken because Parents will have it so Besides they are almost ever taken without being seen on the Face and when they are married they may not discover their Face before any body but by their Husband 's Leave it being reckoned a Sin in a
which gave him occasion to make it an Article of his Religion that every one of his Followers should go thither in Pilgrimage at least once in their Life-time And they observe it to this Day there being few of them who are able that do it not believe that they ought to do it or at least design to do it 177. It was told to Ogtaikhan the Son of Ginghizkan and his Successor in those great and powerful Dominions which he left behind him that it was found in a certain Book that the Treasury of Afrasiab an antient King of Turquestan was in such a Place not far from his Capital which they thought would be very welcome News to Ogtaikhan but he would not hear of it and said We have no need of other Mens Treasures seeing we distribute that which we have to the Servants of God and our Subjects Observations Ogtai was 3d Son to Ginghizkan who declared him his Successor by his Testament in preference to Giagatai his 2d Son who submitted to his Father's Will and acknowledged Ogtai as his Soveraign in a General Meeting of the States when he was confirmed about two Years after the Death of Ginghizkan That Convention could not be held sooner because so much Time was at least requisite for those who compos'd it to come to the Place of meeting from the remotest Parts of Ginghizkan's Empire Ogtaikhan died in the Year of the Hegyra 639 and of Jesus Christ 1241. He was a merciful and peaceable Prince and above all very liberal as appears by the following Articles Ogtai was particularly called Kaan instead of Khan according to the corrupt and coarse Way of Pronunciation amongst the Moguls says Mirkhond 178. A Merchant presented Ogtaikhan a Bonnet of the Fashion of Khorassan at such time as he was a little in Wine The Bonnet pleased him and he ordered the Merchant a Bill of 200 Balisches The Bill was drawn and delivered but the Officers who were to pay it did not as thinking it an excessive Reward for a Bonnet and that the Khan had not considered it in the Condition that he was then in The Merchant appeared next Day and the Officers presented the Bill to the Khan who remembred very well that he had ordered it but instead of that ordered the Merchant a Bill of 300. The Officers deferred the Paiment of that as they had done of the former The Merchant complained of it and the Khan ordered him a Third of 600 Balisches and the Officers were forced to pay it Ogtai being the most moderate Prince of the World did not fall in a Passion with them for retarding the Execution of his Will but ask'd at them if there was any thing in the World that was eternal The Officers answered There was nothing He replied That was not true for a good Name and the Remembrance of good Actions are to endure for ever In the mean time by your Delays in distributing my Bounty because you imagine that I do it in Wine makes it appear that you are my Enemies seeing you would not have me spoken of in the World Observation That a Mogul Balische is worth about 500 French Livres or 41 l. 13 s. 4 d. English so that by the Sum which Ogtaikhan ordered the Merchant for his Bonnet we may judg of his Liberality But here follows another Instance thereof which is no less surprizing 179. A Persian of the City Schiraz presented himself before Ogtaikhan and acquainted him that upon the Fame of his Bounty he was come from the Middle of Persia to implore his Assistance to acquit himself of a Debt of 500 Balisches Ogtai received him very kindly and ordered him 1000 Balisches His Ministers remonstrated and told him That that was not Bounty but Prodigality to give more than was demanded Ogtai replied The poor Man hath travelled through the Desarts and over the Mountains upon the Fame of our Liberality and that which he asks is not sufficient to pay his Debts nor for the Charges of his Journey which he hath made and that which he must make agâ—in to return home Observation Schiraz is the Capital of that Part of the Kingdom of Persia which is properly called by that Name Dela the Persian who is here spoken of travelled almost from the farthest Part of the Great Tartary to China to the Court of Ogtaikhan who had therefore a Regard to his great Confidence in his Liberality upon which he had undertaken so great a Journey 180. Ogtaikhan passing by the Market of Caracoroum his Capital saw Jujubes and commanded one of his Officers to buy him some The Officer obeyed and return'd loaden with Jujubes Ogtai says to him Surely such a great Quantity as you have there have cost above a Balische The Officer thinking to make his Court answer'd That they did not cost above the 4th Part and that was also twice as much as they were worth Ogtai answered him angrily There was never a Chapman of my Quality that went by that Merchant's Door till now and therefore commanded him to carry him ten Balisches Observation Caracaroum in Great Tartary was the Birth-place of Ginghizkan and the Patrimony which fell to him by his Ancestors so that he made it the Capital of his Empire Under the Reigns of his Successors it became a very Great City by the Confluence of People who came thither from all Parts of the World 181. A Merchant having lost a Purse with a considerable Sum and a great Number of Jewels publish'd that he would give one half to him who should bring it back A Mahometan who found it carried it to him but he would not give him any thing alledging that the whole was not there The Affair came to Ogtaikhan's Ears who would take Cognizance thereof himself The Mahometan swore That the Bag was entire and that he had taken nothing out of it and the Merchant did also make Oath That it had both more Silver and Jewels Ogtaikhan gave Sentence and bid the Mahometan take the Purse and keep it until he to whom it bâ—long'd came to demand it and for the Merchant let him go and seek that which he hath lost elsewhere for by his own Confession this Purse is not his 182. Timour being Master of Anatolia after the Defeat of Sultan Bajazet Ildirim had a Mind to see the Scheich Koutbeddin of Nice upon the Reputation of his Doctrine and the Retired Life which he professed The Scheich took the Liberty to tell him that it was a Thing unworthy of a Conqueror to massacre the Servants of God and sack the Countries as he did Those who aspire to Glory ought to refrain from shedding innocent Blood The Mussulman Religion which you profess requires you to protect the Country where it is flourishing Timour answered Scheich each Encampment that I make the Entrance of my Pavilion is opened in the Evening towards the East and in the Morning I find it opened towards the West Moreover when I mount on Horse-backs
He said to his Son Mirza Vlug-Beg when he made him King of Maverannahar or Transoxiana and Turquestan The Almighty made us this high Present which we now enjoy and hath gratified us with that absolute Authority that I do at this time possess without any regard to my Weakness and Faults A Soveraign who is convinced of the Worth of an Empire ought in the first place to return Thanks for his Kindnesses He ought to be tender and compassionate towards all those who are in Adversity and to remember what God said to the Prophet David whom he establish'd as his Vice-gerent upon the Earth To render Justice to Men. Entertain Learned Men with Veneration and Respect and don 't go astray from the Precepts of the Law nor of those who have explained it Maintain those who are the Interpreters thereof in their Honours and Dignities and do your utmost to make the Judges do their Duty according to the Laws Take the people of the Country under your particular Protection so that none may vex them but that on the contrary they may have all manner of Justice done them for it 's they who contribute to the Support and Encrease of the Revenues of the State Govern your Souldiery with pleasant Looks and good Words for they are the Strength and Stay of your Kingdom Take care also that they be duly paid and augment the Salaries of such as signalize themselves and expose their Lives for the Preservation of the Publick but chastise those who come short of their Duty In fine take care that you never depart from Justice upon any Occasion and entrust your Frontiers to none but Governors of great Experience who will take care to keep the Fortresses in good Repair Observations Vlugbeg the eldest of Schahrob's Sons reigned a long time in the Kingdom of Maverannaâ—ar and Turquestan during his Father's time After his Death he had some Wars to maintain his Right of Succession to the Country which his Father left him at his Death but he was quickly disturb'd in his Possession by Factions which were form'd against him and particularly by the Revolt of his own Son Mirza-Abdulletif for that unnatural Wretch made War upon him overcame him and committed a Patricide on his Person so much the more detestable that he had not only acquitted himself well as to his Valour but was also bountiful wise and learned by which and his Love for learned Men he obtain'd a Reputation which distinguish'd him from all the Princes of his time In effect the Observator which he built at Samareand will perpetuate his Fame for thither he drew Mathematicians and Astronomers who from their Observations publish'd Astronomical Tables The Alcoran being the Foundation of the Religion and Civil Laws of the Mahometans the Interpreters of that Book have acquired great Authority amongst them and therefore Schahroh who understood it very well and observ'd religiously what it contain'd recommended it to his Son to have a Veneration for them and to maintain them in their Honours and Dignities as one of the principal Means to get the Love of the People who cannot bear it with Patience to see the Chiefs of their Religion and those who have the Administration of the same despised and ill-treated 187. That same Schahroh said to Mirza Mehemmed Gehangir one of his Nephews when he gave him a considerable Principality on the Condition before mentioned To the end that you may carry your self as you ought consider that God never deprives those who do Good of the Reward which they deserve Be merciful and good towards those who depend upon you because they are God's Creatures Command your Officers not to treat them harshly but to cherish the Poor and to observe the Laws and Statutes And as to your own particular Concern do nothing but with Prudence and Wisdom and set the good Advice which I give always before you 188. He said also to Mirzakidon another of his Nephews to whom he gave the Kingdom of Candahar with its Dependancies Exercise Justice and be not guilty of Vexation Injustice nor Tyranny for that is the way to ruine your self Forget not that Kingdoms which are govern'd by just and equitable Princes altho Infidels continue a long time but that the Reigns of Tyrants is never of long Duration Behave your self with Moderation and Wisdom in every thing Take Care of your Reputation and to draw the Blessing of your Subjects upon you by your Liberality and Bounty and thus you may reign a long time Observations Mirza Kidon was the Son of Mirza Pir Mehemmed Son of Mirza Gehangir the eldest Son of Timour and Mirza Gehangir died while his Father was alive After his Death Timour gave the Kingdom of Candahar to Mirza Pir Mehemmed who made the Town of Balkh his Capital but his Reign continued not long after Timour's Death for he was assassinated by Pir Ali Taz whom he entrusted with the Administration of his Government Schahroh chastised this Rebel and in the first place gave Balkh and its Dependances to Mirza Kidon and some time after the Kingdom of Candahar But this Prince did not follow Schahroh's Advice as he ought to have done He rebelled some Years after but was taken and Schahroh contented himself with keeping him in Prison The Mahometans perswade themselves that their Religion is true and know that just Kings of other Religions as Christians and Pagans do reign and have reigned a long time and therefore it is that they made this Maxim which Schahroh makes use of here to perswade Mirza Kiâ—on that being of the true Religion as he believ'd his Reign should à sortiori be of a long Continuance by a good Administration of Justice 189. He said also to Mirza Baikra another of his Kinsmen when he gave him the Countries of Hamadan and Loristan Exercise Justice over the People with whom I entrust you govern them peaceably and gently and take care that no Man attempt to treat them harshly Take the same Care of the Poor and Mean that you do of the Rich and Great Protect the Merchants and Tradesmen they are the Birds of the Commonwealth and bring Plenty into the same by their Traffick and Commerce Observations Mirza Baikra took no more care to improve Schahroh's Instructions than Mirza Kidon did and became a Rebel also like him But Schahroh was also indulgent to him as he was to Mirza Kidon In calling the Merchants the Birds of the Common-wealth Schahroh alluded to those which transport Merchandize from Kingdom to Kingdom as is still practised in the Levant 190. He said moreover to Mirza Ibrahim Sultan his Son when he establish'd him King of Persia in the City of Schiraz The greatest Glory of a Kingdom consists in having numerous Troops a great Train Following and Equipage but its chief Strength consists in having a good Counsel keeping their Frontiers well fortified the Passes well guarded in preserving their Subjects from Oppression and maintaining Religion Thanks be to God my
Mahometan Wife to show her self to any other Mahometan besides her Husband However I have read in one of their Books that it is not a Sin in them to show themselves to others that are not Mahometans The Reason of which may be this if I understand their Policy They believe that though their Wives show themselves to Christians or to Jews yet they will not be easily corrupted 1st Because of the Hatred they bear to both in which they have been educated And 2dly because of the severe Punishment as stoning and drowning to which those that are convicted of that Crime are condemned Moreover they conceive that a great Good may from thence accrue to their Religion because Christians or Jews being hindred from attempting the Chastity of Mahometan Women by the Fear of Fire may by those means fall in love with them and be brought to forsake their Religion to marry their Mistresses 'T is certain that they intend such a thing which has often proved too successful with them 13. A Cadi in presence of the Sultan ask'd a Mahometan who gave himself out for a Prophet to prove his Mission by a Miracle The pretended Prophet said that his Mission was evident by reason that he could raise Men from the dead The Cadi replying that this must be seen for it was not sufficient to say it If you believe me not answered the Prophet let me have a Scimiter that I may cut off your Head and I 'll engage I 'll raise you up again The Sultan asked the Cadi what he had to say against it He answered there needs no Miracle I discharge him and believe him to be a Prophet Observation Upon that Principle that Prophets must prove their Mission by a Miracle the Mahometans who believe that Mahomet is the last of Prophets and that God has prescribed to himself a Law to send none after him hold also for certain that he has divided the Moon into two parts with his Finger's End and upon that false Miracle they are so blind as to esteem him a Prophet and to credit whatever is taught in the Alcoran 14. In the Town of Samarcand a Learned Man took place of a Mahometan who had the Alcoran by heart The latter being offended at the Boldness of the former asked the Company whether the Alcoran or another Book ought to be preferr'd The Learned Man who understood his Meaning said the Alcoran undoubtedly but not the Case of the Alcoran Observations Amongst the Mahometans there is a sort of People who make it their business to get the Alcoran by heart but commonly they know nothing else They are called by the name of Hafiz derived from a Verb signifying to keep in memory But as they are commendable only for that the other Learned Mahometans have not so much Veneration for them as they pretend to though otherwise they reverence the Alcoran as much as possible As the Alcoran is of very great use amongst them they ordinarily keep it in a Bag of green Cloth or in a Leather or pasted Box. They also make Leather or pasted Cases for other Books especially when the Binding is extraordinary and ought to be carefully preserved 15. A Christian having turned Mussulman six Months after his Neighbours observing that he was not very careful of saying the five Prayers to which he was obliged as all the other Mahometans they brought him before a Cadi that he might be punished the Cadi asking him the Reason of his Behaviour My Lord says he when I turn'd Mussulman you expresly told me I was as clean and pure as when I came out of my Mother 's Womb. The Cadi having own'd it he added If it be so since I have been but six Months a Mussulman pray tell me whether you oblige Children six Months old to say their Prayers Observation This shows that amongst the Mahometans Ecclesiastical Causes are judged by the Cadies as well as the Civil 16. Another Mahometan that did not say his Prayers was likewise cited to the Court. Now the Cadi asking him the Cause of his Neglect My Lord says he I have a Wife and Children to keep I am poor and can earn our Livelihood only by a continual Labour Well said the Cadi you shall have two Aspers every day say your Prayers as the others Sometime after he was brought again to the Cadi and the Judg was told that the Accused went indeed to Prayers but that he did not wash himself before The Cadi checkt him extreamly and asked him why he did not wash himself My Lord says he if you desire I should wash my self before Prayers pray let me have four Aspers instead of two for I forbear washing for want of time Observation Though every one of the Mahometan Prayers be very short yet including the time they spend in washing themselves which they do very carefully and leasurely they cannot perform both within less than half an hour The five times prescribed for that Exercise are The Break of Day Noon two Hours and a half before Sun-set Sun-set and an Hour and half after Sun-set So that in all the Mahometan Countries they are generally up very early in any Season whatsoever for no body is exempted from that Law Princes Lords Gentlemen People every one is obliged to it when he 's of age 17. A Calender being very hungry held out his Arm to a Physician that he might â—eel his Pulse and know whether he was sick The Physician finding the Calender was troubled with no other Distemper but Hunger led him to his House and caused a great Dish of Pilau to be brought him When the Calender had sufficiently eaten he said to the Physician Doctor there are twenty other Calenders in our Cloyster troubled with the same Disease Observation This Pilau is made of Rice dress'd with Butter Fat or Gravey But they dress it so that the Grain remains entire and is not bruised as when we boil it with Milk or any other Liquor 18. A Learned Man that seemed to be a little crack-brain'd and walked always with his Head lifted up was commended in a Company especially for his Skill in Astronomy Bassiri who was present said I don't wonder at it for he is always looking upon the Stars Observation Bassiri was a Turkish Poet born on the Borders of Persia who came to the Court of Constantinople under the Reign of Sultan Bajazid Son and Successor to Sultan Mehemmed the Second where he made himself known by his Poetry in Turkish and Persian Letifi speaks of him in his Book concerning the Turkish Poets observing that he was pleasant in Conversation and had always a Jest at hand Bassiri is an Arabian word that signifies the Clear-sighted or Vnderstanding We may perhaps have occasion elsewhere to speak of the Names of the Eastern Poets 19. A Covetous Calife received the Verses made in his Praise but for a Reward gave no more than the Weight of the Book or Writing A Poet that knew his Way
caused a piece of Poetry he had made for him to be engraven upon a great Marble Stone and when the Engraving was finish'd he loaded a Camel with it and order'd it to be carried to the Calife's Gate and to wait for him In the mean while he went to attend the Calife and to speak with him about his Work to know whether he would be pleased to have the Marble Stone brought him No answered the Calife I won't have it brought but let 's compound Observations The Agreement was that he should have 5000 Aspers that is about 125 Livres or about 10 l. which the Calife caused to be given to the Author But as this Reward was by no means proportionable both to his Pains and Expences 't is probable it was rather Drachms a small Silver Money of the Calife's Coin so that the Sum was a little more considerable This Piece of Poetry was one of those that are called by the Eastern Nations Cacideh the shortest of which is 50 Distichs and the longest 100 more or less The two first Verses rhime together and the others but alternately all upon the same Rhime so that the longest are upon such Terminations as afford more Rhimes than others This sort of Poetry is chiefly consecrated to the Praise of Princes and Great Men. 20. Schahrah Son to Timour that is Tamerlan was a Prince naturally covetous and sparing A Potter came to him and asked him whether he held for true that Mahometan Doctrine which teaches that all the Mussulmans are Brothers Schahrah answered He held it for true Whereupon the Potter reply'd Since we are all Brothers is it not an Injustice you should have so great a Treasure and I should stand in need of a Farthing Pray give me at least a Brother's Portion Schahrah ordered a Silver Three-pence to be given him but not being satisfied with it he said How is that Shall I have but so small a Share in so great a Treasure Schahrah sent him back saying Go your way and hold your Tongue for your Portion would not be so considerable should all our Brothers know of it Observation It is a Turkish Writer who here taxes Schahrah with Covetousness and Niggardliness However he was a potent Monarch as will be seen by his History which is translated out of the Persian into the French Tongue by Mr. Galand One thing only can make him suspected of the Vice he is charged with here viz. that the Learned stuck rather to the Princes his Sons than to him but to excuse him it may be said that he gave up himself wholly to the Government of his Dominions that reached from Persia to China so that he had not so much Leasure as particularly to examine those that deserved to be rewarded 21. Before Meals a Covetous Mahometan used to say twice Bismi-llah that is In the Name of God His Wiâ—e upon a time asking him the Reason of it he answered The first time I do it to drive away the Devil and the second the Parasites Observation The Mahometans use to say Bismi-llah not only before Meals but also when they begin to walk to work or to do any thing else 22. In a Company before Sultan Mehemmed the 2d Emperor of Constantinople some said that Mirza Khan had promised 1000 Pieces of Gold to any one that should show so much as one Fault in the Works of the Poets of his Court Whereupon Sultan Mehemmed said I should quickly exhaust my Treasure should I follow that Example Observations Sultan Mehemmed is he who took Constantinople and though he had so mean an Opinion of the Poets of his Court yet there were already good Turkish Poets in his time as Letifi testifies The word Mirza in Persia and India signifies the Son or Relation of a Soveraign and is said by Abbreviation instead of Emir Zadeh that is in Persian the Son of an Emir I believe there is a Fault in the Name of the Prince here mentioned and that he was of Tamerlan's Family and had yet another Name besides those of Mirza and Khan The word Khan amongst the Tartars signifies a great Monarch Those Turkish Emperors that are originally from Turkestan that is part of the Great Tartary take it with the Name of Sultan So that they say and write Sultan Mehemmed Khan Sultan Achmed Khan Sultan Murad Khan c. 23. The House of an Imam was very far from the Mosque in which he officiated The Mahometans that resorted to it told him once Your House is too far you cannot come every Night to the Mosque to say Prayers an Hour and half after Sun-set and therefore we 'll exempt you from it We shall do well enough amongst our selves without your taking so much Trouble God bless you Mussulmans answered the Imam you exempt me from the Night Prayer I exempt you from that of the Morning Observations Imam is an Arabian word signifying the same as the Latin Antistes that is the President of the Sacred Ceremony And in that Sense amongst the Mahometans â—t denâ—â—es him that makes the publick Prayer not only in the Mosque but in any Place whatsoever whilst those that stand behind imitate his Kneelings Prostrations and other Gestures The Turks call in their Tongue that Night Prayer Jatzinamaz that is Prayer going to Bed 24. A Mahometan that was frightfully ugly met with a Looking-glass in his way which he took up and saw himself in it but perceiving himself so mis-shapen he slung it down in a Rage saying Had'st thou been good for something People would not have thrown thee away 25. A Calife sitting at Table a roasted Lamb being served up before him there came an Inhabitant of Arabia Deserta The Calife desired him to come near and sit at his Table The Arabian did so and began to eat with an extraordinary Greediness The Calife being displeased at his Clownishness said You are very cruel to cut that poor Lamb in pieces with as great a Rage as if his Dam had butted you with her Horns You are very compassionate answered the Arabian and see me eat it with as much Sorrow as if its Mother had been your Nurse Observation These Arabians are not so mannerly as those that live in Cities but for all that they have pretty good Sense and Judgment and live together with more Fairness and Honesty than the other Arabians 26. Behloul was desired to tell over the Fools of the Town of Basra where he was born You ask answered he an impossible thing but for the Learned they may indeed be reckoned for they are not very numerous Observations Basra according to our Geographers is the Town Balsora upon the Persian Gulf. Behloul was a Learned Man of the Court of the Calife Haroun Erreschid who was very witty Behloul is an Arabick Word signifying a Jester especially one that is of a pleasant Humour whence comes the Arabian Proverb He that 's of a pleasant Humour dances without a Fidler where the word Behloul is used in that