'The travels of Sir John Chardin into Persia and the East Indies, through the Black Sea, and the country of Colchis. Containing the author's voyage from Paris to Ispahan. To which is added, the coronation of the present King of Persia, Solyman the III.' [‎238] (273/594)

3 8 The Trawls of Sir John Chardin Perfia^
repay with flirewd Turns thofe to whom they owe their Ad^
vancement with as little Check of Confcience, as if they were
altogether Strangers. For which reaion it is, that they defire
payment before-hand, ftanding very little upon the Nicety of
a little Impudence, but demanding a Reward for the fmalleft
Service which they do.
The 28th I fet forth from Tefflis about Eleveri a Clock in
the Forenoon ; the folifh Surgeon, and fome with
whom I had made an Acquaintance, accompanying me fome
part of my way. My Guide rode before to prevent the
Toll-gatherers or Receivers of certain final! Duties which are
taken upon all Horfes that go loaden out of the City, from
demanding any thing of my Servants. Which fort of Guides
are call'd Mehemander, (a word which fignifies
care of a Guefi:) and are granted to all Envoys, Ambaffa-
dors and Strangers of duality. Their Duty is to provide
Lodging, Vittlcs, and Carriage-Horfes for the Perlbns whom
they Conduct; and in a word, to difcharge 'em from all the
care of a Traveller. They are like Stewards or Purveyors for
thofe Perlbns to whom they are appointed for Guides. For
they make ufe of their Service in every thing, fend 'em upon
Errands, and to carry Meflages to thofe Perfons, to whom a
Man would not be troubl'd to go himfelf. Thefe Guides are
well paid for their Service •,fo that it is a Kindnefs to be re
commended to fuch an Imployment. The Villages where
they pafs make 'em Prefents, to be the more fparing in what
Money they raiie, to defray the Expences of Travellers which
they have in charge, and to prevent their being too waftful
and lavifh. They take into their prote6tion fuch Merchants
as are defirous to Travel along with 'em ; and befides that, they
fecure 'em from Robbing, and exempt 'em from paying fe-
veral Tolls and Duties. Which is worth em fomething more.
But their greateft Gain is the Preient which muft be made 'em
when they are lent back.
I was very glad to fee my felf got fafe out For I
was afraid I fhould there be put to lome kind of trouble for
two Reafons. The firft was, For that the Trince having fent
to me two or three times to tell me that he had a great defire
to fee what I carry'd to the King, I conftantly refus'd to (hew
him, alledging for my excufe, that I had Orders from his
Majefty not to expofe em to any but himfelf. Moreover, I
obferv'd that this Prince is not altogether lb much a Subjeft
to the King of feifia, nor lb fubmilfive to his Orders, as the
f other