'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.' [‎355] (336/594)

through the Black- Sea, a o/ - Colchis.
very few Rocks or PoyntS, of Mountains joyning to the City
where nothing but the Ruins of Forts and Heaps of Rubbifli ate
to be feen. Of which I carefully furvey'd a great Part; but I could
not difcover any thing of Antiquity. There is nothing to
be digg'd up but Bricks and Flint Stones, The onely Edi"
fice that remains moft entire among the Buildings is
a large Mofquce^he infide of which is inlay'd or rather'pari
getted with tranfparent Marble; and all the Outfide variega
ted in Mofaic work. But the account the Place de-
fil'd, becaufe it was built by the TwrA^whofe Faith they abo
minate. Among the heaps of Rubbifb, of which I have
fpoken, without the City to the South, appear the Ruines of
the Pal ice of the late Kings of And to the Eaft,thofe
of the Caftle where they fay lodg'd; and where he
laid up the Holy Cros for Security, and all thofe other facred
Spoyles which he brought away
The Tia^a of Tauris, is the moft fpacious Piazza that ever
I faw in any City of the World, and far furpafles that of J/pa*
han. The Turks have leveral times drawn up within it
Thirty Thoufand Men in Battel. Toward the Evening this
is fill'd with all the meaner fort of People, that repair
thither for Sport and Paftime. Where fome are for Gaming,
fomefor Tricks of Activity, fome for feeing Jack-Puddings
and Mountebanks aft their Drolleries, fome for, Wreftling,
others for Bull and Ram>fighting, others for repeating Verfes,
fome reciting Stories in Profe; and fome to fee Wolves dance.
The People of Tauris take great delight to fee that fort of
Sport; infomuch that they bring thofe Dancing Wolves a
hundred Leagues an end, after they are well taught : And
fuch as are beft inftrufted are fold for five hunder'd Crowns
a piece : 8c many times alfo great Quarrels arife about thefe
Wolves, which are not eafily appeas'd. Nor is this Piazza
empty in the day time ; as being a Market for all forts of
Provifions, and things of fmall Price. There is alfo aftotheif
at Tauris, which appears in the Plate before the de-
moliili d Caftle, cail'd the Caftle of Jctfer^acha. This was a
Place for the Rendezvous, and exercife of the Souldiers be»
longing to the Garrifon • now it ferves for the Shambles ;
where they kill and drefs all forts of large Meat, which is fold
in all parts ofthe City.
I have with great diligence endeavourd to underftand the'
tiumber of the Inhabitants in Tarn , but could fie vet have a
juft account; but I think I may truly reck'n it to amo&nt to
G ggS 55^