'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.' [‎383] (366/594)

through the Black Sea., a Country 0/Colchis.
and pleafant Shades. His Succeflbrs liv'd after the nunc Race
till Ahas the Great, who the firft year of his Reign remov'd
his Court to Ifpahan. And there are feveral Reafons alleda'd
for this Change. Some attributed it to the Air of
which the King did not find fo healthful : Others affirm chat
he was frighted by the J/lrologers, who told him, that the
Stars threat ned him with feveral Misfortunes if he ftaid at
Cashtn. But others alfert, ic was only the better to accom=
plifli the defign of building a new City, as being over per.
iwaded, that ic was the furer way to Eternize his Memory
then all his great Anions. But the moft probable Reafon
was one which I heard from a great Lord, who was high-
ly efteem'd by chat Potent Prince, That when he had laid
the defign of chofe Conquefts which he made wich fo much
Renown, as well to che Eaft as co che Souch, he forfook Cas-
bin and remov'd co l/pahan, chat he might be nearer che Coun-
try which he incended co Conquer.
However ic were, che City is much decay'd, fince che Re=
moval of the Royal Refidence, and chac it has loft all thofe
Perquifices chac fee forch che Pomp and Grandeur of a fump-
tuous Courc. The Succelfors of Jhas have refided there for
one or cwo years cogecher, and the deceas'd King was upon
his way chither when he dy'd. For che Cicy had earneftly im-
porcun'd him by Prefencs and Requefts, and were fo ovef-
joy'd co underftand his Majefty was coming,chat chey preferi*
ted the Melfenger that brought che news wi ch a Prefenc of
three hundred Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , which amounts to abouc one thoufand
Guines.
Now the chief advantage which accrews to che Cicy froru
the Courc's refiding there, is the confumpdon of a vaft quan
tity of Provifion which the Country produces, and which
they cannot export, in regard the Countries round about
have no need of fupplies.
Now befides all that has been faid, that renders a
famous Cicy, we muft not forget rhat it has been a place ce-
lebraced for che Birch of feveral greac men : among the reft
Locman, highly efteem'd for che Fables which he fo well com-
pos d in imicacion of Efop, that fome learned Men uphold it
to be the fame Book.
fhe City is govern'd by a. Dar who is chd«
fen every Year, and in chat Year makes his office worth him
fix hundred Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. ; or two thoufand pounds. In their
Judicial Ads and Records, they give to this City the addici-
O o o o ona!