'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.' [‎130] (553/594)

The Coronation
Tndlilwayrcarri'd bis Women along with him; his moft ufual
Walks being upon G'mlfa fide, a Town belonging to the
nians, out of which he pick'd all the handfom Virgins to fill
his Palace. It is faid, the firft time that he caus'd the young
Virgins under twelve and above ten years of Age to be thus cull d
out", of twenty that were carri'd to the Palace there was but
one'that flrew'd theleaft joy in her Countenance for her good
fortune, and fhe was detain'd; the reft who fell a weeping,
either becaufe they were thought too Innocent, or elfe believ d
to be too cunning, were reftor'd to their Parents.' But to the
Father of her that was detain'd the Sum of Eight or
thirtyGuinees Penfionwas prefently orderd. For it is theCu-
ftom of that Court, when the King makes choice of any Vir
gin out of a Family that is not very well in the World, he
affigns the Father a Penfion to that value, or near it, during his
Lite. I fay, when a Family is low in the World: For as for
the Grandees, they count it a great happinefs to have a Kinf-
woman in the Kings houfe, where (he may be ufeful to him in
his advancement, and do him a thoufand good Offices near his
Majefties Perfon.
Neverthelefs the Young Prince had forborn Wine all the lall
year, by reafon of an Inflammation in his Throat occafion'd
by his hard drinking; with which his Father alfo had formerly
been troubl'd for the fame caufe. Which was the Reafon that
thtl\ourouk or Prohibition of Wine was renew'd, to the end
there might be no more fold. For it is the Cuftom of the
Grandees in Jfia-, when they have an Intention to abandon
Wine, they fend Orders to throw away all that they have, and
fo knock out the heads of the VelTels, to the end that if they
fliouldhaveadefireto drink it again, they might not have an
opportunity to fatisfie themfelves 5 not looking upon themfelves
to be Mailers of their Palfions.
But notwithftanding all this Abftinence of the Young Princ6,
his Diftempers nothing abated. His pale and wan Colour, and
his Stomach loathing all manner of Food, were certain Sym-
ptomes of his diforder'd Body.
His Chief Phyfician knew not what to think : he had eflfay'd
in vain all the fecrets of his Art; which was no finall affli<5tiori
to him, in regard his life depended upon the Kings: Or if his
life were Ipar'd, yet he was lure to lofe his Eftate and his Liberty:
as happtn'd to the two Chief Phyficians of HahdsU. and as ic
happens to all thofe that attend the Sovereigns, when
theydie under their care.
The