'Central Asia. Part V. A contribution towards the better knowledge of the History, Ethnography, Topography, and resources of part of Asiatic Turkey and Caucasia' [‎158] (173/360)

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GEO
" Each of these three classes of nobles had their own servants, esquires, or
horsemen, military followers, who had a hig-her standing than the peasants,
and whose rank varied according to that of the Chiefs whom they served,
they were called Mskhuri. The peasants are called Gleks, prisoners of war,
or their descendants. The legal position of the nobles in Immiretia, Min-
grelia, Georgia, and Suanetia, is the same. Not only do they intermarry
exclusively among themselves, but even the several classes of them are kept
distinct. The price of blood paid by them in expiation of murder is generally
double that paid by the lower classes.
" The proud and warlike Georgians have an aversion to trade and commerce.
With a view to elevate trade, the ancient Kings constituted the merchants
a separate class, and bestowed on them nearly the same honor as on the
lower nobles, the Aznauri. This especially favoured the Armenians,
who have been established in the towns of Georgia from time immemorial.
There are preserved among them royal diplomas and documents, which date
back six centiiries.
" The vassals and followers composing the military force in Georgia Proper
were ranged under four banners, in the centre of which was the royal banner
of Kartalis. The nation was thoroughly martial, and the Kings deemed it
of primary importance to keep a considerable army in pay.
" In this warlike country the Christian hierarchy was constituted in a
perfectly analogous manner to the temporal feudal state, with which it was
closely connected; the ecclesiastical dignitaries having similar gradations of
rank to those of the temporal grandees. The Catholicos or patriarch
enjoyed royal honors; next to him was the Archbishop of Dehgondid,
who had the care and protection of, and the jurisdiction over, widows and
orphans, the unfortunate, and the oppressed, for whom he interceded with
the King. In war he bore the sacred cross at the head of the army. He
and the prelates of the thirteen convents founded by St. Gregory and his
twelve apostolic followers had the rank and honors of the Mthavars; the
bishops were equal in rank with the Tavadi and Eristavs, and the priests
with the Aznauri. The Mthavars and Tavadi had likewise the right of
interment in the cathedrals and abbeys, while the Aznauri were buried in
the other churches. The bishops constantly followed to the wars, and
administered the communion to the army previous to battle.
" In Georgia, each commune has a Natzvalatits head, who is called in the
Georgian language the " Mamasaglisi," in Immiretia " Muchelli," and in the
Tartar villages " Koweha" (guardian). This officer is elected by the heads
of families by a majority of votes, and the Russian manorial Court ratifies
the election upon his nomination by the chief of the circle; the landed
proprietors of the village have no direct share or influence in this proceeding.
The communes possess great freedom, and their affairs are little interfered
with by the Government officials. The Natzval retains his office for life,
unless he resigns it, or is dismissed in consequence of any legal complaints
being brought against him and substantiated by the commune or the
magistracy; he is free of personal service and the payment of taxes, and
receives a small salary from the commune; the control of the police is in
his hands, but all disputes are referred to the chief of the circle. His powers
are thus considerable, and in conjunction with the " white beard^ he has
the allotment of the State taxes, which are levied by the Government