'A Journey from Bengal to England, through the Northern part of India, Kashmire, Afghanistan, and Persia, and into Russia, by the Caspian-Sea. By George Forster. In the Civil Service of the Honourable the East-India Company in Two Volumes. Vol. II.' [‎270] (283/314)

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FORSTER’S TRAVELS.
fince the decay of the Perfian monarchy, the independance of
Georgia, and the ceffion of the Crimea by the Turks, who in this
furrender have proclaimed their weaknefs and pufillanimity to
the world; and fince the Tartars who were fcattered over the
eaftern and weftern fides of the Volga, have been either com
pelled to defert their haunts, or fubmit to the Ruffian power,
this province no longer forms the boundary of the empire. The
government of Aftracan, is now directed by a fyftem wholly civil
and commercial, and the garrifon confifts of about fifteen hundred
men, who have more the appearance of militia than regular
troops, and are confpicuoufly deficient in military order.
In this city, which occupies a mediate fituation between Afia
and Europe, there is perhaps a more diverfified affemblage of
nations, than on any other fpot on the globe, and a more
liberal difplay of toleration ; you fee the Greek, Lutheran,
and Roman churches, mingled with the Mahometan mofque
and Hindoo pagoda, and the different fcctaries united by the
bonds of a common focial compatt. The largeft portion of
the induftry and adventure which fupports the commerce of
Aftracan, is contributed by the Armenians, who are the pro
prietors of moft of the Cafpian veffels, and the chief conductors
of the Perfian trade. By their pliant manners but more by
their wealth, which has fupplied the means of fecuring the favor
of government, the Armenians have acquired a diftinguifhed in
fluence