INTRODUCTION. vii interest in England been kept in the dark on the subject, that little had been done when the writer reached Trebisond, to promote the due consummation of the views of the government. Reaching Europe at the close of the Polish war, several circumstances occurred to the writer, worthy, as it appeared to him, of record, not the least of which was his rencontre with the illustrious Skyrznecki, an event that the writer will remember to the latest moment of his life with pride and satisfaction. To this inducement to the sin of publication may be added the opportunities possessed by the writer of acquiring some knowledge of the courts of Hanover and Berlin, and of the state of feeling in Holland. These circumstances, combined with a detail of more personal adventure than falls to the lot of ordinary tourists, constitute the writer's apology for challenging public notice. He fears that great exception will be taken to the loose and hurried manner in which his thoughts viii INTRODUCTION. and observations have been committed to paper, but he will hope for a little indulgence, when he affirms that circumstances, which call him away from his native country, have precluded his submitting his manuscript in the first instance to any literary or book-making acquaintances. CONTENTS. Arab trading vessels-Arrival at Muscat-Visit to Seid Syud the Imaum-His character-His naval force- His horses-Leave Muscat-Arab seamen--Voyage Sail to Grane-Description of Grane, or Koete-Vexa- tions-Depart for, and reach Bussorah-An Arme- nian functionary-Court of Conscience-A bath-- The Residency Garden-The French Consul-Leave for Bagdad-Mallahs, or Trackers-Voyage up the Euphrates-Gomruck-Cross the Arabian Irâk-Meet X CONTENTS. Bussorah again-Change of scene-The "functionary" under a new aspect-Cases of Plague-The Pasha of Bagdad-His career-Political Views and Reflections The Chabean territory-The Sheikh of Fellahi-The Au- thor's reception at the Chabean court-Sketch of the CONTENTS. xi The Mountains of Buctiari-Their general features, ve- Reach Isfahan-Julfa-The Armenians-Plans for the improvement of their condition-A Convent and a Nunnery-A vestry dinner-Depart for Tabreez-Fur- ther detention-Adventures in a tomb-Journey over untrodden ground-Castor oil and leeches-General Tabreez-Costume-Distaste for manufactures-Abbas Meerza's palace-The Ark-The Russian deserters- |