Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/158
with it. A thief is acquitted, paying seven-fold what he has stole; two parts whereof go to the Party robb'd; one part to the judges, and four parts to the King. If the Thief has not wherewithal to make restitution, he is sold: If the Product do not yet equal the Sum, if he have a Wife and Children, they first sell the Wife, and if that will not do, then they sell the Children: But if the Party robb'd be so merciful, as to forgive the Thief his share, then neither the King nor the Judges can demand any thing for their share. If a man commit a Murder, they condemn him to die, and deliver him up into the hands of the Kindred of the Party slain, to do Execution as they please themselves. However, it is in their power to pardon him, if he be able to give sixty Cows or more to the next a-kin to the Party kill'd. In matter of Debt, a Creditor has power to seize upon all the Estate of the Debtor and if that will not satisfie, he may sell his Wife and Children.
The Christians of Georgia are very ignorant, especially in Matters of Religion. They learn that little they know, in the Monasteries, as also to write and read; and generally the Women and Maids are more knowing than the Men; not only because there are more Religious Houses for Women than for Men, but also because the Boys are bred up to labour, or sent to the Wars. For if a Virgin grows up, and happens to be handsom, some one or other presently endeavors to steal her, on purpose to sell her into Turky, Persia, or the Territories of the great Mogul. So that to prevent their being stoln, their Fathers and Mothers put them very young into Nunneries, where they apply themselves to study; wherein, if they attain to any proficiency, they usually stay as long as they live: After that, they profess, and when they come to a certain Age, they are permitted to Baptize, and to apply the holy Oyles, as well as any Bishop or Arch-Bishop can do.
The Georgians are very great Drinkers and Nature has fitted them a Countrey that produces good store of Wine. They love the strongest Drinks best; for which reason, at their Feasts both men and women drink more Aquavitæ than Wine. The Women never eat in publick with their Husbands; but when the man has invited his Friends, the next day the Woman invites her She-companions. And it is observable that at the Womens Festivals there is more Wine and Aquavitæ drank than at the mens. The Guest is no sooner enter'd into the Dining-room, but he is presented with 2 or 3 Dishes of Sweet-meats, and a Glass of half a pint of Aquavitæ to excite his Appetite. They are great Feeders upon Onions and Herbs, which they eat raw out of the Garden. The Georgians are also great Travellers, and very much addicted to Trade; they are very dext'rous in shooting with Bow and Arrows, and are accounted the best Souldiers in all Asia. They compose a great part of the King of Persia's Cavalry, who keeps them in his Court at peculiar pay, and relies very much upon their fidelity and courage. There are several also in the Service of the Great Mogul. The Men are very well complexion'd, and very well shap'd; and for the Women, they are accounted the fairest and most beautiful of all Asia; and therefore out of this Countrey it is that the King of Persia chooses all his Wives, being not permitted to marry a Stranger. Teflis, where the Women have more liberty than in any part of Asia, is the Capital City of Georgia, well situated, large and well built, where there likewise is a great Trade in Silk.
CHAP.