Page:The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier.djvu/27

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Chap. I.
1

THE

FIRST BOOK

OF

Monsieur TAVERNIER's

Persian Travels,

Containing the several

ROADS

From PARIS to ISPAHAN the Chief

City of PERSIA,

Through the Northern Provinces of TURKY.

CHAP. I.

Of the Roads from France to the hither parts of Asia, and the Places from whence they usually set out for Ispahan.

A Man cannot travel in Asia, as they do in Europe; nor at the same Hours, nor with the same ease. There are no weekly Coaches or Wagons from Town to Town; besides, that the Soil of the Countries is of several natures. In Asia you shall meet with several Regions untill'd and unpeopl'd, either through the badness of the Climate and Soil, or the sloth of the Inhabitants, who rather choose to live miserably, than to work. There are vast Deserts to cross, and very dangerous, both for want of Water, and the Robberies that the Arabs daily commit therein. There are no certain Stages, or Inns to entertain Travellers. The best Inns, especially in Turkie, are the Tents which you carry along with you, and your Hosts are your Servants, that get ready those Victuals which you have bought in good Towns. You set up your Tent in the open Field, or in any Town where there is no Inn: and a good shift too in temperate weather, when the Sun is not too hot, or that it does not rain. In the Carvansera's or Inns which are more frequent in Persia than in Turkie, there are persons that furnish you with Provisions, and the first come are best served. As for Turkie it is full of Thieves, that keep in Troops together, and way-lay the Merchants upon the Roads, and if they be not very well guarded will certainly rob them: nay many times murder them. A mischief prevented in Persia, by the well order'd convenience which is provided for Travellers. To avoid these dangers and inconveniences, you are obliged to stayfor

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