Persian, whom I proposed to indemnify by a proper compensation; but I also observed, that if he persisted in the refusal of all private negociation, I would myself proceed to Sari, and relate my story to the chief; and he well knew that no benefit would accrue to him from the decision of his master. This argument was completely efficient, and when reinforced by some of my Hindostan gold, permission was given me to pursue whatever way I liked, except that of Sari.

BBFORE I leave this quarter of Persia, I will lay before you a brief account of its geography, with cursory observations on its former and present commerce, and its relative policy with Russia. Mazanderan, which occupies the centre of the southern shore of the Caspian sea, has Asterabad on the east, Ghilan on the west, and to the northward it is bounded by the mountainous tract of forest which has been already noticed. Though the fort of Sari, from its strength and centrical situation, has become the residence of the chief, Balfrosh is considered the capital of the province.

THIS town occupies an irregular oblong space, of about a mile and a half in circumference, and standing on a low moist ground, its streets are, at this season of the year, choaked with mud. The houses are coarsely built of brick or clay,

with a flat roof, and being generally small, have a mean appearance. The karavanseras, of which

there are four, have little of that neatness and conveniency which is seen in those of upper Persia, and are of a much less size; but the market-place, which, in the manner of Asiatic towns, forms the principal street, denotes an active traffic.

THE rice of Mazanderan is of an excellent quality, and composes the usual food of the people, who find it difficult, in their marshy lands, to cultivate a sufficient quantity of wheat for common consumption, and that produced is of a coarse sort. The bread used by the higher classes of inhabitants is made of the flour of Shirwan, a considerable amount of which is annually imported at Muschid Sir. This deficiency is, in some degree, compensated to Mazanderan by the growth of sugar, which, though of an, inferior kind, is adequate to most of its common uses. When the general demand of this article in Persia is considered, and that it is rarely produced on this side of the Indus, it might be naturally supposed that Mazanderan would derive extensive benefits from such a possession; especially through its navigable vicinity to the southern territories of Russia, where a large quantity is consumed, at an advanced price; yet from an ignorance in the

methods of preparing and refining it, this valuable product yields but a limited utility.

AN inhabitant of Astracan, I am informed, came into this province for the purpose of establishing a manufactory of sugar, but failing in his project, no future experiment hàs been made. Were the Russians skilled in the process, they would be enabled, by the importation of raw sugars, to fix in their country an important and lucrative commerce. Mazanderan also produces a small quantity of silk, which is fabricated by a society of Jews; but its principal trade is maintained by a frequent intercourse with the port of Baku, which receives white and coloured calicoes, cotton, and rice, and returns bar iron of Russia, saffron, flour, and remnants of broad cloth, procured from Astracan. The commerce of this quarter, which now does not employ more than four or five barks, might be largely extended, did a greater harmony exist between Aga Mahomed and the Russians, especially were the manufacture of sugar increased.

THE Persians have long attempted to navigate the Caspian sea, though with little success. Their vessels are open, rudely constructed, and ill managed, seldom leaving the coast but in the season of fair weather. Many of them are fitted out at Farabad, an ordinary town, situate at the mouth of a river, thirty miles to the eastward of Mus

chid Sir, and now supported by a small trade in rice, salt, fish, and pottery ware. This town, in the European topography of Mazanderan, bears the appearance of note, and gives its name to a province, whatever might have been the former importance of Farabad, and it is noticed with respect in Persian history, little testimony of it now exists.

THE province of Asterabad, lying on the east side of the southern Caspian shore, affords little produce for a foreign trade; and it enjoys a refreshing temperate air, and is beautifully interspersed with hill and dale, and abundantly supplied with streams of salubrious water.

SHAH ABBAS, the most powerful prince of the Suffuee race, pleased with the climate of this province, erected a palace near the shore of the bay of Ashroff,* whither he used often to retire, to avoid the heats of Ispahan. Almost the only marine export of this province consists of dried mullets, which are cured intire by smoke; and are held in such estimation by the Russians, that two cargoes of them are annually imported at Astra

can.

GHILAN, the richest of the provinces border

This is the only harbour on the southern side of the Caspian sea.

+ This prince removed the capital of Persia from Casbin to Ispahan.

ing on the Caspian sea, extends in a western parallel from Mazanderan; it is bounded on the west by the territories of Talish and Astara; and on the south by a range of lofty mountains, which divide it from the dependencies of Cashan and Casbin.

HYDEAT KHAN, the Ghilan chief, has relinquished Reshd, his former residence, and for the security of his wealth and family against the incursions from Mazanderan, has retired to the vicinity of Enzillee, where the Russians possess a fortified factory, garrisoned by a company of soldiers, and supplied with a few pieces of can

non.

HYDEAT KHAN is supposed to possess a revenue of two hundred thousand pounds, a great part of which arises from the produce of silk; and from this revenue, he had amassed, it is said, a considerable treasure. Here you must be cautioned against computing Persian money by your standard, for in this country, where every commodity is procured at a cheap rate, specie

* The most accurate account of Ghilan is found in the travels of the late Jonas Hanway, a name widely known in the annals of humanity, and deeply graven on the most distinguished monuments of his country. Some useful remarks on Ghilan are also to be collected from a book, entitled Voyages and Travels through the Russian empire, Persia, &c. by William Cook, M. D.