thousand poods, or two millions of pounds, annually. Of this, Russia used to take one thousand bales, or three hundred thousand poods; but now they take much less, since they consume their own produce. A large quantity finds its way to Constantinople, where it is mixed with the "brusa" silk (to which it is very inferior), and exported largely to London and France. To India also partial exports are made, in return for colonial produce. I cannot guess as to the quantity in the latter case, having no data. From India it is sent to London, and sold at the Company's sales. The Georgian merchants take off a great quantity in barter for their goods.

These sources, added to the home consumption, are supposed to absorb the whole of the Persian produce of silk. The first sort, called "sharbaff, or weaver's silk," is estimated at one-fifth of the whole amount, and it is but of little more value than the second sort; its cleanness and gloss or brightness constitute its superiority. The white or silver colour is the most esteemed; but in Ghilan the greater part comes yellow from the worm. Between the second and the third quality there is a difference in value of about one-third. The

fourth quality, called "derihot," is very inferior,

and never bought for exportation, being used for the common manufactures of the country.

The King takes his tithe of the province of Ghilan in raw silk, the quantity of which is very considerable; and there would be no difficulty in obtaining this amount from his agent for manufactures; nor indeed would there be any obstacle to absorbing the whole of the Persian produce in raw silk in this way, provided markets could be found in England or in France; and I deem it of the last importance to establish a source of sales for this valuable produce; since it secures certain sales in Persia to this amount; and even if no profit attends this export trade, it protects the British importers from risk, and furnishes them with immediate remittances.

But a magnificent enterprise might be established by introducing the European mode of winding silk in Persia. I have attentively observed the new plan adopted at Milan by an English house, and for which a patent has been obtained, called the "croissee," combining the winding and twisting the silk from the cocoons at the same time.

The produce of Persia consists likewise of opium, saffron, rhubarb, yellow berries for dying, nut-galls,

alum, arsenic, gum, cotton, rice, dried fruits, borax, hides, hare-skins, litharge, &c. &c. The Persians manufacture a few articles themselves, such as carpets and shawls, some of which are very magnificent. They make likewise some good silks, black lamb-skin caps, socks, &c. &c. A respectable powder-mill has been built about six miles from Tabreez, where they can produce from four to five hundred pounds of good powder daily.

It was some time since attempted to introduce the manufacture of cloth in Persia. Mr. Armstrong, an Englishman, undertook it at the cost and request of Abbas Meerza. Fulling-mills were established at Khoie; and spinning, carding, and weaving machines, on the rudest principle, were made and put up at a small building a few hours distant from Tabreez. These I have seen, and the cloth likewise made on them, which was of the poorest description; though it may possibly answer in a small establishment of this description, if properly supported by capital and scientific industry, to the extent of clothing the prince's troops, and some of the lower orders of the people; for which

The wool of Persia is very coarse. The sheeps' tails are unusually large, sometimes weighing from ten to thirty pounds. VOL. II.

M

the wool is peculiarly fitted. Until our indefinite non-de-script, abeyance state of relations with Persia are cancelled by friendly ties, commercial treaties, and active correspondence, this country offers no invitation to mercantile pursuits. It may then open a large field for direct imports of British manufactures, where Manchester industry and Liverpool activity may be exchanged for cachmere shawls, silk, and saffron; thus irrigating both soils with the riches of commercial enterprise.

243

ADVENTURES IN KOORDISTAN.

MY DEAR G.

LETTER I.

Khoe, July 3.

Having promised to resume my correspondence from my resting-places, and being once more seated on the hard brick floor of the caravansery, I will retrace our short course to this place.

On Monday, the 28th ultimo, at seven in the evening, I took my parting farewell of Tabreez, with the Khan. The ceremony of leave-taking, being pretty nearly the same all over the world, needs no recapitulating. Our first stage to Mayane was only an affair of three hours; we were accompanied thither by some friends, and bivouacked under our tent. The evening was delightful, and