Born 1643.—Died 1713.
Born at Paris—Son of a Protestant jeweller—Visits Persia and
Hindostan—Returns to France—Publishes his History of the
Coronation of Solyman III.—Again departs for Persia—Visits
Constantinople—Sails up the Black Sea—Caviare—Salt
marshes—Beautiful slaves—Arrives in Mingrelia—Tremendous
anarchy—Is surrounded by dangers—Arrives at a convent
of Italian monks—Is visited by a princess, and menaced
with a wife—Buries his wealth—The monastery attacked
and rifled—His treasures escape—Narrowly escapes with
life—Leaves his wealth buried in the ground, and sets out
for Georgia—Returns into Mingrelia with a monk, and the
property is at length withdrawn—Crosses the Caucasus—Traverses
Georgia—Armenia—Travels through the Orion—Arrives at Eryvan—Is
outwitted by a Persian khan—Traverses the plains of ancient
Media—Druidical monuments—Ruins of Rhe, the Rhages of the
Scriptures—Kom—An accident—Arrives at Ispahan—Commences
his negotiations with the court for the disposal of his
jewels—Modes of dealing in Persia—Character of Sheïkh Ali
Khan—Anecdote of the shah—Is introduced to the vizier, and
engaged in a long series of disputes with the nazir respecting
the value of his jewels—Curious mode of transacting business—Is
flattered, abused, and cheated by the nazir—Visits the ruins
of Persepolis—Description of the subterranean passages of
the palace—Arrives at Bander-Abassi—Is seized with the
gulf fever—Reduced to the brink of death—Flies from the
pestilence—Is cured by a Persian physician—Extraordinary
method of treating fever—Visits the court—Is presented to
the shah—Returns to Europe—Selects England for his future
country—Is knighted by Charles II., and sent as envoy to
Holland—Writes his travels—Dies in the neighborhood of London 233