-
Articles/Ads
Article TRANSCAUCASIA. ← Page 5 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transcaucasia.
not subjected to serfage , were liable to seignorial service and tribute . The nobles are divided into three classes , — the Dedebuli , or sovereign nobles ; the Tavadi , or princes of the second rank ; and the Aznauri . Each of these classes have their OAvn nrilitary folloAvers and esquires , called Muskuri , Avho hold a higher standing than the peasants . Each class of the nobles
intermarry exclusively among themselves : the price of blood paid by them , in expiation of murder , is generally double that paid by the loAver classes . The Christian hierarchy w as constituted in a similar manner to the temporal feudal state , and at its head was the Catholicos of Georgia , Avho enjoyed royal honours . The Georgian Chmch belonged formerly to the
Patriarchate of Constantinople , and was aftenvards attached to that of Antioch , but finally became independent . Of the state of the Georgian priesthood in the middle of the seventeenth century , Sir John Chardin ( in his travels in the East ) gives a lamentable , though someAvhat ludicrous , account ; they shared , he says , in the profligacy and A'ices Avhich pervaded all
classes of society in their country , — " insomuch that the superior of the Capuchins assured me , he had heard the Catholicos say , that he Avho Avas not absolutely drunk at great festivals , such as Easter and Christmas , could not be a good Christian , and deserved to be excommunicated . " Well might the Avorthy knight express his horror at such a state of society ! Times are
doubtless altered , and civilization may have done much to remedy these social evils . The Georgians of the present day have the character of being honest , simple-hearted , brave , and attached to their religion . Still Ave fear the clergy throughout all these countries are , to say the least , in a state of benighted
ignorance . Tiflis , the chief toAvn of Georgia , and the seat of gOA ernment of the Caucasian provinces , presents several features of interest . It extends along the river Koor , for a little more than a mile , and has nearly 30 , 000 inhabitants : one third are Armenians , Avhose industry and enterprise contrast Avith the idle and slothful character of the Georgians . This toAvnsays Baron Haxthausen
, , has a peculiar aspect : in the quarter inhabited by the Russians , it has a perfectly European look : " straight streets , rows of modern houses , elegant shops , milliners , apothecaries , cafes , a government palace , numerous churches , the Russian military uniforms Avith French paletots and frock-coats , quite transported us back to Europe . But Avhere this European town ends , one
of a perfectly Asiatic character begins , Avith bazaars , caravanseries , and long streets , in which the various trades are carried on in open shops . The population is no less varied and in-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Transcaucasia.
not subjected to serfage , were liable to seignorial service and tribute . The nobles are divided into three classes , — the Dedebuli , or sovereign nobles ; the Tavadi , or princes of the second rank ; and the Aznauri . Each of these classes have their OAvn nrilitary folloAvers and esquires , called Muskuri , Avho hold a higher standing than the peasants . Each class of the nobles
intermarry exclusively among themselves : the price of blood paid by them , in expiation of murder , is generally double that paid by the loAver classes . The Christian hierarchy w as constituted in a similar manner to the temporal feudal state , and at its head was the Catholicos of Georgia , Avho enjoyed royal honours . The Georgian Chmch belonged formerly to the
Patriarchate of Constantinople , and was aftenvards attached to that of Antioch , but finally became independent . Of the state of the Georgian priesthood in the middle of the seventeenth century , Sir John Chardin ( in his travels in the East ) gives a lamentable , though someAvhat ludicrous , account ; they shared , he says , in the profligacy and A'ices Avhich pervaded all
classes of society in their country , — " insomuch that the superior of the Capuchins assured me , he had heard the Catholicos say , that he Avho Avas not absolutely drunk at great festivals , such as Easter and Christmas , could not be a good Christian , and deserved to be excommunicated . " Well might the Avorthy knight express his horror at such a state of society ! Times are
doubtless altered , and civilization may have done much to remedy these social evils . The Georgians of the present day have the character of being honest , simple-hearted , brave , and attached to their religion . Still Ave fear the clergy throughout all these countries are , to say the least , in a state of benighted
ignorance . Tiflis , the chief toAvn of Georgia , and the seat of gOA ernment of the Caucasian provinces , presents several features of interest . It extends along the river Koor , for a little more than a mile , and has nearly 30 , 000 inhabitants : one third are Armenians , Avhose industry and enterprise contrast Avith the idle and slothful character of the Georgians . This toAvnsays Baron Haxthausen
, , has a peculiar aspect : in the quarter inhabited by the Russians , it has a perfectly European look : " straight streets , rows of modern houses , elegant shops , milliners , apothecaries , cafes , a government palace , numerous churches , the Russian military uniforms Avith French paletots and frock-coats , quite transported us back to Europe . But Avhere this European town ends , one
of a perfectly Asiatic character begins , Avith bazaars , caravanseries , and long streets , in which the various trades are carried on in open shops . The population is no less varied and in-