This prince, justly apprehensive from the victorious approach of the Turks, ravaged that part of Armenia which lay contiguous to his dominions, and ordered the inhabitants to retire into Persia. It will be perceived that these devastations were not intended to evince hostility against the Armenians, but to retard and embarrass the advance of the Turks. Encouraged by the monarch, the most opulent of the Armenians removed to Ispahan, where the Emperor appropriated a beautiful suburb for their residence, and permitted them to enjoy every civil and religious privilege, under the jurisdiction of their own bishop or patriarch. During the administration of this magnanimous prince these happy exiles partook the sweets of liberty and abundance, but his death was the signal for the triumph of their enemies. A storm of persecution succeeded, in which the constancy of multitudes was shaken; indeed, so general was the apostacy, that for a time it appeared probable that this branch of the Armenian Church would be lost. These apprehensions proved to be groundless. To the abatement of the rage of their enemies succeeded the restoration of their political rights. Their churches, in Ispahan and other Persian cities, that had been demolished, were rebuilt, and their schools, which had been shut, were re-opened. It is said that, at present, many of the most luxurious seats in Persia are occupied by opulent Armenians. In Bagdad and Damascus they vend the magnificent silks of Oriental manufacture, and preside over the creation of those exquisite fabrics that are the admiration of the world. In all these cities they have meeting-houses, with burial-grounds attached, in which flowers of rare beauty and exquisite odours are cultivated. In these burial-gardens, were it not for the presence of monumental marble, one would forget the contiguity of death and decay. The splendid palms, the glorious rose-trees, and the living song of birds, are anything but inspiring of melancholy thoughts.