So much for the grounds and purposes of my journey. With respect to the arrangement of these pages, in order that there may be no interruption, I have divided the book into two parts; the first containing the description of my journey from Teheran to Samarcand and back, the second devoted to notices concerning the geography, statistics, politics, and social relations of Central Asia. I hope that both will prove of equal interest to the reader; for whilst on the one hand I pursued routes hitherto untrodden by any European, my notices relate to subjects hitherto scarcely, if at all, touched on by writers upon Central Asia. And now let me perform the more pleasing task of expressing my warm acknowledgments to all those whose kind reception of me when I arrived in London has been a great furtherance and encouragement to the publication of the following narrative. Before all let me mention the names of SIR JUSTIN and LADY SHEIL. In their house I found English open-heartedness associated with Oriental hospitality; their kindness will never be forgotten by me. Nor are my obligations less to the Nestor of geological science, the President of the Royal Geographical Society, SIR RODERICK MURCHISON; to that great Oriental scholar, VISCOUNT STRANGFORD; and to MR. LAYARD, M.P., Under-Secretary of State. In Central Asia I bestowed blessing for kindness received; here I have but words, they are sincere and come from the heart. A. VÁMBÉRY. London: September 28, 1864. {xi} CONTENTS. PART I. CHAPTER I.--Page 1 Travelling in Persia Sleep on Horseback Teheran Reception at the Turkish Embassy Turkey and Persia Ferrukh Khan's Visit to Europe War between Dost Mohammed Khan and Sultan Ahmed Khan Excursion to Shiraz CHAPTER II. Page 9 Return to Teheran Relief of Sunnites, Dervishes, and Hadjis at the Turkish Embassy Author becomes acquainted with a Karavan of Tartar Hadjis returning from Mecca The different Routes The Author determines to join the Hadjis Hadji Bilal Introduction of Author to his future Travelling Companions Route through the Yomuts and the Great Desert decided upon CHAPTER III.--Page 20 Departure from Teheran in North-easterly Direction The Component Members of Karavan described Ill-feeling of Shiites towards the Sunnite Hadjis Mazendran Zirab Heften Tigers and Jackals Sari Karatepe {xii} CHAPTER IV.--Page 30 Karatepe Author entertained by an Afghan, Nur-Ullah Suspicions as to his Dervish Character Hadjis provision themselves for Journey through Desert Afghan Colony Nadir Shah First View of the Caspian Yacoub the Turkoman Boatman Love Talisman Embarkation for Ashourada Voyage on the Caspian Russian Part of Ashourada Russian War Steamers in the Caspian Turkoman Chief, in the Service of Russia Apprehension of Discovery on the Author's part Arrival at Gömüshtepe and at the Mouth of the Gorghen. CHAPTER V.--Page 45