Armenians, Koords and Turks (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1880. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. TRAVELLING IN ARMENIA. Mr. Hamilton's Idea of an Independent Armenia.--The Road into the Interior. -- Superb Views. -- Healthy Climate. -- Dirt. -- An Armenian Arcadia. -- Ghumish Hana.--Ancient Ruins.--The Account given of them by a Spanish Ambassador nearly five hundred years ago.-- Treatment of Armenians at that time.--Xenophon.-- Retreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks through this Valley.--Intoxicating Honey. --Paskievitch stopped here in 1828. -- Description of a Hurricane. -- A Persian Caravan forcing through the Snow.--Docile Horses.-- Dangers.--Scenery resembles Tyrol.--Silver Mines of Ghumish Hana. CHAPTER II. TRAVELLING IN ARMENIA. "Every day's experience"--says William Hamilton, secretary to the Geographical Society, who travelled in Armenia and throughout the whole of Asiatic Turkey upwards of forty years ago--" confirmed me in the idea that it would be far preferable for humanity, civilisation, and commerce, if the Russians were in possession of this country instead of the Turks. That, however, is out of the question; the other European powers would never consent to such an aggrandisement on the part of Russia. "An intermediate Armenian kingdom might be formed between Mahommedanism and the Europeans; their Christian religion and Asiatic manners point out the Armenians as admirably adapted for such a position. This kingdom would include Armenia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Paphlagonia, Galatia, Phrygia; and, under its commercial energy and perseverance, the great resources of Asia Minor would soon be developed and rendered serviceable to mankind." This notion is, however, equally out of the question; and nobody is more aware of such a palpable and self-evident fact than the Armenians themselves. The great road, leading from the sea-coast at Trebizond...