New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-08
LAYARD'S EARLY TRAVELS.
A STRING RECORD OF ADVENTURES.

Bakhtyari and other Wild Trihes before the di'csv-
w , o, S,nSss WIN ~ s np sss snd sv"
pr. 400; 5ll. Longmans Green & Co.
Thece volumes record the making OF n man. ard
that is always an interesting subject. They en-
plain how the scovercr OF Nineren aud the ac-
complished dipiomatist came to be what he after
ward was, and bow the natural bent of you'h was
fostered end developed. and all the latent caDac'-
ties strenut hcned by trial and suffering Sir Henry
Layard states in his introduction that the MARIE
tive here given was manly written a. 1t stands
some fiye-and- for.y years ago-at the time, namely.
when lie returned to Europe from the wanderinrs
recorded The real work OF his HE is Of courss
fully set forth in the works which deal with Ills
subsequent explorations and in the history of the
time which treats Of his doings as Ambassador OF
Great Britain at Corstant,nople. Hero are to ne
found only those purely personal adventures whc oh
modest travellers and explorers in tho ha oit of
omppressing their descriptions of work done, but
which are tie less full OF interest for the gen
eral reader.
Sir Henry then plain Mr.. Layard. when very
young man determined tn seek his fortune in India,
under the command OF John Company The Pagoda
Tree had not at that time been shaken 70 stcrility
The man Of energy and tact who willing 10
sacrifice his scruples and his liver could rely with
confidence on accommodating fortune by the time
his health failed and he was incapaciaied from
ENJOYING IT, Bath and Cheltcnham still noted
for their resident An go- Indians who passed under
the geucric paine OF Nabob and were distinguished
BY the saffron hue of their skins and the explosive
character of Their tempers. Tho East Iadia Com
pany then administered its constantly expanding
empire npon peculiarly commercial lines OF ethics
The test of success applied to its servants the
maintenance of the yearly dividend. Much WAS
pardoucd to Governor General who increased it.
n,a fhtoxv hat 1ar and a liza
men were more attracted to the service than men of
nice morality. 1t followed. also. that the Company's
Indian pulicy was OfteH tortu0us and crafty as
that of tie o rentals against whom II c6ntended
Even sucb Hastings and Give did things
winch. If per 'ormed by Sultan or Shah. would be
eonsileled illustrative Of Oriental dupbcity and
treachery. But India was very far away then. aud
moreover the world was tar less sensitive abont
tae wrongs of alien peoples than it has become
since. India was emphaticaly a career, and for
the most capable of knghsh youth
1t was therefore natural that an adventurous
young man like Layard should turn to the East.
but he made 1t apparent that his thoughts
were not fixed on the Pagoda Tree. He proposed
TO friend named Milford. some years his senior,
that they should make the journey TO India over
land. though Persia. the SelstaD, Afghaplstan and
40 forth. The plan was agreed to and after sim
pie preparation they set out After n short time
Layards desire to examine some alleged ancient
remains which had been reported to Major lnow
Major-GeneraD RawlInson. SO traversed Miiiord's
plans that they parted cOmDany, and thencefor-
ward Iayard was alone OF accompanied only by his
native servant. a man of Luristan. who had but
one defect: liability, If reproved too vigorously,
to whip ont pistol or knife ana experiment forth
with on the vitality of his master anybody else.
In the general circumsl ces. however this really
loa la tn ff,p ri
employer made little account Of II. 1t was then.
and still may be in some parts of the dependence es
of Persia almost impossible Tor European TO
show himself Disguise Indispensable, re-
ligious fanaticsm being always capable OF rising
70 the height of murder where "Fcringi' was
concerned. Mr.. I.ayard therefore found 1T ncces-
sary to adopt the costume of the country, and
even to vary 1t when he passed from the plains to
the highlands and en-; cred the country of the
Bakhilyari. As TO his adventures thoy were lively
and numerous No traveller among the Arabs or
the Bakhtiyari could complain of moboiony. On
the deserts aud the open county between settle
ments the strongest probability always was that
every company encountered was hostile: and to
a traveller without escort, as Lagard was. the only
course open was prompt surrender 10 every gang OF
thieves that appeared.
We havc not counted the number of times he was
plundered, but we should judge that during his
two years wanderings he must have been stripped
dozen times. Occasionally some neighboring
sheik of greater power than the robbers would
compel IA partial restitution. In this way Layard
managett TO retain possession of his watch am
commas to the LAST. But he was repeatedly robbed
of every thing else, and on one occasion they left
him 80 nearly naked that he suffered terribly IN
his forced march over the burning sand with bare
feet and uncovered head. His adventures among
the tribes of the plain doubt full of excite
mept for himself though rather wanting in variety
Riding when poss bic bv night he visited all tho
tombs and ruined places he could hear Of As a
rule the reports concerning such remains proved
wild exagverat ons Either there were no ruins or
they were quite modern, OF insignificant. When
not exploring the traveller was occupied in lodging
predatory Arabs and seeking hospitality. Every
where the Arabs keep open house. No guest 20
poor but they Will kill a sheep for him. But this
generous hosplt aity Is rather of set by the con-
sideration that the host who feasts You tonight
will not hesitate to cut your throat to-moirOw,
when you have left his tent. and the sacred bond
no longer Restraints hi- 1t did not COST Mr. Layard
much for travelling expenses 80 far as eating
drinking and trans portatlon were concerned. but
his life was IN daily aud hourly peril. and he had
to hold himself in constant readiness to surrender
whatever portable property he bappencd to have
about him.
By far the most interesting part OF his hook is
that which describes his residence among the
Bakhtiyari of Luristan. This is a tribe OF hardy
mount aineers resembling at that time land possibly
still, for the East does not chanRe) the Scottish
HiGhlanders of hob ROys period. They were sein'-
independent though nominal subjects of the Shah
of Persia, who levied tribute upon them which
their chieis found very difficult to collect The
Bakhtiyari clam TO be the pure Persians They
are doubtless unsopliistcated Aryans. a race OF
fine physique little civilization, much ferocity, but
m INV simple virtues They are all thieves after the
ancient manner; that is TO say they cultivate lar
ceny carefully take pride in their dexteri'y. and
glory in the reputation their accomplishments have
established for them. Their skill indeed Is said to
be wonderful. and Mr. Layard gives one illusra-