[138] Zichen, Zigier, or Zincher, among the ancients, called in the earliest times Achæans, dwelt in the country now inhabited by the Circassians.
[139] The torlaques are Mahometan monks, who, under the pretence of holiness, are guilty of the most flagrant excesses. Bajazet the Second banished them from the Turkish empire in 1494. The kalendars, who are likewise monks, wander about in Heathen, as the Gipsy’s do in Christian, countries. Faquirs are religious fanatics, and rove about in Mahometan and Heathen countries, like the most atrocious robbers and villains. Anquetil says, the Faquirs in India go pilgrimages to Jagrenat, to the amount of several thousand. On their return from Jagrenat they plunder such villages and cities as lie in their way. They form considerable bodies about a mile from Jagrenat, where they choose themselves a leader, to whom they pay all the honours due to a general. With regard to strolling and thieving, the Faquirs and Gipseys agree exactly. But this proves nothing concerning the extraction of the latter.
[141] The cause of this persecution was a dreadful plague, which, in the year 1348, raged all over Europe. This calamity was attributed to the Jews, who were accused of having poisoned the wells and water-springs, in order to exterminate the Christians. Never did any description of people experience greater oppression and misery than what were suffered by the Jews of that time. All the gaols and prisons were crowded with them; they were put to the rack in every judicial court. The day was scarcely long enough for the execution of the poor condemned wretches; nor were the nights ever dark, by reason of the continual fires which were kept burning every-where, to consume them at the stake. Vast numbers, who had escaped the rigour of the tribunals, fell a sacrifice to popular fury. They were suffocated in bogs, slaughtered like flies, and destroyed by other summary means. There was no distinction made of age or sex: the same unrelenting fate pursued men and women, children and grey-headed, without exception. To all this was added the plague, which attacked the Jews as well as the Christians. Under such circumstances, it is no wonder if such as could escape from a persecution so dreadful, and unmerited, really did secret themselves in the most retired corners.
[154] Sultan Selim had drawn out his troops against Persia, with the determination, if not to conquer the country entirely, at least to do them all the mischief he could; for which reason his tremendous army was already, in 1517, encamped near Aleppo. Gäwri, the Circassian Sultan in Egypt, when he heard of this enterprise, being fearful that after Selim had accomplished his intentions respecting Persia, he might attack him, sent ambassadors, to offer his assistance against the Persians. Selim accepted it, and Gäwri immediately collected his forces. As the two armies lay near each other, it so happened that some Circassians attacked, and plundered, some loaded camels, which were going to Selim’s camp. Selim, who looked upon this as an affront, instantly resolved to leave the Persians quiet for the present, and to draw his sword against his ally. This he accordingly did, and Gäwri, being betrayed by two of his generals, was defeated, and fell in the action. Those who escaped from the battle fled to Kahire, where they related what had passed; and a general assembly being convened, they immediately proceeded to the election of a new king, Tumanbey. He marched to attack Selim once more, was defeated, and having experienced various reverses of fortune, at last fell into his hands. Selim was so charmed with his understanding, that he not only granted him his freedom, but intended to appoint him viceroy over Egypt. However, before this event took place, people began to talk freely concerning their hopes, that when Selim should have withdrawn, Tumanbey, with the remaining Circassians and Arabians, might be able to drive his troops out of Egypt, and reinstate the Circassians in their former dominion. These reports came to Selim’s knowledge; yet his confidence was so great, that he at first did not entertain any suspicion of Tumanbey. But at length, when they continued, and even increased, he ordered the unhappy man to be arrested, and hanged under one of the gates of Kahire. On which occasion, like a true barbarian, he made use of the following words: “How great my favour was towards him, I have sufficiently proved; the effects of his partisans’ conversation, let the wretch himself experience.” With him not only ended the government of the Circassians in Egypt, after it had continued 286 years, but, by command of Selim, they were for several days left to the mercy of their conquerors, who treated them with the greatest cruelty.
[161] Griselini always mistakes Troglodytes for a particular national appellation, which is just as if we were to suppose Nomades to be the name of a people.
[190] For a comparison of the Gipsey language at different periods, see (A), Appendix.